Brussels: The 39th EU-China Human Rights Dialogue which took place in Chongqing on 16 June was preceded by a rare side visit to Tibet between 13 and 15 June 2024.

During the EU-China Human rights Dialogue held in Chongqing, the EU stressed that the selection of religious leaders should happen without any government interference and in respect of religious norms, including in the case of the succession of the Dalai Lama.

In addition, the EU reiterated its concerns about the very serious human rights situation in China, in particular in the Tibetan areas.

The EU further raised persistent concerns over the restriction of fundamental freedoms, labor rights and the use of forced labour, limits on due process rights and the lack of judicial independence in China. The EU also raised the issues on freedom of expression, assembly, religion or belief as well as the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, including women’s and LGBTI rights.

In line with tradition, the EU raised several individual cases of activists, writers and religious leaders, including Go Sherab Gyatso and Tashi Dorje and called upon China for their immediate release.

Prior to the Human Rights Dialogue, the EU delegation made a side visit to Nyingchi and Lhasa. The short and dense programme organized by the relevant Chinese authorities at central and local level included visits to boarding schools, municipalities, cultural and religious sites, relocated Tibetan families, as well as to a prison. Although, the visit seems to have reflected the majority of the EU’s requests, except for meetings with individual prisoners. The visit provided an opportunity to gain a certain understanding of the reality on the ground and challenges in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Following the visit, the EU put forward several recommendations to ensure full bilingual education, the preservation of the cultural heritage, identity and fundamental freedoms of the Tibetan people. The EU would encourage more visits from the international community and civil society organisations.

“This rare field visit to Tibet by the EU delegation sends a strong message to China that the EU remains extremely concerned by the ongoing human rights violations by China in Tibet and its unrelenting attack on Tibetan language, culture and religion,” said Rigzin Genkhang, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Human Rights Dialogue was co-chaired by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service and by Shen Bo, Director General for International Organisations and Conferences, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. EU Member States participated as observers to the Dialogue in Chongqing.

The full statement is available here.