Summary: The EU stressed the importance of non-interference in the selection of religious leaders, including the Dalai Lama, during the 39th EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in Chongqing.
The 39th EU–China Human Rights Dialogue, held on June 16 in Chongqing, emphasized the EU‘s stance against China‘s interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama. This dialogue, which was preceded by a rare visit to Tibet from June 13 to 15, saw the EU reiterate its concerns about the serious human rights situation in China, particularly in Tibetan areas.
Key Discussions and Concerns
During the dialogue, the EU emphasized that the selection of religious leaders should occur without government interference and in accordance with religious norms. This includes the succession of the Dalai Lama, a highly sensitive issue for Tibetans and the international community. The EU also raised persistent concerns over the restriction of fundamental freedoms, labor rights, the use of forced labor, limits on due process rights, and the lack of judicial independence in China.
The EU highlighted issues related to freedom of expression, assembly, religion or belief, and the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, including women’s and LGBTI rights. Several individual cases of activists, writers, and religious leaders, such as Go Sherab Gyatso and Tashi Dorje, were raised, with calls for their immediate release.
Rare Visit to Tibet
Prior to the Human Rights Dialogue, the EU delegation made a side visit to Nyingchi and Lhasa in Tibet. The program, organized by Chinese authorities, included visits to boarding schools, municipalities, cultural and religious sites, relocated Tibetan families, and a prison. Although the visit reflected most of the EU’s requests, it did not include meetings with individual prisoners. This visit provided the EU with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the realities on the ground and the challenges faced by the Tibetan people.
Following the visit, the EU made several recommendations to ensure full bilingual education, the preservation of cultural heritage, identity, and fundamental freedoms of the Tibetan people. The EU also encouraged more visits from the international community and civil society organizations.
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“This rare field visit to Tibet by the EU delegation sends a strong message to China that the EU remains extremely concerned by the ongoing human rights violations by China in Tibet and its unrelenting attack on Tibetan language, culture and religion,” said Rigzin Genkhang, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet.net reports.
Broader Human Rights Issues
The Human Rights Dialogue, co-chaired by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service, and Shen Bo, Director General for International Organisations and Conferences at China‘s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also addressed broader human rights issues. The EU reiterated its opposition to the death penalty and urged China to introduce a moratorium on its use.
The EU expressed concerns about the situation of Uyghurs and other minorities, the negative impact of Hong Kong’s national security legislation, and the crackdown on human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists in China. Specific cases, such as the detention of EU citizen Gui Minhai and Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti, were highlighted, with the EU calling for their immediate release.
Cooperation and Future Dialogue
China provided information on its laws and procedures, which prioritize national security and counterterrorism over fundamental freedoms, especially in Xinjiang and Tibet. The EU recommended reassessing China’s national security framework to ensure compliance with international human rights law. The EU encouraged China to allow UN Special Procedures and monitoring bodies to assess its human rights record.
The dialogue concluded with both sides agreeing on the importance of upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and exploring opportunities for cooperation in areas such as economic, social, and cultural rights, business and human rights, climate change, and the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities.
Conclusion
The 39th EU-China Human Rights Dialogue highlighted the EU’s ongoing concerns about human rights in China and the need for non-interference in religious affairs, particularly the succession of the Dalai Lama. The dialogue and the preceding visit to Tibet underscored the EU’s commitment to advocating for the rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people and other minorities in China.
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