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At a side event held during the 62nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, legal experts and human rights advocates criticised China's new "Ethnic Unity Law," warning that it threatens the cultural identity and fundamental rights of Tibetans, Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities.
The legislation could also expand Beijing's transnational repression beyond China's borders, as reported by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). According to CTA, the discussion, organised by the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, brought together representatives from the International Campaign for Tibet, the World Uyghur Congress and CTA. Diplomats from 17 UN member states, NGO representatives, journalists and Tibetan activists attended the event. Representing the Dalai Lama, Thinlay Chukki said the law has drawn increasing international criticism. She stated that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and several UN Special Rapporteurs have expressed concerns that the legislation violates international human rights obligations and undermines the rights of ethnic communities. She also highlighted recent resolutions adopted by the European Parliament and the Czech Republic condemning the law and called for sanctions against officials responsible for its implementation. Chukki stated that international resolutions should be backed by concrete accountability measures. She urged UN treaty bodies to closely examine China's compliance with its obligations and encouraged civil society groups to submit shadow reports documenting the law's impact. CTA said stronger international monitoring is necessary to address alleged cultural assimilation policies in Tibet. Panellist Bhuchung K. Tsering argued that Beijing's policies are designed to reshape Tibetan identity through boarding schools, restrictions on Tibetan-language education and changes to traditional place names. He alleged these measures seek to disconnect future generations from their religion, history and cultural heritage, as highlighted by CTA. During the discussion, a Chinese representative defended the legislation, describing it as a constitutional framework promoting ethnic unity and equal rights while rejecting accusations of repression. Chukki disputed those claims, alleging continued restrictions on religious and linguistic freedoms, forced relocations, arbitrary detentions and destruction of monasteries, as reported by CTA. (ANI)
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