
The third day of the 10th Session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in session. Photo/TPiE
Dharamshala: Chaired by the Speaker Mr Pema Jungney, the third day of the 10th session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile convened a debate on the Official Solidarity motion on the critical situations inside Tibet as in continuation from the previous session. 26 Parliamentarians highlighted the significance of unity among the exiled Tibetans and the urgency of campaigning ‘Boycott Beijing Winter Olympic’.
The morning session also witnessed deliberations on other important issues such as China’s attempts to brainwash Tibetan youth, forceful relocation of Tibetan traditional nomads, Swiss Parliament’s passage of postulate instructing the government to report on the situation of Tibetans in Switzerland and implementation of human rights dialogue with China, among others.
Discussing the environmental issues in Tibet, Parliamentarians opposed China’s claim of building a so-called eco-friendly dam across the Yarlung Tsangpo in an earthquake zone in Tibet called Metok and restriction of religious activities and gatherings. Likewise, they also raised concerns on the need of educating Tibetan youth in exile on the Tibetan issues such as the environment.
Parliamentarians also appreciated the widespread media coverage of the Tibet issue on national televisions across India and worldwide which has helped in garnering awareness for the Tibet issue. The discussion on the motion of official solidarity will continue in tomorrow’s session.
Deputy Speaker Ven. Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok chaired the afternoon session, which commenced with the continuation of discussion and approval on 2021-2022 proposed budget of Kashag and was followed by clarifications from the Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay.
The session then proceeded with discussion and sanction on 2021-2022 proposed budgets of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) and Tibet Policy Institute (TPI). Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Kalon of the Department of Information and International Relation provided clarifications against the doubts and questions raised by the Parliamentarians.
Many of the Parliamentarians lauded the TPI’s work in research and reports, while some suggested expanding the scope of research studies by inviting Tibetan law graduates, Tibetan women doctorates, and other Tibetan scholars to join the research institute. Recommendations on other research subjects such as the unique cultural ties shared by peoples of Tibet and Himalayan region and engaging with countries in South East Asia on the importance of Tibet’s environment was also raised.
Discussion and sanction on the 2021-2022 budget of the various departments and offices under the Central Tibetan Administration will continue in tomorrow’s session.
The house adjourned till Thursday morning.
- filed by the Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat

Deputy SpeakerAcharya Yeshi Phuntsok presides over the third day of the Parliament session. Photo/TPiE

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay responds to questions during the third day of the 10th session. Photo/TPiE