Human Rights Protest Outside the Chinese Embassy in Berlin (July 1): “Ethnic Unity” Is Cultural Eradication—Oppose China’s Unity Law!

To mark the entry into force of China’s “Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress,” the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP), Tibet Initiative Germany e.V., the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), and Freedom for Hong Kong e.V. are organizing a rally against the legalization of China’s decades-long assimilation policy. We cordially invite you to join us:

On Wednesday, July 1, 2026,

from 9 to 11 a.m.

in front of the Chinese Embassy, Märkisches Ufer 54, 10179 Berlin.

With their campaign under the slogan “Ethnic Unity” = Cultural Eradication – Against China’s Unity Law!”, the organizations aim to draw attention to the devastating effects on ethnic and religious communities in China.

“The law codifies what the Chinese Communist Party has long been practicing against Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongols, Hui, and other communities: the subordination of language, religion, education, and family to a prescribed Han Chinese concept of unity. They are to be forced into a single, state-imposed identity,” says Mirjam Kobold, Advisor for Asia at STP. “The forced assimilation of cultural diversity under the guise of ‘unity and progress’ means the eradication of their culture and identity for those affected. The Chinese government is proceeding with brutal severity. It uses re-education camps, forced labor, arbitrary imprisonment, and persecution in exile to suppress and intimidate ethnic and religious groups.”

The STP also sharply criticizes the German federal government’s policy. During the visits to China this year by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Economics Minister Katherina Reiche, the focus was on market access, competition, and raw materials. No meetings with civil society took place, and the human rights situation remained a footnote. “Anyone doing business with Beijing must not remain silent about the eradication of cultural diversity and fundamental human rights,” said Kobold. “The German government is prioritizing market access for German companies and trade over its principled stance. In doing so, it shares responsibility.” The STP is particularly critical of the intention to dismantle the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, while China is expanding forced labor through labor transfers across the country.

For questions regarding the campaign, please contact Gerrit Hofert of the STP at g.hofert@gfbv.de or +49 (0) 551 49906-27.

This press release was translated from German to English using AI. If you come across errors or ambiguities, please contact us at 65]G378o6DD6CA.