Ottawa, April 22, 2026 – Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Dr. Namgyal Choedup held a series of meetings in Ottawa with Canadian parliamentarians and political leaders to discuss the worsening situation in Tibet and broader concerns about China’s policies toward non-Han peoples.
During his engagements, Dr. Choedup met with members of the Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, including MP Karim Bardeesy, MP Garnett Genuis, MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, and MP Giovanna Mingarelli. He also joined a luncheon meeting with Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet and MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe. In addition, Dr. Choedup met with MP Michael Coteau in the House of Commons.
A major focus of Dr. Choedup’s message was China’s recently passed “ethnic unity” bill, which he described as a deeply troubling legal and political instrument aimed at the complete assimilation of Tibetans, Uyghurs, and other nationalities into the dominant Han Chinese identity. Dr. Choedup explained that this law is not an isolated policy shift, but rather the formal codification of a long-standing state agenda. For decades, the Chinese government has pursued policies designed to erode the language, religion, culture, and traditional way of life of Tibetans and other peoples.
In the evening, Dr. Choedup also joined the book launch event of Rushan Abbas, President of the World Uyghur Congress, where he expressed solidarity with Uyghur leaders and communities facing repression under Chinese rule. He thanked the Members of Parliament, senators, and supporters who have stood with both Uyghurs and Tibetans in their shared struggle against authoritarian repression.
Representative Choedup was joined by CTC Chair Samphe Lhalungpa and executive director Sherap Therchin on the first day of the three-day meetings in Ottawa.
