DHARAMSALA: More and more nations around the world are waking up to the threats to global democracy posed by the People Republic of China, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said on Wednesday. In June of this year, senior parliamentarians from eight countries including the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Australia announced the launch of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a coalition that would seek a proactive approach to the challenges posed by China, it said.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the birth of Tibetan democracy, the CTA said it paid homage to the Dalai Lama. "We also extend warm greetings to Tibetans in and outside Tibet and our supporters around the world," it said in a statement. In 2019, the US State Department report on International Religious Freedom ranked China among the worst offenders.
Earlier this year, it said, five United Nations independent mandate holders called on the Chinese government to provide information about the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama and to allow an independent monitor to visit him.
Expressing gratitude to the spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the CTA, led by President LobsangSangay, said His Holiness' unceasing efforts in overseeing the Tibetan polity into a democratic system and guiding the Tibetan movement on the path of non-violence have been admired and supported around the world.
"His Holiness sowed and nurtured the seeds of democracy and today Tibetans reap its benefits. We also owe a great debt to all the elected officials of the past for their selfless service," it said.
Earlier this month, the Election Commission announced the commencement of the 2021 general elections of the Sikyong and members of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile.
The Tibetan administration urges all the Tibetans around the globe to actively take part in this process. "The task is now on our shoulders to protect and further strengthen our robust democracy. The citizens are at the heart of democracy and Kashag acknowledges the Tibetans for their active engagement in the democratic process. We must continue to strengthen our democracy with renewed dedication and effort," it added. The Tibetan administration in exile is headquartered in this northern Indian hill station. (IANS)