ICT mourns the death of Congressman Donald Payne

The International Campaign for Tibet mourns the passing of U.S. Representative Donald Payne, who died today at the age of 77. He was a long-time member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, most recently as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, and the Subcommittee’s former Chairman.

“Congressman Payne was a dedicated champion for human rights and democratic reform in all corners of the world,” said Mary Beth Markey, President of the International Campaign for Tibet. He will be remembered for his leadership on combating injustice and repression in Africa, including the conflict in Darfur and the AIDS crisis. He was also a friend of Tibet, and played a role in the institutionalization of the Tibet issue by the U.S. Congress over the last two decades. We extend condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Representative Donald Payne developed a long record of support for Tibet over the years. He cosponsored the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, the resolution to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama, and legislation to condemn the Chinese crackdown in Tibet in 2008, to press for the release of Tibetan political prisoners, and to urge the United Nations to address human rights in China.

Donald Payne represented the 10th District of New Jersey’s since 1989.