Tibetan Writer Woeser in traditional Tibetan dress. Woeser was unable to attend the ceremony as she was under house arrest.
“Tsering Woeser is one of the most prominent Mainland activists speaking out publicly about life for Tibetans under Chinese rule."
“On March 8, the United States joins people around the globe in honoring women and celebrating their contributions toward building a more peaceful, just, and prosperous world,” said Secretary of State John Kerry in a statement honoring International Women’s Day.
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Recognizing Courage In Tibet
“The State Department, which has been led by strong, smart, and remarkably capable diplomats from Madeleine Albright to Condoleezza Rice and my predecessor Hillary Rodham Clinton, stands as a lasting example of the powerful change that determined women can make and sustain.”
As part of the State Department’s celebrations, Secretary of State Kerry honored Tibetan author, poet and blogger Tsering Woeser at the International Women of Courage Awards ceremony.
“Tsering Woeser is one of the most prominent Mainland activists speaking out publicly about life for Tibetans under Chinese rule. Ms. Woeser’s website, Invisible Tibet, is a highly authoritative source for information about human rights conditions in the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan areas of China. With her writing, Ms. Woeser has helped undermine efforts to curtail the flow of information about the deteriorating human rights situation for China’s Tibetan citizens,” the Secretary said.
The United States recognizes Tibet as a part of the People’s Republic of China.
“We remain concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibetan areas, including the numerous tragic self-immolations that have occurred and related reports of detentions and arrests,” U.S. Department of State Acting Deputy Spokesperson Patrick Ventrell said at a recent press briefing in Washington, D.C.
“We continue to call on the Chinese government to permit Tibetans to express grievances freely, publicly, peacefully, and without fear of retribution. And we urge Tibetans to end self-immolations.”
Commenting on Ms. Woeser’s inability to attend the awards ceremony, Secretary Kerry said in conclusion, “We know that that will not deter [her] from continuing [her] work, and therefore it should not deter us from honoring [her] bravery and sharing [her story] today, and we proudly do so.”
