Brussels: Days after China’s so-called Ethnic Unity and Progress Law entered into force, opposition across Europe continues to intensify. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from across the political spectrum, alongside senior EU officials and national parliamentarians, have strongly condemned the law as a tool for forced assimilation and reaffirmed their solidarity with the Tibetan people. They warned that the legislation represents a serious threat to the cultural, religious and linguistic rights of Tibetans and other communities living under Chinese rule.
The protest and messages of solidarity build on the European Parliament’s strong formal stand against the legislation on 30 April 2026, when it adopted a resolution with an overwhelming majority condemning China’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law as a tool of forced assimilation aimed at eroding the identities of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians and other affected communities, and calling on China to repeal the legislation.
Ahead of the vote, MEPs from across political spectrum, together with the European Commission, voiced strong opposition to the law, warn of its devastating consequences on Tibetans and other affected communities.
MEP Danuše Nerudová, EPP, stated:
“What China calls ‘Ethnic Unity’ is in reality a law for assimilation and ethnic erasure. The succession of the Dalai Lama is a sacred religious matter, and no Communist Party officials have the authority to decide it.”
MEP Hannes Heide S&D, Co-Chair, Inter-Parliamentary Group for Tibet, said:
“If we look at Tibet, we can see that cultural identity and religious traditions are increasingly being repressed. That is why we call for the repeal of this law.”
He further stressed: “The succession of the Dalai Lama is not a political decision; it is purely a religious matter.”
MEP Mariusz Kamiński, ECR, remarked:
“The Ethnic Unity and Progress Law is another example of the brutal violation of human rights by the Communist authorities in China. This legislation reminds us that Communist China remains a totalitarian state that poses a threat to the world.”
MEP Dainius Žalimas, Renew Europe, Co-Chair, Inter-Parliamentary Group for Tibet, urged stronger European action:
“China should repeal this law and comply with its obligations under international law. If it fails to do so, we call on the Council to impose targeted EU sanctions on those responsible for drafting and implementing this legislation.”
MEP Catarina Vieira, Greens/EFA, warned:
“This law does not promote unity; it shrinks the space for diversity. While it claims to promote equality, it strips minorities of their right to learn their own languages, forcing them to abandon their mother tongues in favour of Mandarin.”
MEP Jonas Sjöstedt, GUE-NGL, observed:
“Chinese propaganda claims that Tibet enjoys autonomy, but the reality is very different. Tibetans cannot freely express themselves or promote their culture. They protest because they are being forced to speak Mandarin. China must fulfil its international obligations.”
MEP Francisco Assis, S&D, Member, Subcommittee on Human Rights, stated:
“The Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress is a law designed to assimilate the different ethnic minorities living in China. Europe must take a clear position and protest against this legislation.”
MEP Engin Eroglu, Renew Europe, Chair, Delegation for Relations with China, added:
“The Ethnic Unity Law reminds us that the European Union must remain united in addressing China’s human rights record. We need to ensure that China complies with international law.”
MEP Lukas Mandl, EPP, stated:
“It is just unacceptable from a European perspective to have minorities persecuted. ‘Assimilation’ is unacceptable from a European perspective, also due to Europe’s history and the values Europe represents.”
Representing the European Commission during the debate, Commissioner Hadja Lahbib reiterated the European Union’s grave concern over the human rights situation in Tibet. She highlighted restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, the preservation of Tibetan culture and identity, and the right of religious communities to manage their affairs without interference, including the right to freely choose their religious leaders in accordance with religious traditions. She also reaffirmed the EU’s call for credible information on the whereabouts and well-being of the 11th Panchen Lama.
The European Union in its statement during the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council said: “We recall our concerns related to the new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, and its potentially extra-territorial effects.”
Opposition to the legislation has also been echoed in national parliaments. In a message, Dutch MP Jan Paternotte expressed concern over China’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, warning against policies of forced assimilation in Tibet. He called for stronger European coordination on Tibet, including the appointment of an EU Special Representative for Tibet and the development of a common EU-Tibet Strategy.
French Senator Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, President of the French Parliamentary Group for Tibet, wrote to President Emmanuel Macron, urging him to raise concerns with his Chinese counterpart regarding the Ethnic Unity Law and to ensure that the protection of Tibetan cultural, religious and linguistic rights remains part of France’s engagement with Beijing. She also urged stronger European action in response to the implementation of the legislation, warning against policies aimed at the erosion of Tibet’s distinct identity.
Belgian Federal Parliament Member, Els Van Hoof, Chair, Committee on Foreign Affairs, in her oral question to Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, said China’s Ethnic Unity Law further formalises long-standing policies of assimilation directed at Tibetans and other communities. She asked, what measures Belgium would take to address the impact of the new law on the cultural, linguistic and religious rights of the Tibetan people.
On 1 July 2026, the day the law entered into force, local Tibetan associations and Tibet supporters gathered at Place du Luxembourg, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, to denounce the legislation and express solidarity with the Tibet. Several MEPs joined the protest, reflecting the broad and growing cross-party concern within the European Parliament against China’s policies in Tibet.
The political message extended beyond the demonstration. Several MEPs released video messages condemning the implementation of the law.
MEP Engin Eroglu, Renew Europe, Delegation for Relations with China, said: “Today the Law on Ethnic Unity in China comes into force. Numerous ethnic groups, including Uyghurs and Tibetans, have reached out to me. Ethnic minorities, their languages and cultures are an enrichment to humanity, not a threat. They should be promoted, not erased.”
MEP Lexmann, EPP, IPAC Member, said, ”Europe must stand with you, Europe must stand against the Chinese repressions, against the ethnic unity law, which is practically suppressing everything Europe holds as a value. We are with you.”
MEP Markéta Gregorová, Greens/EFA, Vice-Chair, Delegation for Relations with China, stated: “As China’s so-called Ethnic Unity and Progress Law enters into force, I want to express my solidarity with the Tibetan people. This is not merely an abstract legal issue. It threatens Tibetan culture, language, religion and the right of future generations to preserve their identity. I support the European Parliament’s call for China to repeal this law.”
MEP Catarina Vieira, Greens/EFA,Member of Subcommittee on Human Rights, noted: “China’s decision to implement the Ethnic Unity and Progress Law affects many ethnic minorities, including Tibetans, Uyghurs and others. It is important that we stand together to defend their rights, preserve their cultures and languages, and ensure their access to education.”
Eight days after the law entered into force, the response from European institutions, national parliamentarians, political leaders and civil society continue to underscore a clear and growing consensus that China’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law is viewed not as a measure to promote unity, but as a tool of forced assimilation that threatens the cultural, linguistic and religious identities of Tibetans and other groups.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet Brussels
