UN Experts Condemn China’s Planned Interference in Dalai Lama Succession
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA 15, Sept: UN human rights experts have publicly condemned China’s planned interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama, emphasising that the 14th Dalai Lama should have the authority to determine his succession according to Tibetan traditions, free from state interference.
As reported by the International Tibet Network, a joint letter dated 15 July 2025, and made public made public in September 2025, by a group of five UN Special Rapporteurs asked Beijing to explain concerning reports of state interference in the religious rights of Buddhists, particularly policies surrounding the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist lamas and the succession of the 14th Dalai Lama.
The letter also highlights concerns regarding the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who has been under enforced disappearance since 17 May 1995. The UN experts noted that such enforced disappearances violate jus cogens, or peremptory norms, a category of fundamental principles that govern customary international law.
They further stressed that China is obligated to provide verified information on his fate, health, and well-being.
The experts specifically cited China’s policies like the 2007 ‘Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas’, which requires government approval for any reincarnation and rejects any reincarnation born outside Chinese territory; the 2017 ‘Revised Regulations on Religious Affairs,’ which expanded state oversight of all religious activities and institutions; and the 2021 ‘Measures for the Administration of Religious Clergy’, which mandate that clergy register with the state and pledge loyalty to the Communist Party.
Raising concerns over these provisions, the rapporteurs asked Beijing to clarify how these laws and measures are compatible with China’s obligations under international human rights law, requesting that the government allow Tibetans to exercise their religious freedom while awaiting a response.
Without prejudging the accuracy of the information received, the experts expressed grave concern over the alleged interference by the Chinese government in the succession process of the 14th Dalai Lama.
They stated, “We may publicly express our concerns in the near future as, in our view, the information upon which the press release will be based is sufficiently reliable to indicate a matter warranting immediate attention.”
The letter also noted that within 60 days, both the letter and any response from the Chinese side would be made public; however, no such response has been released so far.
The intervention by the UN experts is seen as vital and unprecedented by the Tibetan side in their efforts to resist China’s aggressive interference in the selection of their next spiritual leader.
“The unprecedented action by five UN special rapporteurs and working groups (on freedom of religion or belief, cultural rights, enforced disappearances, freedom of opinion and expression, and minority issues) is a direct and unequivocal response to Beijing’s attempt to seize control of a centuries-old spiritual tradition,” the International Tibet Network said in a statement.
“It is a direct and unequivocal response to Beijing’s attempt to seize control of a centuries-old spiritual tradition,” Chime Lhamo, a human rights advocate and youth leader, stated in a joint Instagram post by six NGOs working for Tibet.
