Geneva: The Senate of Czech Republic adopted a resolution expressing its “deep concern” over forced assimilation of Tibetan children and relentless interference with religious freedom in Tibet by China. The resolution was adopted by the Senate Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Human Rights and Petitions on 30 May 2023.
Echoing UN experts findings and “deep concern” over systematic separation of Tibetan children from families and residential schools in Tibet, the resolution called upon China to “move away from the practice” of forced residential schools and “allow Tibetan children to be educated” in Tibetan language and access to Tibetan culture and traditions.
The resolution voiced its firm objection to the Chinese government meddling with centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist practices of reincarnation, including the reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Furthermore, the committee declared the Chinese government’s influence and interference over traditional Tibetan Buddhist religious practice of reincarnation constitutes a “serious” violation of the freedom of religion and belief of the Tibetan people.
In view of the above concerns expressed by the Senate committee, the government of Czech Republic has been recommended to draw attention to the deteriorating situation in Tibet in its bilateral and multilateral contacts with China, and call upon China to “immediately stop” residential schools in Tibet and respect the Tibetan Buddhist religious tradition of reincarnation of religious heads. Furthermore, the senate committee instructed the Chairman of the committee to transmit the adopted resolution to the president of the senate, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic hereon.
Representative Thinlay Chukki of the Tibet Bureau-Geneva thanked the committee, in particular, Vice -Chairman of the Committee and Chairman of the Czech Senate Parliamentary Group for Tibet Hon’ble Premysl Rabas, for tabling the resolution which was discussed during her last meeting with the Senator. “The resolution, yet again, assures the Czech Republic’s strong solidarity and support for the pledge of the Tibetan people. We hope this will lead to concrete parliamentary resolutions in the Czech Parliament on these critical issues” noted Representative Thinlay.
English translation of the resolution can be read here.
