Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile Penpa Tsering makes the opening remarks at the fourth session of the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile in Dharamshala, India, on 14 September 2012. Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal/India
By Lobsang Wangyal
MCLEOD GANJ, India, 15 September 2012
The members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile paid tribute to the Tibetans who laid down their lives for the cause of Tibetan freedom, as they met for the fourth session of the house in Dharamshala.
The members passed a resolution offering prayers and expressing solidarity with all those who have died and who are currently suffering under Chinese control.
They also stated that more Tibetans could burn themselves to show their frustration if China continues with the repressive policies in Tibet. Should there be more self-immolations, China will have all the responsibility.
Since February 2009, 51 people have set fire to themselves in protest against Chinese rule.
Speaker Penpa Tsering in his opening remarks said that instead of cracking down on the Tibetan protesters, the Chinese government must look to the real cause of the self-immolations.
Due to the urgent situation in Tibet, Penpa allotted the first day of session of the house to discuss the critical situation in Tibet.
He also pointed out the baseless accusations by a section of Tibetans against Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. He said such things only cause distress to the Dalai Lama.
One of the accusations was that the Dalai Lama had shut down the exiled Tibetan administration after the Tibetan name of the administration was changed from Bod-shung Gaden Phodrang Choklay Namgyal (Gaden Phodrang Government of Tibet) to Central Tibetan Administration.
Penpa said that such groundless claims can be clarified with proper understanding of the situation. He said that the Dalai Lama takes every decision to proper discussions and consultations. The Tibetan public should understand that it is wrong to speak out without understanding the reasons behind the Dalai Lama’s initiatives.
The fourth session of the Tibetan Parliament will go on till 22 September, after which the members will participate in the Second Special Meeting for four days from 25 to 28 September. This meeting will discuss ways to deal with the tense situation in Tibet.
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