Dharamshala — More than 18 Parliamentarians from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania call on EU to appoint an EU Special Representative for Tibet, who can engage on Tibetan rights, including on the question of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's succession. The parliamentarians and participants of Tibet conference also condemned the "China's Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress," which threats to the survival of Tibetan people, their culture, identity and language.
The Tibet conference held in Riga, Latvia, hosted by Latvian Member of Parliament (MP) Juris Vilums, Chair of the Group for the Support of Tibet, brought together politicians, representatives of civil society and international Tibet movement, on June 3, 2026. Richard Gere, the famous actor, longtime Tibet supporter and Chairman of International Campaign for Tibet, Tencho Gyatso, President of ICT and Wangpo Tethong, Director of ICT presented the Tibet conference.
Parliamentarians from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania issued a joint statement that calls on the international community to renew and elevate its support for Tibetan freedom. Eighteen parliamentarians from Latvia (9), Lithuania (7) and Estonia (2) are among the initial signatories, and more MPs are expected to sign the statement in the coming weeks.
The statement urge EU to appoint an EU Special Representative for Tibet – or for Asia / human rights in China more broadly – would provide crucial protection. It would ensure that individual member states cannot be singled out and pressured by Beijing for their engagement on Tibetan rights, including on the question of the Dalai Lama's succession.
They said that with stronger coordination, the EU and its member states are better placed to make a meaningful contribution to the protection of human rights, and to peace and security across Asia.
The statement stated that parliamentarians present are committed to supporting parliamentary activities in their respective countries that strengthen friendship with the Tibetan people and advance the protection of their rights.
The parliamentarians said, "our national parliaments to adopt resolutions supporting the Dutch-led initiative for an EU Special Representative for Tibet, and to encourage other EU member states to back this proposal at the EU level."
"We call on our respective governments to step up coordination with EU partners on Tibet and human rights in China, and to report regularly to their national parliaments on progress made," they added.
The parliamentarians and participants of the Tibet conference condemned the "China's Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress," which threats to the survival of Tibetan people and their culture.
