Brussels: The Dutch House of Representatives’ passage of a resolution encompassing three motions on Tibet on 15 April 2025, marks a significant development after a prolonged period. This resolution underscores the Netherland’s commitment to addressing human rights issues in Tibet.
The key motions of the resolution are the following:
- Noting that China commits human rights violations on a frequent basis and in particular, religious and ethnic minorities (such as Uyghurs, Tibetans, Mongols and others), are subjected to discrimination, harassment, criminalisation, re-education and imprisonment.
- Calls on the Cabinet to push for an EU Special Representative for Tibet and a joint EU-Tibet strategy, along the lines of the US “Resolve Tibet Act” and to inform the Chamber about this prior to the planned EU-China Summit.
- Noting that the Dalai Lama will celebrate his 90th birthday this year which has sparked conversation about his successor as head of the Tibetan Buddhism; whereas there are concerns among Tibetans and the Tibetan government-in-exile about the interference by the Chinese Communist Party in the appointment of a successor; believing that interference in Tibetans’ customs regarding their spiritual leader is undesirable; Speaks out that the Chinese Communist Party should not have a voice in the Dalai Lama’s succession; Requests the cabinet to express this signal in bilateral and multilateral forums.
The motions likely reflect a growing international concern over the situation in Tibet. In October 2024, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration visited the Netherlands. During the visit, he was invited to a formal hearing of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament which provided the opportunity to engage with Dutch lawmakers on important issues such as China’s ongoing repression in Tibet, Chinese interference in the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama etc. This exchange influenced the Dutch House of Representatives to take action with this resolution.
Additionally, on the margins of the “Fifth Europe Stands With Tibet” rally in The Hague on 10 March 2025, Richard Gere, Chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet, accompanied by a Tibetan delegation, including Representative Rigzin Genkhang of the Office of Tibet Brussels, also exchanged with a number of Dutch MPs.
Alongside, the Parliamentary efforts, a coalition representing Tibetan, Uyghur, Hong Kong, and Southern Mongolia communities contributed to maintaining pressure on lawmakers.
The motions, introduced by MP Jan Paternotte, Isa Kahraman, D.G. Boswijk, E.Van der Burg, S.R.T. Van Baarle, T.M.T. van der Lee, D.G.M. Cedar, Don Ceder, Chris Stoffer, Martin Oostenbrink and Joi NB received overwhelming support.
Welcoming the resolution, Representative Rigzin Genkhang of the Office of Tibet Brussels thanked the Dutch Parliament for its principled stand, stating, “this resolution offers a glimmer of hope to Tibetans everywhere, especially to those inside Tibet. We are deeply grateful to the Dutch House of Representatives for acknowledging our suffering and standing with us. The support of democratic nations like the Netherlands strengthens our resolve to continue our peaceful freedom struggle.”
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Brussels
