Ottawa, April 21, 2023 – The Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on International Human Rights convened its second session today, examining the Chinese government’s practices in Tibetan residential boarding schools and preschools. Witnesses included Sherap Therchin, Director of the Canada Tibet Committee (CTC); Zeekyab Rinpoche from Tashi Lhunpo monastery; Tenzin Dorjee from Tibet Action Institute; and Tenzin… Continue reading Parliamentary Review of China’s Residential Boarding Schools and Preschools in Tibet
Category: News
Historical roots and contemporary manifestations of China’s growing insecurities
China remains entangled in a complex web of internal and external challenges to its legitimacy and stability. By Sherap Therchin Ottawa, April 17, 2023 – Ongoing debates on the nature and extent of Chinese interference in our democratic institutions have led many Canadians to question why China would engage in such brazen actions, which might tarnish… Continue reading Historical roots and contemporary manifestations of China’s growing insecurities
Human rights testimony on arbitrary detention and torture in Tibet
Ottawa, March 31, 2023 – On March 30th, Sherap Therchin, the executive director of CTC, participated in a panel of witnesses to testify at the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development regarding Bill C-281. This bill seeks to amend the Sergei Magnitsky Act, officially known as the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act in Canada,… Continue reading Human rights testimony on arbitrary detention and torture in Tibet
Uncovering China’s Global Interference Pattern: The Case of Dalai Lama and Tibet
Op-ed Ottawa, March 21, 2023 – The growing concern among Canadians regarding China’s meddling in our democratic institutions and government entities may appear to be a recent phenomenon, but China has been engaging in foreign interference for quite some time. Many individuals and organizations have been victim of China’s foreign interferences. Perhaps the most targeted… Continue reading Uncovering China’s Global Interference Pattern: The Case of Dalai Lama and Tibet
Tibetan-Canadians and supporters to mark 64th Tibetan National Uprising Day across Canada on March 10th
Ottawa, March 6, 2023 – On March 10th, 2023, Tibetans around the world will commemorate the Tibetan National Uprising Day, marking 64 years since thousands of Tibetans were killed while peacefully expressing their devotion to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and their unease with Chinese policies in Tibet after its illegal invasion. In Canada, Tibetans… Continue reading Tibetan-Canadians and supporters to mark 64th Tibetan National Uprising Day across Canada on March 10th
Tibetan Canadians celebrate historic support for Tibet
Ottawa, December 14, 2022 – In a historic day for political and human rights issues of Tibet, Canada’s parliament today passed a motion in support of the resumption of Sino-Tibetan dialogue with 324 – 0 votes. The motion was introduced in Parliament by MP Garnett Genuis and received unanimous support from across party lines. Speaking… Continue reading Tibetan Canadians celebrate historic support for Tibet
Tibetan Canadians call for Canada’s support to the Sino-Tibetan dialogue
Tibetan Canadians call for Canada’s support to the Sino-Tibetan dialogue. Ottawa, December 13, 2022 – Tibetan Canadians are urging Parliament to actively support the long-stalled Sino-Tibetan dialogue and help resolve the 70-year-old international conflict. Community members from Canada expect all-party support for a parliamentary motion on a Sino-Tibetan dialogue that will be debated and voted on… Continue reading Tibetan Canadians call for Canada’s support to the Sino-Tibetan dialogue
Canada Reiterates Support for Meaningful Dialogue Between Chinese and Tibetan Representatives
September 20, 2022, Ottawa – In a recent letter addressed to Mr. Ali Ehsassi, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly reaffirmed Canada’s steadfast commitment to facilitating substantial and meaningful dialogue between the representatives of the Chinese government and the Tibetan people. The letter,… Continue reading Canada Reiterates Support for Meaningful Dialogue Between Chinese and Tibetan Representatives
Representative Dr. Namgyal Choedup calls on Canada to help resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict
Ottawa, September 1, 2022: Representative of the Office of Tibet in Washington DC, Dr. Namgyal Choedup, called on Canadian parliamentarians, government officials, and think tanks this week to strengthen Canada’s support to resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict. The series of meetings over three days included meetings with Chair of Parliamentary Friends of Tibet MP Arif Virani and… Continue reading Representative Dr. Namgyal Choedup calls on Canada to help resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict
Ottawa, May 10, 2022: Canada’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade has called for renewal of the stalled Sino-Tibetan dialogue.[1] The call came as Tibet’s political leader, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, concluded his first visit to Ottawa since being elected as Sikyong in May 2021.
The motion achieved unanimous support with each of Canada’s political parties voting in favour and no votes against. The motion was introduced immediately following Sikyong Penpa Tsering’s testimony before the Committee.
“This motion is important not only for Tibetans in Canada,” said Sherap Therchin, Executive Director of the Canada Tibet Committee, “but it is especially meaningful for Tibetans inside Tibet who will now be reassured that the international community has not forgotten them.”
The motion also directs the Government of Canada to provide a response to Sikyong’s testimony before the Committee. The Government is directed to table its response in the Canadian House of Commons. Sikyong’s testimony included a review of past Sino-Tibetan dialogue initiatives [2] and an update on the current human rights situation in Tibet.
The Government of Canada has changed its position on Tibet’s political status several times since China took control of the country in 1959. Sikyong Penpa Tsering reminded members of the Committee that despite his government’s current middle-way approach, Tibet was once a fully independent state.[3]
– 30 –
[1] Full text of the motion: “That this committee call for dialogue between representatives of the Tibetan people (his Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives and/or the Central Tibetan Administration) and the government of the People’s Republic of China with a view to enabling Tibet to exercise genuine autonomy within the framework of the Chinese constitution; report this motion to the House, and request the government table a response to the report.”
[2] For more information about the Sino-Tibetan dialogue, visit https://tibet.net/important-issues/sino-tibetan-dialogue/
[3] For example, see “Tibet Brief 20/20” by Michael van Walt van Praag and Miek Boltjes. Executive Summary available at https://usanasfoundation.com/tibet-brief-2020-by-michael-van-walt-executive-summary