Dharamshala — His Holiness the Dalai Lama offered his condolences on the demise of Australian Senator Kimberley Kitching, who worked tirelessly and fearlessly for the rights of oppressed people around the world, including in Tibet, East Turkestan, Hong Kong and China.
Senator Kitching, from the Australian Labor Party, passed away on March 10, 2022 at the age of 52, according to Australian media reports.
In his letter of condolence to her husband, Andrew Landeryou, dated 12 March, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his profound condolences on the demise of the Australian Senator and said that she was a noted supporter of the Tibetan people's freedom struggle in the Australian Parliament.
"I was saddened to learn about the sudden passing of your wife and our good friend Senator Kimberley J E Kitching," His Holiness wrote to her family.
"I pray for her and offer my condolences to you and other members of the family," the spiritual leader of Tibet added.
In his message, dedicating Kitching's efforts to raise the issues of Tibet in the Australian Parliament, the Tibetan leader said, "Senator Kitching was a steadfast supporter and friend of the Tibetan people.
"As you know, I had the opportunity to meet her when she visited Dharamshala in 2017 with a delegation of Australian Parliamentarians," the Nobel Peace Laureate said while recalling his meetings with the Australian Senator.
Penpa Tsering, Sikyong of the Tibetan Government in-Exile, and Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in-Exile, also offered their condolences to Senator Kitching's family and paid tribute to her tireless efforts in standing up for victims of human rights violations around the world, in particular her fearless and strong voice for the voiceless people of Tibet in the Australian Parliament.
In addition, Tibetan Australians in particular have expressed their deep sorrow for the loss of Senator Kitching, while hailing her as a good friend of Tibet, and have expressed their sincere condolences to her family through various platforms such as social media.
