The resolution amongst other points:

-urges China to repeal the law, which it says openly promotes assimilation policies; -denounces the law’s extraterritorial reach and calls on the EU and its Member States to protect those at risk of transnational repression in the EU; -calls for EU sanctions on those responsible for drafting and implementing the law.

The text also reiterates the European Parliament’s rejection of Chinese interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama, and calls for the release of Choktrul Dorje Ten Rinpoche, Palden Yeshi, and the 11th Panchen Lama.

In its statement under item 4 at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council, the EU stated:

"The human rights situation in Tibet continues to be dire. Indicators of this include large-scale coercive enrolment in obligatory boarding schools and the suppression of protests. We are concerned about reports that Tibetan schools teaching Tibetan language and culture have been shut down and that Chinese authorities have insisted that all students attend state schools where Tibetan is only taught as a stand-alone subject. We encourage China to cooperate with international human rights mechanisms, including all relevant Special Procedures mandates and treaty bodies, in particular the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Committee against Torture."

The statement also calls for the immediate release of a number of Tibetan political prisoners, including Chadrel Rinpoche, Go Sherab Gyatso,Tashi Dorje, as well as young Chinese Tibet activist Zhang Yadi.

In a statement delivered at the UN General Assembly 3rd Committee,the Head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations Stavros Lambrinidis said:

"The EU reiterates its serious concerns about the human rights situation in China, especially in Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia and Hong Kong."

In its statement under item 4 at the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, the EU stated "The human rights situation in Tibet continues to be dire. Indicators of this include obligatory boarding schooling. We are deeply concerned over reports that Tibetan schools teaching Tibetan language and culture have been shut down and that Chinese authorities have insisted that all students attend state schools where Tibetan is only taught as a stand-alone subject."

The statement also calls for the immediate release of a number of Tibetan political prisoners, including Anya Sengdra, Chadrel Rinpoche, Go Sherab Gyatso, Golog Palden and Tashi Dorje.

In this opinion piece signed by 34 Members of the European Parliament, the authors call on the European Union to take a stronger stance in support of Tibetan religious freedom and against Chinese government interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama.

They highlight the Dalai Lama’s commitment to non-violence, dialogue, and the Middle Way Approach seeking genuine autonomy for Tibet within China, and argue that Beijing’s policies of assimilation, including the boarding school system and attempts to control the reincarnation process, threaten Tibetan identity and culture.

The MEPs call on the EU and its Member States to issue a joint statement affirming that the selection of Tibetan Buddhist leaders must take place without state interference and according to religious traditions, and to consider sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chinese officials involved in such interference. They also urge China to resume meaningful dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama, based on the 2008 Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy, arguing that dialogue remains the only sustainable path towards peace and stability in Tibet.

List of signatories: Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS (Lithuania, S&D) Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS (Lithuania, Renew Europe) Saskia BRICMONT (Belgium, Greens/EFA) Per CLAUSEN (Denmark, GUE/NGL) João COTRIM DE FIGUEIREDO (Portugal, Renew Europe) Sebastian EVERDING (Germany, GUE/NGL) Michael GAHLER (Germany, EPP) Hanna GEDIN (Sweden, GUE/NGL) Markéta GREGOROVÁ (Czechia, Greens/EFA) Hannes HEIDE (Austria, S&D) Rasa JUKNEVIČIENĖ (Lithuania, EPP) Ondřej KOLÁŘ (Czechia, EPP) Andrey KOVATCHEV (Bulgaria, EPP) Miriam LEXMANN (Slovakia, EPP) Reinhold LOPATKA (Austria, EPP) Erik MARQUARDT (Germany, Greens/EFA) Sara MATTHIEU (Belgium, Greens/EFA) Liudas MAŽYLIS (Lithuania, EPP) Verena MERTENS (Germany, EPP) Luděk NIEDERMAYER (Czechia, EPP) Rasmus NORDQVIST (Denmark, Greens/EFA) Danuše NERUDOVÁ (Czechia, EPP) Maria OHISALO (Finland, Greens/EFA) Leoluca ORLANDO (Italy, Greens/EFA) Urmas PAET (Estonia, Renew) Kira Marie PETER-HANSEN (Denmark, Greens/EFA) Chloé RIDEL (France, S&D) Majdouline SBAÏ (France, Greens/EFA) Jonas SJÖSTEDT (Sweden, GUE/NGL) Villy SØVNDAL (Denmark, Greens/EFA) Bruno TOBBACK (Belgium, S&D) Dainius ŽALIMAS (Lithuania, Renew Europe) and chair of the EU Parliament Tibet Friendship Group Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ (Czech Republic, EPP) Milan ZVER (Slovenia, EPP)

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In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by 7 Members of the European Parliament (Question E-001550/2025), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission states that the EU raised the case of the Panchen Lama during a visit of a delegation the European External Action Service to the Tibet Autonomous Region in June 2024. The official reply received was that he ‘currently conducts a normal life and does not wish to be contacted’.

The resolution amongst other points:

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

-Expresses its deep concern and sorrow over the suspicious death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje

-Demands that the EU impose sanctions on officials and entities responsible for human rights violations in Tibet

-Calls for the release of all religious and political prisoners, including the Panchen Lama

The resolution "strongly condemns" the PRC’s violations of the human rights of Uyghurs and of "people in Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China"

The press release states that the EU "reiterated its further concerns about the very serious human rights situation in China, in particular in Xinjiang, in the Tibetan areas and Hong Kong." at the dialogue. It also indicates that the EU "stressed that the selection of religious leaders should happen without any government interference and in respect of religious norms, including in the case of the succession of the Dalai Lama."

The press release also states that the EU called on China to immediately release Tibetan activists, writers and religious leaders, including Go Sherab Gyatso and Tashi Dorje.

The resolution calls on Chinese authorities to immediately abolish the boarding schools system in Tibet and to allow the establishment of private Tibetan schools.

It further calls on EU Member States and the Council to impose restrictions on visas to Chinese officials tied to the boarding school system in Tibet, and urges the VP/HR and EU institutions to monitor human rights, demand access for diplomats and observers, and raise Tibet in all dialogues with China.

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In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by 11 Members of the European Parliament (Question E-001329/2023), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission states that the EU has consistently raised concerns over the human rights situation in Tibet, particularly restrictions on freedom of religion or belief.

The HR/VP reiterates that the selection of religious leaders should take place without government interference and in accordance with religious traditions. He notes that the EU has repeatedly raised the issue of the succession process of the Dalai Lama with Chinese authorities, including in the EU–China Human Rights Dialogue and at high-level political meetings, and confirms that it will continue to reiterate its position as needed.

The press release states that the EU at the dialogue "highlighted the particularly vulnerable situation of Uyghurs, Tibetans and persons belonging to religious, ethnic and linguistic minorities across the country."

The press release also indicates that the EU raised several individual cases and "called upon China to immediately release... Tibetan activists, writers and religious leaders, including Go Sherab Gyatso, Rinchen Tsultrim and Tashi Dorje."

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The resolution recalls "the importance of the EU continuing to raise the issue of human rights violations in China, in particular the case of minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet, at every political and human rights dialogue with Chinese authorities and in line with the EU’s commitment to project a strong" and calls for a boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics "unless the Chinese Government demonstrates a verifiable improvement in the human rights situation in Hong Kong, the Xinjiang Uyghur Region, Tibet, Inner Mongolia and elsewhere in China."

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by 12 Members of the European Parliament (Question E-001705/2021), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission states that the EU condemns torture and other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment and continues to call on China to respect its human rights obligations, including the rights of minorities in Tibet and Xinjiang.

The Commission notes that EU leaders have repeatedly raised the situation of Tibetans with Chinese authorities and that the EU has called for the release of those detained for exercising their fundamental rights, as well as for fair trials and protection from torture and ill-treatment in detention.

The EU confirms that cases of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and ill-treatment will continue to be raised in bilateral and multilateral engagements with China.

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by 10 Members of the European Parliament (Question E-006975/2020), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission states that the EU has repeatedly raised concerns over the human rights situation in Tibet, including restrictions on religious freedom, minority language education, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and reports of mass labour transfer schemes targeting Tibetans. The Commission reaffirms the EU’s commitment to combating forced labour and promoting the ratification and implementation by China of relevant International Labour Organization conventions. It also notes that, under the EU–China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, China committed to continued efforts to ratify ILO conventions on forced labour, and that the EU will call on China to uphold this commitment. Any EU sanctions against individuals or entities would require a unanimous decision by the Council.

The statement acknowledges the release of Tashi Wangchuk after her served a five-year sentence for peacefully advocating for Tibetan language rights.

It calls on China to ensure his release is unconditional and that he is able to enjoy his fundamental freedoms, and to investigate alleged mistreatment during detention.

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by 14 Members of the European Parliament (Question E-005907/2020), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission reiterates that the EU has consistently raised concerns with the Chinese authorities over the human rights situation in Tibet and that reports of forced labour targeting Tibetans "add to the concerns already expressed by the EU"

The HR/VP also underlines that the EU continues to call on China to ratify key International Labour Organization conventions on forced labour and notes that any decision to impose EU sanctions would require unanimous agreement by the Council.

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by 9 Members of the European Parliament (Question E-005903/2020), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission states that he EU has "clearly and repeatedly expressed concerns over the human rights situation in Tibet in bilateral contacts with China and in multilateral fora.

He highlights that the EU raised its concerns with China in different frameworks, including at the UN Human Rights Council, the EU–China Summit and the EU–China leaders’ meeting.

He further notes that, in the framework of the EU–China Human Rights Dialogue, the EU has consistently expressed concerns regarding restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, the right to education in a minority language, and arbitrary arrests, detentions and disappearances of Tibetans, while reports of mass labour transfer schemes targeting Tibetans have added to the EU’s existing concerns.

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by a Member of the European Parliament (Question E-003247/2020), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission states that the EU has repeatedly raised concerns over restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and minority rights in Tibet, including the situation of prisoners, minority rights, and the lack of reciprocal access to the region. The Commission notes that these issues were raised in the EU–China Human Rights Dialogue and in high-level meetings, including the Strategic Dialogue between HR/VP Borrell and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the EU–China Summit in June 2020.

The European External Action Service confirms that it continues to monitor developments related to Tibet and the possible implications of China–Nepal cooperation agreements for the Tibetan community in Nepal.

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by 5 Members of the European Parliament (Question E-002786/2020/rev.1), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission states that the EU has repeatedly raised concerns over restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and minority rights in Tibet, including during HR/VP Borrell’s Strategic Dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in June 2020. He highlights that the selection of religious leaders should take place without government interference and in accordance with religious norms, noting that China’s revised regulations on religious affairs raise concerns in this regard. The Commission further recalls that, in the framework of the EU–China Human Rights Dialogue, the EU has repeatedly called on China to respect the succession process of the Dalai Lama and confirms that it will continue to follow the issue closely.

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by a Member of the European Parliament (Question E-002809/2020), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission states that the EU expressed concern for growing restrictions on freedom of expression and access to information in relation to the management of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Commission also notes that the EU has called on China to respect the rights of minorities in Tibet in bilateral contacts and at the UN Human Rights Council, and confirms that these concerns will continue to be raised through the EU–China Human Rights Dialogue and other high-level engagements.

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by 5 Members of the European Parliament (Question E-000811/2020), the EU HR/VP states that the EU has repeatedly raised concerns over restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and called on China to respect the rights of persons belonging to minorities, particularly in Xinjiang and Tibet.

He notes that, in the framework of the EU–China Human Rights Dialogue, the EU has consistently expressed its expectation that China respect the succession process of the Dalai Lama in accordance with Tibetan Buddhist norms, a position also reiterated during the 2019 Human Rights Dialogue. He states that the EU will continue to express its position on this matter.

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by a Member of the European Parliament (Question E-004532/2019/rev.1), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission states that the EU has repeatedly raised concerns over restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in Tibet and called on China to respect its human rights obligations. The Commission notes that the issue of reciprocal access to Tibet has been raised with Chinese authorities, including by the former HR/VP Mogherini in the European Parliament, and confirms that the EU will continue to advocate for reciprocal access as part of the EU–China Human Rights Dialogue and broader human rights engagement with China.

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by a Member of the European Parliament (Question E-001299-19), the EU HR/VP states that the EU is monitoring the situation in Tibet and has consistently called on China to respect the rights of persons belonging to minorities, including in Tibet and Xinjiang.

She notes that, during the EU–China Human Rights Dialogue in April 2019, the EU raised concerns regarding the situation in Tibet, including women’s rights and reproductive rights in the context of China’s former one-child policy.

She confirms that the EU will continue its bilateral engagement with China on these issues, as well as monitoring developments related to reproductive rights and women’s rights in Tibet.

The resolution condemns China’s continued repression of Tibetans, including restrictions on freedom of religion, expression, and movement. It denounces the intensified surveillance and control measures in Tibet, arbitrary detentions, and the criminalisation of non-violent dissent as “separatism.” The European Parliament calls on China to uphold Tibetans’ linguistic, cultural and religious rights, end settlement policies that disadvantage Tibetans, and allow unfettered access to Tibet for journalists and international observers. It urges China to respect constitutional guarantees and international human rights obligations. It also calls for the release of detained Tibetan activists, writers and religious figures, including Tashi Wangchuk and Lobsang Dargye.

The press release states that the Human Rights Dialogue addressed the issues of the protection of freedom of religion and belief, the rights of persons belonging to minorities, "and the situation in Xinjiang and Tibet".

It further indicates that the EU raised individual cases and called for the release of Tibetan activists, writers and religious figures who face criminal charges or have been imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including Tashi Wangchuk and Lobsang Dargye.

The resolution paragraph 63. states "Urges China to review its policies in Tibet; calls on China to review and amend the laws, regulations and measures passed in recent years that severely limit the exercise of civil and political rights of Tibetans, including their freedom of expression and their religious freedom; urges the Chinese leadership to pursue development and environmental policies that respect the economic, social and cultural rights of Tibetans and are inclusive of local populations, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; calls on the Chinese government to investigate the ongoing cases of enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment of Tibetans and to respect their rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of religion and belief, in line with international human rights standards; stresses that the degradation of human rights in Tibet must be systematically raised at each EU-China Summit; calls for the resumption of a constructive and peaceful dialogue between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Tibetan people; urges China to give EU diplomats, journalists and citizens unfettered access to Tibet in reciprocity to the free and open access to the entire territories of the EU Member States that Chinese travellers enjoy; calls on the Chinese authorities to allow Tibetans in Tibet to travel freely and to respect their right to freedom of movement; urges the Chinese authorities to allow independent observers, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to access Tibet; urges the EU institutions to take the issue of access to Tibet into serious consideration in the discussions on the EU-China visa facilitation agreement"

The press release states that the dialogue included discussions on the promotion of freedom of religion and belief, and the rights of persons belonging to minorities, "especially Tibetans and Uighurs".

It also indicates that the EU asked for the release of Tibetan activists, writers and religious figures who face criminal charges or have been imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including Tashi Wangchuk, and Tashi Dorje.

In this answer to a parliamentary question tabled by a Member of the European Parliament (Question E-000798-18), the EU HR/VP on behalf of the European Commission states that the promotion and protection of human rights remains an integral part of the EU’s engagement with China.

She highlights that, during the 19th EU–China Summit and the subsequent EU–China Human Rights Dialogue in June 2017, the EU raised concerns regarding the human rights situation in Tibet, including restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief, the demolitions at Larung Gar Academy, and the expulsion of monastic individuals.

She notes that the EU called for the release of Tibetan activists, writers, and religious figures detained in connection with the exercise of their human rights, and confirms that it will continue to urge China to respect human rights in accordance with international obligations.