On Violations of religious freedom in Tibet

B100254/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Violations of religious freedom in Tibet

(2025/2692(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on China,

- having regard to Rules 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas under the authoritarian rule of the CCP under Xi Jinping the Chinese government intensified a policy of Sinicization and assimilation of Tibetan Buddhism that includes widespread persecution, political-re-education, disinformation about Tibet, falsification of its history destruction of religious sites, such as in Drago County, mass surveillance, cultural and linguistic suppression, population control and mass relocation as laid out in several legal provisions, including the PRC Patriotic Education Law, and Xi’s remarks at the 7th Tibet Work Forum of August 2020;

whereas Tibetan Buddhists, who are systemically targeted by Chinese authorities, face forced disappearances and physical abuse, represent the largest religious group among political prisoners in China; whereas Tulku Hungkar Dorje, a 56-year-old Tibetan Buddhist leader who disappeared in China eight months ago, reportedly died under mysterious circumstances in Chinese custody in Vietnam in late March 2025 and swiftly cremated his body in Vietnam without the consent of his family;

whereas the defence of universal human rights should be at the centre of the EU’s engagement with China;

Strongly condemns the PRC’s violations of universal human rights in Tibet, including targeting individuals striving for the preservation of Tibetan language, culture and environment; opposes to any effort by the Chinese government to select Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders, including the Dalai Lama.

Urges the Chinese government to immediately end its oppressive assimilation policy in Tibet and elsewhere, allow free and peaceful religious practice, and to release all religious and political prisoners, including the Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family who were abducted by Chinese authorities in May 1995;

Calls for the EU and the Member States to adopt sanctions against high-ranking officials and entities involved in human rights violations in Tibet, and warn China that its actions in Tibet will have consequences for the development of all areas of EU-China relations;

Recalls that the PRC is an authoritarian one-party dictatorship that restricts freedoms of speech, religion, assembly and cultural expression, particularly of ethnic and religious minority groups, including Tibetans; notes that these actions are fundamentally contrary to the universal values enshrined in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

calls for an independent investigation into the death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje; and urges the EU to come up with targeted measures to investigate and prevent China’s transnational repression against diaspora groups;

Recalls the importance of the EU raising the issue of human rights violations in China, particularly the situation in Tibet, at all political and human rights dialogues with the Chinese authorities; calls on the EU and the Member States to counter disinformation about Tibet;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Chinese Mission of the PRC in Brussels, the Chinese MFA, the VP/HR, the Commission, the Member States and the United Nations;