Story perspectives

UN Warns China’s 'Unity' Law Threatens Minority Freedoms

3/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Volker Türk, United Nations rights chief, warned that China's new 'ethnic unity' law could curb religious and cultural freedoms.
National People’s Congress passed the law, promoting Mandarin as the national language in many sectors.
Türk said the measure risks assimilationist policies and could limit expression, belief, and assembly for Uyghurs.
He urged that international human rights law protect the identities of ethnic, linguistic, and religious minorities in China.

1 of 1

Story summary

Volker Türk, United Nations rights chief, warned that China's new 'ethnic unity' law could curb religious and cultural freedoms.
National People’s Congress passed the law, promoting Mandarin as the national language in many sectors.
Türk said the measure risks assimilationist policies and could limit expression, belief, and assembly for Uyghurs.
He urged that international human rights law protect the identities of ethnic, linguistic, and religious minorities in China.