Urgent Appeal to Support Tibetan Religious Freedom and the Right to Choose Spiritual Leaders Without Chinese Interference

To: Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger – AUSTRIA

Vienna, June 13, 2025

Dear Minister,

We write to you with deep and growing concern over the intensifying efforts by the Chinese government to interfere in the selection of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders—most critically in the future reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. This is not merely a matter of religious doctrine; it is a core human rights issue that strikes at the heart of the Tibetan people’s cultural identity and spiritual freedom.

The institution of the Dalai Lama holds profound historical, moral, and cultural significance for Tibetans worldwide. For centuries, the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of reincarnation has provided a unique spiritual continuity—one that transcends generations and binds the Tibetan community in both religious life and civil society.

China’s attempts to take control of this sacred process—particularly the reincarnation of His Holiness—amount to an unacceptable intrusion into religious affairs, aimed not only at weakening Tibetan identity but at replacing it with state-controlled surrogates. This is a clear violation of international human rights standards, including the right to freedom of religion or belief as enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more than 70 years, the Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a systematic campaign to undermine the institution of the Dalai Lama. His Holiness’s image is banned. Prayers in his name are criminalized. His teachings are outlawed. Yet, despite these repressive tactics, the Dalai Lama remains the revered spiritual guide for millions of Tibetans—both in exile and in occupied Tibet.

A chilling precedent was set in 1995, when His Holiness recognized a six-year-old boy as the reincarnation of the 11th Panchen Lama—one of the most sacred figures in Tibetan Buddhism.

Within days, Chinese authorities abducted the child and his family. The boy has not been seen since. In his place, Beijing installed a state-appointed replacement, undermining the legitimacy of one of Tibet’s most important religious lineages. This action sent a stark message: spiritual authority must submit to political control.

Nearly three decades later, this abducted child—recognized by Tibetans as the legitimate Panchen Lama—remains disappeared. His fate is unknown. This tragedy is not only a deep wound for the Tibetan people, but a warning of what could come should China attempt to impose its will on the future reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

Minister, the time to act is now.

We respectfully urge you to issue a strong public statement affirming the right of the Tibetan people to determine their own spiritual leaders, free from any interference by the Chinese Communist Party. Such a statement would be consistent with Austria’s longstanding commitment to human rights and religious freedom. It would also align Austria with recent positions taken by other democratic governments and institutions:

• Earlier this year, the European Parliament unequivocally condemned any attempt by the Chinese government to interfere in the selection of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, including the future Dalai Lama.

• During the latest EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, the EU clearly expressed concern over China’s crackdown on religious freedom in Tibet, including direct interference in the succession of His Holiness.

A principled statement from Austria at this critical moment—especially one addressed to the United Nations Human Rights Council and relevant international fora—would send a powerful message of solidarity to the Tibetan people and reinforce the global consensus that religious freedom cannot be sacrificed at the altar of authoritarian control.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to your leadership on this important issue and hope for a swift and positive response.

With deep respect,

Dr. Ján Figeľ
President, Forum for Religious Freedom Europe (FOREF Europe)

Dr. Massimo Introvigne
Managing Director, CESNUR – Center for Studies on New Religions

Dr. Antonio Stango
President, FIDU – Italian Federation for Human Rights

Mr. Chris Bai
Association for the Defense of Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ADHRRF)

Lobsang Gyalpo
Save Tibet, Österreichische Gesellschaft zur Hilfe an das Tibetische Volk

Mr. Willy Fautré
Director, Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF)

The Austrian Daily Der Standard mentioned this Appeal in its article here:
https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000277058/dalai-lama-stemmt-sich-gegen-drohenden-gegen-dalai-lama

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