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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi Calls for Release of Prisoners of Conscience in Tibet
Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi entered the following statement into the Congressional Record today in strong support of the House Resolution 157, which later passed by a vote of 398 to 0. Below are her remarks:
"I rise in strong support of House Resolution 157, which urges the Chinese Government to release all prisoners held for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression, belief, or association. Thank you, Congressman Tom Udall for taking the lead in introducing this resolution and for all of your efforts for the people of Tibet. I am proud to be a co-sponsor.
"The Chinese government continues to impose severely repressive measures against any display of support for an independent Tibet.
"We know the facts. The State Department’s Annual Country Report on Human Rights states: ...'[Chinese] authorities continued to commit serious human rights abuses, including instances of torture, arbitrary arrest, detention without public trial, and lengthy detention of Tibetan nationalists for peacefully expressing their political or religious views.'
"We know that more than 1 million Tibetans have died under the Chinese occupation. More than 6,000 monasteries and irreplaceable jewels of Tibetan culture have been destroyed.
"Tibetans are routinely imprisoned and tortured for non-violently expressing their views. Beatings, prolonged exposure to extreme heat and cold, electroshock, sleep and food deprivation, and forced labor are among the techniques used to torture Tibetan political prisoners.
"Since China’s 1988 ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture, more than 70 Tibetans have died as a direct result of torture and inhumane treatment in Chinese prisons in Tibet.
"Hundreds of Tibetans are currently in prison for peaceful expressions of political or religious belief. I would like to mention a few of these brave individuals:
"Phuntsog Nyidron is a nun from outside Lhasa. She has been in prison for 16 years.
"On October 14, 1989, she participated in a peaceful demonstration to protest China’s occupation of Tibet. During the arrest, she and other nuns were subjected to beatings with iron rods, kicks, and punches. She is now the longest serving female Tibetan political prisoner. She is reportedly in poor health and is suffering from a respiratory ailment and severe internal problems.
"While in a Chinese prison for political crimes in 1993, Phuntsog Nyidron and 13 other nuns secretly recorded songs proclaiming their love for their Tibetan homeland and their families. On the tape, each nun states her name and dedicates a song to her family and supporters. The tapes were smuggled out of the prison and the recordings were circulated inside Tibet and around the world. These young women became known as the Drapchi 14 and the Singing Nuns.
"I am also concerned about Tibetan refugees sent back to China by the Government of Nepal.
"Last May, in close coordination with the Chinese Embassy, Nepal deported 18 Tibetan refugees who were seeking safe transit through Nepal. This violates the long-standing agreement that Nepal will turn over refugees to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to facilitate safe transit of the Tibetan exile community in India.
"For many years, Nepal has worked cooperatively with UNHCR. They have earned a strong reputation for their humanitarian approach to Tibetan refugees. I am disturbed by the Government of Nepal’s recent actions in violation of international and humanitarian norms. The prison conditions awaiting repatriated Tibetans are harsh. From first hand reports, we have learned about the torture and maltreatment of the 18 Tibetans deported by Nepal.
"Unfortunately, the deportation of Tibetan refugees continues. On January 9th, Radio Free Asia reported on that 21 refugees were deported by Nepalese border security. On January 15, we have learned that three Tibetan refugees were handed over to Chinese border police by Nepalese officials.
"We expect Nepal to adhere with its own written policy and turn over all Tibetan refugees to UNHCR. Today we are sending a clear message to the Government of Nepal -- the U.S. Government is watching your actions closely.
"The survival of the Tibetan identity is an issue of urgent U.S. and international concern.
"Self-determination for Tibetans must be a priority in the U.S.-China relationship. But unless the United States and other countries of the world are committed to meeting the challenge of Tibet, then we cannot be consistent when we talk about human rights in any other place in the world.
"I am proud to stand with my colleagues today to demand that the Chinese Government immediately release all prisoners of conscience in China and Tibet.
"As we honor the brave and heroic prisoners of conscience, we must heed the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is a constant reminder that the crisis in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world. We have not forgotten the people of Tibet in their struggle. We must and will continue our efforts."
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
