Fourth session of 17th Tibetan Parliament begins

DHARAMSALA, 7 Sept: The fourth 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. 

The session started in the afternoon with Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel in the chair in the presence of the President of the Central Tibetan Administration Penpa Tsering and his cabinet.

Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, in his opening remarks, spoke about the importance of the existence of different political stands and ideologies in a democratic setup but called for collective efforts from everyone to resolve to just cause of Tibet. 

The Speaker also spoke about the significance of planning and resisting China in accordance with the political changes in China.

He also urged the lawmakers to use the floor of the house to speak and exchange ideas for the Tibetan freedom movement with dedication and enthusiasm rather than being carried away by their personal feelings.  

On the first day of the General Session, the Parliament passed three unanimous resolutions to mourn the demise of Tibetan self-immolator Taphun, former parliamentarian Jarsangling Tsewang Namgyal and former Japanese PM, Shinzo Abe.

While Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel declared that the situation inside Tibet under Chinese rule continues to remain grim since 2008, the lawmakers passed a unanimous resolution to express solidarity with the Tibetan people inside Tibet who are suffering under repressive Chinese rule in Tibet.

The 4th session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament will be held from 7-16 Sept during which apart from the work reports of the various departments of the CTA, lawmakers will deliberate on the prevailing critical situation inside Tibet and other issues of concern within the Tibetan community in exile. 

Additionally, the lawmakers will also review the laws and charter that govern the CTA and discuss and deliberate on the report submitted by a committee consisting of five members appointed to review the financial scope and risk condition of Gang Jong Development Finance Private Limited (GDP) by the parliament under the Official Motion and Resolution No 2022/17/3/26 and Document no 26 of the third session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.

The opening session of the house was attended by 42 lawmakers and CTA President Penpa Tsering’s cabinet.

Tibetan Parliament-in-exile consists of 45 members: ten members each from U-Tsang, Do-tod and Do-med, the three traditional provinces of Tibet, two members each from the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional Bon faith, two members each from Europe and North America and a member representing Tibetans in Asia and Australasia (excluding India, Nepal and Bhutan)

The TPIE holds its session twice every year with an interval of six months, a budget session in March and a general session in September.

While the Parliament usually opens its session in the morning, the current session began in the afternoon as the lawmakers attended a long-life prayer offering (tenshug) at Tsuglag-Khang, the main temple here in Mcleod Ganj to the His Holiness the Dalai Lama by five Tibetan groups in the morning.

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