Historic Tibetan National General Meeting Commences[Saturday, 21 May 2011, 4:11 p.m.]

The opening session of the Second Tibetan National General Meeting being held at the TCV School auditorium in Dharamsala, on 21 May 2011/Photos by Namgyal Tsewang/Tibetonline TV

DHARAMSHALA:
Hundreds of Tibetan delegates representing Tibetan community from
across the globe have begun discussing amendments to the Charter on the
devolution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s administrative and
political powers and responsibilities to the elected leaders of the
Central Tibetan Administration.The meeting is being held in
accordance with the His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s decision to
relinquish his formal authorities in order to bring about complete
democratisation of the Tibetan polity. (Message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Fourteenth Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies)The
delegates will deliberate on insertion of a new Preamble and Article 1
into the Charter and 39 related articles prepared by Charter Amendment
Drafting Committee. (Click here to read Draft Preamble and Article 1)The
drafting committee has amended 39 articles including the Article 19
concerning the executive powers assigned to His Holiness in the
Charter. The amendments made to 9 executive powers assigned to His
Holiness in the Charter will be devolved to the elected leadership and
the three pillars of Tibetan democracy, Speaker Penpa Tsering said in
his opening statement.One of the major draft amendments made to
the Charter is the withdrawal of provisions (Article 31 – 35) of
appointing Council of Regency.  Kalon Tripa reiterated three
long-term visions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to devolve his
political authorities to the elected Tibetan leadership. “His Holiness
aims to complete the democratisation process of Tibetan society, to
establish a sound system of governance and self-reliant exile Tibetan
administration when he remain able and healthy and to sustain the exile
administration until the issue of Tibet is resolved,” Kalon Tripa said.Kalon
Tripa stressed the changes made in the Charter must ensure the
continuity of the special historic and karmic bond between His Holiness
the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people, safeguarding the Central Tibetan
Administration as the legitimate governing body and representative of
the whole Tibetan people, in whom sovereignty resides.Kalon
Tripa underscored the need to ensure Central Tibetan Administration to
get recognition in the international arena and to maintain relations
with governments across the world.He said efforts must be made to remove impediments which might undermine the sustenance of the Central Tibetan Administration.The
delegates will present to His Holiness the Dalai Lama the final outcome
of the final Draft Preamble and the First Article Amendments to the
Charter on 24 May.A total
of 418 delegates from over 20 countries, including India, Nepal, the
US, Europe and Russia, are taking part in the 4-day historic meeting
being held in Dharamsala.On the advice of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama, the meeting which is previously scheduled to be held for
three days from 21-23 May has been extended for a day. His Holiness
said all the delegates should get the opportunity to express their
views and those of the Tibetan community on the devolution of his
political authorities to the democratically elected leadership, Speaker
Penpa Tsering said.

The monks of Namgyal Monastery ushers His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait into the conference hall on the opening session of the 4-day general meeting of Tibetans in exile

Delegates of the Tibetan community from different parts of the world during the opening session of the 4-day historic national general meeting on 21 May 2011

Mr Penpa Tsering (2nd right) delivers the opening statement of the Second Tibetan National General Meeting on the devolution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s administrative and political powers to the elected Tibetan leadership.

Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche delivers the statement of the Kashag at the opening session of the Second Tibetan National General Meeting on the devolution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s administrative and political powers to the elected Tibetan leadership.