U.S. Senate Unveils Bipartisan Resolution Condemning China’s ‘Ethnic Unity and Progress Law’
Lawmakers from both parties warn Beijing’s new legislation threatens ethnic minorities, religious freedom, and expands transnational repression beyond China’s borders.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced a resolution condemning China’s newly implemented Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, arguing that the legislation institutionalizes forced assimilation of ethnic and religious minorities while extending Beijing’s influence beyond its borders. The resolution has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for consideration.
The measure, introduced by Senators Jacky Rosen, Jeff Merkley, John Curtis, and Jim Banks, criticizes the law for targeting the cultural, linguistic, and religious identities of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, Christians, and other minority communities. Lawmakers contend that the legislation strengthens the Chinese government’s long-standing policies aimed at promoting ideological conformity under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
According to the senators, the law, which entered into force on 1 July 2026, goes beyond domestic governance by including provisions that could justify actions against individuals and organizations outside China accused of undermining so-called “ethnic unity.” U.S. lawmakers warned that such provisions raise concerns over transnational repression affecting activists, diaspora communities, and human rights defenders worldwide.
The resolution highlights China’s constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and minority cultural rights, arguing that the new legislation contradicts those commitments as well as international human rights obligations. It points to concerns over restrictions on minority languages, religious practices, cultural expression, and the continued operation of state-run boarding schools that separate many Tibetan children from their families.
Senator Jacky Rosen stated that the Chinese Communist Party continues efforts to erase the identities of Tibetans, Uyghurs, and other minority groups, while Senator John Curtis described the legislation as an escalation of Beijing’s campaign to eliminate cultural diversity and intimidate critics beyond China’s borders. Senator Jeff Merkley said the resolution rejects both coercive assimilation and the expansion of repression across international borders, while Senator Jim Banks reaffirmed bipartisan support for defending fundamental human rights.
The Senate resolution comes amid growing international criticism of the law. Governments, parliamentary groups, and advocacy organizations in Europe and North America have issued statements expressing concern that the legislation could further weaken protections for ethnic and religious minorities while legitimizing greater state control over cultural and religious life.
Human rights organizations argue that the legislation formalizes policies that have already been implemented in regions such as Tibet and Xinjiang, including tighter restrictions on education, language use, religious institutions, and community organizations. Chinese authorities, however, maintain that the law promotes national unity, social stability, and ethnic solidarity, rejecting allegations of forced assimilation and human rights abuses.
As diplomatic tensions between Washington and Beijing continue over human rights, technology, and national security, the bipartisan Senate resolution signals sustained congressional scrutiny of China’s domestic policies. Although the resolution is non-binding, it reflects growing bipartisan consensus in the United States on responding to concerns over the treatment of ethnic minorities and may add further pressure for coordinated international action on the issue.
