Brussels, 5 July 2026: Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation Maxime Prévot reaffirmed that the succession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is exclusively a matter for the Tibetan Buddhist community and must take place without interference from secular authorities.

The statement came in response to an oral question raised by Els Van Hoof, Member of the Belgian Federal Parliament, during the 17th of June meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, concerning China’s attempts to interfere in the recognition of the future Dalai Lama and the implications of its recently enacted Ethnic Unity Law for the cultural, linguistic and religious rights of the Tibetan people.

In her intervention, MP Van Hoof expressed deep concern over repeated statements by the Chinese government asserting its intention to control the recognition of the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She warned that any attempt by Beijing to appoint its own candidate would violate centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the fundamental right to freedom of religion, which includes the right of religious communities to choose their own spiritual leaders according to their established customs.

Referring to China’s new Ethnic Unity Law, which entered into force on 1 July 2026, MP Van Hoof noted that the legislation further formalises long-standing policies of assimilation directed at Tibetans and other ethnic communities. She asked whether Belgium shared the view that the recognition of the 15th Dalai Lama should take place solely in accordance with Tibetan Buddhist tradition and what measures Belgium would pursue, including at the European Union level, to address the impact of the new law on the cultural, linguistic and religious rights of the Tibetan people.

Responding on behalf of the Belgian Government, Minister Prévot stated unequivocally that “the succession of the Dalai Lama is a matter for the Tibetan community itself, without interference from secular authorities.” He added that he shares the concerns regarding the human rights situation in Tibet, freedom of religion and the cultural rights of the Tibetan people.

The Minister further explained that Belgium consistently raises the situation in Tibet in its dialogue with the Chinese authorities. He noted that he personally addressed the issue during his official visit to China in April 2026 and that Tibet was also discussed during bilateral political consultations held in March.

Highlighting Belgium’s broader human rights engagement, Minister Prévot recalled that during China’s Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2024, Belgium made recommendations concerning the preservation of the Tibetan people’s cultural identity and urged China to respond positively to the longstanding request of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion to visit the country.

He also underlined that human rights, including freedom of religion and the situation in Tibet, remain an important component of relations between the European Union and China and continue to be addressed in bilateral contacts, the EU–China Human Rights Dialogue and multilateral fora.

Concluding his response, Minister Prévot assured Parliament that Belgium would continue to monitor developments closely.

In her closing remarks, MP Van Hoof welcomed the Minister’s clear position and stressed the importance of maintaining international attention on Tibet. She warned that Tibetans risk becoming “a forgotten people” as their cultural identity, language and religious freedom continue to face increasing restrictions. Referring to the forthcoming birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, she reiterated that the Tibetan people must retain the right to recognise the next Dalai Lama in accordance with their own religious traditions and thanked the Government for continuing to raise these issues with China and within international forums.

Welcoming the Minister’s statement, Representative Rigzin Genkhang of the Office of Tibet in Brussels expressed her sincere appreciation to the Belgian Government for reaffirming its principled position that the recognition of the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is exclusively a matter for the Tibetan Buddhist community, to be carried out in accordance with centuries-old religious tradition, free from any interference by secular authorities.

“The clear and unequivocal position expressed by Minister Prévot sends an important message in defense of religious freedom and the fundamental right of the Tibetan Buddhist community to determine its own spiritual leadership,” she said. “At a time when concerns over Chinese interference continue to grow, Belgium’s reaffirmation demonstrates its steadfast commitment to the universal values of human rights, freedom of religion and respect for cultural identity.”

Representative Genkhang also thanked MP Els Van Hoof for raising the issue in Parliament and for her longstanding commitment to supporting the rights of the Tibetan people. She expressed confidence that Belgium would continue to work with its European and international partners to uphold these principles and to support the Tibetan people’s fundamental rights.

– Report filed by Office of Tibet, Brussels