Geneva, 13 September 2025: A group of United Nations human rights experts has raised alarm over China’s alleged interference in the succession of the 14th Dalai Lama and the decades-long enforced disappearance of Gedhun Cheokyi Nyima, the Panchen Lama recognised by the Dalai Lama in 1995.

In a formal communication dated 15 July 2025 to Beijing, five UN Experts expressed “grave concern” over Chinese laws and policies that assert state control over Tibetan Buddhist practices, particularly the reincarnation of religious leaders.

The letter highlights China’s 2007 Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas and the 2017 Religious Affairs Regulation, which require government approval for all reincarnations and prohibit recognition of spiritual leaders without state sanction. UN experts warned that such measures undermine Tibetans’ right to freedom of religion and belief and could render any state-appointed successor to the Dalai Lama “without cultural, religious or community authenticity.” The experts noted that these Chinese laws “contravene international human rights law provisions, such as the prohibition against discrimination, the right to recognition as a person before the law and to its equal protection without discrimination, the right not be deprived arbitrarily of one’s liberty, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to freely participate in cultural life, which include the right to contribute to decision making processes that have an impact on one’s cultural life” in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights treaties signed by China, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

The experts also renewed calls for clarity on the fate of Gedhun Cheokyi Nyima, who was six years old when he was taken away with his family in May 1995, shortly after being named the 11th Panchen Lama. Thirty years later, his whereabouts remain unknown. Despite Beijing’s repeated claims that he is living a “normal life,” the UN said no independent verification has ever been provided.

“This ongoing enforced disappearance contravenes the jus cogens absolute prohibition of this crime under international law,” the experts wrote, urging China to provide detailed information on his health, location, and wellbeing.

The communication follows the statement issued by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on 2 July ahead of his 90th birthday, reaffirming that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust has authority to determine his reincarnation. His Holiness declared that “no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter.” On the same day, a high-level side-event was organised by the UK Mission and co-sponsored by 16 Missions in the UN Building in Geneva discussed in detail about the right of Tibetan Buddhists to choose their religious leader. During the side event all the panelists (UK Ambassador Simon Manley, UK MP David Smith, who is also the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea, Representative Thinlay Chukki of the Tibet Bureau in Geneva, and Tibetan-Canadian human rights activist Chemi Lhamo) unanimously and unequivocally noted that the Chinese laws aimed at restricting the Tibetans’ religious rights violate the international laws and called for the repeal of these laws.

Welcoming the joint communication issued by the UN Experts, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based in Geneva Thinlay Chukki noted “China’s attempt to control His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s succession strikes at the very heart of Tibetan religious freedom and identity. The UN experts have rightly called out these violations, and the world must recognise that any China-appointed impersonator will have no legitimacy in the eyes of Tibetans. For 30 years, the Panchen Lama has been disappeared — a tragedy not only for his family but for the entire Tibetan people. Beijing must be held accountable, and the Tibetan people must be allowed to determine their spiritual future free from interference.”

The joint communication was published in the UN website after mandatory gap of 60 days and was signed by Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights; Gabriella Citroni, Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Nicolas Levrat Special Rapporteur on minority issues; and Nazila Ghanea Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

The communication can be found here.