China human rights

Latest decisions

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

   Parliament adopted a resolution on China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, which it says risks legitimising forced assimilation under the guise of national unity and security. The text condemns forced Sinicisation, restrictions on minority languages, interference in cultural and religious life, and all forms of forced labour, urging China to repeal or amend the law. Parliament calls on the EU's diplomatic service and member states to raise these concerns in the next EU-China Human Rights Dialogue.

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   30 Apr 2026 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 9 ballots · voted 13:09 · B-10-2026-0232 · 2026/2703

   Adopted 439–52–71 · by a large majority
2. Conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong

   Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the conviction of Jimmy Lai, a British citizen and media entrepreneur in Hong Kong, and calling for his immediate release. The text also urges Hong Kong authorities to provide Lai with medical care and expresses concern about his solitary confinement. Parliament calls on member states to suspend extradition treaties with Hong Kong and China and to review the status of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Europe. The resolution will be forwarded to the EU institutions, China, and Hong Kong.

   Foreign affairs

   22 Jan 2026 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 6 ballots · voted 12:05 · B-10-2026-0082 · 2026/2573

   Adopted 503–9–100 · by an overwhelming majority
3. 10th anniversary of the detention of jailed Swedish publisher Gui Minhai in China

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the 10th anniversary of the detention of Swedish publisher Gui Minhai in China, calling for his immediate and unconditional release. The text reiterates demands for China to comply with international obligations, ensuring access to family, legal representation, consular officials, and medical care. It also condemns China's pattern of human rights violations and urges that the case be raised in EU-China dialogues.

   Foreign affairs

   9 Oct 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 7 ballots · voted 13:11 · B-10-2025-0433 · 2025/2906

   Adopted 546–3–44 · by an overwhelming majority
4. Violations of religious freedom in Tibet

   Parliament adopted a resolution on violations of religious freedom in Tibet, expressing concern over the death of Tibetan Buddhist leader Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche and the abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama. The resolution condemns Chinese policies in Tibet, including restrictions on religious expression and forced assimilation, and calls for targeted EU sanctions against Chinese officials. It also urges respect for Tibetan cultural and religious freedoms and supports the Tibetan community's right to appoint its own religious leaders.

   Foreign affairs

   8 May 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 8 ballots · voted 13:08 · B-10-2025-0259 · 2025/2692

   Adopted 478–30–41 · by an overwhelming majority
5. Democracy and human rights in Thailand, notably the lese-majesty law and the deportation of Uyghur refugees

   Parliament adopted a resolution on democracy and human rights in Thailand, focusing on the lese-majesty law and the deportation of Uyghur refugees. The text urges Thailand to amend or repeal the lese-majesty law, release detainees, and halt deportations of refugees to countries where they risk torture. It also calls on the Commission to make free trade agreement negotiations conditional on reforms, including releasing political prisoners and ratifying core ILO conventions.

   Foreign affairs

   13 Mar 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 7 ballots · voted 12:08 · B-10-2025-0192 · 2025/2594

   Adopted 482–57–68 · by a large majority
6. The cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas. The text calls for their immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of other arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, lawyers, and intellectuals. It also urges China to close all detention camps, respect religious freedom, and urges the Council to continue imposing human rights sanctions on officials involved in abuses.

   Foreign affairs

   10 Oct 2024 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 9 ballots · voted 13:23 · B-10-2024-0118 · 2024/2857

   Adopted 540–23–47 · by an overwhelming majority

Dossiers involved · latest vote first

1. 2026/2703 New Chinese law on ‘ethnic unity and progress’ and the intensified suppression of ethnic identities 30 Apr 2026 · 1 vote
2. 2026/2573 Conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong 22 Jan 2026 · 1 vote
3. 2025/2906 10th anniversary of the detention of jailed Swedish publisher Gui Minhai in China 9 Oct 2025 · 1 vote
4. 2025/2692 Violations of religious freedom in Tibet 8 May 2025 · 1 vote
5. 2025/2594 Democracy and human rights in Thailand, notably the lese-majesty law and the deportation of Uyghur refugees 13 Mar 2025 · 1 vote
6. 2024/2857 The cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas 10 Oct 2024 · 1 vote

Who backs what

How each group's majority voted on the 6 most recent final roll calls about China human rights. A group is "split" when no position won among its members.

The latest final votes, group by group

✦ This theme was found by a model reading the decisions; the list of decisions, the counts and the group lines are computed from the record. Wrongly filed decisions can be reported to the site's maintainer.