Canberra - The House of Representatives and the Senate honored Sikyong Penpa Tsering at the Australian Parliament on June 20, 2023. Sikyong observed the proceedings of Parliament as Australian MPs and Senators presented their views on the current situation in Tibet and highlighted the human rights violations faced by Tibetans under Chinese rule. Senator Lidia Thorpe urged the Australian government to stand up against cultural genocide in Tibet.
Sophie Scamps and Susan Templeman, members of the Australian Parliament, welcomed the presence of Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan government in exile), who was observing the proceedings before the Honourable Deputy Speaker of the House, Sharon Claydon, and other members of the House. They also drew the House's attention to the critical situation in Tibet under Chinese government control, including the forced enrolment of Tibetan children in colonial boarding schools and the Chinese government's interference in the debate over the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The the MPs also stressed how crucial it is to speak up for human rights in Tibet.
Senator Janet Rice stressed the importance of advocating human rights in Tibet and criticized the Chinese government's interference in the issue of the reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. She urged the Chinese government to resume negotiations with His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his delegates in order to put an end to the Sino-Tibetan conflict. Ms Rice also called on the Australian government to put a specific policy and "protect the Dalai Lama's succession without any interference from the Chinese government".
Senator Linda Reynolds expressed the international community's growing concern at the serious violations of religious freedom in Tibet and the deliberate Sinicization of Tibetan culture and religion, which she described as "cultural genocide". She condemned Chinese government-run boarding schools in Tibet and the way children aged 6-18 are separated from their families and sent to colonial boarding schools with the aim of stripping them of their Tibetan identity, calling this practice a "fundamental violation of the rights of Tibetan parents and children by interfering with their right to preserve the integrity of their own family unit", and explaining how colonial schooling tears children away from their families, culture, language, history and identity, with profoundly negative social and psychological repercussions for them.
Senator Deborah O'Neill expressed her deep concern at the Chinese government's repression of Tibetan religious expression, calling it a flagrant violation of the fundamental human right to preach one's faith. She criticised the excessive security measures and mass surveillance of monasteries in Tibet, as well as the travel restrictions and other oppressive policies imposed on the Tibetan people under Chinese rule.
Senator Lidia Thorpe urged the Australian government to take a stand against the cultural genocide taking place in Tibet, and to work with its international allies to support the UN inquiry into China's acculturation and assimilation program in Tibet.
Senator Tony Sheldon also raised concerns about colonial boarding schools, forced labor in Tibet and the arrest of peaceful protesters. He also expressed concern about China's intervention in the succession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Agreeing with Senator Tony, Senators Jordon Steele John and Nick McKim stressed the importance of the Australian government's vehement opposition to Chinese government interference in the succession of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Following their recent trip to Dharamshala, Australian legislators and members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet discussed their interactions with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and leaders of the Central Tibetan Administration, appreciating the richness of Tibetan culture and the generosity and hospitality of the community, and reaffirmed their support for the Tibetan freedom movement.
