Summary: Canada’s Parliament has unanimously passed a motion recognizing Tibetans’ right to self-determination, marking a significant show of international support for the Tibetan cause.
In a historic move, Canada’s Parliament has unanimously passed a motion in the House of Commons advocating for Tibet’s right to self-determination. The nonbinding motion recognizes Tibetans as “a people and a nation” with the inherent right to determine their own social, economic, cultural, and religious policies, including the selection of the next Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.
Details of the Motion
Sponsored by the Bloc Québécois and introduced by party lawmaker Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, the motion states that Tibetans can claim the right to self-determination and freely choose their economic, social, cultural, and religious policies without interference from external powers. It also asserts that this empowerment prohibits China from interfering in the selection of the next Dalai Lama, a process deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhist beliefs in reincarnation.
International Support
The passage of the motion demonstrates growing international support for Tibetans amid increasing repressive policies by the Chinese government aimed at eroding Tibetan language, culture, and religion. “The purpose of the motion was for the House of Commons to recognize that Tibetans are victims of systemic cultural assimilation by China, and to offer unanimous support to the Tibetan people’s efforts and actions towards self-determination,” Brunelle-Duceppe said in a written response to Radio Free Asia.
Tibetan Government-in-Exile’s Response
Tenzin Lekshey, spokesman for the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala, India, expressed gratitude to the Canadian Parliament for supporting the motion. “This motion holds immense significance for the Tibetan people inside Tibet, addressing key issues such as Tibet’s self-determination, the future reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, Chinese interference, Chinese assimilation policies, and the importance of preserving Tibetan culture,” he said.
Background and Historical Context
The adoption of the motion coincides with Canada Tibet Lobby Days 2024, during which Tibetans from across Canada traveled to Ottawa to meet with lawmakers and express their concerns about China’s repression of Tibetans.
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In December 2022, Canada’s House of Commons unanimously passed a motion endorsing Tibet’s Middle Way Approach and supporting the resumption of dialogue between Tibetan representatives and the Chinese government. This approach accepts Tibet as part of China but urges greater cultural and religious freedoms for Tibetans.
Reaction from China
The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa did not respond to RFA’s request for comment on the motion. Beijing has consistently denied allegations of human rights abuses in Tibet, maintaining that Tibetan Buddhism should adapt to the Chinese context and that its policies in the region are aimed at improving livelihoods and protecting the environment.
Continued Advocacy
According to RFA, the motion’s passage follows a series of meetings between Namgyal Choedup, the Dalai Lama’s representative for North America, and the Canada Tibet Committee with Bloc Québécois leaders in Montreal, Ottawa, and Washington. “We are thrilled that the motion has passed unanimously,” said Sherap Therchin, Executive Director of the Canada Tibet Committee. “It shows that Tibet enjoys broad support across all political parties in the House of Commons.”
This historic milestone is seen as a major step forward in the international advocacy for the Tibetans.
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