Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Nov. 27: The Prague Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief 2025 has explicitly reaffirmed the Tibetan Buddhist community’s inherent right to select the successor of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama without any form of state interference, according to tibet.net, the official news portal of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
The declaration unequivocally reaffirmed that the right to freedom of religion or belief includes the Tibetan Buddhist community’s authority to determine the next Dalai Lama, an issue of growing importance as the Tibetan spiritual leader marked his 90th birthday on July 6 this year. “As the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, celebrates his 90th birthday, we reaffirm that freedom of religion or belief encompasses the right to choose spiritual leaders without any state interference. This includes the right of the Tibetan Buddhist community to identify his successor,” it stated.
The announcement follows CTA President Penpa Tsering’s participation on Nov. 12 in the fifth anniversary conference of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA), also known as The Article 18 Alliance, held at Prague Castle. Speaking during a session titled “Tribute to the Dalai Lama as Religious Leader of Tibetan Buddhism,” the Tibetan political leader emphasised the Alliance’s mission to uphold and protect universal religious freedom.
“The Chinese government is interfering in the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist tradition of recognizing reincarnated lamas, especially the 15th Dalai Lama. Their primary aim is to control the next Dalai Lama so they can control the Tibetan people,” he said. He also highlighted global celebrations of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birth anniversary, observed under the “Year of Compassion” initiative.
President Tsering recalled the significance of the 2002 Tibet Policy Act, which urges China to engage with the Dalai Lama to seek genuine autonomy for Tibet. He further noted that on July 6, 2025, seven nations issued a joint policy statement reaffirming their support for religious freedom and the Tibetan people’s right to select the next Dalai Lama. He proposed that the IRFBA conference consider issuing a communiqué or declaration reflecting these principles.
The conference brought together prominent figures, including Czech President Petr Pavel, Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and Mubarak Bala, a recently released Nigerian prisoner of conscience. Other speakers included Representative Telo Tulku Rinpoche, the 13th Kyabje Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche, Dr. Natallia Vasilevich, Ambassador Samuel Brownback, and Rushan Abbas of the Campaign for Uyghurs.
Representative Thinlay Chukki welcomed the Prague Declaration issued by Ambassador Robert Rehak, Chair of IRFBA, stating that the unequivocal affirmation of Tibetans’ right to determine the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama “is not only a validation of our spiritual traditions but also a vital reinforcement of a fundamental human right.” She added that the declaration sends a powerful message of solidarity to the Tibetan people and to all who defend freedom of religion, expressing deep gratitude to IRFBA members “for standing on the side of truth, justice, and the preservation of our centuries-old spiritual heritage.”
