Prague: In a historic display of international solidarity, the Czech Senate on 25 March, 2026, passed a landmark resolution defending the religious freedom of the Tibetan people and their exclusive right to determine their future spiritual leader. The motion passed with an overwhelming 40 votes in favour and none opposed, signalling a unified rejection of recent legislative efforts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to control Tibetan spiritual identity. The resolution specifically recommends the Czech government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to support the Tibetan people’s free choice of the 15th Dalai Lama.
The resolution comes after years of sustained advocacy by the Tibetan leadership, whose engagements with Czech officials and parliamentarians have helped raise awareness of Tibet’s religious and cultural rights. Alongside the broader community of Czech supporters, these efforts contributed to shaping a consensus in the Senate in favour of Tibetan spiritual autonomy.
Proposed by Senate Vice-President Jitka Seitlova and supported by Senators Přemysl Rabas, Břetislav Rychlík, and Jiří Růžička, the resolution highlights the Czech Republic’s long-standing relationship with Tibet. It recalls the December 2025 parliamentary delegation visit to Dharamshala, their meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the private meeting between President Petr Pavel and the 14th Dalai Lama in July 2025.
During the debate, Senate Vice-President Jiří Oberfalzer who was chairing the session welcomed Thinlay Chukki, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration, noting her presence as a sign of the Senate’s solidarity with Tibetans facing repression in China. The Representative was accompanied by Advocacy Officer Phuntsok Topgyal who also attended the entire debate session.
Senate Vice-President Jitka Seitlova emphasised the resolution’s broader human rights context, stating: “This is not merely a regional matter. Restricting freedom, curtailing identity, and undermining human rights anywhere affects the security and values we cherish worldwide. The Tibetan people continue to suffer under occupation, and it is our duty to support them in their struggle for religious freedom and cultural survival.”
Senator Přemysl Rabas, rapporteur for the resolution, drew a sharp analogy, comparing Chinese attempts to control the Dalai Lama’s succession to a hypothetical scenario where the European Union would dictate the election of the Pope. He stressed that the resolution addresses both the Chinese government’s interference in Tibet and the recently passed Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress, which threatens the rights of ethnic minorities in China, including Tibetans.
Senator Břetislav Rychlík recounted harrowing stories from Tibetan exile communities, including the plight of children forced into state-run boarding schools, stripped of their language and culture, and acts of protest through self-immolation. He described these measures as “a massive attempt at genocide against a historic nation” and called for urgent international support.
Thinlay Chukki, speaking after the resolution’s adoption, said:
“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.”
Key Parts of the Resolution:
- Exclusive Authority Over Reincarnation: The resolution’s most critical feature is the explicit declaration that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has “no legitimate authority” to select the successor to the 14th Dalai Lama. It asserts that the selection of the 15th Dalai Lama is the “exclusive matter of the Tibetan people”. It supports the recent declaration of the 14th Dalai Lama regarding the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama and recognises the Ganden Phodrang as the authoritative institution and the sole authority in identifying the future reincarnation. This is a direct rejection of Beijing’s claims that the succession must follow Chinese law and central government approval.
- Opposition to Forced Assimilation Laws: The Senate expressed grave concern over the PRC’s “Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress,” passed on March 12, 2026. The resolution characterises this law as an instrument that “openly advocates assimilation” and restricts cultural, religious, and linguistic freedoms for minorities. Senators noted that while the law claims to strengthen unity, it actually provides a legal pretext for intensified, institutionalised repression against Tibetan identity.
- Recognition of International Legal Obligations: 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.
- Condemnation of Transnational Repression: A significant aspect of the resolution is its focus on the global reach of Chinese influence. The Senate highlighted that the March 2026 ethnic unity law purports to apply to individuals outside of Chinese territory, including citizens of the US and the European Union who support Tibetan identity. During the debate, it was noted that “transnational repression” is already a reality, with over a hundred illegal foreign police stations—including one identified in Prague—used to harass and monitor the Tibetan diaspora.
- Diplomatic and Historical Context: 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.
- Government Action and International Implications: Finally, 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. It also signals solidarity with global democratic states that have voiced similar support for the Tibetan community, reinforcing international norms on religious autonomy and freedom of belief. The resolution therefore serves both as a symbolic and practical step in diplomatic advocacy, strengthening global support for Tibet and the preservation of its spiritual traditions.
The finalised version will be published soon on the Czech Senate website, meanwhile for the draft version of the resolution click here. The video archive of the debate is available here, and the transcript is provided below.
– Report filed by Office of Tibet, Geneva
