Prague — The Prague Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief 2025 reaffirms that Tibetan Buddhists have the right to choose the 15th Dalai Lama, not the Chinese government (CCP). The declaration states: ‘As the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dalai Lama celebrates his 90th birthday, we reaffirm that Tibetan Buddhists have the right to choose their religious leaders, including the next Dalai Lama.’
The conference marking the 5th anniversary of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA)- The Article 18 Alliance was held on 12 and 13 November 2025 at Prague Castle in the Czech Republic. Speakers included His Excellency Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, Nazila Ghanea, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Mubarak Bala, a recently released Nigerian prisoner of conscience, Dr Natallia Vasilevich (Germany), Ambassador Samuel Brownback (United States) and Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of the Campaign for Uyghurs (United States) and Sikyong Penpa Tsering of Central Tibetan Administration as well as Representative Telo Tulku Rinpoche, the 13th Kyabje Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche and others.
Ambassador Robert Rehak of IRFBA released the "Prague Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief 2025", on November 24, 2025. The declaration states," At a time of deepening polarisation, global insecurity, and profound societal transformation, the participants of the Prague Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief reaffirm that the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief (FoRB) is a cornerstone of human dignity and a vital source of resilience and solidarity for individuals and societies alike.
"The conference underlined the urgent need to protect and promote FoRB amidst today's global challenges - from technological disruption and the misuse of digital tools to the environmental crisis and widening social inequalities. Participants recognised that safeguarding this universal right contributes not only to individual liberty but also to social cohesion, peace, and sustainable development.
"Participants expressed deep concern for individuals and communities who continue to suffer discrimination, imprisonment, and violence for their beliefs or religious identity. Special attention was given to the Russian aggression against Ukraine and Chinese persecution including of Uyghurs and Tibetan Buddhists. Protecting their rights and dignity remain an essential test of the international community's commitment to human rights for all.
"As the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, celebrates his 90* birthday, we reiterate that the right to freedom of religion or belief includes the freedom to choose religious leaders free from state interference. This includes the right of the Tibetan Buddhist community to identify a successor."
Sikyong Penpa Tsering said during the conference on November 12, 2025, "The Chinese government is interfering in the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist tradition of recognising reincarnated lamas, especially the 15th Dalai Lama. While they ignore the living 14th Dalai Lama, their main aim is to control the next Dalai Lama so they can control the Tibetan people."
Sikyong highlighted also the Chinese government's systematic efforts to erase the identity of all minority communities, including Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghur Muslims and Tibetan Buddhists, who continue to suffer under the repressive and assimilative policies of the People's Republic of China. The Sikyong further pointed out that millions of Tibetan children are forced to attend colonial-style boarding schools, where they are separated from their families, language and cultural roots, and where they are taught only in Mandarin, primarily with the aim of making them loyal to the Chinese Communist Party.
In addition, the Sikyong spoke about the 157 Tibetans, who have set themselves on fire since 2009 to protest against the repressive regime of the Chinese communist Party, most of whom were young men and women aged between 17 and 35.
