Parliament Session Begins Amid Ultimatum from Campaign Group for Charter Amendment or Resignation of All 45 MPs

DHARAMSALA, 12 Sept: The 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile(TPiE) commenced its 8th session on Wednesday amid calls for amending the Charter regarding qualifications of Justice Commissioners of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission (TSJC) of the Central Tibetan Administration(CTA). The calls came from a group known as ‘The Advocacy of the General Public for the Sustainability of CTA,’ which also demanded the resignation of all lawmakers if amendments were not made.

Members of the advocacy group lined the road from the gate of Gangchen Kyishong to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Secretariat, holding banners calling for charter amendments as lawmakers arrived. 

In a press statement, the group lamented that their repeated petitions since October 8, 2021, to safeguard and uphold the CTA’s democratic system had fallen on deaf ears. The statement added that nearly a thousand group members from India, Nepal, and other countries had gathered in Dharamsala for the appeal campaign, which had to end abruptly.

However, it should be noted that during the 6th session, the parliament left it open for the public to submit charter amendment applications. This was in accordance with a resolution adopted by the fifth session of the 17th TPiE, which established a Rules and Regulation Review Committee to review CTA regulations, including the Charter. As the committee was to submit their reviewed report to the Parliamentary Secretariat by the end of February 2024, discussion of charter amendments was not permissible in the house at that time.

As the group continues its campaign this year, it calls for amendments to the Charter regarding the qualifications of TSJC Justice Commissioners and equal voting rights for religious sect representatives. The group unanimously favours eliminating MPs from religious sects and appeals to both the Kashag (Cabinet) and the Parliament to hold a referendum in accordance with public wishes. They also call for MPs from Europe, North America, and Australasia constituencies to be included in the Standing Committee of the parliament.

The group warned of implementing several actions, including calling for the resignation of all 45 MPs and initiating a hunger strike, if the parliament fails to make the amendments in the current session.

As there was an incident of some members of the advocacy group hurling abusive language at the MPs as they made their way to the house, Tenzin Yangkar, the President of the group, when asked about the incident, stated that it was a development that no one wanted and that the members had been advised against doing so.

When asked if calling for the resignation of all MPs wouldn’t lead to the collapse of the house, she answered that there were no two ways about it and that the MPs must either perform their duty or resign.

MP Mingur Dorjee, while speaking with the press before entering the House, spoke about the need to approve the opinion of the “general public” but stopped short of disclosing how.

MP Kunchok Yarphel said that Resolution No. 39, an official motion passed by the 16th TPIE in March 2021 to impeach the Chief Justice Commissioner and the two Justice Commissioners of the TSJC, lies at the heart of the matter and that there is no way forward without dealing with it first.

He also added that pressuring them wouldn’t lead to charter amendments. When asked how the appeal campaign amounts to a pressures, he referenced the statement made by the executive member of the group, Tsering Setan, at TIPA hall during the opening ceremony of the campaign. Setan had remarked that if the MPs failed to amend the charter, they (the group) wouldn’t be responsible if there wasn’t a way for the MPs to come back for the next session once they dispersed from the current session.

Meanwhile, fielding questions regarding the presence of a large number of elderly Tibetans in the group, Tsetan Phuntsok, another executive member of the group, remarked during a press conference held on Tuesday that they were well aware of the criticisms of the campaign and the group. He said these criticisms stem from several online commentators, hinting that the group plans to take legal measures against them.

The 8th session of the parliament, scheduled for September 10-19, will discuss work reports from the seven departments of the CTA and the group too will campaign till the 19th at the recently refurbished basketball court near the CTA Secretariat where tents have been pitched. 

In his opening address, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, highlighted significant recent events, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s successful knee surgery in the US and his return to Dharamsala. The Speaker called for prayers for the Dalai Lama’s long life and reaffirmed the importance of supporting his four principal commitments.

The Speaker expressed deep appreciation for continued international support, particularly from India. He also highlighted diplomatic advancements, such as the US Congress’s recent passing of the Tibetan-Chinese Conflict Resolution Act, resolutions in the Canadian Parliament, and ongoing discussions in the Australian Parliament.

Notably, the parliament began by reviewing annual reports, starting with the Department of Religion and Culture. This marked a break from the usual order, as the introduction of the Bill on official solidarity regarding the urgent situation inside Tibet, which typically serves as the curtain-raiser, is set to be introduced only on 17 September.

CTA President Penpa Tsering, who also serves as the Minister of Religion and Culture, presented his department’s report. He revealed significant demographic changes within Tibetan monasteries, noting that the proportion of monks and nuns from the Himalayan region has risen to 69%, while the number of Tibetan monks and nuns has fallen to around 29%. This meant that the total monastic population had now dropped below 40,000 for the first time. 

MPs expressed concerns about preserving Tibetan culture in exile, the Dalai Lama’s health and future reincarnation, and the status of Tibet House in Delhi. They made calls and appeals to the Dalai Lama’s Private Office through the Kashag to allow the Dalai Lama to rest and reduce his engagements, as numerous programs have been lined up following his return from the US after the successful treatment of his knee. 

The Department of Home also presented its annual report, prompting debates on housing for new Tibetan arrivals and initiatives related to the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation and the Gaden Phodrang.

As discussions continued, the Speaker reminded the parliament of its primary constitutional responsibility—to resolve the Tibet issue. He urged the MPs to remain focused on this mission as the session proceeds with further deliberations in the coming days.

The opening session of the house was attended by 38 lawmakers, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Security Minister Gyari Dolma, and DIIR Minister Norzin Dolma. A total of seven MPs were on leave from the inaugural session, with one MP on leave throughout the session while the others were on leave for a day or two. Education Minister Tharlam Dolma is also set to miss the entire session on medical grounds, following doctors’ advice. 

The CTA President, who also doubles as the Minister of Religion and Culture, Health, Finance, and Home Department of the CTA, will present the report and answer questions related to the Education Department as well.

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.