URGENT UPDATE: Tibetan Australians are taking a stand today, October 16, 2023, rallying at Parliament House to protest against ongoing repression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Community leaders voiced their fears for the safety of their families in Tibet and their own well-being in Australia during the annual Tibet Lobby Day event.
Yangkyi Sangpo, a prominent voice among the protesters, revealed that intimidation tactics from the CCP have intensified, leaving many Tibetans in Australia feeling vulnerable. “I want to feel safe as an Australian Tibetan,” she stated, highlighting the ongoing psychological impact of CCP policies.
This urgent gathering comes amid serious accusations against China of human rights violations in Tibet, which Beijing annexed in 1951. Reports include allegations of torture, forced abortions, and the imprisonment of political dissidents. Despite these claims, the Chinese government has consistently denied any wrongdoing and dismissed findings from international watchdogs, including the United Nations.
Sangpo, who fled Tibet as a child after her father was imprisoned, shared her painful past. “I was forced into Chinese culinary boarding school at age six. I felt completely disconnected from my Tibetan identity,” she said. Her journey to safety in Newcastle came only after enduring years of oppression under Chinese rule.
The rally also featured Shenphen Ringpapontsang, whose father served as the Dalai Lama’s representative in Hungary. He condemned China’s attempts to interfere in the succession of the Dalai Lama, stating, “In this weird, upside down world we live in today, the CCP thinks they have the authority to select the next Dalai Lama.” He urged the Australian government to ensure that the next Dalai Lama is chosen according to the wishes of His Holiness, instead of by the CCP.
More than a dozen Tibetans gathered at Parliament House in a powerful demonstration of unity, singing and praying for the health of the Dalai Lama. They met with MPs from all political factions, emphasizing the critical need for the Australian government to stand firm against the CCP’s attempts to undermine Tibetan culture and religious freedom.
Susan Templeman, co-chair of Parliament’s Friends of Tibet, affirmed the importance of these voices being heard. “Australia has made it very clear that the Dalai Lama’s office and Tibetans should be the ones who choose the next Dalai Lama,” she asserted, reinforcing the commitment to support Tibetan autonomy and rights.
As the situation develops, the Tibetan community in Australia remains on high alert, ready to advocate for freedom and justice. The implications of today’s rally extend beyond Australia, highlighting the urgent need for global awareness and action regarding human rights in Tibet.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
