17th TPIE begins its second session
DHARAMSALA, 14 March: The second session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile(TPIE) began today to discuss the work reports of the seven departments of the Central Tibetan Administration.
Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, in his opening remarks, said that the General session of the TPIE which was due to be held in September last year could not be held until now owing to numerous circumstances.
The Speaker further called for “discussion on political situations based on our status” and added that it is important to understand the Tibetan issue based on political and economic changes that are taking place in China
He further spoke about the successful revival of the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet (APIPFT) and declared that it is significant to seek genuine support from the international community until the Tibetan issue is resolved.
On the first day of the current session, the Parliament introduced bills on official solidarity on urgent situations inside Tibet, official commemorations and obituaries.
Calls were also made by the Tibetan lawmakers for the inclusion of a resolution to express solidarity with the Ukrainians and to condemn the Russian invasion of the Ukraine during the session.
Apart from the work reports of the various departments of the CTA, during the five-day parliamentary session that will conclude on 18 March, members will deliberate on the prevailing critical situation inside Tibet and other issues of concern within the Tibetan community in exile.
Meanwhile, around 15 Tibetans from Nyam Pa Lar So staged a sit-in protest at the basketball court at Gangchen Kyishong near the CTA headquarters calling on the 17th TPIE to uphold and execute the resolution passed by the 16th TPIE to impeach the Chief Justice Commissioner and the two Justice Commissioners of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission in March last year.
The protesters further called for the immediate resignation of the sitting “illegitimate justices of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission.”
