On Thursday 14 December in Strasbourg, MEPs voted by 477 votes to 14 with 45 abstentions in favour of a resolution regarding the abduction of Tibetan children and forced assimilation practices in Chinese boarding schools in Tibet.
In this resolution, they condemn repressive assimilation policies throughout China, in particular the boarding school system in Tibet, “that seek to eliminate the distinct linguistic, cultural and religious traditions among Tibetans and other minorities, such as Uyghurs”.
They call for the immediate abolition of the boarding school system imposed on Tibetan children and the practice of family separation, and urge the Chinese authorities to authorise the creation of private Tibetan schools.
They also call on the Member States and the EU Council to adopt targeted sanctions similar to those adopted by the United States to impose visa restrictions on Chinese officials linked to the boarding school system in Tibet.
This resolution also reiterates the appeal to the Chinese government to resume dialogue with the representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama in order to establish genuine autonomy for Tibetans within China.
To see the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/a4r (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)