Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:86. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government's position on protecting the rights of the Tibetan people, including the right to select the next Dalai Lama. [37826/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 21 May 2026
Ceisteanna (86)
Freagraí scríofa
The promotion and protection of human rights is a core pillar of Irish foreign policy, and this includes the right to religious, linguistic and cultural freedom. Ireland will continue to raise our human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities in bilateral meetings and in the appropriate multilateral fora, including with regard to the right to freedom of religious belief and freedom of expression. This includes our concerns in relation to Tibet.
The Government’s position on protecting the rights of the Tibetan people was reflected in the national statement at the Item 4 General Debate at the most recent session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in March 2026. This statement reiterated that Ireland has grave concerns regarding the treatment of religious groups in China, including Tibetans.
Ireland also joined the EU’s statement at the same session of the HRC, which highlighted a number of specific concerns regarding the human rights situation in Tibet. Together with our EU partners, we have called on China to cooperate with international human rights mechanisms, including all relevant Special Procedures mandates and treaty bodies.
The succession of the Dalai Lama is a subject that has been discussed at meetings of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, including at the most recent meeting,. The EU has underlined that the selection of religious leaders should happen without government interference and in accordance with religious norms. Ireland has also supported EU statements reiterating the rights of persons belonging to religious groups to freely choose their religious leaders.
In the context of discussions on Tibet between my officials and the Embassy of China in Dublin, Ireland's view that it is for religious communities to select their own leaders, has also been made clear.