What changed

B100256/2025

B100253/2025

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

(2025/2692(RSP))

– having regard to itsRule previous150 resolutionsof onits Tibet,Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, was abducted by the People’s Republic of China authorities in 1995, at the age of six, just 3 days after being recognised by the Dalai Lama; whereas since that day he has not been seen again;

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;

B. whereas the enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama is one of the most troubling cases of religious and cultural repression in Asia in recent decades;

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;

C. whereas the Chinese authorities deliberate and systematically targets influential Tibetan leaders, with enforced disappearances, persecutions, arbitrary arrests, physical abuses, prolonged detentions, and many other forms of oppression being an unacceptable pattern; whereas Tulku Hungkar Dorje is another example of a Tibetan leader being persecuted by the Chinese government;

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;

D. whereas according to international human rights reports, the Chinese government has been systematically restricting the size of Buddhist monasteries and other institutions, evicting monks and nuns from monasteries, and prohibiting them from freely practicing;

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;

1. Urges the Chinese government to, immediately and unconditionally, release to the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as well as all the rest of arbitrarily arrested Tibetan leaders;

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;

2. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the fact that the Chinese government has been systematically oppressing Tibetan leaders with brutal measures, including enforced disappearances and restrictions on religious freedom;

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

3. Condemns the systematic violations of the human rights by the Chinese authorities reported in Tibet;

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

4. Urges to the Chinese authorities to immediately stop its repression against freedom of religion, and refrain from monitoring, harassing, detaining or otherwise intimidating leaders and members of religious groups; strongly condemns the systematic attacks to restrict religious activities in China, and, in particular the legislation on Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues, which increase party-state oversight of such activities, introducing propaganda elements into religious content, as well as the forced affiliation of bishops with the state-controlled Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association;

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;

5. Is deeply concerned about the increasing levels of attacks, coercion, discrimination, harassment, violence and repression against religious freedom as a global phenomenon; in particular, condemns in the strongest possible terms the persecution against Christians, the most persecuted religious group in the world;

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

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the relevant parties.

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.