HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-99-0221EAT
J-99-251
3/23/99
RESOLUTION NO. 9 9 - 2 4
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
SUPPORTING THE CONCLUSION OF THE UNITED
STATES CONGRESS THAT TIBET, INCLUDING THOSE
AREAS INCORPORATED INTO THE CHINESE PROVINCES
OF SICHUAN, YUNNAN, GANSU AND QINGHAI, IS AN
OCCUPIED COUNTRY UNDER THE ESTABLISHED
PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW WHOSE TRUE
REPRESENTATIVES ARE THE DALAI LAMA AND THE
TIBETAN GOVERNMENT -IN -EXILE AS RECOGNIZED BY
THE TIBETAN PEOPLE.
WHEREAS, the Peoples' Republic of China invaded the
independent country of Tibet in 1949-50, has committed "acts of
genocide" in Tibet, and is currently committing systematic human
rights violations in that country, including death in detention,
torture, disappearances, arbitrary arrest, detention without
public trial, denial of free speech and free press, population
transfer, coerced sterilizations and abortions, suppression of
Tibetan Buddhism, destruction of Tibetan culture, and widespread
racism and discrimination against Tibetans; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has stated that "Tibet,
including those areas incorporated into the Chinese Provinces of
Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai, is an occupied country under
the established principles of international law whose true
representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in
CM COMUSSION
XSETIkVG OF
PAR 2 3 1999
ReroWtim No.
99- 221
exile as recognized by the Tibetan people."; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations General Assembly passed
Resolutions 1353 (XIV), 1723 (XVI), and 2079 (XX), calling for
the Cessation of practices which deprive the Tibetan people of
their fundamental human rights and freedoms, including their
right to self-determination; and
WHEREAS, in December 1997, the International Commission of
Jurists reported that "...repression in Tibet has increased
steadily since the 1994 Third International Forum on Work in
Tibet", and concluded that, "Tibetans are a 'people under alien
subjugation,' entitled under international law to the right of
self-determination"; and
WHEREAS, China seeks to absorb Tibet into China and is
conducting economic development in Tibet contrary to the wishes
of the Tibetan people; and
WHEREAS, the Tibetan Government -in -exile advocates economic
development in Tibet, but has stated that development should be
small scale, decentralized initiatives in which Tibetans have
control, and that any development which intensifies and promotes
the transfer of Chinese into Tibet or which leads to the
destruction of Tibet's fragile environment should be opposed; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, recipient of the 1989
Nobel Peace Prize, has repeatedly tried to conduct negotiations
with China concerning the status of Tibet without preconditions,
but China has refused to agree to these negotiations; and
WHEREAS, the Tibetan freedom movement is based on Buddhist
non-violent principles, even in the face of brutal Chinese
2 -
99- 221
repression, and the Tibetan people have called upon the world
community to actively support their struggle for human rights,
economic justice, and self-determination;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the
Preamble to this Resolution are hereby adopted by reference
thereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this
Section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission hereby supports the
conclusion of the United States Congress that Tibet, including
those areas incorporated into the Chinese Provinces of Sichuan,
Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai, is an occupied country under the
established principles of international law whose true
representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government -in -
exile as recognized by the Tibetan people.
Section 3. The Miami City Commission further supports
the recommendations of the International Commission of Jurists to
the Peoples' Republic of China as follows:
1. to enter into discussions with the Dalai Lama and the
Tibetan Government -in -exile on a solution to the question
of Tibet based on the will of the Tibetan people;
2.to ensure respect for the fundamental human rights of the
Tibetan people;
3. to ensure respect for the fundamental human rights of the
Tibetan people;
4.to end those practices which threaten to erode the
distinct cultural, religious and national identity of the
- 3 -
99- 221
Rd
Tibetan people. In particular, cease policies which
result in the movement of Chinese to Tibetan territory;
S. to cooperate with the United Nations mechanisms for the
protection of human rights;
6. supports the right of the Tibetan people to control
economic development in Tibet; and
7. calls upon individuals and companies doing business in
Tibet to follow the development guidelines of the Tibetan
Government -in -exile.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor11.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of March , 1999.
ATTEST:
JOE CAROLLO, MAYOR
In accordance with Miami Code Sec. 2.36, since the Mayer did not Indicate approval of
this legislation by signing it in the designated place provided, said legislation novr
becomes effective with the elapse of ten (10) days from the date of Commission action
regarding same, without the Mayor exercis g veto.
Waite man, City Clerk
WALTER J. FOEMAN
CITY CLERK
AS
rRU V IL
.TTORNEY
305:CSK:ESS
CORRECTNESS:)�,
1� If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at
the end of ten calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted. If
the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective immediately
upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
4 -
99- 221
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA 4MISTRICT 4
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM COMMISSIONER REGALADO
TO
Donald Warshaw
City Manager
FROM:
Tomas Reg ad
Commissioner
DATE: FILE
February 19, 1999
SUBJECT:
Discussion Item
Please place an item on the agenda of the City Commission meeting to be held on March
9, 1999. This item is in reference to the presentation of a resolution supporting Tibet, and
the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people. Please include a copy of the attached
resolution in the agenda package.
Cc: Alex Vilarello, City Attorney
9 9 — 221
-'
34
•: 1
.f
f
i
-a
C •) - II._
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Miami _ finds as follows:
SECTION I. PREAMBLE
A. The People's Republic of China invaded the independent country of Tibet in 1949-
50, has committed "acts of genocide" in Tibet, and is currently committing systematic
human rights violations in that country, including deathin detention, torture,
disappearances, arbitrary arrest, detention without public trial, denial of free speech and
free press, population transfer, coerced sterilization and abortions, suppression of Tibetan
Buddhism, destruction of Tibetan culture, and widespread racism and discrimination
against Tibetans.
B. The United States Congress has stated that "Tibet, including those areas
incorporated into the Chinese Provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai, is an
occupied country under the established principles of international law whose true
representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile as recognized by
the Tibetan people."
C. The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolutions 1353 (XIV), 1723
(XVI), and 2079(XX), calling for the cessation of practices which deprive the Tibetan
people of their fundamental human rights and freedoms, including their right to self-
determination.
D. In December 1997, the International Commission of Jurists reported that
"repression in Tibet has increased steadily since the 1994 Third International Forum on
Work in Tibet" and concluded that "Tibetans are a `people under alien subjugation,'
entitled under international law to the right of self-determination";
E. China seeks to absorb Tibet into China and is conducting economic development in
Tibet contrary to the wishes of the Tibetan people. The Tibetan Government -in -exile
advocates economic development in Tibet, but has stated that development should be
small-scale, decentralized initiatives in which Tibetans have control, and that any
development which intensifies and promotes the transfer of Chinese into Tibet or which
leads to the destruction of Tibet's fragile environment should be opposed.
F. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, recipient of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, has
repeatedly tried to conduct negotiation with China concerning the status of Tibet without
precondition, but China has refused to agree to these negotiation. The Tibetan freedom
movement is based on Buddhist non-violent principles, even in the face of brutal Chinese
repression, and the Tibetan people have called upon the world community to actively
support their struggle for human rights, economic justice, and self-determination.
9/l/98 ICLT Selective Purchasing Manual C-1
9 9 -- 221
(7)
i
NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of
Mi ami that the City of Mi ami
(1) supports the conclusion of the United States Congress that Tibet, including those
areas incorporated into the Chinese Provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai, is
an occupied country under the established principles of international law whose true
representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government -in -exile as recognized by
the Tibetan people.
(2) supports the recommendations of the International Commission of Jurists to the
People's Republic of China —
(a) to enter into discussions with the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government -
in -exile on a solution to the question of Tibet based on the will of the Tibetan people;
(b) to ensure respect for the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people;
(c) to end those practices which threaten to erode the distinct cultural,
religious and national identity of the Tibetan people. In particular, cease policies which
result in the movement of Chinese to Tibetan territory;
(d) to cooperate with the United Nations mechanisms for the protection of
human rights;
(e) to allow unrestricted access to Tibet by independent human rights
monitors;
(3) supports the right of the Tibetan people to control economic development in Tibet;
and
(4) calls upon individuals and companies doing business in Tibet to follow the
development guidelines of the Tibetan Government -in -exile.
ICLT/98/09/01/A
9/1/98 ICLT Selective Purchasing Manual C-2