The Congressional Human Rights Caucus, co-chaired by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), will hold a briefing on the current issues affecting the human rights situation in Tibet. The briefing will take place on Thursday, December 6, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in room 2325 Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.and is open to the public. ICT Director Bhuchung Tsering will be among those testifying at the Briefing to be chaired by Rep. Mark Udall.

The briefing will give an overview of the general human rights situation in Tibet and the effects of the changing international environment in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. The human rights developments to be discussed range from the unchanged status of political prisoners and the restrictions on religious freedom in Tibet to the newly established democratic Tibetan Government-in-Exile currently residing in India. In addition, our witnesses will focus on the consequences for Tibet of the reopening of the U.S.-China human rights dialogue, The entry of China to the World Trade Organization and especially the international antiterrorism campaign.

To discuss these issues, we will welcome Mike Parmly, Principal Deputy Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; T. Kumar, Advocacy Director for Asia & Pacific, Amnesty International; Bhuchung K. Tsering, Director, International Campaign For Tibet; Eva Herzer, former President, Tibet Justice Center; and Jigme Ngapo, Director of Tibetan Service, Radio Free Asia.