Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities Urges Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Reinstate Critical US Support for Tibet

Press Release:

Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities Urges Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Reinstate Critical US Support for Tibet

London | 26 March 2025 | GATPM – The Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM) has issued an urgent appeal to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling for the reinstatement of US funding for the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the preservation of critical federal grants to Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA), including their Tibetan-language services.

In a letter addressed to Secretary Rubio, GATPM Founder and Chair Tsering Passang expressed deep concern over the recent announcement to discontinue these vital funding streams. He warned that such cuts would severely weaken Tibetan resistance to Beijing’s oppression and embolden the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) efforts to erase Tibet’s cultural and linguistic identity.

“As the son of a veteran of the Tibetan resistance movement in Mustang, I make this urgent appeal with deep conviction,” wrote Passang. “While my father spent a decade in the rugged Himalayan mountains fighting for Tibet’s freedom, my battlefield is different. From London, I work to counter China’s disinformation campaigns and advocate against the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) brutal oppression.”

The letter (see below) highlights the CCP’s ongoing atrocities in Tibet, including mass surveillance, suppression of religious freedoms, and the forced assimilation of nearly a million Tibetan children into state-run boarding schools. It underscores that US-funded Tibetan-language services of RFA and VOA remain a critical lifeline for Tibetans living under Beijing’s repressive regime, providing access to uncensored news, democratic discourse, and cultural preservation efforts.

A Crucial Bridge Between Tibetans Inside and Outside Tibet

Passang emphasised that RFA and VOA’s Tibetan-language services serve as a crucial bridge between Tibetans inside Tibet and those in exile. In a region where independent journalism is systematically suppressed, these broadcasts provide one of the only means for Tibetans inside Tibet to connect with the outside world. They expose the CCP’s human rights violations, environmental destruction, and military expansionism while offering exiled Tibetans an avenue to maintain ties with their homeland. Tibetan-speaking populations across the Himalayan belt and beyond also benefit from these vital services.

“Eliminating funding for these essential services would weaken US efforts to counter Beijing’s growing influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific,” Passang warned. “Preserving RFA and VOA’s Tibetan services is not just a strategic necessity – it is a moral imperative.”

The appeal also emphasises Tibet’s historical ties with the United States, referencing the Mustang resistance fighters who once aligned with US strategic interests in the 1960s and 1970s. Passang argues that withdrawing such crucial support now would betray America’s long-standing commitment to human rights and democracy, further strengthening China’s authoritarian grip.

He urged Secretary Rubio and the Trump administration to uphold the principles enshrined in the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act (2018) and the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (2020) – legislative measures signed into law during President Trump’s first term that reaffirmed America’s commitment to Tibet.

“At this critical juncture, the world looks to the United States to uphold fundamental freedoms and resist authoritarian oppression,” said Passang. “The Tibetan people have always been genuine admirers and time-tested allies of America. Our younger generations must be empowered to carry forward their parents’ legacy of resisting CCP oppression and defending freedom, justice, and global peace.”

The Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities urges the US government to reverse its decision and continue standing firmly with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Tsering Passang | info@gatpm.com
Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities
http://www.Tsamtruk.com/gatpm

GATPM Chair Tsering Passang’s Letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio:

25th March 2025

Urgent Appeal: Safeguard Support for Tibet and Critical US-Funded Media Services

Your Excellency Secretary of State Marco Rubio,

May I first extend my sincere congratulations on your appointment as Secretary of State in President Trump’s administration. Tibetans worldwide deeply appreciate your unwavering support for our just cause and your steadfast commitment to human rights and democracy. I was encouraged by your recent letter to our Sikyong reaffirming that US policy on Tibet remains unchanged and your continued backing of Tibet and its people.

However, I write with profound concern regarding the recent decision to discontinue financial aid to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and withdraw US federal grants to Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA), including their Tibetan-language services.

As the son of a veteran of the Tibetan resistance movement in Mustang – a movement that directly aligned with US strategic interests in the 1960s and 1970s – I make this urgent appeal with deep conviction. While my father spent a decade in the rugged Himalayan mountains fighting for Tibet’s freedom, my battlefield is different. From London, I work to counter China’s disinformation campaigns and advocate against the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) brutal oppression and its atrocities.

Since the illegal occupation of Tibet in 1950, Beijing’s systematic policies have led to the deaths of an estimated 1.2 million Tibetans and the near-eradication of our cultural and religious identity. Today, China continues its assault on Tibetan heritage through mass surveillance, suppression of religious freedoms, and the forced assimilation of nearly a million Tibetan children into state-run boarding schools designed to erase their identity. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) in their 1959 and 1960 reports recorded Communist China’s crimes against the Tibetan people and our culture, which amounts to genocide as per the Genocide Convention of 1948.

The abrupt defunding of Tibetan services on RFA and VOA would be a devastating setback for freedom and justice. These platforms serve as a crucial bridge between Tibetans inside Tibet and those in exile, providing a rare source of uncensored news, democratic discourse, and cultural preservation. Inside Tibet, where independent journalism is systematically suppressed, these broadcasts are lifelines for millions. They expose the CCP’s human rights violations, environmental destruction, and military expansionism while offering Tibetans hope and connection to the outside world. Tibetan-speaking populations across the Himalayan belt and beyond also benefit from these vital RFA and VOA Tibetan services.

Eliminating funding for these essential services would weaken US efforts to counter Beijing’s growing influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Preserving RFA and VOA’s Tibetan services is not just a strategic necessity – it is a moral imperative. These broadcasts are vital in preserving the Tibetan language and culture, which Beijing seeks to erase.

For decades, VOA and RFA have provided a voice to Tibetans who risk everything to stay informed. Weakening these services would embolden Beijing’s propaganda machine and further silence a marginalised people fighting for their survival.

My father and his fellow freedom fighters made significant sacrifices for regional stability, aligning with America’s core values of democracy and human rights. However, US-China relations shifted under President Nixon, prioritising economic engagement over the democratic ideals America has long championed. Today, China openly challenges international norms, making it more crucial than ever for the US to stand with the Tibetan people and their allies. Supporting the Tibetan diaspora remains essential in countering CCP expansionism and upholding American strategic interests.

Having been born and raised in refugee camps in Nepal, I have firsthand experience of the profound impact of these critical services on Tibetan communities. For many refugees, VOA and RFA broadcasts remain their sole independent source of information. The Mustang resistance, in which my father and his comrades courageously participated, was not only a fight for Tibet’s freedom but also a contribution to regional stability — a goal that remains aligned with America’s global mission.

I acknowledge and deeply appreciate your long-standing commitment to Tibet and your leadership in countering CCP influence. During his first term, President Trump made significant strides by signing the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act (2018) and the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (2020), reinforcing America’s commitment to Tibet. These measures sent a clear message to Beijing that the United States stands firmly with the Tibetan people. We now hope that President Trump’s administration will uphold and strengthen this support.

At this critical juncture, the world looks to the United States to uphold fundamental freedoms and resist authoritarian oppression. Your Excellency, as a seasoned statesman and champion of democracy, I urge you to use your influence to reinstate and enhance funding for the Central Tibetan Administration and maintain vital federal grants for RFA and VOA’s Tibetan services. The Tibetan people have always been genuine admirers and time-tested allies of America. Our younger generations must be empowered to carry forward their parents’ legacy of resisting CCP oppression and defending freedom, justice, and global peace.

Withdrawing such crucial support would only serve Beijing’s interests, strengthening an oppressive regime that seeks to undermine the rules-based international order.

I respectfully urge you to champion this cause and reinforce America’s unwavering commitment to democracy, human rights, and press freedom.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this urgent appeal.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed)

Tsering Passang
Founder & Chair
Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities