The Tibetan Policy Act (TPA), a major piece of Tibet legislation, was signed into law by President George W. Bush on September 30, 2002, as part of H.R. 1646, the Foreign Relations Authorizations Act. Passage of the TPA was made possible by strong Congressional interest and the active support of Tibet advocates across the United States who contacted their congressional representatives.
The purpose of the Tibetan Policy Act is to help the Tibetans preserve their identity as a people in exile and in Tibet.
It is the most comprehensive Tibet legislation yet to be passed by the United States Congress. Combining practical initiatives with a firm expression of support for the Tibetan people, it is both programmatic and pragmatic.
Since the Chinese occupation of Tibet began more than fifty years ago, the Tibetan people have suffered widespread discrimination, religious persecution and the threat of imprisonment and torture.
Their national identity, culture and linguistic heritage have been critically endangered by Chinese government policies that encourage assimilation and Chinese resettlement.
While the Dalai Lama has said that China should neither be bullied nor isolated, he has also made it clear that its conduct in Tibet should not be ignored.
The Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 follows this approach - speaking honestly and fairly while avoiding rhetoric that would unnecessarily provoke China - in its efforts to foster a negotiated solution to the issue of Tibet.
You can find the text of the Tibetan Policy act here as part of H.R. 1646. You can also see the Senate Cosponsors of the Tibetan Policy Act (S. 852) and the House Cosponsors of the Tibetan Policy Act (H.R. 1779)
Tibetan Policy Act
- Responses to the Tibetan Policy Act
- Endorsements of the Tibetan Policy Act
- Tibetan Policy Act Talking Points
