Media Release

13 Nov 2023

Tibetan Minister for Information and International Relations to visit Australia and New Zealand to seek support for resolution of Sino-Tibet conflict

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ms Norzin Dolma, Minister (Kalon) for the Department of Information and International Relations of the Tibetan Government in Exile (formerly known as the Central Tibetan Administration) will visit Australia and New Zealand between 14-20 November, upon the invitation of Tibet Information Office.

This is Ms Dolma’s first visit to Australia since assuming the role of Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), CTA in 2021.

During her week-long maiden visit to Australia 14-18 November, Ms Dolma will deliver a series of Tibet briefings to senior politicians, including members of the Australian All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet , policy makers, academia, human rights groups and civil society.“This is an important opportunity to hear first-hand what is happening in Tibet,” said Karma Singey, Representative of Tibet Information Office based in Canberra.

“Tibet’s national identity is facing an existential threat under China’s repressive policies and security apparatus. The Tibetan people are being systematically subjected to cultural assimilation, political repression, economic marginalisation and ecological destruction,” Mr Singey said.

Up to one million Tibetan children have been separated from their families and forced into a vast network of Chinese colonial boarding schools, which UN rights experts have warned is an effort to assimilate Tibetans into the majority Han Chinese culture.

“The CCP under the leadership of president Xi Jinping has been increasingly engaged in assertive and aggressive behaviour which is not only threatening the regional security and peace but also the international rules-based order and the democratic values that we all share,” Ms Dolma said.

As chief guest, Ms Dolma will participate in the Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group’s (V-TAG) Strategy Meeting and Training with Tibetan youth members before travelling to Wellington to address the Asia Pacific Security Innovation Forum Annual Summit.

Participants of the Forum will focus on initiating and mobilising nonviolent advocacy actions in their respective regions by developing personalised region-specific strategies.

“With Australia and China renewing their trade relationship this visit by Kalon Norzin Dolma is timely to ensure Tibet and China’s human rights abuses are not forgotten and remain an integral part of the conversation” says Dr Zoe Bedford, Executive Officer of Australia Tibet Council.“The CTA recognises that it is more crucial than ever to nurture Tibetan youth as future leaders who will become the vanguards of the Tibetan movement in securing the future of Tibet,” Ms Dolma said ahead of the visit.

Ms Norzin Dolma’s visit is organised by Tibet Information Office Australia, and Australia Tibet Council. Ms Norzin Dolma is available for media interviews

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For more information contact:

1/ Mr Karma Singey

Representative of Tibet Information Office

0426642175 – rep.au@tibet.net

2/ Dr. Zoe Bedford

Executive Officer of Australia Tibet Council

0408 262 576 – zoe.bedford@atc.org.au

Australia, New Zealand Visit Program

15 November Sydney

16 November Canberra

Tibet Briefing hosted by the Australian All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet

Parliament House, Canberra

17 November Canberra

Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group (V-TAG) Tibet Advocacy Strategy Meeting and Training

Keynote Address, National Press Club, Canberra

20 November Wellington, New Zealand

Asia Pacific Security Innovation Forum Annual Summit

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Tibet Information Office

The Tibet Information Office represents Tibetan Affairs in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

Australia Tibet Council

Australia Tibet Council campaigns for the freedom and human rights of Tibetans.

Ms Norzin Dolma Bio

Norzin Dolma was one of three women elected as Kalons of the 16th Kashag (Cabinet) in the first session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. She formally took charge as Kalon (Minister) for the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of Tibet’s Government-in-exile on 10 November 2021.

Norzin previously worked as a research officer, senior program officer, acting executive director, and board of director at Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). After her US education, she returned to India and served as the head of UN, EU and Human Rights Desk at CTA’s Department of Information, and International Relations (DIIR). She later worked as a development officer at The Tibet Fund (TTF), New York. She has advocated Tibet issues at international conferences, including the 59th and 61st sessions of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Geneva; World Social Forum, Mumbai; UN-Civil Society Relations, Bangkok; and World Summit on Sustainable Development conferences, Bali and Johannesburg.

Norzin has authored and edited books and reports, including 2008 Uprising in Tibet: Chronology and Analysis (DIIR 2009), Unjust Sentencing of Tulku Tenzin Delek (TCHRD 2004), Destruction of Serthar Institute (TCHRD 2002), 35 Years: Special Report (TTF 2015), and Nepal Earthquake: Rebuilding Efforts in Tibetan Community (TTF 2016). She has consistently received prizes and awards for academic excellence, including All-Mysore Iyengar Memorial Award, Mother Euphrasia Award, and Tauro Memorial Award.