As China’s controversial Ethnic Unity Law came into effect on July 1, Sikyong (president) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Penpa Tsering appealed to world leaders and human rights organisations to “oppose, reject and call for its repeal”, warning that the legislation would “accelerate the erosion of Tibetan identity and institutionalise assimilation policies across Tibet.”

Writing on behalf of the Tibetan people, Tsering described China’s newly enacted Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law as a sweeping legal framework designed to weaken the distinct language, religion, culture and identity of Tibetans under the guise of national unity.

The law, adopted by the People’s Republic of China on March 12 and brought into force on July 1, has been presented by Beijing as a measure to promote social harmony and strengthen ethnic unity. However, the CTA argues that it transforms decades-old assimilation policies into binding legal obligations and poses a grave threat to the survival of Tibetan identity.

Tsering alleged that the legislation mandates Mandarin Chinese as the primary medium of instruction from pre-kindergarten through high school, a move that would gradually marginalise the Tibetan language among younger generations. He also accused the Chinese authorities of promoting demographic engineering through mixed-ethnic communities, encouraging intermarriage and relocating Tibetan farmers and nomads from their ancestral lands.

One of the most controversial provisions highlighted in the appeal is Article 63, which extends Chinese jurisdiction beyond its borders to individuals accused of undermining ethnic unity.