<< The Kashag (Central Tibetan Administration Cabinet ) in session

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has not only guided the humanity of this universe onto the path of non-violence and peace, but has also transformed the nature of Tibetan freedom movement into a total non-violent endeavour.

In recognition of this enormous service to humanity, His Holiness was conferred the Nobel Peace Prize. There are innumerable intellectuals across the globe who pursue His Holiness' guidance with deep faith, reverence and delight. Similarly, it is the moral responsibility of the Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet to follow the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by making every possible effort to practise compassion and non-violence.

Looking back at the history of over 50 years since the proclamation of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, most of the international organisations, nationalities and countries were either not able to or failed to respect human rights. This not only led to many unfortunate incidents, but the people of Tibet also had to suffer unprecedented oppression and human rights' violations that are beyond human imagination. As a result of this, nearly a quarter of Tibet's population lost their lives and those who did survive had to endure a hell-on-earth torture and ill treatment.

In short, mass killings of people and destruction of culture took place in Tibet. At that time, although many peace-and-freedom-loving people of the world were deeply concerned and supported us, most of the organisations and countries as well as the United Nations claiming to protect the human rights, individual freedoms and democracy, treasured only their own economic and political interests as paramount, and stood a mute spectator to the plight of the Tibetan people. This is a moment to remember what we have experienced.

Moreover, if we analyse the history of aggression and mass killings that plagued the earth in the latter half of the twentieth century, it is a proven fact that when individuals fail to identify and carry out their human responsibilities, human rights can not be protected by merely contemplating and striving for it. And when individual rights are violated, we all know that if one is not able to protect it by relying on the forces of inner strength, morality and non-violence, no amount of wailing before any country, nationality or famed organisations can restore or safeguard the human rights. As Lord Buddha said:

"One is the protector of one's own self,
Who else can be one's protector."

Learning from our past experiences, on this occasion of the World Human Rights day, the Kashag would like to appeal to all Tibetans, especially the educated youths, to identify the quintessence of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama's unique teaching of universal responsibility, and voluntarily pursue that responsibility day in day out. We also appeal that the human rights of individual Tibetans and that of the Tibetan nationality be restored and safeguarded by relying on the forces of inner strength, morality and non-violence.

Based on the realities of today's globalised world, where the politics and society are enslaved by its negative forces, the crux of the matter is that the Tibetans should know the fact, and have a sense of feeling, that whether or not the future of the Tibetan people bodes well hinges upon how they fulfil their own duties, rather than the support or assistance from others. Therefore, on this day, if the Tibetan people can think deeply on this issue, and at the same time, follow their human responsibilities with determination, this will serve the purpose of commemorating today's occasion.

Recently, following the Kashag's statement to the people on 2 September, the Tibetan delegation led by the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama went to China for the third time and visited some Tibetan areas, including the Karze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. They also had extensive discussions on many issues with the concerned Chinese officials in Beijing. This time, the discussions they had were by far the most productive one and will be useful in determining our future course of action.

The draft Basic Education Policy laid down by the Kashag after extensive discussions and research for the past two years has been adopted unanimously in the recent session of the Assembly with few changes made in the text. We feel that this is an important step in the history of Tibetan education.

Similarly, in order to render a uniform and standard Tibetan equivalent for modern scientific terms and terminology, the Department of Education has already started a project for coining new Tibetan terms and terminology.

Since many years we have not been able to carry out work-load assessment and the allocation of posts in various departments and functionaries of the Tibetan administration in accordance with the administrative rules. Realising that no revolutionary changes can be introduced in the current set-up for the time being, we have followed another way of bringing about institutional reforms by not withdrawing any staff but by creating works for the allocated posts. We are happy to inform you that the creation of posts for the staff has already been done.

We have already decided to undertake work-load assessment every two years in the future, and gradually make the allocation of posts for the CTA staff in conformity with the administrative rules and categorise the staff into four professional disciplines.

The action plan aimed at the development of co-operatives and agriculture in the Tibetan settlements have now been finalised by the Co-operatives Development and Agriculture Sections of the Department of Home and they are in the stages of being implemented. Our efforts to recruit professional staff in the co-operatives are also being realised.

The above are some of the important political and administrative work we have undertaken recently and we are taking this opportunity to inform these to the general public.

Although the Tibetan issue is close to a resolution, but due to lack of our collective merit, we are encountering many internal and external obstacles. In order to avert these obstacles, and for the swift re-unification of the Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, there is a need to enhance our collective merit. As prophesised by the protective deities and highly-realised lamas, this Tibetan Wood-Monkey year is particularly very important for the Tibetan people. Therefore, as requested by the Kashag through its successive appeals, the Tibetan public conducted prayers and indulged in a series of merit-earning activities throughout this year. We have also decided to organise a grand prayer ceremony at Bodh Gaya on 15 January 2005 (15th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan Wood-Monkey Year), which will be presided over by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and heads of all the religious traditions. In this regard, we have already requested you all to contribute individually. The Kashag would like to thank you all for your generous contribution and appeal to you to carry out as many merit-earning activities as possible on the above date in your respective places.

As the Government of Himachal Pradesh and Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association, Dharamsala, have also organised an International Himalayan Festival to be coincided with the anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of Himachal Pradesh for providing so far every support and assistance to the Tibetans.

I would like to take this opportunity to urge the leaders of the People's Republic of China to bring about positive changes in Tibet and release all the innocent political prisoners, especially the young Panchen Rinpoche and Trulku Tenzin Delek. I would also like to express our deep appreciation and thank the Tibet Support Groups the world over, and those who take interest in and support the cause of human rights.

Finally, I pray for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the flourishing of his meritorious deeds and services. I also pray that the truth of the issue of Tibet prevail soon.

The Kashag
10 December 2004

---------------
The Kashag (Cabinet) is the apex executive body of the Central Tibetan Administration. It exercise its executive powers subordinate to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.