Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on Tibetan National Uprising Day.

“Today is the 62nd Tibetan National Uprising Day.

“This day commemorates the 1959 Tibetan uprising against the presence of Communist China in Tibet.

“I pay tribute to and pray for the brave women and men who sacrificed their lives for the just cause of Tibet. We pray for their families, and we honour their memory.

“As the leader of the Conservative Party, I take religious freedom very seriously. We must stand up for those who are oppressed and facing human rights abuses.

“Conservatives have urged China to stop the persecution of people who practice their religion or belief including Catholics, other Christians, Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Falun Dafa practitioners, including genocide of the Uyghur people.

“In a time when freedom of religion and belief is under increasing threat internationally, Canada must stand behind those who advocate for religious freedom.

“In 2012, the former Conservative government established the Office of Religious Freedom. This was the forefront of the effort to protect freedom of religion and belief internationally, as well as to promote Canadian values of tolerance and pluralism.

“Tibetans have persisted ‎in their non-violent struggle for genuine autonomy, human rights, and justice for 62 years, without either malice or compromise. This is a great testament to the steadfastness and virtue that characterize His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people.

“We stand with you.”

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For more information:

Chelsea Tucker
chelsea.tucker@parl.gc.ca
(613) 219-3790

Axel Rioux
axel.rioux@parl.gc.ca
(613) 291-7125