Tibetan Policy and Support Act, 2020

The United States Senate has recently passed the Tibetan policy and support act of 2020. The bill was already passed in the house of representatives of the United States in January, 2020.

 Key features of the Act

• The Tibetan Policy and Support Act, 2020 is based on the Tibet Policy Act of 2002.
• The act addresses every aspect of the Tibetan people. This includes their fundamental rights, environmental rights, Human Rights, religious freedom and Tibetan democracy in exile.
• The act strengthens funding for Tibetans inside and outside Tibet.
• The act commends His Holiness, the Dalai Lama to implement a democratic governance. Also, the act commends the Tibetan exile community to successfully adopt a system of self-governance.
• The act acknowledges the central Tibetan administration as a legitimate institution. The institution reflects the aspirations of the Tibetan diaspora all around the world.
• The act also has provisions to protect the environment and water resources of Tibetan plateau. It recognises the importance of traditional Tibetan grassland in mitigating the negative effects of Climate Change in the region. To the contrary, the Chinese government is pushing for forced resettlement of the nomads from the grasslands.
• The act encourages the American citizens and companies engaged in business activities in Tibet to practice corporate social responsibility other into the United Nations guiding principles on business and Human Rights.
• The act calls for the establishment of United States Consulate in the capital of Tibet, Lhasa.

Lohsang Sangay

Lohsang Sangay is the president of the government in exile of Tibet. Earlier to United States did not recognise the Tibetan government in exile. Therefore, Lohsang Sangay was denied to enter the United States administration buildings. However, in October 2020 the United States state department allowed the first and official entry of Lobsang Sangay. The act is being framed following his visit.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020