Dharamshala: As part of the Australia Tibet Council (ATC)’s Little Tibet Tour, a delegation led by ATC Executive Director Dr. Zoe Bedford visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on 20 October 2026.
Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang and Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel met with the delegation at the Parliament’s Standing Committee Hall. During the meeting, they discussed various issues of mutual interest and exchanged ideas on strengthening the global campaign for Tibet.
Welcoming the delegation, the Speakers expressed gratitude for the ATC’s longstanding advocacy for Tibet and provided an overview of the evolution, composition, and functioning of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
During the interaction, the Speakers highlighted the critical situation inside Tibet, including more than 157 cases of self-immolation since 2009, China’s assimilation policies, interference in Tibetan Buddhist religious traditions, and the forced placement of Tibetan children in colonial-style boarding schools.
Emphasizing Tibet’s global ecological significance, the Speakers warned that unchecked exploitation of the Tibetan Plateau threatens the environment and communities far beyond Tibet. The Speakers also urged international governments to hold the People’s Republic of China accountable under international law and raised concerns over Beijing’s transnational repression.
The Speakers further outlined the evolution of Tibetan democracy in exile under the guidance of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, highlighting key milestones, including the adoption of the Charter of Tibetans in exile in 1991, direct elections for the Kalon Tripa in 2001, and the devolution of His Holiness’s political authority to elected leadership in 2011.
Concluding the meeting, the Speakers noted that international delegations’ visits strengthen the morale of Tibetans and reaffirm global solidarity with their peaceful struggle for freedom, human rights, religious harmony, and environmental protection. The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
