"

CONCLUSION: The recent easing of certain restrictions, although providing some relief for the Tibetan people, is not evidence of any change in the PRC's basic policy, which denies fundamental human rights and political self-rule to Tibetans. John Fraser, Toronto Globe and Mail correspondent in Peking from 1976-1979, states, ...they (the Chinese) will only admit that 'serious arrors' arose under Lin Biao and the Gang of Four-which have been rectified. But Tibet puts the lie to all that.... The only essential philosophical difference between the seemingly benign policy of the present government and the "catastrophic havoc wreaked by the Gang of Four' was the time plan and the degree of control."

Dr. June Dreyer, summing up the thirty years of China's control of Tibet, concludes that, '....it is incumbent on the Chinese government to make good on its promises to raise the area's living standards-standards which the PRC has publicly admitted have 'not noticeably improved' since its takeover. It must provide Tibetans with convincing evidence that it will implement its pledge to make Tibetans 'masters in their own house." She continues, "....such assurances have been made before and recinded as the result of ideological or personnel changes in Beijing. In consequence, the Chinese Communist Party and government face a serious credibility.

Tibetans continue to assert their demand for full human rights and selfdetermination. Cognizant of the need for a clearer international understanding of China's intentions in Tibet, Tibetans maintain that the PRC's claims require careful examination in comparison to its actions.

The Dalai Lama, while commending current Chinese attempts at liberalization, has declined several invitations to return. He has said that he will return to Tibet when the basic requirements of a civilized life are provided for-food, clothing, shelter, education, health care and the certainty that Tibetan culture, including Buddhism, will not only be preserved but developed. "For the present," he has stated, "I can serve my people better from the outside."

APPENDIX 26

IV

97TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION

H.CON. RES. 433

Condemning all forms of religious persecution and discrimination as a violation of human rights.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

DECEMBER 6, 1982

Mr. BONKER (for himself, Mr. LEACH of Iowa, Mr. GEJDENSON, Mr. RoSENTHAL, Mrs. FENWICK, Mr. PORTER, Mr. PRITCHARD, and Mr. DyMALLY) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Condemning all forms of religious persecution and discrimination as a violation of human rights.

Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the "Helsinki Final Act") proclaim the principles of nondiscrimination and equality before the law and the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief;

Whereas the United Nations General Assembly on November 25, 1981, adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief which proclaims the universal right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the right

(931)

2

to manifest religion and belief in worship, observance, practice, and teaching;

Whereas freedom of religion and belief does not exist in isolation but can only be freely exercised in conjunction with other rights;

Whereas the disregard and infringement of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief have brought, directly or indirectly, wars and great suffering to mankind; Whereas all member states of the United Nations have pledged themselves to take joint and separate action in cooperation with the United Nations to promote and encourage universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion;

Whereas freedom of religion and belief is treasured and deeply rooted in the history and tradition of our own country and sanctified by the Bill of Rights;

Whereas the constitutions of most nations of the world specifically provide for the freedom of religion and belief and extend to the citizens of those nations the right to worship freely and the right not to be persecuted or discriminated against on the basis of religion or belief;

Whereas testimony before the Congress has established that

there is continuing manifestation of all forms of religious persecution and discrimination in different parts of the world;

Whereas in Iran, the Baha'i community has been singled out for extermination by the Islamic authorities solely because of their faith (as evidenced by the execution of more than one hundred Baha'is, by the disappearance, torture, persecution,

HCON 433 IH

3

and harassment of Baha'is, by the desecration of Baha'i shrines and cemeteries, and by Baha'is being deprived of personal property and employment), and the barbaric attacks on these gentle people continue and their situtation grows more desperate;

Whereas in Albania and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea-officially atheistic states-religion of any kind is outlawed;

Whereas in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Eastern European countries, both Christians (especially Pentecostals) and Jews frequently are harshly persecuted for their beliefs, denied the right to emigrate to countries where their freedom of worship would be secure, imprisoned, denied the right to religious education, and denied jobs and housing; Whereas in Ethiopia, the Falasha Jews are relentlessly persecuted;

Whereas in Egypt, the head of the Coptic Christians is under house arrest and some of his followers have been jailed; Whereas in some countries in Asia, members of various religious faiths suffer harsh treatment because of their religion; and Whereas in some countries in Latin America, Catholics, Jews,

1

and Protestants are tortured, jailed, or assassinated for activities motivated by their religious beliefs: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 2 concurring), That the Congress, in accordance with our Na3 tion's history and traditions of opposition to religious persecu4 tion and discrimination, as well as in full respect for interna5 tional law and custom, condemns and opposes religious per

4

1 secution and discrimination wherever practiced, encouraged, 2 or tolerated by national governments. The Congress also con3 demns persecution and discrimination by any institution, 4 group of persons, or person on grounds of religion or other

5 beliefs.

6

SEC. 2. Accordingly, it is the sense of the Congress that 7 the President should attempt to organize and implement pro8 grams of national and international action to be taken with 9 respect to governments engaged in religious persecution and 10 discrimination. In particular, the President and other official 11 representatives of the United States

(1) should work for the establishment at the thirty-ninth session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights of a working group on the Elimination of All Forms of Religious Persecution and Discrimination;

(2) should at every opportunity raise the issue of violations of freedom of religion and belief at any appropriate international forum; and

(3) should encourage the United Nations, regional

organizations, and individual governments

(A) to condemn all forms of religious perse

cution and discrimination whenever and wherever they occur; and

HCON 433 IH