Yeshi Wangmo sworn in as new Chief Justice Commissioner of apex Tibetan judicial body

Tenzin Nyidon 

DHARAMSHALA, April 5: Yeshi Wangmo was officially sworn in as the Chief Justice Commissioner of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission (TSJC), the highest judicial body of the exile Tibetan government known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), in a formal ceremony held at the Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE) hall on Friday. She is the first woman to hold this prestigious position.

Elected through a secret ballot on the twelfth day of the ninth session of the 17th TPiE, Yeshi Wangmo secured 31 votes, defeating fellow candidate Sonam Gyalsten, who received 12 votes. Her appointment is historic, as she becomes the first woman to assume this prestigious role, marking a significant milestone for the Tibetan exile judiciary.

The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by TPiE Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel in accordance with the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile. The event was attended by CTA President Penpa Tsering, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, and members of the Standing Committee of the 17th TPiE.

Before assuming this role, she began her service with the CTA in 1995 as an Under-Secretary in the Department of Security and was promoted to Deputy Secretary in 1999. Over the years, she held key positions across various departments, including the Department of Health, the Cabinet Secretariat, and the Department of Information and International Relations. Notably, in 2018, she became the first woman Secretary of the Department of Finance. Before her recent appointment as Chief Justice Commissioner, she served as Secretary of the TSJC from July 2021.