Russia Objects to European Parliament Resolution on China’s Ethnic Unity Law

Moscow — Russia has strongly objected to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament concerning China’s Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the European Parliament’s April 30 resolution, which called on China to repeal the law, as interference in China’s internal affairs. China’s Law on Ethnic Unity and Progress is reportedly set to enter into force on July 1, 2026.

The European Parliament’s resolution claimed that the law could have serious consequences for residents of China’s autonomous regions, including Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia. It also accused China of promoting policies of assimilation and restricting cultural, religious and linguistic freedoms.

Zakharova, however, reminded the European Parliament that China is an Asian country and criticized it for targeting China while ignoring human rights, migration, minority, racial discrimination and social inequality issues within Europe itself.

She accused European institutions of remaining silent on what Russia describes as human rights violations in Ukraine, including political repression, pressure on religious communities, mistreatment of detainees and attacks on civilian infrastructure. According to Zakharova, Russia has long raised serious allegations against the leadership in Kyiv, but European institutions have failed to give those issues due priority.

The Russian spokeswoman also claimed that racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism and discrimination against people of African descent have increased within European Union member states. She further accused Europe of failing to adequately protect the rights of migrants, refugees, national minorities, indigenous communities, prisoners, children, persons with disabilities and women.

Zakharova also alleged that Russian-speaking communities in the Baltic states have faced rights violations for years, saying the European Parliament continues to comment on the domestic laws of distant countries instead of addressing problems within its own region.

Russia has signaled that external interference in matters related to China’s internal stability, ethnic unity and territorial integrity is unacceptable. The European Parliament’s resolution and Moscow’s response have once again brought issues of human rights, national unity and geopolitical rivalry related to China into the international spotlight.