Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, May 1: The European Parliament, in a resolution adopted on Thursday, strongly condemned China’s newly adopted law on “ethnic unity and progress,” warning that it will deepen the systematic suppression of ethnic identities and further strain relations between the European Union and Beijing, which have already been strained by ongoing human rights concerns.
The Parliament criticized the legislation passed by China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress, on March 12, 2026. The law, formally titled the ‘Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress,’ is seen as a major shift in China’s governance of ethnic minorities, prioritizing ideological conformity and the expanded use of Mandarin across education, public life, and media.
The resolution emphasised that the protection of ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic identities is embedded in international law, referencing standards such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. Lawmakers expressed alarm that the new legislation departs significantly from China’s 1984 Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law, which previously provided a framework—albeit limited—for regional autonomy. Instead, the new law is said to institutionalize assimilation policies targeting groups including Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, Hui, and Manchus.
A particularly contentious aspect of the law is its extraterritorial scope. According to the resolution, individuals outside China could face prosecution if deemed to undermine the state’s concept of “ethnic unity.” The Parliament described this as a form of transnational repression and urged EU member states to suspend extradition treaties with China to protect individuals at risk.
The resolution called on the EU to take concrete steps in response. It urges the activation of the bloc’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chinese officials and entities responsible for drafting and implementing the law. It also stresses that respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law must remain central to EU-China relations.
The Parliament reiterated its longstanding concerns over Beijing’s interference in Tibetan religious affairs, particularly regarding the recognition of spiritual leaders. It “strongly rejects” the Chinese authorities’ involvement in the succession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, emphasizing that the process is a purely religious matter that must adhere to Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
In a notable section, the resolution calls for the immediate release of several political prisoners, including Tibetan religious figure Choktrul Dorje Ten Rinpoche, activist Palden Yeshi, and the 11th Panchen Lama. The Parliament also urged the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to issue an updated report addressing the implications of the 2026 law.
