Transnational Repression
Transnational repression refers to governments extending their reach beyond national borders to intimidate, surveil, and silence dissidents living in exile or in diaspora communities.
The Chinese Government has long sought to infiltrate, monitor, and control Tibetan exile communities in Australia and around the world. Advances in technology and global influence have enabled the Chinese Government to significantly escalate its transnational repression, targeting Tibetan-Australians both within Australia and when they travel overseas.
The Australia Tibet Council (ATC) condemns these attempts to silence, control, and strip Tibetans of their rights, even as Australian citizens living in a democratic society. Through our Transnational Repression Campaign, ATC seeks to collect and share up-to-date, in-depth information with the Australian Government and Parliament, and to urge swift action to protect fundamental rights to freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful assembly.
Our most recent work on Transnational Repression
Tibet Lobby Day 2025
Australia Tibet Council’s annual Tibet Lobby Day for 2025 was held on 1 and 2 September 2025. This year at Tibet Lobby Day our Tibetan community delegates raised Chinese Government’s transnational repression of Tibetans in Australia, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation and the Chinese colonial boarding school system, in their meetings with Parliamentarians and Government to raise concerns of the community directly with Australia’s decision-makers.
ATC and Tibetan Communities of Australia raise Transnational Repression
14 Aug 2025: ATC and Tibetan community leaders raise with the Foreign Minister’s Office rising cases of Chinese transnational repression of Tibetan-Australians.
Newcastle Mayor Discusses Tibetan Community with Chinese Consulate
In July, 2025 through an article by the Newcastle Hearld, it was revealed that the Newcastle Lord Mayor, Dr. Ross Kerridge had a meeting with the Chinese Consul General Wang Yu, where they discussed the Tibetan Community of Newcastle.
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy TCHRD visit Australia
16 Jun 2025: The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)’s Executive Director Tenzin Dawa visited Australia to speak about the Chinese transnational repression of Tibetans, with the Australian Parliament, Government and the Tibetan communities of Australia.
Suspicious Death of Tibetan Religious Leader Trulku Hungkar Dorje
On 8 April, 2025 the Central Tibetan Administration in a media release shared that Tibetan religious leader Trulku Hungkar Dorje had been declared dead in Vietnam under suspicious circumstances, with reports of involvement of Chinese Government officials.
Blog Post: Even in Australia, many Tibetans do not feel free
Transnational Repression for Tibetans occurs when the Government of China monitors, intimidates and tries to control the actions of exiled Tibetans – this can happen here in Australia, or anywhere in the world where Tibetans live in exile.
Support our Transnational Repression Campaign
Support our essential work to protect Tibetan Disapora communities in Australia from Chinese Government’s transnational repression.
Amplify the voices of Tibetans at risk.
Your support helps ATC identify Tibetan community members willing to share their stories and highlight the reach of Chinese transnational repression in Australia.
Capture the stories of Tibetan-Australians impacted by Chinese transnational repression.
In partnership with leading researchers and Tibetan community, ATC will build a stronger evidence base on the forms of Chinese transnational repression Australians face at home and overseas.
You help us deliver sharper, more relevant insights to the Australian Government.
Your contribution strengthens ATC’s outreach and deepens the information we provide to the Australian Government and Parliament.
Ensure the Australian Government prioritises safety and freedom of Tibetans in Australia.
ATC will press the Australian Government and Parliament to recognise the urgency of Chinese transnational repression and to take meaningful action to protect Tibetan-Australians and their rights.