Protesters demand independent commission over Representative Penpa Tsering’s ouster

By lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA, Nov 27: Around 80 protesters have gathered at the basketball court at Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala to protest against Kashag’s decision to replace Penpa Tsering from the Office of Tibet in Washington, CTA’s mission in North America.

Calling today’s protest a ‘Movement for Promotion of CTA’s Integrity’, the protesters demanded an independent commission to be formed to resolve the matter immediately.

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Dolma Bum

“We are here because Penpa Tsering was replaced from the Office of Tibet in Washington. The Kashag and Sikyong Lobsang Sangay didn’t handle the matter fairly. Journalists’ repeated questions were not answered properly. Kashag issued a 10-point clarification after a series of pleas and petitions from us but we couldn’t find reasons for Penpa Tsering’s ouster in the Kashag’s clarification. Hence, there is public discontent over the matter. Therefore, we are here to demand an independent commission to to be formed to resolve the matter immediately. Otherwise, its unacceptable for us,” the group’s representative, Dolma Bum from Tibet Charity said.

Dolma Bum further stated that the protesters have gathered here voluntarily from Nepal, Delhi, Mundgod and Dharamsala as responsible Tibetans. “We were neither paid nor ordered to protest. Everyone came here voluntarily. In fact, we have spent the expenses from our pocket and we are calling for the promotion of CTA’s integrity as it has left our 24098957_1737489586295444_113534152_ncommunity in disarray.”

The Protesters later submitted their memorandum which demands an Independent commission to resolve the matter immediately to the Kashag Secretariat.

24133662_1737483059629430_139040779_n“This is Democracy. Everyone is entitled to use their freedom of speech. Kashag has provided its clarification both orally and written. I will present their memorandum to the Kashag during their meeting tomorrow,” Kashag’s additional secretary Phuntsok Tsering said when asked about Kashag’s view on protest.

The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration appointed Education Kalon Ngodup Tsering as the new Representative of North America based in Washington DC as per Chapter 1 Article 1(3) of the Tibetan Charter and Article 19(1) of the Tibetan Public Service Commission rules and regulations, according to a circular issued on Nov 7, 2017.

Following the public outrage over the matter, Kashag issued a 10-point clarification on its decision to replace Penpa Tsering from the Office of Tibet in Washington, CTA’s mission in North America and cited growing trust deficit, under performance and insubordination as key reasons to replace Penpa Tsering.

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