Tibetan self-immolation dominates Parliamentary session/ENG

2012. március 15./Phayul.com/TibetPress

DHARAMSHALA, March 15: With news coming in of yet another monk setting himself on fire in Rebkong, eastern Tibet, the fiery wave of self-immolation protests dominated the first day of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s budget session which began yesterday.

Tibetan parliamentarians and cabinet members, including Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay, attended the 11-day parliamentary session wearing a black cloth on their arms reading ‘Save Tibet.’

The black armbands will be worn throughout the parliamentary session as a gesture to show solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet and also to remind the international community of the ongoing crisis inside Tibet.

In his inaugural address, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, Penpa Tsering strongly condemned the Chinese government’s repressive policies and faulty security measures in Tibet.

The Speaker blamed China for plunging Tibet into its “darkest period” in history.

Meeting after a gap of almost six months, the Parliament worked over time on the first day of its 3rd session and unanimously adopted the official resolution expressing solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet.

More than half of the parliamentarians and Kalon Tripa shared their views and debated extensively on the resolution.

Since 2009, 28 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and freedom in Tibet. Peaceful protests by thousands of Tibetans in recent months have been violently crushed, resulting in deaths and serious injuries to scores of Tibetans.

The adopted resolution urged the Chinese leadership to immediately end its repressive policies in Tibet and reiterated the demand to allow an international fact-finding delegation to visit Tibetan areas.

The resolution also urged the Chinese government to release all Tibetan political prisoners and appealed world leaders to impress upon the Chinese government and intervene in the unfolding critical situation inside Tibet.

During the daylong deliberations, one of the lawmakers mooted the idea of the Tibetan Parliament leading a return march of exile Tibetans back to Tibet.

“We are the representatives of the Tibetan people. We are their voice and also we are the ones responsible for answering their calls. It is the need of the time that we begin a march back to Tibet,” an MP said.

Another parliamentarian suggested that Tibetans holding citizenship of other countries should make concerted efforts in entering Tibet.

“With foreign citizenship the consequences of carrying out campaigns and activities inside Tibet will be much lighter as compared to what local Tibetans are facing right now,” another MP said.

Nodding in agreement to refrain from unnecessary debate on the nature of self-immolation, the house vowed not to let the sacrifices of Tibetans in Tibet go in vain.

The parliament is scheduled to approve the budget of the Central Tibetan Administration for the year 2012-13 during this session, which will go on till March 24.

The house was missing the presence of one Kalon and two parliamentarians on its first day.
By Tendar Tsering