ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE SENATOR’S LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
Paris, 27 May 2026
Mr Emmanuel Macron
President of the French Republic
Élysée Palace
55 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
75008 Paris
Mr President of the Republic,
On several occasions, in my capacity as President of the International Parliamentary Group on Tibet, I have drawn your attention to the situation in Tibet and the continuing concerns regarding its people.
As China adopted, on 12 March 2026, a new law on the “promotion of ethnic unity and progress”, marking a significant intensification of its ongoing assimilationist policies in regions such as Tibet and Xinjiang, I wish once again to convey the deep concern of the Tibetan authorities, human rights organizations and our senatorial information group.
By elevating these policies to the level of national legislation, this law, which is due to enter into force on 1 July, would provide a legal framework for the institutionalization of coercive assimilation practices, accelerating the erosion of Tibetans’ cultural, linguistic and religious rights.
By placing ethnic identity and expression within a national security framework, the law also increases the risks of surveillance, repression and the criminalization of peaceful cultural and religious practices.
Another particularly troubling aspect of this law lies in its extraterritorial reach, allowing Chinese authorities to target individuals and associations abroad for actions considered harmful to “national unity” or creating “ethnic divisions”. This broad wording effectively provides a legal basis for Chinese authorities to target persons abroad, including European citizens and residents, for activities such as the defence of human rights or cultural expression. In the context of China’s
growing use of transnational repression, the law creates an increased risk of intimidation, harassment and other forms of pressure against diaspora communities, particularly Tibetans in Europe, and raises serious questions regarding respect for the sovereignty of states and international law.
The day after the adoption of this law, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed concerns about this legislation, warning that it risks further entrenching assimilationist policies, restricting education in minority languages, limiting freedom of religion and cultural expression, and potentially criminalizing the peaceful exercise of minority rights.
As you know, the European Parliament adopted, on 30 April 2026, a resolution on this new Chinese law concerning “ethnic unity and progress” and the increased repression of ethnic identities. This resolution firmly condemns the repressive assimilation policies implemented by China and the resulting violations of universal human rights, particularly in Tibet, and strongly urges China to repeal this law, which would enable the country to comply with its obligations regarding non-discrimination and the protection and promotion of ethnic and religious minorities under
international law.
The resolution also deplores the law’s extraterritorial provisions, which constitute transnational repression, and calls on all Member States of the European Union to suspend extradition treaties with China in order to protect individuals persecuted within the Union from the risks of transnational repression resulting from this law.
On behalf of the International Parliamentary Group on Tibet, I take the liberty of asking you to convey to the Chinese authorities all of the legitimate concerns that we share regarding this law, which runs contrary to the humanist values of our country, before its implementation further harms the already severely restricted rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people.
At the end of this year, marking the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama, the “Year of Compassion”, France’s support would be particularly appreciated by the Tibetan community, which seeks only to preserve its identity, culture and language.
Hoping that this request will receive your attention, please accept, Mr President of the Republic, the assurance of my highest consideration.
Jacqueline EUSTACHE-BRINIO
Présidente of the International Parliamentary Group on Tibet