In an answer to joint parliamentary questions tabled by three Members of the Chamber of Representatives (questions 6017447C, 56017634C and 6017940C), Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot stated that Belgium is closely following the human rights situation in China, with particular attention to ethnic and religious minorities, and that the law on so-called ethnic unity is part of this assessment.

He highlighted concerns over the law’s extraterritorial dimension and the possibility that broadly formulated provisions could be used to restrict freedom of expression, academic freedom, and other fundamental rights abroad.

The Minister highlights the European Parliament resolution of 30 April 2026 on the law and notes that it has raised concerns with Chinese authorities regarding minority rights, freedom of religion or belief, and cultural rights, and that it continues to address these issues through diplomatic channels, EU frameworks, and multilateral forums.

The Minister also underlines that Belgium takes reports of transnational repression seriously and that the protection of persons on Belgian territory falls under the responsibility of the relevant security and justice authorities.

The statement, signed by 51 members of the Estonian Riigikogu, condemns China’s new Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress, which entered into force in July 2026.

It warns that the law threatens Tibetan identity by imposing Mandarin-language education, promoting the dissolution of traditional Tibetan communities, and expanding state surveillance and control. The signatories argue that the legislation undermines Tibetan cultural, linguistic and religious rights and enables the criminalisation of Tibetan identity. They highlight concerns over the law’s extraterritorial reach, including potential targeting of Tibetan supporters and critics abroad. The statement calls on the PRC to repeal the law, urges UN bodies to address assimilation policies, and demands stronger international diplomatic pressure. It also expresses support for the preservation of Tibetan culture and identity and for a peaceful resolution of the China–Tibet conflict through dialogue.

In this statement, the Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet denounces the PRC’s new ‘Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress’, entering into force on 1 July 2026, as a tool of forced assimilation threatening Tibetan language, culture and religious identity.

The group warns that increased state control over education and public life, including the boarding school system separating Tibetan children from their families, risks the erosion of Tibetan identity within a generation. It supports Switzerland’s efforts in international forums to oppose the law and urges the Federal Council to raise concerns with China and defend the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people.

In an answer to a parliamentary question (Question 56017027C), Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot stated that the succession of the Dalai Lama is a matter for the Tibetan community itself and should take place without interference from secular authorities.

The Minister said Belgium systematically raises the situation in Tibet with Chinese authorities, including during his visit to China in April 2026 and political consultations in March 2026. He added that Belgium addressed the protection of Tibetan cultural identity and the need for China to respond to outstanding requests from UN Special Rapporteurs during China’s 2024 Universal Periodic Review. Belgium also continues to raise Tibetan human rights issues within the EU-China human rights dialogue and in multilateral forums, and will continue to closely monitor developments, he said.

In an answer to a parliamentary question tabled in the Senate (Question 07643), the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs stated that the case of Zhang Yadi, a young Chinese student who was studying in France and was arrested in China in July 2025 for her peaceful advocacy for Tibet, is being closely monitored by France and at the European level. He said France continues to raise her case with Chinese authorities and remains mobilised to seek her release.

The Minister added that France closely follows the broader human rights situation in China and Tibet, supporting civil society and raising concerns in international forums, including at the UN and within the EU. It highlighted France’s recommendations during China’s Universal Periodic Review to protect freedom of religion, its support for joint statements on human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet, and EU efforts to defend Tibetan identity, culture and fundamental freedoms.

In this joint declaration adopted at the Tibet Conference at the Latvian Parliament in Riga, parliamentarians from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania express solidarity with the Tibetan people and support stronger EU action to protect Tibetan rights.

They highlight the shared historical experiences of the Baltic states and Tibet in preserving identity, culture, and self-determination under communist rule, and call for greater EU coordination in addressing China’s policies.

The declaration calls for the appointment of an EU Special Representative for Tibet (or for Asia/human rights in China) to strengthen EU engagement and provide protection against pressure from Beijing.

It condemns China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, adopted in 2026, as a tool of forced assimilation threatening Tibetan cultural, religious, and linguistic identity, and calls on national parliaments to adopt resolutions opposing the law. The participants also commit to increasing parliamentary support for Tibet, strengthening coordination on human rights in China, and encouraging EU Member States to support the initiative for an EU Special Representative for Tibet.

The resolution clearly states that the People’s Republic of China has no legitimate authority to select the successor to the 14th Dalai Lama, and calls on the Czech government to support the Tibetan people’s free choice of the 15th Dalai Lama.

It also expresses grave concern over China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress that was adopted that same month and which the Senate described as an instrument “openly advocating assimilation” that restricts cultural, religious and linguistic freedoms, including for Tibetans.

In an answer to two parliamentary questions tabled in the National Assembly (“Threats against the Tibetan language” – Questions 10263 and 10264), the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs reiterated that France is “deeply concerned” about reports of a system of preschool boarding schools for Tibetan children that “would threaten the transmission of Tibetan culture, language and religion” and potentially violate children’s fundamental rights.

It said it regularly raises the situation in Tibet in multilateral fora, including at the United Nations Human Rights Council, supported EU statements recalling reports of school closures and forced assimilation.

It also said it backed the EU ban on products made with forced labour, and calls for the resumption of dialogue between the envoys of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities.

The statement condemns China’s boarding school system for Tibetan children, and call for its immediate abolition.

It also calls on Chinese authorities to allow the establishment of private Tibetan schools; and on countries and the European commission to request access for diplomats, independent journalists, and international observers to Tibet.

In this answer to a parliamentary question (Question UIN 69268), the UK Government states that it continues to raise concerns with the Chinese authorities over the human rights situation in Tibet, including the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions. The Government notes that these concerns have been raised at the highest political levels and through multilateral engagement, including a UK-convened event at the UN Human Rights Council reaffirming freedom of religion or belief, including for Tibetan Buddhists.

It also reiterates that the UK recognises Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China and maintains that the selection of the next Dalai Lama should be decided solely by the Tibetan Buddhist community in accordance with freedom of religion or belief.

In a social media post on their accounts on X on the occasion of the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama, the Human Rights Ambassadors of 7 European countries - Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Iceland,the Netherlands and the UK - addressed concerns surrounding the reincarnation of the Tibetan spiritual leader and rejected any external interference in the process.

Motion 35207-China/Nr.93 states that the Chinese Communist Party must have no say in the succession of the Dalai Lama, and calls on the government to convey this message in bilateral and multilateral forums.

Motion 35207-China/Nr. 92 notes that China is "frequently guilty of human rights violations", in particular against ethnic minorities and calls on the Dutch government to raise these human rights violations "repeatedly at all international and bilateral meetings" with China, and to "clearly express its disapproval of such actions"

Motion 35207-China/Nr.84 requests that the Dutch government work towards the appointment of a special EU representative and a joint EU Tibet strategy, modeled after the American Resolve Tibet Act.

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In its Federal Coalition Agreement (the work program and statement of intent of the Belgian federal government) for 2025-2029, the Belgian government states:

"We continue to denounce human rights violations, particularly regarding the identity of Uyghurs and Tibetans."

In this resolution, the Czech Senate's committee expresses deep concern over UN findings regarding "the systematic separation of Tibetan children from their families and their forced assimilation in Chinese residential schools", and urges the Chinese government to end this practice.

The resolution also opposes China’s interference in the reincarnation process of Tibetan religious leaders, including the Dalai Lama, calling it a "serious obstacle" to the freedom of religion and belief of the Tibetan people.

Finally, the Committee recommends that the Czech government raise these human rights concerns in its bilateral and international relations with China.