Published by: World Tibet Network News, Tuesday, June 25, 1996

Submitted by Bhuchung K. Tsering, ICT

Washington, D.C. -- Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys band urged the United States government to adopt strong measures against China's human rigths violations in Tibet. Addressing a packed room at the Congressional Briefing on Human Rights in Tibet on June 24, 1996, he pointed out the nexus between corporations who benefit through their China trade and the political leadership who are cultivated through campaign donations.

When asked to suggest a step that people could take against China, Adam said boycotting of goods made in China is one concrete action that every individual could take.

Earlier, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi introduced the speakers saying for some time the issue of Tibet had been neglected. There were several references to the recently-held Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco at the Hearing. Congresswoman Pelosi was greatly encouraged by the concert. ICT President Lodi G. Gyari, Prof. Robert Thurman, Ven. Paldent Gyatso all referred to the concert as a milestone in bringing the Tibetan issue to the attention of the younger generation of Americans.

ICT President Gyari mentioned the tremendous support that members of Congress had for Tibet and the Tibetan people. He said there was now a need for a multilateral approach to the Tibetan issue. He drew the attention of the gathering to China's retaliation as a result of the passing of a resolution on Tibet by the German Parliament. President Gyari urged the United States Congress to send a strong message of support to the German Parliament.

Ven. Palden Gyatso described his personal experience of 33 years of detention under Chinese rule and the inhumane treatment he had to endure. He concluded by saying that after the Concert he felt confident that the younger generation would take a more active role in promoting human rights and democracy.

Prof. Thurman, who had just returned from a visit to Tibet, told the gathering he was concerned by the massive presence of Chinese population all over Tibet. He felt the long-term goal was to support freedom for the Tibetan people, but the short-term goal of preserving the Tibetan people's cultural identity was important, too.

He made a scathing attack on the propopent of MFN for China who claim that denial of MFN would mean loss of jobs for countless Americans. Prof. Thurman said that in reality only a few corporations and the shareholders benefited from MFN while the average American in fact suffered because of MFN to China. The availability of cheap Chinese goods made American goods disappear from the market, which meant loss of jobs here.

After the speeches, a short moving documentary on a Tibetan musician, Ngawang Choephel, who has been detained by the Chinese authorities in Tibet, was screened. Adam Yauch had a written statement which was distributed at the Hearing.

Whether by coincidence or not, the pro-MFN lobby had scheduled a press conference on the Hill at the same time as this Congressional Hearing. However, people who attended that press conference said there were more people on the stage than in the audience.