On the new Chinese law on ‘ethnic unity and progress’ and the intensified suppression of ethnic identities

European Parliament resolution on the new Chinese law on ‘ethnic unity and progress’ and the intensified suppression of ethnic identities

(2026/2703(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas protection of national or ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic identity of minorities is anchored in customary international law, as reflected in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities; whereas all states are required to uphold these standards;

B. whereas on 12 March 2026, China’s National People’s Congress adopted the Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress, which further integrates state ideology and prioritises Mandarin in education, public life and media, and intensifies institutionalised repression and assimilation of ethnic minority identities, including Tibetans, Hui, Uyghurs, Manchus and Mongolians; whereas this law departs significantly from China’s 1984 Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law;

C. whereas the law’s extraterritorial reach allows for the prosecution of individuals abroad deemed to undermine China’s ‘ethnic unity’;

D. whereas the deterioration of China’s human rights situation has put a strain on its relations with the EU; whereas respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law should be central to the EU’s relations with China;

1. Strongly condemns China’s repressive assimilation policies and consequent violations of universal human rights, including in Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia;

2. Expresses grave concern over the adopted Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress, which openly promotes assimilation policies and restricts the cultural, religious and linguistic freedoms of various groups within China and beyond;

3. Urges China to repeal this law, thereby upholding its obligations under international law regarding non-discrimination, and the protection and promotion of ethnic and religious minorities;

4. Calls on the Council to activate the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against officials and entities responsible for conceiving and implementing this law;

5. Deplores the law’s extraterritorial provisions, constituting transnational repression; urges all EU Member States to suspend extradition treaties with China to protect persecuted individuals residing in the EU from the risks of transnational repression under this law;

6. Strongly rejects Chinese authorities’ attempts to interfere in the recognition and education of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders; stresses that the succession of the Dalai Lama is a purely religious matter, which must be determined exclusively in accordance with Tibetan Buddhist traditions;

7. Calls for the immediate release of China’s political prisoners, including Choktrul Dorje Ten Rinpoche, Palden Yeshi, Sakharov Prize laureate Ilham Tohti, the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and Mongolian activist Hada; calls on the European External Action Service, the Commission and the Member States to continue raising these cases with China;

8. Calls on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to issue an updated situational report on China, specifically addressing the 2026 law;

9. Considers that the introduction and enforcement of this law will lead to severe consequences for EU-China relations;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Member States and other EU institutions, the Chinese Government, the UN and the Central Tibetan Administration.