Sikyong Penpa Tsering Holds a High Level Discussion on the Tibet Cause With Global Leaders in Prague

October 15, 2025 Featured News, News 50 Views

Prague, Czech Republic: On 14 October 2025 (CEST), Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the democratically elected leader of the Central Tibetan Administration, held a series of high-level meetings in Prague with senior European parliamentarians, former government leaders, and representatives of civil society organisations. The discussions centred on the situation in Tibet, the institutional continuity of the Dalai Lama, human rights and religious freedom, and the preservation of press freedom. These engagements further deepened and consolidated European support for the Tibetan cause. Representative Thinlay Chukki of The Tibet Bureau, Geneva, accompanied Sikyong throughout the meetings and facilitated the engagements.

Sikyong began the day with a meeting with Roderich Kiesewetter, member of the German Bundestag, whom he had also met during his previous visit to Germany last year. Kiesewetter shared his observations on the heightened security situation inside Tibet, recounting a conversation with an official who claimed that the extensive security measures were “to protect the people.” He noted that he had asked pointedly, “To protect all people?” In response to his inquiries regarding the health of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the issue of reincarnation, Sikyong briefed him on His Holiness’ recent announcement during the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference (2–4 July 2025, Dharamshala), reaffirming the continuation of the lineage of successive Dalai Lamas and outlining the Gaden Phodrang Trust’s institutional responsibility in this sacred process.

Their exchange also touched upon the possibility of Beijing appointing its own Dalai Lama, to which Sikyong remarked that China “should learn from the Panchen Lama saga,” describing it as a “lifelong headache” for Beijing. Sikyong further expressed his appreciation for the recent joint statement issued by the Human Rights Ambassadors of seven countries, including Germany, rejecting external interference in His Holiness’ reincarnation process. Kiesewetter reaffirmed his continued and unwavering support for Tibet and the Tibetan people.

Subsequently, Sikyong met with Iveta Radičová, former Prime Minister of Slovakia, who expressed keen interest in the Social, Emotional, and Ethical (SEE) Learning programme introduced by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Radičová shared her intent to incorporate its principles into academic and educational frameworks and requested further reading materials. Sikyong welcomed her enthusiasm and Representative Thinlay Chukki assured her of the necessary resources and support.

Following this, Sikyong held a meeting with Thibaut Bruttin, Director General of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Pavol Szalai, Director of the RSF Prague Bureau. Their discussion focused on the dire state of press freedom and human rights in Tibet and China. The RSF representatives expressed deep concern over the severe restrictions on free expression. Sikyong emphasised the intimidation faced by people reporting on Tibet’s climate crisis and human rights situation. They also discussed the recent closure of Radio Free Asia’s Tibetan service and the challenges encountered by Voice of America. Sikyong underscored the critical need for independent investigative journalism and encouraged RSF to explore avenues to document and expose the realities inside Tibet, where, as he observed, “freedom, in any form, has been extinguished.”

Sikyong concluded the day with a meeting at the Czech Senate with Senator Jiří Růžička, Chairman of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Human Rights and Petitions, and Senator Přemysl Rabas, accompanied by Senate staff. The Senators extended a warm welcome and reiterated the Czech Senate’s steadfast support for Tibet and the Tibetan people. They assured Sikyong that regardless of political changes, the Senate would remain firmly committed to upholding democracy.

Sikyong expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation for the recent visit of the Czech President to Ladakh, noting that a sitting head of the state visiting Ladakh to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama is historic and underscores the strengthening bond between the Czech Republic and Tibetan people. Sikyong also highlighted the steadfast support of the Czech Parliament and its members, emphasising that Tibetans can rely on Czech Republic in times of need. The meeting concluded on a warm and positive note, with both sides expressing hope to reconvene in the near future for other initiatives and events.