Representative Karma Singey Urges Australian Foreign Minister to Address Tibet Issue During Wang Yi’s Visit. Photo/ The Australian
Canberra: In an urgent plea ahead of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Australia this week, Representative Karma Singey has called upon the Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to prioritise discussions on the critical situation in Tibet.
Highlighting the escalating repression and systemic discrimination faced by Tibetans under Chinese rule, the Representative has underscored the urgent need for international attention and action.
In a letter addressed to the Australian Foreign Minister, Representative Karma Singey states that Wang Yi’s forthcoming visit serves as a crucial opportunity to raise concerns regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet.
The letter outlines various violations, including the forced separation of Tibetan children from their families and their indoctrination into Chinese Communist ideology within state-run boarding schools. Additionally, it highlights the severe restrictions imposed on religious practices, arbitrary detentions of Tibetan monks and individuals, and the recent crackdown on peaceful Tibetan protesters in Derge County.
Emphasising the importance of holding China accountable for its human rights abuses, the Representative urged the Australian government to utilise its diplomatic engagement with China to address these pressing issues.
During the anticipated meeting between the Australian Foreign Minister and Wang Yi, the Representative has urged for the following actions:
- Raise the Tibet issue and the ongoing human rights crisis, including the ongoing repression of political and religious freedoms, environmental degradation and the eradication of Tibetan cultural and language.
- Urge the Chinese government to immediately and unconditionally release all Tibetan protesters in Derge County who have been wrongfully detained for exercising their fundamental rights of peaceful protest and to ensure proper and timely medical treatment for injured Tibetans.
- Encourage China to allow greater access to Tibet by international observers and greater freedom of media and movement in Tibet.
- Encourage China to genuinely commit to resolving the Tibet issue by reopening the Sino-Tibetan dialogue.
As Australia maintains a significant trade relationship with China, the Representative stressed the importance of incorporating human rights concerns into bilateral discussions to foster a more equitable and just relationship between the two nations.
