Hearing--Tibet: Barriers to Settling an Unresolved Conflict

Tibetans continue to experience egregious human rights abuses, as Chinese authorities impose increasingly harsh restrictions on religious and cultural life and restrict their ability to enjoy the fundamental rights they are entitled to under international law. For decades, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has sought to address the aspirations of the Tibetan people for rights and freedom through dialogue. From 2002 to 2010, ten rounds of dialogue between Chinese officials and representatives were conducted, without any concrete results. Chinese authorities continue to impose conditions on a return to dialogue, including an insistence that the Dalai Lama concede that Tibet has been a part of China since antiquity. He has refused because such a claim is not rooted in historical fact.
United States policy, per the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, seeks to promote dialogue without preconditions between Tibetans and the Chinese government and to “explore activities to improve prospects for dialogue, that leads to a negotiated agreement on Tibet,” as well as to encourage the Chinese government “to address the aspirations of the Tibetan people with regard to their distinct historical, cultural, religious, and linguistic identity.”
This hearing will discuss the ongoing barriers to the resumption of a dialogue that could serve the aspirations of the Tibetan people for human rights and an end to restrictions on religion, culture, and language. The hearing will explore aspects of Tibetan history and international law that undergird the Dalai Lama’s desire for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Tibet and the People’s Republic of China. The hearing will also examine how U.S. policy can support this goal.
WITNESSES:
Michael van Walt van Praag, Professor of International Law and Executive President of Kreddha
Hon-Shiang Lau, Retired Chair Professor, City University of Hong Kong
Tenzin N. Tethong, Former Tibetan government official and Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to North America
Ellen Bork, Contributing Editor, American Purpose