Washington, DC [US], June 17 (ANI): In a bipartisan move to honor the Tibetan spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday, US Congressmen Michael McCaul and Jim McGovern have introduced a resolution to designate July 6, 2025, as “A Day of Compassion,” the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) announced in a statement shared on X.
Congressman McCaul praised the Dalai Lama for embodying peace and compassion in the face of decades-long persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Recalling his visit to Dharamsala last year, McCaul reiterated his unwavering support for the Tibetan people and their aspiration for a peaceful return to their homeland.
Congressman McGovern echoed those sentiments, applauding the Dalai Lama’s lifelong commitment to non-violence, religious tolerance, and global peace. “His message is more needed today than ever,” McGovern said, expressing hope that future birthdays will be celebrated freely in Lhasa, Tibet.
Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet, welcomed the resolution, describing it as a powerful show of solidarity with the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people—especially those in Tibet who are unable to publicly observe his birthday due to Chinese restrictions.
The resolution has garnered additional bipartisan support from Representatives Joe Wilson, Mike Lawler, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jamie Raskin, Jan Schakowsky, and Young Kim.
Since the Chinese annexation of Tibet in the 1950s, Tibetans have endured systematic repression. The 1959 uprising led to the Dalai Lama’s exile, which further intensified the Chinese government’s crackdown on Tibetan identity, culture, and religion.
Numerous reports indicate that Tibetan monasteries are under strict surveillance and religious practices face heavy constraints. Educational policies in Tibet prioritize Mandarin Chinese over the native Tibetan language, and protests against cultural suppression are met with severe punishment. Some Tibetans, in acts of desperation and protest, have resorted to self-immolation.
The Chinese government consistently labels Tibetan activism as separatist in nature, justifying its authoritarian policies in the region as measures for national unity and development. International human rights organizations, however, have continued to raise alarms over Beijing’s heavy-handed tactics and the lack of transparency, especially regarding access to the region.
The resolution to mark the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday as a “Day of Compassion” underscores the US Congress’s ongoing support for human rights, religious freedom, and the cultural survival of the Tibetan people. (ANI)
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