6th Session of Tibetan Parliament Concludes
Wednesday, 17 September 2008, 9:55 a.m.
 Karma Chophel delivering his concluding address during the sixth session of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, in Dharamshala, India, on 16 September 2008. |
Dharamshala: The sixth session
of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile concluded Tuesday with a strong
resolve to put consistent and concerted efforts by the Tibetans in
peacefully resolving the issue of Tibet.
After active deliberations on the future course of actions, it
was greatly emphasised to maintain unity among the Tibetan people and
seeking support from the international community.
In his concluding remarks, Speaker Karma Chophel gave an
updated account of efforts initiated by the Tibetan Parliament in
gathering support from the international community to bring an
immediate peaceful resolution of the urgent situation inside Tibet
after 10 March this year.
He said in order to call for the much-needed support, efforts
were made to attend important international forum, including European
Parliament in Brussels, United Nations’ Human Rights Council in Geneva.
While speaking on the successful exchange program between the
British Parliamentarians and Tibetan MPs, he said special emphasis has
to be made in seeking support from the world parliamentarians.
Underlining the significance of the special general meeting on
Tibet slated to convene in November, he said representatives attending
the meeting, including settlement and welfare officers, members from
the local assemblies and Bod Rawang Denpai Legul Tsokchung, must take greater responsibility in gathering the opinions of the Tibetan people.
The speaker lauded the Kashag’s future policy on giving priority to
Tibetan women’s equal participation in the administrative and political
work of Tibetan democratic institutions, as outlined during this year’s
democracy day.
He said in working in coordination with the Kashag, the
Parliament has fulfilled the objectives of clearing the obstacle year
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by completing the long life prayer
services to enhance the collective merits of the Tibetan people.
In his brief address, Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche underlined
the need to focus on passing legislations concerning the welfare of the
CTA officials, particularly those who are near retirement.
During the 8-day session, the members of the Kashag presented
reports on social, economic and political activities undertaken by the
concerned departments during the year 2007-08. The members of
Parliament put forward opinions and suggestions for effective
administrative workings of the departments.
Speaker Karma Chophel, who completed his stipulated tenure as
the speaker with the end of the sixth session, will hand over the
charge to Domey MP Penpa Tsering.
–Editing by Lobsang CHOEDAK
