As US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken prepares for his upcoming diplomatic visit to China from April 24-26, 2024, the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) has made a significant appeal for him to address the “deteriorating” situation in Tibet. In a letter sent to Blinken on behalf of its approximately 50,000 US members, ICT emphasized the urgency of discussing Tibet’s political and human rights issues both privately with Chinese leaders and publicly.
ICT, a prominent advocacy group promoting human rights and democratic freedoms for Tibetans, highlighted several critical concerns in their correspondence. These include the longstanding issue of China’s interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama, the unresolved status of Tibet, and particularly the kidnapping of the Panchen Lama, Tibet’s second highest spiritual leader after the Dalai Lama.
The Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognized by the Dalai Lama in 1995, was abducted by Chinese authorities at the age of six and has not been seen since. With the Panchen Lama’s 35th birthday coinciding with Blinken’s visit, ICT has called on the Secretary of State to press for his release and for information on his whereabouts and well-being.
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The letter also draws attention to the plight of over one million Tibetan children separated from their families and indoctrinated in state-run boarding schools. ICT referenced recent US sanctions against Chinese officials involved in this system, underlining the severity of the issue.
Further, ICT stressed the need for resuming negotiations between the Chinese government and Tibetan leaders. Noting that previous dialogues ceased in 2010 after 10 rounds without substantive progress, the organization underscored the role of international pressure in fostering these talks.
The ICT implored Blinken to remind Chinese officials of US policy, which holds that the selection of religious leaders should remain a religious matter and not be influenced by political agendas. They urged Blinken to assert that only the current Dalai Lama and his followers have authority over his succession, rejecting any interference by Chinese authorities.
This appeal by the ICT highlights the ongoing human rights crisis in Tibet under Chinese rule, where religious suppression and cultural assimilation efforts have intensified. Blinken’s visit to China represents a crucial opportunity to address these pressing issues, which bear significant implications for international human rights advocacy and US-China relations.
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