At its plenary session in Strasbourg on Thursday 8 May, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning violations of religious freedom in Tibet, with 478 votes in favour, 30 against and 41 abstentions.
The text condemns the repressive assimilation policies pursued throughout the People’s Republic of China and the violations of universal human rights they entail, particularly in Tibet. MEPs deplore the fact that these policies seek to “eliminate distinct Tibetan religious and cultural traditions and heritage” and call on China to exercise a clear separation between State and religion.
They also oppose any attempt by the Chinese government to interfere in the selection of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders, including the Dalai Lama, and are deeply concerned by the suspicious death of Buddhist religious leader Tulku Hungkar Dorje on 28 March.
The text calls for an immediate, independent, impartial and transparent investigation into his death and the release of all religious and political prisoners, including the Panchen Lama, the second greatest spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and Ilham Tohti, a Uighur economist sentenced to life imprisonment (see EUROPE 13501/12).
To see the text: https://aeur.eu/f/gpp (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)