China’s Ethnic Unity Law
REPORTER:
Several countries have voiced concern over Beijing’s new ethnic unity law, which has just gone into effect.
The law says anyone seen as undermining ethnic unity or progress can be held legally responsible – including people outside of China.
The chair of the US House Select Committee on China has called it a "ugly escalation of the Chinese Communist Party’s cruelty," arguing it will be used to harass critics beyond its borders. Groups of Japanese lawmakers also condemned the law on the grounds of human rights and freedom of speech. The European Parliament is urging member states to suspend extradition treaties with China to protect their citizens. Germany’s foreign ministry called the law a risk of transnational repression, while Australia’s government says it has raised the issue to Beijing directly.