European Union Issues Statement on Human Rights Violations in Tibet

Translated by Tashi Namgyal
Edited By Yangchen Tso

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, February 1, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman Purchase Licensing Rights

During the ongoing 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council from the 26th of February to the 5th of April this year, the EU (European Union) has expressed great concerns about human rights violations in Tibet. Specifically underscoring the forced assimilation of Tibetan children into Chinese state-run boarding schools and the mass collection of DNA samples of Tibetans. While also calling for the immediate release of Tibetan prisoners, including Chadrel Rinpoche.

In the statement, the EU expressed concerns about human rights defenders, lawyers, writers, intellectuals, and journalists who were subjected to harassment, intimidation, and transnational repression. The EU condemned China for carrying out such unlawful activities.

The EU has urged China to consider and protect the human rights of all, including Tibetans, following international law and China’s constitution and halt the transnational repression. The EU firmly stated that the human rights situation in China will be watched closely as ever and called for the unconditional and immediate release of Tibetan political prisoners including Chadrel Rinpoche, Anye Sengdra, Go Sherab Gyatso, Golog Palden, Tashi Dorje, Zangkar Jamyang and Semkyi Dolma among others.

Rigzin Choedon Genkhang, the representative of the office of Tibet, Brussels, has expressed appreciation and gratitude for the EU’s statement on the human rights situation in Tibet and called for the immediate release of GologPalden, Semkyi Dolma, Zangkar Jamyang, especially Chadrel Rinpoche.