Prague — The Czech Senate passed a resolution concerning Tibet with an overwhelming 40 votes in favour and none against. The resolution defends the religious freedom of the Tibetan people and their exclusive right to determine their future spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and it states," China (PRC) has “no legitimate authority” to select the successor to the 14th Dalai Lama and it asserts that the selection of the 15th Dalai Lama is the “exclusive matter of the Tibetan people”.
The resolution proposed by Senate Vice-President Jitka Seitlova and supported by Senators Přemysl Rabas, Břetislav Rychlík, and Jiří Růžička, the Czech Senate adopted a resolution regarding Tibet on March 25, 2026, in Prague (Czech Republic), securing an overwhelming majority of 40 votes in favor and none against. This resolution highlights the long-standing relationship between the Czech Republic with Tibet.
Furthermore, the resolution opposed the Chinese government’s laws of forced assimilation implemented in Tibet—and, in particular, in name of the PRC’s “Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress,” adopted on March 12, 2026.
The resolution defends the religious freedom of the Tibetan people and their exclusive right to determine their future spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and it states," China (PRC) has “no legitimate authority” to select the successor to the 14th Dalai Lama and it asserts that the selection of the 15th Dalai Lama is the “exclusive matter of the Tibetan people”.
The resolution frames Tibet’s spiritual culture as a “supreme expression of culture” that must be protected under international law. It points out that China, as a member of UNESCO and a signatory to various conventions, has voluntarily assumed obligations to protect cultural diversity and the dignity of all cultures. The Senate argues that state sovereignty does not grant the PRC the right to “erase cultural diversity” but rather mandates its promotion.
The resolution condemned the transnational repression carried out by China across the globe, particularly against Tibetans, as well as activists and human rights defenders.
The resolution reaffirms the “long-standing warm relations” between the Czech Republic and Tibet, rooted in the legacy of President Václav Havel. It specifically cites recent high-level engagements, including a private meeting between the Czech President and the Dalai Lama in July 2025 and a parliamentary delegation visit to Dharamshala in December 2025. By passing this resolution, the Senate aligns the Czech Republic with other democratic nations like the US in mandating that religious leaders be chosen without state interference.
The resolution calls on the Czech government to actively advocate for Tibetan religious freedom and inform key officials, including the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, of its passage.
Jitka Seitlova, the Vice-President of the Senate, highlighted the broader context of the resolution regarding human rights, stating: "This is not simply a regional issue; restricting freedom, stifling identity, and violating human rights—wherever it occurs—affects the security and values we cherish on a global scale. The Tibetan people continue to suffer under China's occupation, and it is our duty to support them in their struggle for religious freedom and cultural survival."
Senator Přemysl Rabas, the resolution’s rapporteur, drew a striking analogy, comparing Chinese attempts to control the succession of the Dalai Lama to a hypothetical scenario in which the European Union were to dictate the election of the Pope. He emphasized that the resolution addresses both the Chinese government’s interference in Tibet and the recently adopted "Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress," which threatens the rights of ethnic minorities in China—including those of the Tibetans.
Senator Břetislav Rychlík recounted harrowing testimonies from Tibetan communities in exile, highlighting in particular the tragic plight of children forced to attend state-run boarding schools—and thus deprived of their language and culture—as well as acts of protest through self-immolation. He characterized these measures as a "massive attempt at genocide against a historic nation" and issued an urgent appeal for international support.
Thinlay Chukki, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration—the Office of Tibet in Geneva—was invited to the Senate during the vote on the resolution. Following the adoption of this resolution, she stated, "The Czech Senate has today sent a clear and powerful message to the world: spiritual heritage cannot be legislated by an authoritarian state. By standing with the Tibetan people in our right to choose our own leaders, the Czech Republic reaffirms its legacy as a champion of human dignity. This resolution is not just a document; it is a beacon of hope for every Tibetan and we are deeply grateful to the Czech Republic for this courageous stand."
