Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], March 24 (ANI): The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has unanimously adopted a sharply critical resolution against China’s newly introduced Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, describing it as a calculated attempt to dilute and erase Tibetan identity.
The motion was introduced by Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Penpa Tsering and backed by Norzin Dolma. After detailed deliberations, members of the House passed the resolution unanimously, reflecting strong political consensus, as reported by Phayul.
According to Phayul, the resolution notes that China’s National People’s Congress approved the legislation on March 12, with enforcement set for July 1. Tibetan lawmakers argue that the law violates international legal norms and contradicts China’s own constitutional assurances regarding ethnic autonomy and equality.
Criticism within the resolution centres on what it calls a systematic push towards forced assimilation. Lawmakers linked the legislation to Beijing’s broader “second-generation ethnic policy,” which aims to absorb minority identities into a unified national framework under the idea of “Zhonghua Minzu.”
The Parliament stated that this approach undermines Tibet’s unique cultural, linguistic, and religious heritage. A key concern raised is the emphasis on building a “shared national identity,” which lawmakers say is being enforced through aggressive state policies in education and governance.
These include prioritising Mandarin in schools, reshaping curricula, and sidelining the Tibetan language and traditional knowledge systems.
The resolution also flagged policies that alter cultural and social landscapes, including changes to architecture, place names, and religious practices under a broader push for “Sinicisation.” Measures encouraging demographic integration through migration and employment restructuring were described as efforts to weaken Tibet’s cultural continuity, as highlighted by Phayul.
Further concerns were raised over governance structures that consolidate power under the Chinese Communist Party, alongside increased surveillance and political control. Lawmakers warned that such mechanisms would further shrink space for cultural and political expression.
The Parliament also objected to the law’s extraterritorial reach, warning it could target Tibetans and advocacy groups abroad accused of supporting separatism, as reported by Phayul. (ANI)