After escaping persecution, 30 people from Tibet have found a safe new home in Wagga.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sanom Ilhamo said more new arrivals would be headed for Wagga soon after the first group arrived about nine months ago.
"We love living here because we feel safe and we have the support of Thom, and the Multicultural Council," she said. "We want to keep our culture alive here in Wagga and live in harmony with the community."
Ms Ilhamo said that people in her country are suffering, and they have been fighting for peace.
"Since the invasion and occupation of Tibet, the government of China has carried out massive violations of human rights," she said.
"A countless number of totally innocent Tibetans have been detained and imprisoned and subjected to all manners of unrestrained and limitless persecution and torture, including with endless streams of killing.
"Such a deplorable state of affairs continues today."
Although the Tibetan community is settling in well, Ms Ilhamo said they would not forget about their friends and families back home.
She appealed to the Australian Government and public to advocate for the protection of human rights.
"I appeal to them to raise their protests to the government of China about this tragic situation," Ms Ilhamo said.
"I also strongly appeal to them for result-oriented support in terms of pressuring the government of China to immediately end the persecutions and thereby lend their support to our just cause.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"At the same time, I also strongly call on the government of China to respect international law and conventions and thereby ensure a humanistic reorientation of its practices accordingly."
Ms Ilhamo said on Tuesday, the Tibetan Community in Wagga will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize being bestowed onto their leader timed with Human Rights Day.
"The Dalai Lama, the exiled religious and political leader of Tibet, was named the 1989 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his nonviolent campaign over nearly 40 years to end China's domination of his homeland," she said.
"We pay humble respect and bow down in gratitude to our most revered leader, and joyously extend heartiest greetings to the Tibetan people, friends and well-wishers around the world.
"His Holiness the Dalai Lama advocates nonviolence and dialogue to resolve the issue of Tibet, interfaith harmony, human values and environment."
Ms Ilhamo said the community looked forward to getting to know their fellow Wagga residents.