An Australian delegation investigating the human rights situation in Tibet has finished its seven-day tour of the Himalayan region.
The tour focused on education, public health and religious freedom.
The delegation, led by the deputy secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Geoff Raby, visited Tibet University, the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple and met leaders and Buddhists of the Tibet autonomous region.
It was the first Pacific region human rights delegation to visit Tibet.
The Xinhua news agency reported Mr Raby as saying Australia has never denied the autonomous Himalayan region was part of China and would remain firm in that position.
But Mr Raby said that did not change Australia’s interest in ensuring the human rights situation and the development of Tibet continue to improve.
China has occupied Tibet since 1951 and has been accused of trying to wipe out Tibet’s Buddhist-based culture through political and religious repression and a flood of ethnic Chinese immigration.
The region’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and his followers fled in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule and set up base in the Indian hill station of Dharamsala.
