DHARAMSHALA: The 6th session of the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile began today, pledging to strengthen their efforts to alleviate the sufferings of Tibetans inside Tibet and garner international support to urge China to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue with the Tibetan leadership.

In his opening remarks, Speaker Penpa Tsering said: “A total of 120 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Tibet since 2009. In view of the deteriorating situation inside Tibet, the parliament will deliberate on ways to find a meaningful solution to the critical situation prevailing inside Tibet.”

Expressing solidarity with all those Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan cause, he said the Tibetan Parliament has organised various campaigns till now and will continue to hold rallies and organise more campaigns to create more awareness and garner international support to end China’s repression in Tibet.

The speaker also highlighted His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s remarks to the officials of the Central Tibetan Administration on the occasion of Tibetan democracy day on 2 September 2013. “During the address, His Holiness expressed concern over the public servants’ indifferent attitude towards the general public. His Holiness urged Tibetan administrators and officials to serve and address the grievances of the Tibetan public as a priority and in a time-bound manner,” he said.

We are public servants and it is our duty to serve the general public with our whole hearted determination as advised by His Holiness, he said, adding that the trust of the general Tibetan public towards the Central Tibetan Administration is of utmost importance.

The speaker also expressed his deep concern over individual Tibetan’s misuse of their freedom of speech to create furore and confusion among the Tibetan public. Such irresponsible comments by individuals are being used by the Chinese government to malign the Tibetan movement and serves as a hindrance to the Tibetan administration’s efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis inside Tibet, he said.

The agenda for the 6th session of the Tibetan Parliament include presentation of annual reports by the seven departments of the Central Tibetan Administration, and the presentation of annual report and recommendations of the 5th Public Accounts Committee of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. The Parliament will also deliberate on the urgent situation prevailing inside Tibet.