Lobsang Sangay was sworn in today as head of Tibet’s democratic exile government in Dharamsala, India. He succeeds Samdhong Rinpoche, the first directly elected Kalon Tripa, or chief of cabinet, who served two terms.

In his inaugural address, Sangay committed himself to work on behalf of the Tibetan cause until freedom, and the Dalai Lama, are returned to Tibet. He pulled no punches, speaking of the “political repression, cultural assimilation, economic marginalization and environmental destruction” brought about by the Chinese occupation.