Dharamshala: As part of the Australia Tibet Council’s (ATC) “Little Tibet” tour, a delegation led by ATC Executive Director Dr. Zoë Bedford visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and met with Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang earlier today, 8th November 2024.

Welcoming the ATC delegation, Deputy Speaker Teykhang extended a warm greeting to the guests and emphasized the special bond shared between Tibetans and Australians. She praised the ATC for its unwavering advocacy for Tibet over the past decades and expressed deep gratitude for their continued support.

The delegation was briefed by the Deputy Speaker on the composition and structure of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, the roles and responsibilities of its parliamentarians, and the election process for selecting them.

The Deputy Speaker also thanked the ATC for bringing the delegation to Dharamsala, noting that learning about the Sino-Tibetan conflict and experiencing the work of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) first-hand would strengthen their commitment to the just cause of Tibet.

Highlighting the importance of spreading awareness about Tibet, the Deputy Speaker stressed the challenge of countering China’s disinformation campaigns. She condemned China’s expansionist mentality, describing it as one of the greatest threats to global democracy. She also spoke about His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long-aspired vision for a democratic system that ensures fairness and justice for Tibetans, as well as his gift of democracy to the Tibetan people.

The Deputy Speaker also drew attention to the critical situation inside Tibet, including the forced relocation of Tibetan children to colonial-style boarding schools and the self-immolations of Tibetans as acts of protest. She expressed her gratitude to the Australian Ambassador to the UN for reading a Joint Statement from a group of nations on 22nd October 2024, which raised the issue of Tibet at the UN General Assembly and condemned China’s refusal to address the UN’s legitimate concerns.

To conclude the visit, the delegation was honoured with traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarves and mementos as a gesture of appreciation before being given a tour of the Parliament Hall.