Resolving Sino-Tibet Conflict and Securing Peace in the Region

I was immensely proud to join the Tibetan communities of Australia this week in welcoming Hon. Penpa Tsering, President of Tibet’s Government in-Exile during his first official visit to the Pacific region, organised by the Office of Tibet in Australia.
 
Since meeting the first Tibetan exiles in Canberra 20 years ago, it was an honour to sit alongside my friends in solidarity as their democratically elected political leader was honoured in the Parliament of Australia by honourable Senators and MPs belonging to the Australian All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet (APPGT).
 
During his week-long visit to Australia coinciding with Refugee Week in Australia, Penpa Tsering briefed members of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade on significant human rights issues inside Tibet and spoke on the theme of, ‘Democracy, Resistance and Resilience in Exile,’ in conversation with respected voice in the Australian media, proud Western Arrernte woman, Karla Grant (SBS/NITV) at the Parliament of NSW.

Photos: ATC/CTA

Despite demands for the cancellation of Penpa Tsering’s scheduled address at the National Press Club by Chinese officials, as planned, President Tsering delivered an historic keynote, ‘Resolving Sino-Tibet Conflict and Securing Peace in the Region,’ drawing wide interest from the mainstream media.

President Tsering called on Australia to apply Magnitsky sanctions against leaders of the CCP responsible for crimes against Tibetans, and pressed the Chinese government to allow foreign journalists to visit Tibet and witness the situation firsthand.
 
Throughout his week-long engagements with parliamentarians, community members, human rights defenders, and leading think tanks in Australia, Penpa Tsering emphasised the importance of seeking a peaceful resolution of the Tibet issue on all platforms availed to him.
 
Penpa Tsering is one of the longest serving members of the Tibetan Parliament in-Exile headquartered in Dharamsala, India.
 
Watch the full address on Youtube or ABC iView

In this matter of Public Importance debate Senator Janet Rice from the Greens was joined by Senator Linda Reynolds (Liberal), Senator Deborah O’Neill (Labor), Senator Lidia Thorpe (IND), Senator Tony Sheldon (Labor), Senator Jordon Steele-John (Greens) and Senator Nick McKim (Greens) who raised issues of primary concern to Tibetans across Australia in the Senate, Tuesday 20 June 2023.

Cover photo: SMH Photos, 23 June 2023 by Flavio Brancaleone