Protesters demand Sikyong Sangay and MP Tenpa Yarphel be impeached on Legal, Ethical & Moral ground
By Lobsang Tenchoe
DHARAMSALA, March 16: A group of Tibetans who call themselves ‘Truth Seeking Volunteers’ demanded impeachment of President of Central Tibetan Administration, Dr Lobsang Sangay and termination of Tibetan parliamentarian, Tenpa Yarphel at a press conference held earlier today at Hotel Club House in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala.
The group’s representatives, Thinley Kalsang and Thinley from New York and Chemi Dorjee from Nepal addressed the press conference and demanded that Sikyong Lobsang Sangay and Tenpa Yarphel be impeached on legal, ethical and moral ground as soon as possible.
The conference hall was adorned with signs such as, ‘When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty’, ‘No democracy without transparency’, ‘We are not against the Gaden Phodrang, we respect Central Tibetan Administration but we are protesting against Sikyong Lobsang Sangay’, among others.
“More than eight thousand people have demanded the resignation of Sikyong Lobsang Sangay through a signature campaign due to the unrealistic 10-point clarification he made which is against the Tibetan Charter,” the group stated in their press release and further charged the political head of the Tibetan people of misusing his power.
The group also demanded that Tibetan parliamentarian Tenpa Yarphel be terminated on account of disrespecting and humiliating the state oracle. “We demand Tenpa Yarphel’s termination for disrespecting and humiliating our state oracle Nehchung,” a banner read.
Protesting against Kashag’s decision to replace Penpa Tsering from the Office of Tibet in Washington, CTA’s mission in North America, the group stated that, “If Kashag does not have legitimate reasons other than those 10 points to replace, then that does not even substantiate such drastic replacement.”
The Kashag 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 it issued on Nov 7, 2017.
Following 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 and cited growing trust deficit, underperformance and insubordination as key reasons to replace Penpa Tsering.
While commemorating the 59th Tibetan National Uprising Day, President Sangay said that although he appreciates the protesters, he does not agree with them and further stated that despite Kashag’s repeated clarification over the replacement of its representative form its mission in North America, some people just won’t get it. He then declared that it was within Kashag’s power to replace him and declared that it was a just decision. Withstanding on Kashag’s decision, he then said that the last resolution would be to take the matter to court.
Stating that all they seek is the truth, the group demanded an independent commission to be formed to investigate thoroughly over the issue of Kashag’s decision to replace former Speaker Penpa Tsering from its mission in North America, claiming misuse of power by President Sangay.
The group further called on the Tibetan MPs to be the true representative of Tibetan people and dissolve the entire Kashag (Cabinet) led by President Sangay.
“We request the entire Tibetan Parliament to be the true representative of Tibetan people with a clear understanding of one’s duty and promises made for Tibetans and thus implement the Article 29 of Tibetan Charter in replacing and the entire member of the 15th Kashag Administration,” the group stated in their release.
The group stated that their members consist of Tibetans from all over the world and claimed that they have voluntarily gathered in Dharamsala during the parliament proceedings to engage in various truth finding campaigns, and declared that they are protesting for the promotion of CTA’s integrity. The group will hold their protest from March 17-24.
