Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Persecution of Buddhists: Tibet — [Valerie Vaz in the Chair]

14 December 2023 · 4 other contributors · 10,967 words

Opened by Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

Responding minister: Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Foreign AffairsReligion & Faith

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jim Shannon raised concerns about persecution of buddhists: tibet — [valerie vaz in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Jim Shannon is concerned about the persecution of Buddhists in Tibet, including forced political education and restrictions on religious activities.
  • Free Tibet reports human rights violations in prisons, including torture and denial of medical treatment and legal assistance.
  • Shannon asks the government to protect the right of Tibetan people to select the 15th Dalai Lama and to release Tibetan prisoners of conscience.

Key requests to Government

Shannon asks for the protection of the right of Tibetan people and His Holiness the Dalai Lama to select the 15th Dalai Lama. He also requests the release of the Panchen Lama and all Tibetan prisoners of conscience, freedom to practice religious traditions without state persecution, and the freedom to learn and use the Tibetan language.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

Jim Shannon is concerned about the persecution of Buddhists in Tibet, including forced political education, cultural and linguistic oppression, and restrictions on religious activities. He cites reports indicating that over 1,800 prisoners were held in 2021 with estimates suggesting a higher number. Free Tibet has reported human rights violations in prisons, including torture and the denial of medical treatment and legal assistance. Shannon highlights the loss of language and religious heritage leading to the erosion of local identity and culture. He also mentions significant cultural oppression through sinicisation policies that restrict religious celebrations, pilgrimages, and monitor closely monasteries and other religious sites.

Other contributors (4)
  • Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet

    Criticised the Minister for arriving late, mentioned satellite evidence of mosque destruction in Xinjiang, highlighted issues like sinicisation and suppression of Tibetan culture, emphasised environmental concerns and potential impact on Indo-Chinese relations.

  • Fiona Bruce Con Congleton

    Expressed interest in issues around persecution and added her vast knowledge of Nepal to the debate. Ms. Bruce highlighted the severe human rights violations in Tibet, including torture, forced labour, and the separation of children from their families to assimilate them into Han culture. She called for stronger condemnation of these practices by the UK government.

  • Jacob Rees-Mogg Con North East Somerset

    Paid tribute to the hon. Member for Broadland for his work for various faith communities, including Christians in China where Buddhists and Muslims are persecuted.

  • Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East

    Ms McCarthy highlighted the ongoing persecution of Buddhists in Tibet, noting that China has continued to deny fundamental human rights and suppress Tibetan cultural identity. She cited examples such as the police crackdown at a harmless yoghurt festival and restrictions on religious and public gatherings. Additionally, she mentioned concerns over the forced assimilation of over 1 million Tibetan children into Chinese-style boarding schools and the environmental implications of instability in Tibet. Clarified the debate timing confusion on the parliamentary website, discussed environmental impacts of climate change on Tibet's third pole ice storage and permafrost thawing.

Government Response

Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Acknowledged the importance of protecting human rights globally and specifically addressed concerns about Tibet. Discussed systematic violations of Tibetan Buddhists' freedom, including restrictions on religious activities, forced labor, cultural suppression, and political detentions. Called for greater access for international observers in Tibet and reaffirmed the government's commitment to using diplomatic tools to highlight abuses.

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