The International Campaign for Tibet is concerned by the reduction of financial support to Tibet programs, as proposed in President Donald Trump‘s fiscal year 2018 budget, announced on May 23, 2017.

The United States Congress and US Administrations have for the last few decades supported the aspirations of the Tibetan people “to safeguard Tibet’s distinct historical, religious, cultural, and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights.” as stated by numerous Congressional Resolutions, US Presidents statements and the Tibetan Policy Act.

As a result, humanitarian and development assistance programs have been supported in the US State Department budget for the Tibetan people, both in Tibet and in exile, to enable them to preserve and promote their distinct culture, identity and way of life, and to empower them economically. This assistance over the years has had a very positive impact on the development of the Tibetan community.

In addition to the direct economic and humanitarian assistance provided to Tibetans in Tibet and in exile, hundreds of Tibetan students in exile who have availed themselves of the educational assistance programs, are now at the helms of the Tibetan governance structure in exile and are able to make concrete contributions to the Tibetan community.

ICT has already reached out to the offices of the relevant Committees in both the House and the Senate and will be following up on this, as the Congress will now take up the President’s budget proposal.