Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration

The Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration, also known as the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, is the unicameral legislative organ of the Central Tibetan Administration. Established and based in India,^[1] it was founded in 1960, and was most recently elected to a 14th 5-year term from 2006-2011. The first election of the Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration took place on 2 September 1960, the anniversary of which is observed by the Tibetan exile community as Democracy Day.^{[2] [3]}

It consists of anywhere between 43 to 47 members, including:

• two delegates from the Tibetan diaspora in Europe
• two delegates from the Tibetan diaspora in North America (an amendment in September 2010 raised the number to two from one)
• ten delegates from each one of the three traditional provinces of Tibet
• two members each from the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional Bon school
• one to three members appointed by the Dalai Lama with distinction in culture, sciences or community services

Election to the Parliament is open to Tibetans who are at least 25 years old, and the minimum voting age is 18. There are no political parties in the elections. Sessions are held twice every year between six month intervals. A standing committee of 12 members is in place when the Parliament is not in session, consisting of two members from each traditional region, one member from each religious denomination, and one member who is directly nominated by the Dalai Lama.

The Parliament also helps with organization of Local Parliaments established in 38 major Tibetan communities with no less than 160 Tibetans.

List of members

External links

• Legislature: The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile
• The Tibetan Parliament in Exile (Tibetan Parliamentary & Policy Research Centre)

References

1. ^ "Hundreds dead in Tibet unrest: parliament-in-exile". Breitbart. 17 March 2008. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080317090321.tp9mvvpd&amp%3Bshow_article=1. Retrieved 26 August 2010. 
2. ^ Democracy Day
3. ^ Democracy Day: Exile Government asks Tibetans to give more importance to "duties than rights"