CyberSecurity – Tibetan Groups Urge Global Opposition to China’s New Ethnic Unity Law
CyberSecurity – More than 150 Tibetan organisations and international advocacy groups have appealed to governments across the world to oppose China’s new ethnic unity legislation, warning that it could significantly affect the cultural, religious and linguistic rights of Tibetans.
International Appeal Ahead of New Chinese Law
Just days before China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress is scheduled to take effect on July 1, a coalition of 151 Tibetan organisations and Tibet support groups has urged the foreign ministers of 14 countries and the European Union to take diplomatic action against the legislation.
The appeal was sent to the foreign ministers of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was among those who received the letter, alongside senior officials including Australia’s Penny Wong, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Germany’s Johann Wadephul and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Rights Groups Raise Concerns Over Assimilation Measures
The organisations argue that the legislation establishes a legal framework that could expand policies aimed at integrating ethnic minorities into mainstream Chinese society. According to the letter, the law may restrict the use of the Tibetan language, reduce religious freedoms, limit traditional cultural practices and impose penalties on peaceful expressions of Tibetan identity.
The groups also expressed concern over provisions that encourage parents to educate children in loyalty to the Communist Party of China. They claimed the legislation gives greater priority to Mandarin Chinese in schools and public life while expanding state-directed social integration policies. The organisations further argued that authorities could gain broader influence over how Tibetan families pass on their history, religion and cultural traditions to younger generations.
Concerns Over Boarding School System
The letter also highlighted long-standing concerns regarding China’s residential boarding school system for Tibetan children. According to the organisations, at least one million Tibetan children have been separated from their families and communities through these institutions.
They alleged that education in the schools is conducted primarily in Mandarin, with limited opportunities for learning the Tibetan language. The groups also claimed students face restrictions on religious practice while participating in political education programmes, patriotic activities and military-style training intended to strengthen loyalty to the Chinese government and President Xi Jinping.
Call for International Diplomatic Action
The organisations urged governments to use diplomatic channels to encourage Beijing to withdraw the legislation and safeguard the rights of the Tibetan people. They warned that failing to respond before the law takes effect could further weaken Tibet’s unique cultural, religious and linguistic heritage.
Their appeal also referred to recent comments by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who reportedly expressed concern that the legislation could further restrict freedoms related to language, education, religion, culture, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. According to the letter, Türk called for the law to be repealed and urged an end to policies promoting forced assimilation of Tibetans and other ethnic minority communities.
Tibetan Administration Rejects the Legislation
Separately, the Central Tibetan Administration in exile organised a public discussion criticising the legislation. Tibetan political leader Penpa Tsering said the law presents itself as a measure promoting unity and national harmony but, from the Tibetan perspective, represents a continuation of policies that weaken Tibetan identity, culture and religious life.
Following the law’s approval by China’s National People’s Congress in March, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the legislation. The resolution described the measure as incompatible with international human rights principles and argued that it also conflicts with constitutional protections and regional ethnic autonomy provisions within China’s own legal framework