Canberra: As per the program of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile to visit and meet the parliament members, Tibet support groups, think tanks and officials all over the world as well as to garner more support for the cause of Tibet, a delegation comprising of parliamentarians Juchen Konchok Choedon, Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tsetan, Khenpo Jamphel Tenzin, and Ngawang Tharpa representing the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile led a Tibet advocacy tour in Canberra, the capital of Australia from 11-13 November 2019.
On 11 November, the Tibetan Parliamentary delegation held a public meeting with the Tibetans living in Canberra, wherein, Parliamentarian Juchen Konchok Choedon spoke on the evolution of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and Parliamentarian Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten spoke on Middle Way Policy of Central Tibetan Administration. While Parliamentarian Khenpo Jamphel Tenzin talked on accomplishments of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Parliamentarian Ngawang Tharpa spoke on the current critical situation of Tibet. They listened to the suggestions and answered questions asked by the general public.
On 12 November, the parliamentary delegation met MP Andrew Leigh, a Member of the Australian House of Representatives and apprised him of the current critical situation inside Tibet and answered questions asked on Tibetan issues. MP Andrew was presented with publications of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile regarding Tibet related issues.
The next day, the delegation met MP Alicia Payne from Labor Party and presented her publications of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on Tibet related issues. MP Alicia Payne expressed her concern for Tibet and Tibetans and also promised to raise Tibet’s issue in the Parliament.
Thereafter, the delegation met Senator James Paterson from Liberal Party and presented souvenirs and publications on Tibet issues from Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. The Senator expressed his concern on Tibet’s issue and his wish to join the Australian All-Party Parliamentary Tibet Support Group for Tibet.
Following that, the Tibetan Parliamentary delegation met Senator Louise Pratt from Labor Party and Senator Janet Rice from Liberal Party respectively. They presented souvenirs and publications on Tibet issue to the Senators, on behalf of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
The advocacy tour in Canberra concluded by the Tibetan Parliamentary delegation’s meeting with Senator Kimberley Kitching from Labor Party. They presented her souvenirs and publications of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on Tibet related issues. Senator Kimberly Kitching expressed her concern for Tibet and Tibetans. She also assured her full support to the Tibetan cause and promised to spread awareness about Tibet’s issue with other Australian Parliamentarians.
The Tibetan Parliamentary delegation along with the Canberra Office of Tibet’s Representative and Chinese Liaison officer will continue their advocacy program in Sydney in the coming days.
-Filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat