What changed

European Parliament resolution on violations of religious freedom in Tibet

B100248/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Violations of Religious Freedom in Tibet

(2025/2692(RSP))

– having regard to its previous resolutions on TibetPeople’s Republic of China (PRC) and China,Tibet,

– having regard to Rules 150(5) andarticle 136(4)18 of itsthe RulesUniversal Declaration of Procedure,Human Rights,

A. whereas, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, the Chinese authorities have become increasingly oppressive; whereas the human rights situation in Tibet continues to deteriorate; whereas respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law should be at the centre of the EU’s relations with China;

– having regard to Articles 4 and 36 of the PRC Constitution,

B. whereas Tulku Hungkar Dorje, a respected Tibetan Buddhist religious leader and humanitarian figure, 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 consent of his family, raising serious concerns;

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

C. whereas Tibetan Buddhists, who are systemically targeted by Chinese authorities and face forced disappearances and physical abuse, represent the largest religious group among political prisoners in China;

A. whereas under the leadership of Xi Jinping, the Chinese Government has become increasingly more oppressive of religious minorities, for example by pursuing a policy of sinicization and assimilation of Tibetan Buddhism; whereas religious freedom conditions in China are among the worst in the world; whereas the UN indicated that there is prominent and credible evidence of China committing serious human rights violations against the Uyghur community which may amount to crimes against humanity;

D. whereas credible reports identify extensive pressure from Chinese authorities on Rinpoches to align with the Chinese Communist Party’s narrative, including forced interrogations and attempts to enforce support for the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama;

B. whereas Tibetan Buddhists are systematically targeted by Chinese authorities; whereas Tibetan religious leader Humkar Dorje Rinpoche died allegedly while in custody in Vietnam following concerted actions with China’s Ministry of State Security on 29 March 2025; whereas the 11th Panchen Lama was abducted in 1995 and held captive ever since; whereas Tibetan children are forcibly enrolled in boarding schools aiming to erase their Tibetan identity; whereas the Tibetan population are under systematic surveillance through mandatory apps;

1. Strongly condemns the repressive assimilation policies throughout PRC and their violations of universal human rights, especially in Tibet, which seek to eliminate distinct Tibetan religious and cultural traditions and heritage; calls for a clear separation between State and religion in China;

C. whereas the degradation of the human rights situation in China has put a strain on the relation with the EU and decisively contributed to making the rivalry dimension of the relation more prominent;

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

1. Strongly condemns the repression of religious minorities and the violation of universal human rights in Tibet by the PRC;

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;

2. Urges the PRC to immediately end its oppressive assimilation policy and restriction of freedom of religion in Tibet and against other minorities;

4. Strongly condemns the continued persecution of Tibetan religious and cultural leaders and the practice of transnational repression by Chinese authorities, including the cultural and linguistic assimilation of children in state-run residential schools, reflecting a broader policy of forced assimilation; calls for the suspension of extradition treaties with the PRC;

3. Calls for an independent investigation into the death of Humkar Dorje Rinpoche and for the immediate release of the Panchem Lama; urges the EU to address PRC’s repression against diaspora groups and the Member States to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC;

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

4. Reiterates its call on the PRC to reengage with the representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama with a view to establishing genuine autonomy for Tibetans within China;

6.5. Demands that thosethe responsibleEU forimpose wrongdoingsanctions beon heldofficials accountableand underentities internationalresponsible for human rights standardsviolations andin law;Tibet; demandsstresses that since the EUintroduction imposeof sanctions on officials and entities responsible for the human rights violations in Tibet;Xinjiang in 2021 the situation has not improved and recalls Parliament’s requests for additional measures;

7. Urges the PRC to uphold its obligations under international law and cease all discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities, allow peaceful religious practice, and release all religious and political prisoners, including the rightful Panchen Lama and Ilham Tohti;

6. Insists that the systemic deterioration of human rights in China, including the situation in Tibet and in Xinjiang, and prominent individual cases such as Sakharov laureate Ilham Tohti, must feature prominently on the agenda of the next EU-China summit;

8. Urges the EU and Member States to raise this case in bilateral and multilateral dialogues with PRC and Vietnam, and demand accountability for human rights violations in Tibet; insists on also raising the repression of other religious minorities such as the Uyghurs in Xinjiang;

7. Calls on the EU to lead action at the UN Human Rights Council to create an independent investigative mechanism into China’s human rights abuses;

9.8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EUSR,Commission, the governments ofHR/VP, PRCthe andMember Vietnam,States, the UN High CommissionerChinese forauthorities Humanand Rightsgovernment and the Central TibetanUnited Administration.Nations.