Brussels, 17 May: For the first time, Anouar El Anouni, Spokesperson for the European Union publicly expresses concern regarding the wellbeing of the 11th Panchen Lama.

The tweet emphasises the EU’s position that religious communities must be allowed to conduct their fundamental affairs without interference from any government.

The EU’s remarks highlight growing international scrutiny over religious freedom and persecution of Tibetan Buddhists. The reference to the Panchen Lama, who was abducted by the Chinese authorities at the age of six in 1995 and has not been seen in public since — marks a notable development in the EU’s stance on religious rights in the region.

This unprecedented acknowledgment by the EU signals an increased willingness to raise issues of religious freedom and human rights in Tibet in its engagement with China.