On 2 September 2025, we celebrate the 65th anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day, the day the first Tibetan parliament-in-exile was established in 1960.
In February 1960, in the holy city of Bodh Gaya, India, the Dalai Lama delivered a speech to the Tibetan people outlining his political vision for a future Tibet. He said:
“Unlike the past system in Tibet, it is extremely important to establish a democratic form of governance based on harmonious blend of spiritual and political values. Hence, a popularly elected body of people’s representatives is needed. After you return to your respective places, select from the general public nominees who are educated, capable, patriotic and trustworthy. For the time being, elect one representative from the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and three representatives from the three traditional provinces.”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya, February 1960.
In 1990, the Dalai Lama took the next step in his quest for further democratization and the establishment of the rule of law when he requested a specific constitution for the Tibetans in exile, which would serve as the law governing Tibetan governance. The constitution was intended to integrate the best aspects of the modern democratic system and traditional Tibetan values. Thus, the constitution was adopted on 14 June 1999, by the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies.
In the chapter entitled “Principles of Tibetan Governance,” the constitution emphasized Tibetans’ desire to be responsible members of the international community. It stated:
“It is the duty of the Tibetan Administration to adhere to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as codified by the United Nations, and to urge and encourage all other countries of the world to respect and comply with these Declarations. The Constitution shall emphasize the promotion of the moral and material well-being of the Tibetan people, the protection of their social, cultural, religious, and political rights, and, in particular, the ultimate realization of their common goal.”
In 2001, the Dalai Lama further democratized the system by amending the constitution to give the public and its representatives the power to select and appoint members of the Kashag. Since then, the Kashag’s chairperson has been directly elected by the people. The chairperson, in turn, submitted his nominations for Kashag members to parliament, which then made a decision. Previously, the Dalai Lama appointed cabinet members during congressional hearings.
As the years passed, His Holiness the Dalai Lama took the most important step in transforming Tibet’s democratic structure in 2011. He announced the transfer of his authority to the three pillars of democracy. The constitution was amended accordingly, and the Kashag became fully accountable to parliament.
The Dalai Lama then announced that he was ending more than 300 years of Dalai Lamas’ rule over the central Tibetan government. Just as importantly, he conveyed the message that it would henceforth be entirely up to the Tibetan people to take responsibility for Tibetan democracy.
Since then, the Dalai Lama has ceased to be a head of state, but rather a symbol of Tibetan identity, unity, and moral leadership. Although he has completely withdrawn from daily politics, he remains the voice and representative of the Tibetan people worldwide.
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