US Senator Jon Ossoff Visits Tibetan Parliament

By Phurbu Lhamo / September 5, 2022;

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering with Senator Jon Ossoff
Photo: CTA

A delegation from the United States led by Senator Jon Ossoff visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) based in Dharamshala on September 3. TPiE’s Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering and other parliamentarians welcomed the Senator and the delegation was briefed about the functioning and composition of the TPiE and other issues related to Tibet. Senator Jon Ossoff received an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his residence.

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering said that the “Senator’s visit sends a strong message to the International community as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people, and engagement with the CTA is necessary for resolving’s Tibet issue”. She further spoke about the Tibet outreach programmes undertaken by the Tibetan parliament and explained that “the ultimate objective of resolving the issue of Tibet remains the same despite having some internal disagreement which is in fact one of the essentials in a functioning democracy,” and she added “we agree to disagree”.

Photo: CTA

She continued, explaining the following issues:

Systematic and scrutinised policies of China that are overlooking the identity of Tibetans by disregarding their distinct language, culture and religion
How 175 Tibetans have self-immolated in protest against China and its human rights violations in Tibet
The current environmental destruction and global climate crisis can be fixed only when China ceases its environmental destruction in Tibet
China’s attempt to control the reincarnation process of Tibetan lamas, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which it sees as a way to legitimise their illegal occupation of Tibet
The Eighth World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet (WPCT) held in Washington DC and the congressional hearing on Tibet in the US Capitol by Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)

Senator Ossoff expressed his appreciation and joy over the enthusiasm of Tibetans in their effort to sustain a government in exile, and said that the aim of his visit is to understand how Tibetans to keep their struggle alive in exile, an effort which he said is “inspiring and encouraging”.

Speaker Dolma also appealed to the Senator to raise his voice to support for the Tibet issue. The meeting concluded with the presentation of a memento to the Senator.