Estonian Lawmakers Condemn China's Ethnic Unity and Progress Law

Fifty-one members of the Parliament of Estonia, led by Juku-Kalle Raid, issued a formal declaration condemning China's Ethnic Unity and Progress Law. Adopted on March 12, 2026, and implemented in July 2026, the law is criticized by Estonian lawmakers for threatening Tibetan language, identity, and religious freedom.

The lawmakers identified several critical concerns, including the mandate for Mandarin-medium education from pre-kindergarten through high school and the creation of ethnically mixed residential communities designed to break up traditional Tibetan neighborhoods. The declaration also flagged expanded state surveillance and the specific application of Article 63, which asserts extraterritorial jurisdiction over individuals abroad accused of undermining ethnic unity.

Estonian officials view Article 63 as a mechanism for transnational repression of the Tibetan diaspora. The signatories called for the repeal of the law and an urgent review of China's assimilation policies by United Nations bodies. They further urged diplomatic pressure on Beijing to resolve the China-Tibet conflict through peaceful dialogue.