Dharamshala — On International Human Rights Day, the EU delegation to China issued a statement on the human rights situation in Tibet and other regions. The EU states, "The human rights situation in Tibet remains equally alarming. Where similar patterns of restrictions have been reported. Reports continue to document far-reaching state control over religious life, intensified surveillance of monasteries, and the imposition of mandatory boarding schools, where Tibetan children are separated from their families and educated primarily in Mandarin. The closure of Tibetan-language schools, and the marginalisation of Tibetan-language instruction are deeply troubling."
The EU delegation to China issued a statement on the International Human Rights Day, on December 10, 2025. It states, "Over the past year, our engagement with China on human rights has continued. The 40th EU–China Human Rights Dialogue was held in Brussels in June, preceded by a field visit to South Tyrol that focused on multilingualism and the protection of minorities rights. The EU also consistently raised human rights concerns at the 25th EU–China Summit in July 2025 as well as in multilateral fora, including at the 59th and 60th sessions of the UN Human Rights Council. Where possible and in full respect of universal human rights, the EU remained open to working with China including in multilateral settings."
"In spite of these engagements, unfortunately, the overall human rights situation in China showed no substantive sign of improvement. We uphold all human rights, civil, cultural, economic, social and political rights and emphasize the importance of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which China is a signatory. The EU remains deeply concerned about the systemic and severe restrictions on the exercise of fundamental freedoms and on the right of minorities to enjoy their own culture, and to use their own language, in private and public, including in the field of education. These restrictions risk leading to cultural erasure," it added.
The EU states, "The human rights situation in Tibet remains equally alarming. This applies both to the Tibet Autonomous Region and to Tibetan areas of Qinghai, Sichuan and Gansu provinces, where similar patterns of restrictions have been reported. Reports continue to document far-reaching state control over religious life, intensified surveillance of monasteries, and the imposition of mandatory boarding schools, where Tibetan children are separated from their families and educated primarily in Mandarin. The closure of Tibetan-language schools, and the marginalisation of Tibetan-language instruction are deeply troubling."
"We reiterate our concern for the enforced disappearance since 1995 of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama. No credible information is provided on his whereabouts or well-being. We continue to call on China to respect and protect the rights of persons belonging to religious groups to exercise their religious freedoms without interference. The selection of religious leaders should happen without government interference and in accordance with religious norms, including for the succession of the Dalai Lama," the EU delegation's statement stated.
"We stand firmly with human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and all those who face repression for exercising or defending fundamental rights. In China, individuals who speak out continue to face harassment, intimidation, intrusive surveillance, exit bans, house arrest, unlawful detention, torture and ill-treatment, and enforced disappearance. The EU urges China to uphold the rule of law and guarantee fair trials and due process for all. Comprehensive, impartial investigations into allegations of arbitrary detention, torture and other inhumane treatment must be ensured, including harassment targeting human rights defenders and their families. All detainees must be able to choose their own legal representation, access adequate medical care, and maintain regular contact with their relatives. We reiterate our call on China to abolish Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location (RSDL), which UN Special Procedures have assessed as a form of enforced disappearance. Torture, ill-treatment and coerced or televised confessions constitute grave violations of international law and must be eliminated entirely," the statement said.
The EU also calls on China to immediately and unconditionally release Chadrel Rinpoche, Go Sherab Gyatso, Golog Palden, Tashi Dorje and others who have been unjustly imprisoned.
