French Lawmaker Voices Concern Over China’s Policy Changes Affecting Tibetan Language and Education

A member of the French Parliament has voiced serious apprehensions regarding what he terms the systematic decline of the Tibetan language and culture due to actions by the Chinese government. Deputy Charles de Courson, who serves in the French National Assembly, has submitted a formal inquiry to the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. This inquiry raises alarms about an impending policy change set for 2026, which would eliminate Tibetan as a core subject in national university entrance examinations within Tibet. The inquiry positions this policy shift as part of a broader initiative of forced assimilation that could drastically diminish the prevalence of the Tibetan language within a generation.

The inquiry also sheds light on the expansion of a compulsory boarding school system in Tibet. Reports indicate that approximately one million Tibetan children, some as young as four years old, are being separated from their families to attend state-run educational facilities where Mandarin is primarily used for instruction. Deputy de Courson cited insights from education sociologist Gyal Lo, who has warned that if current educational practices continue, a significant number of Tibetans might lose proficiency in their native language by the year 2060.

In his address, Deputy de Courson urged the French government to take a robust diplomatic stance, emphasizing the need to address what he described as violations that impact Tibetan culture and the language. He also called for vigilance concerning China’s adherence to international obligations, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which China has ratified. The Central Tibetan Administration revealed that de Courson’s parliamentary question followed multiple discussions with Rigzin Genkhang, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who provided updates on the situation in Tibet.

This initiative reflects an increasing concern within France regarding the preservation of Tibetan linguistic and cultural heritage. In a formal response, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot recognized the concerns surrounding the existence of preschool boarding schools for Tibetan children. The minister asserted that such a framework jeopardizes the transmission of Tibetan culture, language, and religion to future generations, potentially infringing upon the fundamental rights of children as delineated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Furthermore, Minister Barrot indicated that France actively raises awareness about human rights conditions in Tibet in multilateral forums, including the United Nations Human Rights Council. According to reports, similar concerns on the issue have been reflected by the European Union within the scope of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue and under agenda item 4 of the UN Human Rights Council.

France has broadly advocated for the revival of negotiations between representatives of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Chinese authorities. The aim of these discussions would be to pursue a sustainable resolution that respects and preserves Tibetan culture and language, as articulated in the materials provided by the Central Tibetan Administration.

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