Brussels, 18 May 2026: The European Union, alongside its international partners in the Refugee Core Group are urging the Government of Nepal to address the long-standing humanitarian challenges faced by Tibetan refugees in the country, many of whom remain undocumented. To do this, the EU is pushing for the issuance of Personal Account Number (PAN) cards. These documents are essential for the Tibetans, particularly the youth to open bank accounts, access the labor market, and manage daily administrative tasks.

Beyond economic inclusion, the EU is calling for the protection of fundamental civil and cultural rights, specifically the right for Tibetan to peacefully observe important religious and cultural events without restriction.

Additionally, the EU has requested that Nepal facilitate visa waivers and exit permits for refugees who have been accepted for resettlement in third countries or those who wish to return to their home countries.

These recommendations, formally presented to the Ministry of Home Affairs in late 2025, remain a diplomatic priority for the EU. The European External Action Service has confirmed that these issues will be a central agenda during the upcoming annual EU-Nepal Joint Commission to be held in the second half of 2026.

This position was articulated in response to a Parliamentary question from MEPs Dainius Zalimas and Hannes Heide, Co-Chairs of the Inter-parliamentary Group for Tibet in the European Parliament, to EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic regarding the precarious status of Tibetan refugees in Nepal.