Tibet, a country historically independent and forcefully occupied by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), remains subject to unresolved international conflicts. On 12 March 2026, the PRC adopted a law to promote ethnic unity and progress, which entered into force at the beginning of July 2026.

The new law will erase Tibetan identity and introduce far-reaching mandates aimed at separating Tibetan identity from local governments to Tibetan schools and communities

The main provisions of the new law include:

• Mandatory Mandarin Instruction: Central to this law is the requirement that schools use Mandarin Chinese as the primary language of instruction from pre-kindergarten through high school. This policy directly targets the youngest generation, gradually stripping the Tibetan language of its practical value and relevance in everyday life.
• The law calls for “mutually embedded community environments”, aggressively encouraging mixed-ethnic neighborhoods to break up traditional Tibetan enclaves that have historically kept Tibetan culture alive.
• Totalitarian Surveillance and Control: Under the guise of ‘social governance’, the law expands the Communist Party’s control over all Tibetan affairs and requires the use of ‘scientific and technological support’ to identify and manage alleged ‘major risks’.
• Transnational repression: Article 63 of this law asserts extraterritorial jurisdiction of the PRC over anyone accused of undermining ethnic unity, also by targeting persons abroad, including in Estonia, on possible criminal charges.

This legal provision risks becoming a powerful instrument for silencing critics of the Chinese political system, Tibetan and other minority supporters and members of the Tibetan diaspora.

The Catastrophic Implications for Tibet:

According to the Tibetan government in exile, the law acts as a death blow for the PRC’s original constitutional promise of meaningful regional autonomy. The law encourages

Statement by Tibet Support Group in Estonian Parliament and the members of Parliament of Estonia (Riigikogu) on China’s Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress

population displacement and marginalises the Tibetan language, systematically separates Tibetans from their ancestral homeland, history and spiritual traditions. The aim is not simply integration, but the gradual replacement of distinct Tibetan identity with allegiance to the state-defined “Chinese Nation” (Zhonghua Minzu).

Criminalizing Tibetan Identity: The law aims to “forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation” and creates a framework which the expression of a distinct Tibetan identity can be treated as a political offense and practicing of Tibetan religious practices, language and cultural traditions as manifestations of ‘separatism’.

Members of the Signatory Riigikogu strongly condemn the law and state that it possesses no moral legitimacy in the eyes of the Tibetan people. While the European Parliament and the United Nations have already expressed serious concerns about the consequences of this legislation, stronger and more decisive action is urgently needed.

Members of the Riigikogu call for:

formally convey to the Government of the PRC its strong opposition to this law, asking for the rejection of its implementation and ta call for its repeal.

the UN bodies and mechanisms to act on the urgent review of the PRC’s assimilation policies and to employ all available international instruments to prevent further violations of cultural, linguistic and religious rights by the PRC authorities.

to exert united diplomatic pressure on Beijing to resolve the China-Tibet conflict peacefully through genuine and mutually respectful dialogue.

support the efforts of the Tibetan government in exile in the preservation and promotion of Tibetan culture and identity in exile.

Signatures:

1. Juku-Kalle Raid, Head of Tibet support group in Estonian Parliament
2. Ando Kiviberg
3. Toomas Uibo
4. Yoko Alender
5. Kalle Laanet
6. Jaak Valge
7. Hanah Lahe
8. Tarmo Tamm
9. Ester Karuse
10. Annely Akkermann
11. Vilja Toomast
12. Jüri Jaanson
13. Marek Reinaas
14.  Anti Allas
15. Riina Sikkut
16. Tiit Maran
17. Leo Kunnas
18. Heljo Pikhof
19. Irja Lutsar
20. Diana Ingerainen
21. Tõnis Lukas
22. Tanel Tein
23. Peeter Tali
24. Mario Kadastik
25. Pipi-Liis Siemann
26. Henn Põlluaas
27. Margit Sutrop
28. Kristo Enn Vaga
29. Eerik-Niiles Kross
30. Priit Sibul
31. Liina Kersna
32. Raul-Stig Rästa
33. Anti Poolamets
34. Züleyxa Izmailova
35. Katrin Kuusemäe
36. Helir-Valdor Seeder
37. Luisa Rõivas
38. Kalev Stoicescu
39. Kristina Šmigun-Vähi
40. Urmas Reinsalu
41. Tanel Kiik
42. Evelin Poolamets
43. Mati Raidma
44. Mart Võrklaev
45. Timo Suslov
46. Mait Klaassen
47. Madis Kallas
48. Anti Haugas
49. Õnne Pillak
50. Meelis Kiili
51. Lea Danilson-Järg