MEDIA RELEASE
Top Tibetan Lama and Youth Delegation Fight Beijing’s ‘Ethnic Unity’ Laws in Canberra
- WHEN: Monday, June 29, 2026
- 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Photo Opportunity outside, Parliament House Lawns
- 8:45 AM: Media Event & Interviews inside, Mural Hall, Parliament House
- VISUALS: National delegates in vibrant, traditional dress, Tibetan monks in monastic robes, live cultural instrumentalists
A high-profile, internationally revered Tibetan lama and a national delegation of Tibetan-Australian youth will converge on Federal Parliament for Tibet Lobby Day 2026, calling on the Australian Government to condemn China's sweeping new 'Ethnic Unity' laws and protect sacred spiritual traditions.
The Australia Tibet Council (ATC) asks Australia to condemn China’s new ‘Ethnic Unity’ laws, which allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to target people overseas, meaning Australians could be held legally accountable for undermining ‘ethnic unity and progress, or inciting ethnic separatism’.
The Federal Government must also formally reject CCP interference in the reincarnation succession of the Dalai Lama. As the Dalai Lama approaches his 91st birthday, the CCP is actively attempting to control his reincarnation through state legislation ('Order No. 5').
Joining Lobby Day this year is His Eminence the 13th Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche, one of only 16 senior lamas entrusted by the Dalai Lama’s Gaden Phodrang Trust to identify the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. Born in Lhasa and recognised by the 14th Dalai Lama, the Rinpoche’s lineage historically served as the Regent of Tibet. He has travelled to Canberra to urge Australia to protect religious freedoms from totalitarian overreach.
Over Monday and Tuesday, delegates will meet with federal MPs to highlight escalating human rights abuses inside Tibet, and the growing threat of transnational repression weaponized against Tibetan-Australians and their families back home.
The CCP’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress applies from Wednesday July 1. It is a significant threat to Tibetans both inside China and abroad, enforcing a singular, Han centric national identity. Under article 20(2), parents and guardians would be required to educate and guide minors to love the Chinese Communist Party.
Quotes attributable to Dr. Zoë Bedford, Executive Officer, Australia Tibet Council:
“These ethnic unity laws are designed to eliminate Tibetan language, Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Culture from Tibet. In over 70 years of violent occupation China has failed to convince Tibetans that they are Chinese, now having lost the battle for legitimacy in Tibet, this law aims to try to eliminate Tibetan identity from occupied Tibet”
Quotes attributable to Kelsang Dolkar (23, Canberra Tibetan Delegate):
“I am scared for my safety as a Tibetan Australian under this new Ethnic Unity Law. I want the Australian Government to protect us. This law is made to silence advocates outside of Tibet, even in Australia”.
Quotes attributable to Sonam Tsering (35, Sydney Tibetan Delegate):
"Who gets to choose the next Dalai Lama is a defining geopolitical flashpoint. Beijing wants a puppet leader to legitimize its occupation of Tibet, which is a profound violation of religious freedom. We are asking the Australian Government to draw a clear line in the sand: only the Tibetan people can choose our spiritual leaders."
Background
His Eminence the 13th Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche
- Born in Lhasa, Tibet (1983); recognized by the current 14th Dalai Lama.
- His predecessor (the 12th Rinpoche) was a tutor to the young Dalai Lama in Lhasa before escaping the Chinese invasion. In 2013, he took the degree of Geshe, and in 2014 joined Gyudmed Monastery and completed tantric studies.
- The Political Context: He is a key member of the Gaden Phodrang Trust—the official body responsible for overseeing the identification, education, and validation of the 15th Dalai Lama (functioning similarly to Catholic Cardinals electing a Pope).
Links & Context
The geopolitical standoff at the heart of this year's Lobby Day was recently featured ABC Compass Episode (May 24, 2026): "Who will be the next Dalai Lama?"
Watch Link (Inside Australia): ABC iview - Compass
Watch Link (International): YouTube Broadcast
Available for interviews:
-
- His Eminence Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche (Senior Reincarnated Lama)
- Dr. Zoë Bedford (Executive Officer, ATC – 0408 262 576
- Kelsang Dolkar (Canberra, Tibetan Community Delegate)
- Sonam Tsering (Sydney Tibetan Community Delegate)
- Senator Barbara Pocock (Australian All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet AAPGT)
- Susan Templeman MP AAPGT
- Senator Dean Smith AAPTGT
About us:
Australia Tibet Council campaigns for the freedom and human rights of Tibetans.
Contact details:
Geraldine Nordfeldt
Australia Tibet Council
0407 981 753
[email protected]
