OTTAWA, February 16 – Ms Dicki Chhoyang, Kalon of the Department of Information and International Relations, visited Ottawa today where she met with Members of Parliament from all political parties. Her visit marked the first opportunity for the Central Tibetan Administration to present its policy positions to newly-elected members of parliament following the Canadian federal election in October 2015.

The visit was hosted by the Canadian Parliamentary Friends of Tibet (PFT) and its recently-appointed Chair, MP Arif Virani.

Addressing parliamentarians during a reception organised in her honour by the PFT, Ms Chhoyang provided an overview of the Middle Way Approach and urged MPs to promote the Tibetan administration’s efforts to re-engage in constructive dialogue with the Government of China. She emphasised principled adherence to non-violent strategies as an important dimension of the Tibet struggle and a reason why resolution of the conflict in Tibet should be actively supported by world governments including Canada.

While in Ottawa, Kalon Dicki Chhoyang also met with representatives of non-governmental organisations working on issues related to human rights violations faced by Tibetans living in Nepal, the importance of addressing climate change on the Tibetan plateau, and efforts to document the Tibetan experience in Canada.