Tibet in Focus as Global Lawmakers Convene in Tokyo

Lawmakers and experts from 29 countries gathered in Tokyo from June 2 to 4 for the 9th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet (WPCT). The event concluded with the adoption of the "Tokyo Declaration." A forceful rebuke of China's policies in Tibet, it calls for international legislative action to safeguard the region's culture, environment, and religious freedom.

This was the first time Japan hosted the convention, reaffirming its growing voice in regional human rights diplomacy. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Japan Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, the world's largest such group, jointly organized the convention.

Coinciding with the upcoming 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in July, the timing and venue carried symbolic weight.

A Stand Against Assimilation

At the heart of the Tokyo Declaration lies a stern condemnation of the Chinese Communist Party's ongoing efforts to forcibly assimilate Tibetans into Han Chinese culture. Lawmakers denounced the widespread use of colonial-style boarding schools, where over a million Tibetan children are reportedly separated from their families.

These schools impose Mandarin-language curricula, erasing Tibetan cultural and religious identity.

The declaration also reaffirmed that Tibet was historically an independent nation prior to its annexation by China in 1950. It explicitly rejected Beijing's narrative that Tibet has always been an inseparable part of China, calling it a "false claim" designed to legitimize authoritarian rule and suppress calls for autonomy.

The 24-point statement urged global legislatures to adopt pro-Tibet resolutions, resist Chinese disinformation, and support the CTA, often referred to as Tibet's government-in-exile.

Succession, Sovereignty, and Censorship

One of the most sensitive topics discussed was the question of the Dalai Lama's succession. The declaration emphasized that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is solely a religious matter that must remain free from Chinese political interference.

Delegates voiced concern that Beijing, by trying to appoint its own state-approved successor to the Dalai Lama, is attempting to undermine Tibetan Buddhism and use that control to legitimize its rule over Tibet.

*Chinese police patrol in front of the Potala Palace in Tibet’s capital Lhasa in a file photo. (Radio Free Asia via Central Tibetan Administration)*

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile addressed these concerns. "If Tibet is truly a model of harmony and development as Beijing claims, then show it to the world. Let truth speak for itself," she declared.

In the face of growing surveillance and suppression, she praised the courage of Tibetan youth like Namkyi. A Tibetan activist and former political prisoner, Namkyi was arrested at age 15 for peacefully protesting Chinese rule in Tibet. After enduring years of imprisonment and torture, she escaped to India. Now, she speaks out internationally about human rights abuses under Chinese occupation. "Her bravery is not just a story of resistance," Teykhang said. "It's a call to the whole of humanity."

Tokyo as a Beacon of Solidarity

The choice of Tokyo as host city was both strategic and symbolic. Japan, as a stable democracy and a Buddhist-majority country, has shown increasing interest in Tibet-related human rights issues. In 2024, several Japanese prefectural assemblies passed resolutions in support of Tibet, Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, and Hong Kongers.

"Japan values peace, the rule of law, and nature. Tibet does too," said Eriko Yamatani, Chairperson of the Japan Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet. She noted that Tibet's ecological significance, home to the headwaters of Asia's ten major rivers, makes its protection a global imperative. "This land sustains 1.8 billion people across Asia," she warned. "Protecting its environment transcends borders."

Participants hailed Japan's hosting of the WPCT as a milestone that would strengthen Japan-Tibet ties and reinvigorate global support for Tibetan self-determination.

A Global Network Against Authoritarianism

Delegates from communities also facing Chinese repression, such as Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, and Southern Mongolians, attended the convention, reinforcing a broader alliance of victims of Chinese authoritarianism.

The convention revived the International Network of Parliamentary Agents on Tibet to coordinate joint efforts, and also called for enhanced cooperation with groups like the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC).

"The issues we face, religious suppression, forced assimilation, and environmental devastation, are interconnected," Teykhang said. "A threat to human dignity in one corner of the world echoes across all borders."

Beyond Words: Action Plan and Challenges Ahead

In addition to the Tokyo Declaration, the WPCT adopted an Action Plan that outlines concrete steps for national parliaments and international institutions. These include:

Promoting legislation to counter CCP narratives.
Protecting Tibetan diaspora communities from Chinese interference.
Advocating for Tibet's inclusion in climate and biodiversity frameworks.
Encouraging direct political support for the CTA and Tibetan civil society.

The convention also adopted a resolution celebrating the Dalai Lama's lifelong advocacy for nonviolence, pluralism, and interfaith dialogue. Participants pledged to honor his 90th birthday on July 6 as a global "Year of Compassion."

Still, challenges remain. A recent cut in United States government aid to the Tibetan exile community has raised concerns about the sustainability of its political institutions. CTA President Penpa Tsering noted that while financial setbacks were difficult, they would not derail the movement. "We are diversifying our funding sources, and we look to Japan and other allies for support," he said.