Paris — The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights has issued an official statement expressing deep concern over the removal of the word ‘Tibet’ from exhibitions organised by major French museums. She asserts that replacing the word ‘Tibet’ with “Xizang” or ‘Himalayan world’ undermines the rights of Tibetans to enjoy their cultural heritage and to self-determination.
Alexandra Xanthaki, UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights issued a letter, dated 31 July 2025, in which she expressed her serious concern about the removal of the word ‘Tibet’ from exhibitions organised in France’s major museums.
The UN Special Rapporteur wrote, "I express my concern towards the changes in the Tibetan nomenclature in some French museal institutions. I am deeply concerned that the removal of the Tibetan-preferred terminology in favour of denominations that are more acceptable to the Chinese authority undermines the Tibetan rights to enjoy cultural heritage and to selfdetermination, through the presentation of a mistaken representation of their history, territory and cultural heritage. I am also concerned about the fact that the denomination changes seem to serve the sinicisation policy of Tibetan heritage as implemented by the Chinese authorities."
The UN expert points out that the terminological changes made in major French museums directly correspond to the Chinese government's political agenda. The letter notes that in 2023, the People's Republic of China (PRC) adopted a systematic policy requiring that "Tibet" be referred to as "Xizang" in all official documents and international diplomatic exchanges. The rapporteur expresses deep concern that this behaviour “seems to serve the Sinicisation policy of Tibetan heritage as implemented by the Chinese authorities.”
The UN Special Rapporteur is seeking clarification from the French government regarding the specific circumstances of its cultural collaborations, asking whether the Chinese authorities have suggested a nomenclature for Tibetan works and to what extent these decisions comply with international human rights standards.
According to the International Tibet Network, this intervention follows a high-profile global campaign conducted over the course of a year by the Tibetan community and supported by more than 140 Tibet-related organisations worldwide. Tibetan activists organised relentless protests in Paris and filed a lawsuit to compel French institutions to stop erasing Tibetan identity.
The Quai Branly Museum in Paris and the British Museum in London have returned to the correct use of the term "Tibet" and removed the imposed Chinese term "Xizang" following several protests held by Tibetan activists and supporters in Paris and London.
Tenzin Yangchen, President of Students for a Free Tibet, France said, “For Tibetans, losing our name in a space dedicated to culture and heritage is another form of violence. It makes us invisible in the very place where our identity should be most protected. From the streets of Paris to the United Nations, our voices have made one thing clear: this generation will not allow Tibet to be erased.”
Katia Buffetrille, French ethnologist and Tibetologist said, “The UN’s condemnation is a significant recognition of our efforts. It gives legal legitimacy to our challenge to museums, showing that these name changes are not isolated curatorial choices, but part of a wider dynamic of political complicity."
Tenzin Yangzom, Campaign Coordinator from the International Tibet Network said, “This is a landmark recognition of what we have been saying for months: the Guimet museum’s decision to erase the name Tibet is not a neutral curatorial choice but an act that aligns with China’s colonial strategy to erase Tibetan identity. The UN’s intervention should be a wake-up call for French authorities and cultural institutions everywhere.”
“This is not just about a word on a museum wall. It is about truth, justice, and the right of Tibetans to be recognised as who we are,” said Tenzin Gyaltsen, President of Tibetan Youth Congress France. “Museums should be guardians of cultural truth, not vehicles for authoritarian propaganda.”
French-based Tibet groups and the global coalition have issued a unified call for immediate action for all relevant parties:
- The Musée Guimet must immediately revert from the change of name and reinstate the correct nomenclature “Tibet”, following the example of the Quai Branly and the British Museum.
- The French government must actively safeguard the independence of cultural institutions from foreign interference and ensure accountability.
- UNESCO must adhere to its duty to preserve cultural heritage by rejecting politicised terminology like “Xizang” and protecting Tibet’s authentic geographical and cultural identity. We further call on UNESCO to meet with Tibetan representatives from the global coalition.
They further call on all governments and cultural institutions to deny any political interference from China in the use of correct historical and geographical names, and make a public commitment to rejecting terms such as “Xizang” in order to safeguard the cultural heritage of the Tibetan people.
