UK Parliament held a debate on the persecution of Buddhists in Tibet, as reported by Tibet.net, the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration. The discussion, initiated by MP Jim Shannon, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion and Belief, focused on the critical human rights issues faced by Tibetan Buddhists under Chinese rule.
During the debate, MP Jim Shannon highlighted the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to control all religious affairs in Tibet and stressed the importance of being a voice for the voiceless in the region. He raised several appeals, including the protection of the rights of the Tibetan people and the Dalai Lama in the selection of the 15th Dalai Lama, the release of the Panchen Lama, freedom for Tibetan prisoners of conscience, and the preservation of religious and linguistic traditions.
Other parliamentarians, including Fiona Bruce, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Kerry McCarthy, and Catherine West, contributed to the debate, emphasizing the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. They addressed issues such as environmental concerns, forced boarding schools, cultural heritage weaponization, and self-immolation cases. The speakers referenced various reports and submissions, including ‘Tibet in 2023′ published by the Tibet Advocacy Section of DIIR, as well as contributions from organizations like Free Tibet and the International Campaign for Tibet.
The debate also focused on the UK Government’s response to the situation in Tibet, acknowledging the challenges in monitoring the region due to China‘s control over communication but emphasizing the UK’s moral and legal obligations to address these abuses.
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UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyn, responded on behalf of the government, assuring that the UK will continue to hold China accountable and stand up for human rights in Tibet. She acknowledged the need for stronger language and the use of sanctions to express disapproval of China’s actions.
The debate also touched on China‘s efforts to erase the name “Tibet” and replace it with a Chinese name, to which the Minister responded that the UK continues to recognize Tibet and will counter any narrative that attempts to eliminate its identity.
Representative Sonam Frasi from the Office of Tibet in London attended the debate, along with Dr. Desmond Biddulph, President of The Buddhist Society, and Tenzin Kunga, Advocacy Officer of Free Tibet and Chairperson of the Tibetan Community in Britain.
This parliamentary debate marks a significant step in international efforts to address the plight of Tibetan Buddhists and the ongoing human rights violations in Tibet. The attention and support from the UK Parliament underscore the growing concern and solidarity with the Tibetan cause.
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