The threats of China’s Ambassador Xiao Qian, are the lived experience of Tibetans.
MEDIA RELEASE
2nd September 2022
CONTACTS
Dr. Zoe Bedford
Australia Tibet Council
Ph: 0408 262 576 or
email: zoe.bedford@atc.org.au
The threats of China’s Ambassador Xiao Qian, are the lived experience of Tibetans.
Tibetans from communities across Australia are coming to Canberra. On 12 September 2022, 15 Tibetan-Australians will be meeting with almost 30 parliamentarians in Canberra to share their lived experience of Tibetan life under China’s occupation.
The threats of China’s Ambassador Xiao Qian are the lived experience of Tibetans. When Ambassador Xiao Qian spoke of ‘reunification’ with Taiwan, Tibetans around the world shuddered as they know exactly what those words mean.
The Chinese Government used the same language when it invaded Tibet in 1949. Tibet was an independent sovereign country, but unlike Taiwan, Tibet did not have the world’s attention or the backing of AUKUS allies when China invaded over 70 years ago.
Since that time, Tibetans in Tibet have suffered gross human rights violations, including political prisoners being arrested for calling for a Free Tibet or the return of the Dalai Lama. In prison, political prisoners are tortured, forced to labour and forced to undertake CCP re-education.
While China’s diplomats carry with them a message of threats, invasion and violence, the Tibetan delegation travelling to meet Australian parliamentarians on 12 September will carry the message of peaceful resistance and non-violent struggle against the years of occupation and oppression.
Speaking out about what is happening in Tibet carries a great risk. Even though Australia is a free country, when a Tibetan-Australian speaks out about the ongoing human rights violations occurring in Tibet, it is not uncommon for their families who remain in Tibet to be visited by CCP officials, threatened by them and even arrested.
This intimidation reaches all the way from occupied Tibet to Australia and often makes people weary of speaking out — these 15 Tibetans are bravely taking on the task of speaking the truth about Tibet to Australian Parliamentarians and showing they will not be intimidated.
If their truth was not so powerful – Chinese authorities would not be working so hard to silence them.
The words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be ringing in the delegates ears as they travel to Canberra to ensure that our new government understands the human rights violations now occurring in Tibet —
“in our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess.”
Event: Tibet Lobby Day
When: 12 September (all-day event)
Where: Parliament House, Canberra
Who: for media enquiries, please contact Dr Zoë Bedford, executive officer of the Australia Tibet Council, Ph: 0408 262 576 or email: zoe.bedford@atc.org.au
Dr Bedford can give you contact details for Tibetan delegates willing to speak to the media.