Urges U.S. to Push for U.N. Resolution

For Immediate Release Contacts:

December 14, 1995 Bhuchung Tsering

Rachel Lostumbo

(202) 785-1515

SENATE CONDEMNS CHINA'S INTERFERENCE IN PANCHEN LAMA SELECTION

Urges U.S. to Push for U.N. Resolution

Last night the United States Senate unanimously adopted a resolution (S.J.Res. 43) urging the Chinese government to support the Dalai Lama's selection of the Panchen Lama and pressing for the release of Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng.

On Thursday, December 8, the Chinese government enthroned a boy they had selected as the Panchen Lama, rejecting Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the boy recognized by the Dalai Lama this May. Choosing the successor to the Panchen Lama, an important religious figure in Tibet, has always been the authority of the Dalai Lama.

The whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family are unknown and they are reportedly in Chinese custody. In addition, Chatrel Rinpoche, head of the original search committee for the Panchen Lama, is believed to have been detained by Chinese authorities for colluding with the Dalai Lama. The Senate resolution further calls on the Chinese government to ensure the safety of the new Panchen Lama.

"Clearly the United States Congress understands the gravity of China's blatant disregard for Tibetan custom," commented Lodi Gyari, President of the International Campaign for Tibet. "The Tibetan people will never accept a child as the Panchen Lama who is imposed by the Chinese communist government, and not selected by His Holiness the Dalai Lama," Gyari added.

The resolution further calls on the U.S. Administration to "aggressively push" for a resolution on China and Tibet at the next session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva next March. Last year a similar resolution at the U.N. forum failed by only one vote. China has been vigorously lobbying against U.S. support for a resolution at the next Commission.

"China sees this next Commission as a referendum on its human rights practices and will see failure of a resolution as international acceptance of its egregious policies against the Chinese and Tibetan people," said Lodi Gyari. "U.S. support is critical to the success of a resolution," he continued.

S.J.Res. 43 was introduced by Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.