The European Parliament has strongly criticized China’s ‘Ethnic Unity Law’, expressing concerns that the law, scheduled to come into force on July 1, aims to eliminate the cultural, religious, and linguistic heritage of the Tibetan people. The law emphasizes state ideology and promotes Mandarin over native languages in all public domains.
A resolution denouncing China’s new Ethnic Unity Law was passed by a majority in the European Parliament, with 439 European lawmakers supporting it, 52 opposing, and 71 abstaining. The European legislators emphasized that the selection of the Dalai Lama should adhere solely to Tibetan Buddhist traditions, free from external influence. Additionally, the resolution called for the immediate release of prominent political detainees, including the 11th Panchen Lama and others, whose detentions have raised international concerns.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) highlighted that the European Parliament is taking steps to safeguard Tibetan communities in exile from Chinese interference. By underlining the extraterritorial impact of China’s law, lawmakers urged EU nations to suspend extradition agreements with China to prevent the cross-border suppression of Tibetans abroad. The resolution also urged the activation of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against officials responsible for formulating and implementing these oppressive measures.
European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, voiced the EU’s apprehensions regarding the human rights situation in Tibet, citing restrictions on religious freedom, cultural preservation, and the autonomy of religious communities in selecting their leaders. The EU pledged to continue demanding credible information on the status and location of the 11th Panchen Lama.
Rigzin Genkhang, the Dalai Lama’s Representative at the Office of Tibet in Brussels, welcomed the EU’s resolution and expressed gratitude to the European Parliament for its stance. Genkhang stressed the importance of sustained international attention in holding China accountable and supporting initiatives to safeguard Tibetan cultural and religious traditions.
