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

✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

The European Parliament strongly condemns China's repressive assimilation policies and the new Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress, which restricts cultural, religious and linguistic freedoms.¶¶ It urges China to repeal the law, calls for sanctions against responsible officials, and asks EU member states to suspend extradition treaties with China.¶¶¶ It also demands the release of political prisoners, rejects interference in Tibetan Buddhist leadership, and warns of consequences for EU-China relations.¶¶¶

Key points

Strongly condemns China's repressive assimilation policies and consequent violations of universal human rights, including in Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.¶
Expresses grave concern over the Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress, which promotes assimilation and restricts cultural, religious and linguistic freedoms.¶
Urges China to repeal this law to uphold its international obligations regarding non-discrimination and protection of minorities.¶
Calls on the Council to activate the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against officials and entities responsible for the law.¶
Deplores the law's extraterritorial provisions and urges EU member states to suspend extradition treaties with China to protect persecuted individuals.¶
Rejects Chinese interference in recognition and education of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders; stresses the Dalai Lama's succession is a purely religious matter.¶
Calls for immediate release of political prisoners, including Choktrul Dorje Ten Rinpoche, Palden Yeshi, Ilham Tohti, the 11th Panchen Lama and Hada.¶
Calls on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to issue an updated situational report on China addressing the 2026 law.¶
Considers that the law will lead to severe consequences for EU-China relations.¶

Who is affected

Ethnic minorities in China, including Tibetans, Hui, Uyghurs, Manchus and Mongolians, face intensified suppression and assimilation.¶¶
Individuals abroad deemed to undermine China's 'ethnic unity' may be prosecuted under the law's extraterritorial reach.¶¶
EU member states are urged to suspend extradition treaties with China to protect persecuted individuals.¶
Chinese officials and entities responsible for the law may face EU sanctions.¶

Figures and deadlines

The law was adopted on 12 March 2026 by China's National People's Congress.¶

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.