Thank you for contacting me about Tibet. I share your concerns about the persecution of Buddhists and freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Tibet, and would like to outline some of the work that the UK Government is doing to support the rights of Tibetans.
China is one of 32 Human Rights Priority Countries for the UK, and I know that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office recognises that there are severe constraints on FoRB, the rule of law, as well as continued repression of culture and language in Tibet. This is deeply troubling, and the UK Government consistently raises its concerns directly with the Chinese authorities at the highest levels. Indeed, the former Foreign Secretary did so in a meeting with the Chinese Vice President in May 2023.
Furthermore, the UK Government works with partners to draw international attention to the human rights situation in Tibet, most recently at the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2023, where the UK made a statement urging China to reverse its ongoing, serious and systematic human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet.
More broadly, the UK Government works within international organisations and networks to promote and protect FoRB where it is threatened, including the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance.
Nobody should live in fear because of their identity or beliefs, and I welcome that FoRB worldwide is a longstanding human rights priority for the UK.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
