DHARAMSALA, 19 Nov: The US House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution affirming the significance of the advocacy for genuine autonomy for Tibetans in the People’s Republic of China and the work His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has done to promote global peace, harmony, and understanding.

The lower house of the United States Congress overwhelmingly passed the resolution recognizing “both the cultural and religious significance of an autonomous Tibet. The resolution also presses for the assembly of a bipartisan, bicameral forum between Members of Congress and the Dalai Lama to discuss peaceful solutions to international conflicts,” by a voice vote on Wednesday.

“Honored to see the House unanimously passed my resolution recognizing the genuine autonomy of Tibet and celebrating the work the Dalai Lama has accomplished,” Congressman Ted Yoho from Florida’s third Congressional District who introduced the resolution tweeted toasting the passage of the resolution by the house.

“The US must continue to work with allies to secure freedom from oppression for Tibetan people,” Congressman Ted Yoho added.

Congressman Eliot Engel, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee while addressing the house accused China of violation of international religious freedom in Tibet and further called out China for systematically impeding travel to Tibetan autonomous region areas for US diplomats, officials, journalists and tourists.

The resolution labelled H.Res.697 was first introduced by Rep. Yoho on 13 Nov 2019 and the resolution was agreed to in the house without objection with amendment to the tittle on 18 Nov 2020.