S. 4432: Tibet Atrocities Determination Act

This bill, titled the Tibet Atrocities Determination Act, mandates the Secretary of State to assess and report whether actions by officials or agents of the People's Republic of China against Tibetans in Tibet amount to genocide or crimes against humanity. This determination is to be submitted to relevant congressional committees within one year of the bill's enactment.

Key Components of the Bill

Mandate for Determination

The Secretary of State is required to make a determination on whether the acts against Tibetans constitute:

• Genocide: Defined in accordance with the Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987, considering various forms of systematic killing.
• Crimes Against Humanity: This includes actions that cause serious harm to individuals or groups, or conditions calculated to destroy a population.

Indicators for Consideration

In forming this determination, the Secretary must evaluate specific factors such as:

• Systematic killings of Tibetan individuals or groups.
• Serious bodily or psychological harm, such as torture or severe suffering.
• Life conditions engineered to destroy, including forced displacement or deprivation of resources.
• Measures to prevent births, including enforced sterilization or coercive abortion.
• Forced transfers of children, particularly through China's boarding school system.

Report Requirements

Alongside the determination, a written report must be submitted that includes:

• The evidentiary basis for the determination, including specific acts and policies.
• A review of actions taken by the Chinese government against Tibetan culture and religion.
• Findings from credible reports and analyses regarding the situation in Tibet.
• Recommendations for U.S. policy responses, which may include sanctions and diplomatic actions.

Consultation Process

The Secretary may consult with:

• Experts in Tibetan culture and human rights.
• Nongovernmental organizations involved in Tibetan advocacy.
• Members of the Tibetan diaspora.

Submission of Report

The report must be submitted in an unclassified format, but it may include a classified annex if necessary.

Definitions

Two key terms are defined in the bill:

• Appropriate congressional committees: Refers to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
• Tibet: Encompasses the traditional Tibetan provinces of Amdo, Kham, and U-Tsang within China.

Relevant Companies

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