The December 10th observation of International Human Rights Day this year was marked by comments in support of Tibet by delegates from six countries and a statement from the European Union. The Central Tibetan Administration published a statement, and speakers in the United Kingdom’s House of Commons raised the Tibet issue as well.
“We extend our gratitude for these statements of solidarity,” says the Central Tibetan Administration statement, “and emphasise the continued importance of such voices until Tibetans are fully free to express their identity in accordance with international law.” The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) also welcomes these statements and encourages governments to issue firm and consistent responses to China’s rights violations in Tibet.
Parliamentary delegates in Dharamsala speak in solidarity
A visiting parliamentary delegation from the Czech Republic, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, and Fiji held a joint press conference in Dharamsala, India addressing the Tibet issue and calling for human rights and the resumption of dialogue.
“I support His Holiness’ vision of peaceful dialogue. Such dialogue is essential for both the Tibetan and Chinese peoples,” said Chilean MP Vlado Mirosevic, while Czech MP Jitka Seitlová noted that the Czech Republic had endured decades of oppression and occupation and therefore deeply empathizes with the Tibetan struggle for human rights and democratic freedoms.
Tibet raised in UK Human Rights Day debate
Speaking in the House of Commons, MP Wendy Morton spoke about the repression of Uyghurs and Hong Kongers by the Chinese government and stated that Tibet “remains one of the most heavily suppressed regions in the world.”
MP Markus Campbell-Savours carried on that theme, saying, “In China, Uyghurs and Tibetans face systemic repression and Hong Kong’s freedoms have been considerably narrowed.”
Substantive EU statement documents repression
The statement issued by the EU Delegation to China highlights the alarming human rights situation in the People’ Republic of China and draws particular attention to the ongoing repression in Tibet. This renewed expression of concern from the European Union adds to growing international alarm over the systemic assault on Tibetan identity, culture, and fundamental freedoms.
ICT appreciates the significant attention given to Tibet throughout the statement, including the EU’s denunciation of severe restrictions on religious freedom, the intensifying control of monastic life, the compulsory boarding school system imposed on Tibetan children, and the closure of Tibetan-language schools. The EU also raises the pervasive regime of surveillance that constrains every aspect of Tibetan life, as well as Beijing’s tightening grip over religious institutions, most notably through its interference in the identification of Tibetan spiritual leaders.
The explicit reference to the enforced disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, missing since 1995, underscores the gravity of this interference.
ICT welcomes the EU Delegation’s firm call that the succession of the 14th Dalai Lama must occur without government interference and in accordance with Tibetan religious tradition.
The statement also demands the immediate and unconditional release of detained Human Rights Defenders or political prisoners, including Dorjee Tashi, Go Sherab Gyatso, and environmental defender Anya Sengdra, whose prison sentence was reportedly extended by one year last August and whose health is deteriorating in detention. Their inclusion is a crucial reminder that countless Tibetans continue to be detained simply for expressing their identity, practicing their religion or defending their basic rights.
“The religious and cultural freedoms of the Tibetan people are non-negotiable. Beijing’s claimed authority over the Dalai Lama’s succession represents a profound violation of Tibetans’ spiritual dignity and their right to determine their own religious future. Europe must remain firm and consistent on this issue,” said ICT’s EU Policy Director Vincent Metten.