China’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law invites criticism from rights activist

Canberra, June 30 (IANS) China’s ‘Ethnic Unity and Progress Law’, which is set to come into effect July 1, transforms decades of assimilationist practices into law, Kyinzom Dhongdue, Strategy and Advocacy Manager at Amnesty International Australia, highlighted on Tuesday.

Dhongdue stated that the law requires fostering what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has described as a “common consciousness of the Chinese nation” in all areas, including family, culture, religion, education, history, tourism, media and the internet. However, she said that the law, in practice, extends state control into almost every aspect of life.

She noted that the right to enjoy one’s culture, speak one’s culture and practice one’s religion are protected under international human rights law, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Rights of the Child and both of which China has officially ratified. She stated that it is also protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which China has failed to ratify.

“Behind the language of ‘unity’ and ‘progress’, the draconian new law transforms decades of assimilationist practices into law, giving them a much wider reach and the appearance of legitimacy. On paper, the law promotes ‘unity’, ‘stability’, ‘development’, and ‘progress’. At face value, it sounds quite benign. However, for Tibetans and Uyghurs, ‘unity’ has too often meant allegiance and assimilation,” stated Kyinzom Dhongdue.

“‘Stability’ has justified surveillance and repression. ‘Development’ has displaced communities from their ancestral lands. Now “progress” risks becoming another justification for erasing distinct cultures and histories,” she added.

She said that the focus on children is the most disturbing aspect of the law as Article 15 reinforces Mandarin Chinese as the primary language of instruction in schools and educational institutions, displacing Tibetan. She mentioned that hundreds of thousands of children in Tibet now attend Chinese state-run boarding schools and spend much of the year separated from their families and prevented from speaking their own language.

Dhongdue stated, “Stories tell of these children returning home during school holidays only to behave like strangers in front of their family members and having lost their ability to communicate with their grandparents.”

She emphasised that one provision of the law should concern the international community. She said, “Article 63 states that organisations and individuals outside China may be held legally liable for actions deemed to “undermine ethnic unity”. For many Tibetans, Uyghurs and Hong Kong activists living overseas, this is a reality we already live with. Now the risks are set to increase significantly.”

Diaspora communities, mentioned Dhongdue, have reported surveillance, harassment and intimidation, often through threats directed at family members who still reside in Tibet and Xinjiang. According to her, Article 63 gives a legal cover to transnational repression.

She expressed hope that the international community will address the plight of Tibetans, Uyghurs and all those suffering under the Chinese Government.

–IANS

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