The newly elected 17th Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE) has begun the process of taking office with the swearing-in of Mr Dawa Tsering as pro-tem Speaker – the temporary Speaker who presides over the first meeting of the TPiE after the general elections. The ceremony was held at the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission at Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala and the oath administered by Chief Justice Commissioner Sonam Norbu Dagpo. The ceremony was restricted to a small group due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Dawa Tsering
Dawa Tsering, 67, was born in Dhingri Rachu and came to India at the age of five. He is a social worker, engaging mainly with adult education, Tibetan Buddhist education for laypeople and youth empowerment. He is currently the Director of Yongling School at Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala. He has served in Parliament for many years.
The controversy that has dogged Parliament since the furore of the sacking last year, and later reinstatement of the Justice Commissioners has not been laid entirely to rest. There was a division at the oath taking: 21 MPs took oath of office from the pro-tem Speaker Dawa Tsering, while the remaining 22 MPs in attendance took their oath before the Charter and a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This was apparently to demonstrate their non-recognition of the pro-tem Speaker and the judges of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission. Tenzin Phuntsok Doring, the Australasia representative, did not attend due to the Australian Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Parliament has still to nominate a Speaker and Deputy Speaker. At the swearing-in ceremony the Pro-tem Speaker Dawa Tsering halted the session to choose the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker, saying it was under orders of the Election Commission and due to the absence of 2/3rd quorum during the official ceremony.
Many questions remain and there is speculation in the Tibetan media about the implications of these issues and possible ways forward.
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