(Adnkronos) – A new controversial law on “ethnic unity” is in force in China. On “national identity”. Concern from human rights organizations. Officially, the goal is to “strengthen cohesion” in an Asian giant with a population of 1.4 billion people, mostly Han, where 55 ethnic groups are officially recognized and Mandarin Chinese is to be promoted as a language for all. The law, writes the official Chinese agency Xinhua, provides that the State “promotes the standard Chinese language” ensuring “respect and protection” for “the right to study and use ethnic minority languages.”
According to official 2020 data, this concerns over 125 million people. The “Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress,” Xinhua continues, “combats violent terrorism, ethnic separatism, and religious extremism.” And it aims for “social harmony.” The rules, CNN highlights, give Beijing the right to target people outside Chinese borders who are believed to violate the rules. Activities that “compromise ethnic unity or create ethnic divisions” are banned. The text, approved last March, does not ‘overlook’ organizations and people outside Chinese borders who “compromise” “ethnic unity” or “create ethnic divisions.”
Some observers, the American network further notes, consider the law as another step in the evolution of Chinese policy towards a greater emphasis on national identity over ethnic autonomy. Sarah Brooks of Amnesty International stressed that “Chinese authorities have human rights obligations that require them to protect minority communities and their cultures” and that “this law does the exact opposite” because “instead of celebrating differences, it pushes ethnic groups, such as Uyghurs, Tibetans, to adopt a unique national identity, defined by the State and dominated by Han culture.” “We expect (the law) to further institutionalize China’s policies of forced assimilation,” she remarked.
In Xinjiang, where Uyghurs live, Beijing has been accused of serious human rights violations. China has always rejected all charges, as well as accusations of intimidation against dissidents abroad, and the new law, the BBC notes, will give the Chinese government legal cover for its actions with Article 63, which recognizes the right of Chinese authorities to intervene against organizations and individuals outside Chinese borders (many activists abroad have families in China) accused of “compromising ethnic unity and progress or creating ethnic divisions.”
According to some, this is a norm probably only aimed at discouraging debate in some countries. But in Taiwan, a de facto independent island that China wants to “reunify,” fears are not lacking. The comment from President Lai Ching-te (William Lai) was not long in coming. He spoke of what he brands as a “shameful” law, which he considers contrary to international norms because – reports the CNA agency – it pursues assimilation and elimination under the pretext of ethnic unity.
