Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Adopts Key Resolutions on Tibet Situation and China's Ethnic Law
In a significant session held in Dharamshala, the Tibetan Parliament-in--Exile has passed two crucial resolutions, focusing on the critical situation inside Tibet and China's recently enacted "Ethnic Unity and Progress" law. The 7th day of the 11th session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, chaired by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, commenced with official solidarity on the dire conditions in Tibet.
Resolution on the Critical Situation Inside Tibet
The first motion, tabled by parliamentarian Tsering Yangchen and supported by Geshe Ngawa Gangri, is a five-point official solidarity resolution. It commends the courage and sacrifice of Tibetans who have lost their lives for the Tibetan cause, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to freedom.
Key demands of this resolution include:
- Protection of fundamental human rights for the Tibetan people.
- Advocacy for establishing Tibet as a zone of peace.
- Call for meaningful changes in the current policies of the People's Republic of China.
- Immediate release of political prisoners, notably the 11th Panchen Lama.
- An end to ongoing repression, brutality, and environmental degradation affecting Tibet's fragile ecosystem.
This resolution underscores the urgent need for international attention to the humanitarian and environmental crises in Tibet, urging global stakeholders to intervene.
Resolution on China's Ethnic Unity and Progress Law
A separate motion, tabled by Sikyong Penpa Tsering and supported by DIIR Kalon Norzin Dolma, addresses China's Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. Passed on March 12 by the 14th National People's Congress and set to take effect on July 1, 2026, this law has sparked significant concern.
The seven-point resolution rejects the PRC's "Ethnic Unity" laws as legally illegitimate and morally invalid under international and constitutional standards. It affirms that Tibet is an occupied nation and calls for:
- Immediate withdrawal of policies of forced assimilation.
- Commitment to resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict through peaceful dialogue.
- United Nations review of these laws.
- International community accountability for acts of cultural genocide.
- Encouragement for Tibetans inside Tibet to uphold their cultural identity and maintain faith in freedom's return.
This resolution highlights the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile's stance against what it perceives as oppressive measures, advocating for diplomatic and legal recourse.
Budget Approvals and Administrative Matters
In addition to these resolutions, the House deliberated and approved budgets for various Tibetan offices and organizations worldwide. These include:
- Bureau du Tibet in Brussels
- Bureau de Tibet in Paris
- Office of Tibet in Pretoria
- Tibet Religious Foundation of HH the Dalai Lama in Taipei
- Tibet House in Brazil
Furthermore, budgets were approved for the Tibetan Freedom Movement (BRDL), the Election Commission, the Public Service Commission, the Office of the Auditor General, and the Auditor General's branches in South India, Nepal, and Dekyiling. These approvals ensure the continued operation and advocacy efforts of Tibetan institutions globally.
The session reflects the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile's ongoing efforts to address critical issues through legislative action, international outreach, and organizational support, aiming to foster peace and justice for the Tibetan people.
