By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, July 19: The President of the exile Tibetan government, known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration, Penpa Tsering, while responding to a query during the “International Tibet Youth Forum: Empowering Voices and Inspiring Action for Tibet’s Future” emphasised the urgent need for foundational and democratic changes within the charter of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, to ensure relevance and legitimacy of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
During the open mic session on the 16th Kashag’s Vision Paper, Securing Tibet’s Future, the Sikyong acknowledged the initiative by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile’s Charter Amendment Committee, urging the public and various stakeholders to send in their suggestions and recommendations to facilitate the amendment process. He mentioned that the selected committee will compile a report and submit it to the TPiE speaker’s office by February of next year. Subsequently, the report would be discussed in the TPiE in the March session of 2024.
The Charter Amendment Committee consisting of five members issued a notice inviting the general public to submit their recommendations to tpieadmin@tibet.net by September 2, coinciding with Tibetan Democracy Day. The committee members are Dawa Phunkyi, Serta Tsultrim, Karma Gelek, Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Phende, and Thupten Gyatso.
The political head of the CTA stated that the Kashag, in collaboration with the cabinet ministers, has prepared a draft of the proposed changes, which will be submitted to the selected committees by the end of the month. He appreciated the initiative, describing it as a ‘very good movement’ for constructive discussion on crucial topics within the Tibetan community that are often avoided due to emotional reactions. “Such a discussion is for the welfare of Tibetans and the cause of Tibet,” he added.
In his speech, he reiterated that he appreciates robust discussion on these topics however adding, “But I am not that optimistic that changes will happen so soon. Whatever amendments are suggested to the committee will be brought into the house. Whether it is adopted is a different matter. We have no right to raise our hands as the final decisions lie with the Parliament.”
The Sikyong also urged the Tibetan media to actively engage in addressing sensitive issues and facilitate open discussions within the Tibetan community. He emphasised the importance of disseminating information to the Tibetan diaspora to foster informed knowledge and encourage discussions that would deepen understanding of the unique political system of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
The international Tibet youth forum is scheduled from July 18 to July 20 in Dharamshala and is participated by Tibetan youths from all over the world.
One Response
I hope Tibetan Youth Congress will remain united as one organisation for the cause of whole Tibet. There can be many different opinions, but these should be discussed and argued peacefully and harmoniously, with respect to each others opinion. After all we want to reach some thing for Tibetans in Tibet and its culture and and environment.
I am actually quite sad with our parliament members. I think it is the intention from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to have representatives from all the traditional three parts of Tibet (U-Tsang, Kham und Amdo) and also the representatives from all the religious schooles including Bon so that they could work really for the cause of whole Tibet unitedly in harmony without partiality. They can have their own opinions and say at the right time and at the right place and they should be able to hear each other and try to understand each other properly without prejudice.
Parliament is a high office and they should behave also accordingly. They should be example for all the Tibetans. Their sole function is to work for the welfare of whole Tibetans in exile and see that how we can work a free Tibet where individual freedom is respected. That will be encouragement for the Tibetans all over the world.