Top American lawmakers and eminent experts today slammed China for the continued repression and human rights violations in Tibet, and praised India for accommodating Tibetan refugees. Testifying before House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, lawmakers and eminent experts also called for reciprocal access, religious freedom and human rights in Tibet.<br/><br/>Congressman Ted Yoho, who chaired the hearing, supported the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2017 which proposes to deny US visas to Chinese government officials involved in restricting access to Tibet. <br/><br/>He said human rights and personal freedoms in Tibet were already in a poor and worsening state. Yoho said the government of China engages in severe repression of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic heritage. <br/><br/>Praising India for providing refuge to over 90,000 Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama, Congressman Brad Sherman said Washington is trying to build a strategic relationship and partnership with India. He demanded that Congress must act quickly to counter China's repressive tactics and policies<br/>toward Tibet. <br/><br/>Congressman Steve Chabot said China has systematically marginalised Tibet for over 50 years. Congressman, Jim McGovern said China is waiting Dalai Lama out and counting on his eventual departure to remove Tibet from the international agenda.<br/><br/>Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Top Hollywood star Richard Gere, chair of the International Campaign for Tibet,also testified before the Sub-committee.