Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, June 18: U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Todd Young (R-Indiana) on Tuesday introduced a bipartisan resolution to honour the upcoming 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and reaffirm support for the Tibetan people.
“The people of Tibet have an inalienable right to self-determination, and our resolution reaffirms the United States’ commitment to Tibetans by supporting their basic human rights, religious freedom, culture, and language,” said Senator Merkley. “As the Chinese government continues to ignore Tibet’s rights under international law, we’re sending a clear message: these fundamental freedoms must be protected.”
Senator Young echoed this sentiment, stating, “Throughout his life, the Dalai Lama has stood for peace, respect, and understanding. I’m proud to stand with the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet in their struggle for freedom and peace against the Chinese Communist Party’s continued aggression. The CCP’s status quo – both in Tibet and elsewhere – is unacceptable.”
The Senate resolution has received broad bipartisan backing, with co-sponsors including Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Curtis (R-UT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK).
This latest resolution builds on previous legislative efforts. Last year, Senators Merkley and Young led the successful passage of the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, which was signed into law. The act supports the Tibetan people’s right to determine their political future and promotes renewed dialogue between the Dalai Lama’s representatives and the Chinese government to resolve the decades-long conflict peacefully.
The Senate resolution also follows a similar initiative in the House of Representatives, where lawmakers recently proposed designating July 6, 2025, as “A Day of Compassion” in honour of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday. That resolution was led by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Chairman Emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts).
Welcoming the Senate resolution, Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), stated, “This timely resolution expresses a wonderful, bipartisan recognition that His Holiness the Dalai Lama stands as a global icon of compassion and honours his lifelong commitment to strive for peace and justice for his homeland and the people of Tibet. Swift passage of this resolution led by Senator Merkley and Senator Young will bring joy and inspiration to all those celebrating the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, and perhaps most critically, provide hope to Tibetans in Tibet—where even acknowledging the Dalai Lama’s birthday remains a dangerous act.”
