International Campaign for Tibet

Fifty years of Tibetan democracy

Today, Tibetans celebrate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of a democratic system of governance in exile. As an organization dedicated to promoting Tibetan human rights and democracy, the International Campaign for Tibet  celebrates the democratic experience with them. Tragically for Tibetans in Tibet, the evolution to democracy began only after the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India in 1959 and when he had a free hand to decide the course of his leadership. Today, the Central Tibetan Administration  in Dharamsala, India (commonly known as the Tibetan Government in Exile), functions as a democratic system with Tibetan characteristics.

Through a change in the governance system, the Dalai Lama has brought about a social revolution and in the process reformed the old Gadhen Phodrang government system that began when the Fifth Dalai Lama took over both the temporal and spiritual leadership of Tibet in the 17th century. [...]

Read more >

Statement from the International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet commemorating Tibetan Democracy Day>