Speaker of Parliament launches sweeping critique of China’s ‘Ethnic Unity Law’

Tenzin Nyidon DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 16: The second session of the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile commenced in Dharamshala on Wednesday and is scheduled to continue through September 25. Speaker Tsering Dolma Tsering Teykhang used her opening address to launch a sweeping critique of Beijing’s recently enacted “Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law” and call for greater unity within the Tibetan exile community. In her opening address, Speaker Dolma Tsering characterised the legislation as the latest manifestation of what she described as a decades-long policy trajectory aimed at eroding the distinct identities of Tibetans and other minority communities. Tracing the evolution of China’s ethnic policies, she pointed to a succession of measures affecting the linguistic, educational, cultural and socioeconomic foundations of Tibetan society, including the displacement of nomadic communities from their ancestral lands and the proliferation of state-run boarding schools. She maintained that the new legislation should not be viewed in isolation, but understood within this broader continuum of policies. The Speaker argued that eroding a community’s religion, culture, and language cannot legitimately be presented as “development,” just as erasing one ethnic identity cannot be construed as “unity.” She asserted that such measures undermine the principles of genuine progress, cultural preservation, and peaceful coexistence. The Speaker situated the legislation within the broader trajectory of Beijing’s “second-generation ethnic unity” policy, rolled out in the Tibetan Autonomous Region around 2018–19 and subsequently drawing scrutiny from members of the US Congress, including Senator Marco Rubio. She further contended that the law’s accelerated passage was driven not merely by ethnic policy considerations, but also by internal political manoeuvring aimed at reinforcing President Xi Jinping’s authority. Turning to the Tibetan community in exile, Speaker Dolma Tsering stressed that unity and mutual respect are essential in confronting policies that, she said, seek to weaken the collective Tibetan identity. She emphasised that unity does not require uniformity and that individuals are entitled to differing political views and opinions. However, she said those entrusted with political responsibility bear a duty to pursue the resolution of the Sino-Tibet conflict under the Tibetan administration’s established Middle Way policy. She also called for greater tolerance and mutual respect, cautioning that internal divisions could undermine the Tibetan community’s collective efforts. The opening session subsequently turned to a series of official condolence and tribute resolutions, with five motions presented during the morning proceedings. MP Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten tabled a resolution honouring the sacrifice of Tibetan independence activist Lobga Rangzen, who died on July 2, 2026, after self-immolating outside the United Nations headquarters. The Parliament also paid tribute to former minister Chope Paljor Tsering, who passed away in June this year, and Professor Robert A. F. Thurman, the renowned American scholar of Tibetan Buddhism and long-time friend of Tibet. A further obituary reference was made to former US Congressman Barney Frank, who died in May. Frank was among those who played a significant role in supporting the resettlement of Tibetans in the United States under the Immigration Act of 1990. The Parliament also adopted a resolution expressing condolences and solidarity with those affected by the devastating flash floods along the Tibet-Nepal border on August 26. The second session will primarily deliberate on the detailed annual reports of the Central Tibetan Administration’s departments and subordinate offices for the 2025–26 financial year. The reports will be considered alongside questions submitted by the Standing Committee of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, followed by responses from the Cabinet and presentations by the respective Ministers.