Thank you for contacting me about Tibet.
The human rights situation in Tibet is indeed concerning, particularly the reports of coercive controls, labour transfer schemes and severe restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, and of assembly and association, as noted in the Integrated Review Refresh.
Befitting China's status as a human rights priority country for HM Government (HMG), Ministers and officials continue to urge the Chinese authorities to respect all fundamental rights across China, including in Tibet, in line with both its own constitution and the international frameworks to which it is a party. These bilateral representations are complemented by UK action at multilateral fora.
In June 2022, for instance, a concerted UK lobbying effort helped to secure the support of a record 47 countries for a statement at the UN Human Rights Council that highlighted the human rights situation in Tibet and called on China to comply with obligations with regard to the protection of human rights. This was reaffirmed on 18 April in a G7 Foreign Ministers Communique, which confirmed that all G7 countries continue to raise concerns with China on human rights violations, including in Tibet.
Alongside HMG, I am aware of reports that Tibetan parents are being coerced into sending their children to boarding schools in Tibet with no access to traditional Tibetan learning. Ministerial colleagues in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continue to raise the situation in Tibet with the Chinese authorities and in March, they raised the issue of boarding schools in our Item 4 statement at the UN Human Rights Council. HMG also coordinates with partners to draw international attention to the human rights situation in Tibet.
On matters relating to Tibetan autonomy, the UK position is that meaningful dialogue between the Chinese Government and representatives from Tibet (including the Tibetan Government-in-Exile) is the best way to resolve underlying tensions.
Be in no doubt, however, that the UK will continue to raise the situation in Tibet with the Chinese authorities as part of wider efforts to urge them to respect all fundamental rights.
I continue to raise the topic of China, more generally, in debates, the most recent of which was in April 2023. I will continue to raise concerns in the House.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.