Tallinn — A majority of members of the Parliament of Estonia (Riigikogu) have signed a landmark statement in support of Tibet, marking one of the strongest parliamentary expressions of solidarity with the Tibetan people in recent years.
"It is an honour to present an important statement—the result of a major effort—bearing the signatures of a majority of the Parliament of Estonia," said Roy Strider, Coordinator of the Tibet Support Group in the Parliament of Estonia.
The Parliament of Estonia consists of 101 members, of whom 51—representing a symbolic majority of more than 50 per cent—have signed the statement in support of Tibet.
According to Strider, securing the signatures represented a significant challenge, as Parliament is currently in its summer recess.
"We hope that our exceptionally strong support for Tibet—and the declaration at the beginning of the statement that Tibet is a historically independent country, forcibly occupied by China—reflects the firm and unwavering stance of the Estonian people, as well as the sense of brotherhood shared between two small nations," he said in a letter to Tibet Post International.
The statement was presented to coincide with the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
"It gives me great pleasure to present this strong statement at the time of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday," Strider added.
The statement has also been published on the official website of the Parliament of Estonia.
Strider noted that the broad parliamentary support was also influenced by previous visits made by Estonian parliamentary delegations to Dharamshala.
"I would also like to emphasise that, to the best of my belief, the numerous expressions of support are partly due to previous successful visits by delegations of Estonian Members of Parliament to Dharamshala," he continued.
The parliamentary statement describes Tibet as "a country historically independent and forcefully occupied by the People's Republic of China (PRC)" and expresses strong opposition to China's Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress, which was adopted on 12 March 2026 and entered into force at the beginning of July 2026.
The statement states that the legislation threatens Tibetan identity through measures including mandatory Mandarin-language instruction, expanded state surveillance, policies promoting mixed-ethnic communities, and provisions with extraterritorial implications. It also calls for stronger international action, including diplomatic pressure on Beijing, support for the preservation of Tibetan culture and identity, and greater engagement by United Nations mechanisms.
Concluding his message, Strider stressed the importance of international solidarity during a period of growing global uncertainty.
"These are difficult times for the world, and we must support one another and stand together more than ever before. I believe that, together, we will overcome all the challenges in our path and always see a ray of hope, reason, and cooperation to strive towards."
Based on the official statement issued by the Parliament of Estonia, which acknowledges the historical sovereignty of Tibet and calls on the international community to stand up for the people of Tibet. The following are the key demands, recommendations, and requests articulated in the statement:
- The statement is jointly issued by the Tibet Support Group in the Estonian Parliament and Members of the Parliament of Estonia (Riigikogu).
- Tibet is described as "a country historically independent and forcefully occupied by the People's Republic of China (PRC)", and its status is characterised as remaining subject to unresolved international conflicts.
- China's Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress, adopted on 12 March 2026 and effective from the beginning of July 2026, is presented as the central concern of the statement.
- The law is described as aiming to erase Tibetan identity by introducing extensive political, educational, and social measures affecting local governments, schools, and communities.
- Mandatory Mandarin Chinese instruction from pre-kindergarten through high school is criticised as a policy that gradually removes the practical use and relevance of the Tibetan language.
- The promotion of "mutually embedded community environments" is criticised for encouraging mixed-ethnic neighbourhoods that undermine traditional Tibetan communities and cultural continuity.
- The law is said to expand Communist Party control and totalitarian surveillance, including the use of advanced technologies to identify and manage alleged "major risks".
- Article 63 is criticised for asserting extraterritorial jurisdiction, potentially allowing China to pursue individuals overseas, including supporters of Tibet and members of the Tibetan diaspora in countries such as Estonia.
- The statement argues that the law represents a "death blow" to the PRC's original constitutional promise of meaningful regional autonomy for Tibet.
- It states that the legislation promotes population displacement, marginalises the Tibetan language, and separates Tibetans from their ancestral homeland, history, and spiritual traditions.
- The statement argues that the ultimate objective is to replace distinct Tibetan identity with allegiance to the state-defined "Chinese Nation" (Zhonghua Minzu).
- It contends that expressions of Tibetan identity, religion, language, and culture could increasingly be treated as political offences or manifestations of "separatism".
- The signatory Members of the Riigikogu strongly condemn the law, declaring that it possesses "no moral legitimacy in the eyes of the Tibetan people".
- The statement notes that both the European Parliament and the United Nations have already expressed serious concerns, while arguing that stronger and more decisive international action is urgently needed.
- The Members of the Riigikogu call on the Government of the PRC to reject the implementation of the law and repeal it.
- They urge United Nations bodies and mechanisms to review China's assimilation policies and use all available international instruments to prevent further violations of Tibetans' cultural, linguistic, and religious rights.
- The statement calls for united international diplomatic pressure on Beijing to resolve the China–Tibet conflict peacefully through genuine and mutually respectful dialogue.
- It expresses support for the Tibetan government in exile in its efforts to preserve and promote Tibetan culture and identity in exile.
