By René Wadlow

The Chinese Government limits ethnic minorities with a new Ethnic Unity law which expands state control over identity, culture, and religious practice. The Ethnic Unity Law came into force on July 1, 2026. To protest the Ethnic Unity Law, Lobga Rangzen, a 52-year-old Tibetan activist, made a sacrificial death at the doors of the United Nations in New York.

The protection of the way of life of ethnic minorities is an issue in many countries. On the one hand, minorities must be protected; on the other hand, minorities must not be relegated to folklore to be looked at by tourists. Finding the proper balance is not easy.

The Chinese Government presents one extreme position in its effort to mold large ethnic minorities, such as the Tibetans, into what the government considers to be Chinese identity.

The Association of World Citizens has appealed to the Chinese authorities to reconsider its policies and to modify or abolish its Ethnic Unity Law. For the moment, the authorities have taken no action despite protests by other human rights action groups.

The situation should be followed closely.

Prof. René Wadlow is the President of the Association of World Citizens.