DECLARATION OF THE TIBETAN PARLIAMENT IN EXILE
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 53 ANNIVERSARY OF TIBETAN DEMOCRACY DAY
2 September 2013
Fifty-three years ago, the day 2 September of 1960, the Tibetan democratic system was formally born, with the first elected representatives taking the oath of office, following the advice and express wish of the supreme leader of the Tibetan people, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who considered that Tibet should follow a democratic system that was consistent with the general trend of the modern world.
It has been more than two years since His Holiness the Dalai Lama transferred all his political and administrative authority to the leaders elected by the people. During this period the task of advancing the Tibetan people's struggle for truth and improving the efficiency of the Central Tibetan Administration has been undertaken. (Tibetan Government in Exile), both at its main headquarters and in its branches. These are clear signs that the Central Tibetan Administration will be able to stand firm and continue to develop as long as the Tibetan conflict is not resolved.. However, according to the wish of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, All Tibetans must persist in their efforts to improve the efficiency and progress of this fully democratic Administration..
More of 54 Years have passed since all of Tibet was violently occupied by communist China. During these years, China has used repressive and underhanded methods to completely destroy the identity, religion, culture, Tibetan language and tradition, with the perverse intention of transforming Tibet into a Chinese town.
Tibetans are oppressed and discriminated against. Tibet's environment is being destroyed in all its aspects. Furthermore, the Chinese government has carried out repressive measures against the Tibetan people., who with unwavering loyalty to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and maintaining the Tibetan national spirit unaltered, has opposed the Chinese government by expressing complaints about these policies through various campaigns against the authorities.
As a consequence of these repressive policies, 120 Tibetan men and women have committed self-immolation in peaceful protest since 2009 until today, generating an emergency situation. However, The Chinese government has not shown any sign of awareness of its responsibility in investigating the demands and aspirations of the self-immolators. Furthermore, the Chinese government has humiliated those sacrificed, has falsely implicated His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration for instigating the immolations, has tried to hide the immolations, has imposed severe restrictions on cities and monasteries; innocent relatives of those immolated have been accused, imprisoned, accused of murder and some have even been sentenced to the death penalty. This type of abuse and torture is continuous.
Instead of maintaining and respecting the human rights of the Tibetan people, The Chinese government continues to carry out these types of actions, ignoring the calls made by nations, rulers and organizations that value democracy, freedom, truth and justice.
Recently Mr.. YuZhengsheng, chairman of the National Political Consultative Committee and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Office of the Government of the People's Republic of China, made an inspection visit to Tibet. During the visit he said that the Dalai Lama's request for “Greater Tibet” and a “high degree of autonomy” contradicts the Chinese constitution and the national regional autonomy law, adding that such requests infringe the basic interest of Tibetan Buddhism.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration have fought to have true autonomy for all Tibetans within the provisions contained in the constitution of the People's Republic of China and the autonomy law, which clearly detail the right to regional ethnic autonomy. Stating that they violate the constitution reveals the falsehood, hypocrisy and the true spirit of the Chinese communist autocrats who are illegally destroying the race, Tibetan religion and culture. No evidence has been provided to suggest that these petitions violate the constitution of the People's Republic of China.
The Central Tibetan Administration has repeatedly explained to the Chinese government the essence of the mutual benefit of the Middle Way Policy, which is based on the coexistence of two communities within the framework of the constitution of the People's Republic of China and granting to the Tibetan people the same rights and prerogatives enjoyed by other national minorities.
However, Chinese leaders not only incorrectly interpret this as a breach of the constitution, but the aspirations of the Tibetan people are intentionally misinterpreted as separatist. This type of advertising is inconsiderate towards everyone and totally opposite to the truth.; a distortion of reality and a shameful version of incredible proportions.
Under the so-called policy of aid to monks and nuns and Tibetan monasteries, The Chinese government has forced monasteries to raise the Chinese national flag and display photographs of Chinese leaders, in addition to carrying out activities such as “patriotic education” and intentionally placing radio and television connections that disturb religious studies and meditation. As an example, 6.575 top Chinese officials have settled in 1.787 monasteries only in the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region. The Chinese government uses these high officials for political purposes. Such actions must be suspended and reforms carried out.
From the 1 July of this year, There is an exhibition in which the history of the previous Amban or Chinese representative in Tibet is distorted, thus spreading lies to local and international tourists and visitors. It has also been performed in Lhasa since 1 August the so-called “true story of the Wenchen-Kunjo drama” in which the Chinese government has invested millions of dollars. This representation is born from the political need to indoctrinate and distort history. Therefore the people of the world, including Tibetans and Chinese must be careful not to fall prey to these deceptions and instigations.
Protect the ecology of Tibet, not only suitable for Tibet or China, but it is linked to the lives of hundreds of millions of human beings spread throughout the eastern and northern part of the world. It has become a topic of major interest to ecologists and meteorologists around the world.. But the Chinese government, on the one hand it continues to call for building in Tibet and enhancing environmental protection and long-term stability and development and help to challenge adversaries and on the other hand it does everything possible to eliminate Tibetan nomads in order to facilitate the extraction of Tibet's natural resources., which is transforming the appearance of the territory.
By implementing the so-called “Three Red Lines” strategy” as a principle for the extraction of minerals throughout the territory, The Chinese government has established mines throughout Tibet to extract valuable minerals such as gold, plata, copper, iron and many other minerals. Huge quantities of mineral products and natural resources from Tibet are transported to China. To meet the need to move the population, the Tibet-Tsongon railway line has been expanded and new railway networks are being built that go from NaGormo station to a large number of Chinese cities.. The project to extend the railway line from Lhasa to other parts of Tibet has also been started..
In the same way that, under the pretext of modernization and development, Various dams have been and continue to be built throughout Tibet.. The consequences of all this will be suffered globally., especially in Southeast Asia and particularly will cause great damage to the ecology of Tibet and the protection of Tibetan identity. Therefore it is important that everyone pays attention to these activities..
She further , local Tibetans of Tsongon townships, Yulshul and Zatoe have been living in critical situation since the 12 August 2013, after suffering severe repressive incidents in response to their legitimate protests against the white diamond exploitation plan. In such case, We strongly urge the Chinese government to respect the dignity and aspirations of the Tibetan people, immediately ending repression and mining exploitation.
Many restrictions were imposed in Tawu Tibetan areas this year, Karze, The jaws, Drakgo, GolokTawo, Labrang, Machu, Chabcha, Kumbum monastery, etc, during the celebration of 78º birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Concretely, when the monks and nuns of Nyatso and GadenChoeling in Tawu were performing, together with local Tibetan people, the incense offering ceremony on MachenPomra mountain, as part of birthday celebrations, Four police vans and seven military vans arrived at the scene.. Without listening to the explanations of the Tibetans, Chinese police officers began beatings and shot at the congregation.
Similarly, el lama Dawa Rinpoche, from GadenDargyeling Monastery, was accused of maintaining communication with His Holiness the Dalai Lama regarding the reincarnation of RongpoChoeje. The monastery was repressed to the point of arresting monk officials, closure of the monastery, suicide of a monk, etc. These incidents clearly demonstrate that China's religious freedom policy is nothing more than empty words..
The critical and unbearable situation and problems faced by Tibetans within Tibet, making the days and nights literally pass with extreme difficulty, are caused, first of all, due to the lack of democratic system in Tibet and China to date; and , in second place, by a few uncompromising Chinese leaders.
For Tibetans living in foreign countries, including India, It is a reason for great joy to be able to enjoy a high degree of true democracy. Even so, we need to keep walking to get higher and higher. It should be noted that serious preparations should be made to present this excellent democratic system as a gift when Tibetans from inside and outside Tibet are reunited after finding a solution to the Tibetan problem..
It has been more than fifty-four years since we sought refuge in India and other countries abroad. Especially India has become a second home for us. We are deeply grateful for the extensive help and protection provided by the people and government of India. Always remembering and appreciating kindness, and taking advantage of the opportunity that this auspicious occasion offers us, We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to both the Indian people and government, global leaders, nations and Tibet Support Groups as well as the people who have individually been supporting Tibet unconditionally.
In accordance with the continuous and profound advice given by the leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, We appeal to all Tibetans in exile to develop and maintain strong friendly relations with the people of host nations, thus contributing to the reputation, dignity and security of the Tibetan people.
To conclude, we honestly pray that His Holiness the Dalai Lama lives for hundreds of eons; May all your sacred desires be fulfilled spontaneously; and may the just cause of Tibet see its fruit as soon as possible.
TIBETAN PARLIAMENT IN EXILE
2 of September 2013
* In case of any discrepancy as to meaning, should be considered as a reference he original Tibetan text.
