Written question asked by Ruth Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 February 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 February 2024. It was answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Conservative) on Wednesday, 14 February 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Tibet: Buddhism

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department has taken to address the persecution of Buddhists in Tibet.

Answer: The UK Government consistently raises human rights issues with the Chinese authorities. The Foreign Secretary did so during his introductory call with China's Foreign Minister on 5 December 2023. We also regularly raise Tibet in multilateral fora, urging China to reverse its ongoing, serious, and systematic human rights violations. On 23 January at China's Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council, the UK again called on China to cease human rights violations in Tibet. The British government works with international organisations and networks to promote and protect the freedom of religion or belief for all where it is threatened, including through the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe, and the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance.

Secondary information