Dharamshala: The eighth session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile for the fiscal year 2019-20, scheduled from 20-30 September for 11 days, commenced here today.
Speaker of 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile Pema Jungney, in the presence of Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, members of Kashag and the Tibetan parliamentarians, delivered his session commencement address.
“Firstly, I would like to congratulate the honourable members of parliament on their successful participation in the 7th World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet held at Riga, Latvia in May this year. On behalf of the Tibetan Parliament in exile, I heartily thank Convention coordinator Mr. Janis Martin Skuja, Chief of Society “Latvian for Tibet” and all our parliamentary friends through this platform,” the Speaker said.
As the elected representatives of the people, he observed that the onus lies on the Members of Parliament to exercise their participation in the proceedings with a sense of responsibility towards the people that they represent.
In addition, he appealed the parliamentary members to act as a unifying force in the exile Tibetans and raise constructive deliberations on the issues of cultural genocide, suppression of rights and self-immolation protests inside Tibet than making divisive remarks and personal attacks.
Urging collective, concerted efforts within the parliament, the Speaker said the unity of the Tibetan people will ultimately determine the success of the movement.
Speaker also acknowledged the ‘Dialogue for Peace’ tour, a campaign led by Ven Thupten Wangchen, a member of the parliament, who is traveling across 30 European countries to call for dialogue between the Chinese government and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The inaugural session of the parliament unanimously proposed nine official resolutions of mourning to condole the demise of former members of Tibetan Parliament in exile Thupten Nyima, Kunchok Norbu and Pema Tsewang; former Security Kalon Donga Tenzin, former U.S Senator Richard Lugar, former Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Sheila Dikshit, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Babulal Gaur, former member of Lok Sabha Ram Chandra Paswan and former union minister Ram Jethmalani.
It also proposed an official resolution of solidarity with the sufferings of Tibetans inside Tibet.
The 8th session of the 16th Tibetan parliament will conclude on 30 September 2019.