Question to the EC: Chinese interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama

See the joint question by Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA), Petra De Sutter (Greens/EFA), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew), Hannes Heide (S&D), Aušra Maldeikienė (EPP) to the European Commission and the answer on the Chinese interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama.

Subject: Chinese interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama 

In recent years, the Chinese Government has on several occasions made clear its intention to intervene in the reincarnation of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. This position not only ignores the Tibetans’ centuries-long history of selecting the Dalai Lama without foreign interference, but also violates their fundamental right to religious freedom, including their right to select their religious teachers and leaders according to their traditional religious customs.

In reaction, the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019 was introduced in the US Congress, stating that the appointment of a future Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist leaders can only be decided by the Tibetan Buddhist faith community. The Dutch and Belgian (1) Ministers of Foreign Affairs share this view. 

What is the position of the European Union on the issue of the succession of the Dalai Lama?

What concrete measures does the EU intend to take in order to address this issue? 

(1)       https://www.lachambre.be/doc/CCRI/pdf/55/ic091.pdf

Answer in writing

The European Union has regularly raised its concerns on restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and has called on China to respect the rights of persons belonging to minorities especially in Xinjiang and Tibet. This position was expressed publicly in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)(1) and in the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee(2), and was also raised bilaterally in contacts with Chinese authorities.

In the framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, the European Union has consistently expressed the expectation that China will respect the succession of the Dalai Lama in accordance with Tibetan Buddhism norms. This position was also recalled during the past meeting on 1 April 2019. The European Union will continue to express its position on this matter. 

(1)       https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/67454/hrc42-eu-statement-item-4human-rights-situations-require-councils-attention_en

(2)       https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-new-york/69176/eu-statement-%E2 %80 %93-united-nations-3rd-committee-promotion-and-protection-human-rights-fundamental_en

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