What changed

B100254/2025

B100256/2025

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

The European Parliament,

-– having regard to its previous resolutions on China,Tibet,

-– having regard to RulesRule 150150(5) 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, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, the Chinese authorities have become increasingly oppressive; whereas the human rights situation in Tibet continues to degrade; whereas respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law should be at the centre of the EU’s relations with China;

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 Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which cites the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), states that citizens “enjoy freedom of religious belief”; whereas the CCP regulations restrict religious practice to state-approved forms and emphasize national security;

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

whereas Tulku Hungkar Dorje, a respected Tibetan Buddhist religious leader and humanitarian figure, and abbot of Lungnon Monastery, died on 28 March 2025 under suspicious circumstances while in custody in Vietnam, following his arrest by Vietnamese and Chinese authorities, whereas his body was reportedly cremated without the knowledge or presence of his family, raising serious concerns about the treatment of his remains;

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.

whereas Tulku Hungkar Dorje had been in hiding in Vietnam since September 2024 due to ongoing harassment, interrogation, and threats from Chinese authorities in Tibet for his religious and educational activities;

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;

whereas credible reports point to extensive pressure from Chinese authorities on Rinpoches to align with the Communist Party narrative, including attempts to compel support for the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama, forced interrogations, and accusations of loyalty to the Dalai Lama;

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;

Strongly condemns the repressive assimilation policies throughout China, especially in Tibet, that seek to eliminate distinct Tibetan religious and cultural traditions and heritage;

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;

2. Firmly opposes any attempt by the Chinese government to interfere in the selection of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders, including the Dalai Lama;

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;

3. Expresses its deep concern and sorrow over the suspicious death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje and extends its sincere condolences to his family, monastery, and followers;

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;

4. Strongly condemns the continued persecution of Tibetan religious and cultural leaders and the practice of transnational repression by Chinese authorities;

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;

5. Calls for an immediate, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into his death, with international oversight and access to evidence and witnesses;

6. Demands that the investigation findings be made public and all responsible for wrongdoing be held accountable under international human rights standards and law;

7. Demands that the Vietnamese and Chinese authorities ensure the prompt and dignified return of Tulku Hungkar Dorje’s remains to Lungnon Monastery for traditional religious rites;

8. Urges the EU and its Member States to publicly raise this case in bilateral and multilateral dialogues with PRC and Vietnam, and to demand accountability for human rights violations in Tibet;

9. Reiterates its strong support for the protection of religious freedom and cultural rights of the Tibetan people and calls for renewed international engagement on the human rights situation in Tibet;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EUSR, the governments of PRC and Vietnam, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Central Tibetan Administration.