The Tibetan administration in exile has commended the U.S. Senate for supporting the traditional Tibetan process of selection of the next Dalai Lama.
The political head of the Central Tibetan Administration said that the move of the U.S. Senate strengthens the right of the Tibetans to choose the next Dalai Lama through the reincarnation selection process.
“This resolution stands up for the Tibetan people’s inalienable rights and opposes any attempt by external actors, specifically the People’s Republic of China, to interfere in the reincarnation selection process. The unanimous support from the U.S. Senate sends a powerful message to the international community and to China in particular. It sets a precedent for other nations to follow,” said Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the political head of the Central Tibetan Administration.
The statement of the Tibetan community came after the US Senate on Thursday agreed to a resolution which claimed that the responsibility for identifying a future 15th Dalai Lama only rests with officials of the 14th Dalai Lama’s private office. The move was opposed by Beijing with the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry saying it amounted to “interfering in China’s internal affairs”.
The U.S. Senate resolution on Thursday called on the U.S. Ambassador to China to meet the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima.
