China’s new ethnic unity law legalising cultural ‘erasure,’ Tibetan and Uyghur minorities warn at UN

Tibetan and Uyghur representatives have appealed to the United Nations, urging member states to pressure China into repealing its new Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law. These representatives argue that the legislation, set to take effect on July 1, is designed to systematically erase the distinct cultural identities of minority communities within China.

Speaking at a UN meeting, the representatives implored countries to exert diplomatic pressure on Beijing. They contend that the law's stated aim of fostering a "shared" national identity among China's diverse ethnic groups is a thinly veiled attempt to assimilate and ultimately eliminate unique cultural practices and languages. This, they warn, amounts to cultural "erasure."

The new law comes amid ongoing international scrutiny of China's policies towards its ethnic minorities, particularly in Xinjiang and Tibet. Critics have long accused Beijing of suppressing religious freedom, imposing Mandarin language education, and restricting cultural expression in these regions. The representatives believe this new law will further entrench these policies, making it harder for minority cultures to survive.