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

B100233/2026

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 Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas protection of national or ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic identity of minorities is anchored in the customary international law; whereas states are required to uphold these standards;

whereas on 12 March 2026, the National People’s Congress passed the new law of the People’s Republic of China on “Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress”;

whereas in China where officially 56 ethnic groups are recognized, the current law departs significantly from the 1984 Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law, which explicitly provided for education in minority languages;

whereas the law provides a legal basis for intensified, institutionalized repression and assimilation against Tibetan identity, including restrictions on Tibetan-language education, state interference in monasteries, surveillance of religious communities and criminalisation of expressions of Tibetan identity;

whereas Tibetan religious leaders and civilians, including Choktrul Dorjee Ten Rinpoche and Palden Yeshi, continue to face arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and politically motivated imprisonment for the peaceful exercise of their fundamental rights;

whereas respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law should be at the centre of the EU’s relations with China;

Strongly condemns the backsliding in respect for human rights and repressive assimilation methods in China;

Stresses that the Law on “Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress” may adversely affect the ability of ethnic minority communities to preserve and develop their linguistic cultural, and religious and belief identities, particularly in regions where the system of regional ethnic autonomy is formally established and constitutionally protected;

Draws attention to the risks that the above-mentioned law may further restrict minority rights, including their right to freedom of expression; calls on the Chinese authorities to repeal the law and policies that suppress minority languages, cultures, and identities;

Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Choktrul Dorjee Ten Rinpoche and Palden Yeshi, and of all individuals detained for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of religion, expression or cultural identity; calls on the EEAS, the Commission and the Member States to continue raising these cases with China;

Strongly rejects any attempt by the Chinese authorities to interfere in the recognition or 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;

Calls on the Chinese authorities to immediately cease all forms of harassment, surveillance and intimidation targeting members of ethnic minority communities residing in the EU, including through the use of digital surveillance tools, monitoring of social media, and the exertion of pressure on family members remaining in China as a means of coercion against individuals in the diaspora;

Calls on the Chinese authorities to respect the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, EU Member States, and the Government and National People’s Congress of the PRC.