Parliament begins its session yesterday
Wednesday, 5 March 2008, 9:47 a.m.
Speaker Karma Chophel (centre) delivering the opening address of the 5th session of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, which began Tuesday, 4 March 2008 (Photos: Sangjey Kep) |
Dharamshala: The 14th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPIE) began its fifth session yesterday afternoon.
In his opening address, Karma Chophel, speaker of the TPIE, gave an account of events that happened in Tibet in past six months.
He expressed concern over the deplorable human rights situation in
Tibet, including denunciation campaign conducted by the Chinese
authorities at Gaden Rabgyeling monastery against His Holiness the
Dalai Lama, suppression of traditional Tibetan festival at Rebkong
monastery and arrest of Rungye Adrak.
He spoke on the lack of positive approach from the Chinese
government despite Tibetan leaderships best effort in creating
conducive atmosphere during six rounds of dialogue. The speaker called
on the Chinese government to respect the fundamental human rights and
religious freedom in Tibet.
The session commenced with the singing of the Tibetan national anthem |
He lauded the bold initiative of Tibetan monastic
communities in their resolve to end the Dolgyal (Shugden) worship,
following the long life offering to His Holiness the Dalai Lama held at
Drepung monastery in south India in February.
This session will present motions to strengthen the present
resolution adopted by the TPiE against the propitiation of Shugden, he
added.
The house passed resolutions to mourn the passing away of three
outstanding figures -Kyabje Minling Trichen Rinpoche, head of Nyingma
school of Tibetan Buddhism, Congressman Tom Lantos, a champion of human
rights and long time friend of Tibet and Mr. Gonpo Dhondup, a former
Member of Parliament. As a mark of respect, the house observed
three-minute silence.
The members welcomed Kalon Ngodup Donchung, Kalon Tsering
Dhondup and Kalon Chope Paljor Tsering as they made their first
attendance at the parliament session since their appointment.
Kalon Tsering Dhodup, the kalon for the Department of Finance
will table budget proposal for the year 2008-09 during this session.
(www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)