Australian All-Party Parliamentary Tibet Group

Statement: Recognising the 89th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama affirming support for Tibet in Australia

We, the Co-Chairs of the Australian All-Party Parliamentary Tibet Group would like to congratulate His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion of his 89th Birthday!

The Dalai Lama has met with many members of our Parliamentary Tibet Group over the years and conveyed to us directly that the Tibet spirit is strong and affirmed his commitment to the humanity of 8 Billion people in the world to live in a peaceful future.

We are aware that the Dalai Lama is in the USA to receive medical treatment, and wish for him a speedy return to full health, so that he can continue to spiritually guide Tibetan people, we recognise the importance of the Dalai Lama for Tibetan people and others around the world and wish for him a long and healthy life.

It is auspicious that the Dalai Lama will be in the USA for his birthday as both the Senate and Congress in bi-partisan agreement, have passed the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet Sino Conflict Act, this act recognises the Tibetan people’s right to self-determination and to decide their own future.

This act affirms the USA State Department’s responsibility to coordinate with other governments in a multilateral effort towards the goal of a negotiated resolution of the Sino-Tibet Conflict, with the stated goal of having the Chinese Government return in good faith to the negotiating table with the Dalai Lama to resolve the Sino Tibet conflict.

We support the Australian government also working towards these efforts.

We congratulate our USA counterparts for passing this important act aimed at a peaceful resolution to the Sino-Tibet and a peaceful future for the people of Tibet.

This week in Parliament our members have heard the personal account of Dr Gyal Lo who is an eye-witness to China’s colonial boarding schools in Tibet. He has seen firsthand the effects of removing Tibetan children, as young has 4 years old from their families to place them into Chinese-state run institutions in a policy that is resulting in the systematic annihilation of the Tibetan language, religion, culture, and national identity.

It is for this reason that an affirmation of support for Tibet from Governments around the world, with the goal of a negotiated resolution to the Sino-Tibet conflict and a peaceful future for Tibet.

We wish His Holiness the Dalai Lama much happiness on the occasion of his 89th birthday and support his efforts for a peaceful future for humanity and Tibet!

Signed by:

Co-Chairs of the Australian All-Party Parliamentary Tibet Group

Susan Templeman MP, Senator Dean Smith and Senator Barbara Pocock