China Proposes 'Ethnic Unity' Law Raising Concerns of Forced Assimilation

China's proposed 'ethnic unity' law has sparked widespread concerns among human rights groups and minority communities about the potential for further cultural suppression and forced integration of the country's diverse ethnic groups. The law, which aims to promote 'ethnic unity' throughout China, is seen by critics as giving authorities in Beijing more leeway to frame minority groups' demands for cultural autonomy as a push towards separatism.

The draft legislation, which was introduced in March 2023, is part of a broader effort by the Chinese government to tighten control over ethnic minority regions, such as Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia. Human rights organizations have long accused Beijing of systematically repressing the cultural, linguistic, and religious practices of these communities, including through the use of mass detention camps, forced labor, and assimilation policies.

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