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The Biden administration says Uzra Zeyak will promote the human rights and “fundamental freedoms” of the Tibetan people.
The Biden administration has announced a new special coordinator for Tibetan affairs, saying the office will “promote dialogue” between China and the Dalai Lama and promote the protection of human rights and “fundamental freedoms.” Tibetan people.
The State Department announced on Monday that veteran diplomat Uzra Zeya would serve as the new coordinator while he remains as undersecretary of civil security, democracy and human rights.
Zeya’s appointment comes in the middle increasing tensions There are a number of issues between Washington and Beijing that are likely to spark China’s objection, which has previously accused the U.S. of trying to “destabilize” Tibet.
“She is OK [Zeya] It will promote respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Tibetans, including freedom of religion or belief, and will promote efforts to preserve their distinct historical, linguistic, cultural and religious heritage, “Secretary of State Antony Blink said in a statement.
He added that the new coordinator will also support efforts to address the humanitarian needs of displaced Tibetans, including refugees from the United States.
The coordinator’s office, which works within the State Department, was established by the Tibetan Politics Act of 2002. He was vacant in the Trump administration for three years, when then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appointed Robert Destro last year until it sparked criticism from China.
At the time, Beijing called for Destro’s appointment an interference He had “destabilized Tibet” in his internal affairs.
Destro left the State Department when the Biden administration took office in January.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not return a request for comment from Reuters on Monday.
China took over Tibet in 1950, in what it describes as a “peaceful liberation” of the region. Critics say the Chinese government is forcing China to educate the remote province in what the Dalai Lama has called.cultural genocide“.
The Dalai Lama he has lived in exile since fleeing a failed insurgency against Chinese rule in 1959. With the exception of Donald Trump, all former U.S. presidents since George WH Bush have been in office have met with the Tibetan spiritual leader.
It was made by Chinese President Xi Jinping rare visit in July to Tibet, urging local officials to identify more with the “great homeland” and the Communist Party.
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) A human rights group in Tibet and a group based in the US and Europe welcomed Zeya’s appointment on Monday.
“We anticipate that as a person familiar with the Tibetan issue, Zeya will work proactively to promote dialogue between the Dalai Lama’s envoys and the Chinese leadership, as well as the interests of the U.S. in Tibet, and the Tibetan American and Tibetan cause,” said Bhuchung K Tsering. Interim ICT President in a statement.
But the move comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China over a number of issues, among others Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Chinese government treatment Uighurs and Muslims are mostly minorities in the western Xinjiang region of the country.
Washington and some of its allies a diplomatic boycott Earlier this month, the 2022 Winter Olympics were held in Beijing, citing “horrific” human rights abuses in China.
Blinken said Monday that Zeya’s appointment demonstrates the US administration’s “commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans, caring for their distinctive heritage, addressing their humanitarian needs, and addressing environmental and water resource challenges in the Tibetan highlands.”
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