A resolution condemning the People's Republic of China's Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, concerned with its implications on the rights and freedoms, as well as survival of the identity, of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, and other affected communities, and calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to end its abuses and campaigns of transnational repression that undermine United States sovereignty and threaten the safety and freedoms of people in the United States.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 791
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-24: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3217)
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T22:29:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This resolution condemns the People's Republic of China's Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, which took effect on July 1, 2026. It expresses concern over the law's effects on the rights, freedoms, and cultural survival of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, and other groups. The resolution also urges the Chinese government to stop human rights abuses and campaigns of transnational repression that affect people in the United States.
Key Provisions
- Condemns the law for promoting coercive assimilation, cultural erasure, and ideological control over ethnic and religious minorities.
- Reaffirms support for the rights of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, Hui Muslims, Christians, and other communities in China.
- Reaffirms the 2021 U.S. Department of State finding that China is committing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples.
- Calls on China to repeal the law.
- Urges the U.S. Department of State to work with allies to monitor the law's impacts and ongoing repression.
- Suggests the President consider targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against those implementing the law.
- Recognizes the Dalai Lama's commitment to nonviolence and states that decisions on his succession belong solely to Tibetan Buddhist leaders and the Tibetan people.
- Calls on China to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives to resolve Sino-Tibetan disputes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law As a non-binding Senate resolution, this measure introduces no changes to U.S. statutes. It builds on prior laws, including the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020, and the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020, by reaffirming their principles in response to the new Chinese law.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Directs the Department of State to increase monitoring and reporting on China's policies and to coordinate with international partners such as the European Union, Canada, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
- Citizens: Highlights risks from China's extraterritorial claims, which could affect U.S. citizens and residents through transnational repression or overseas police actions.
- International relations: May strain U.S.-China ties, encourage allied coordination on human rights issues, and support continued U.S. advocacy for minority rights in China.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Ethnic and religious minority communities in China, including Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, and Christians.
- The U.S. Senate and executive branch agencies involved in foreign policy and sanctions.
- The Government of the People's Republic of China and its officials.
- International partners and organizations, such as the United Nations and the European Parliament.
- The Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The resolution references China's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as its status as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It notes the law's extraterritorial reach, which could extend Chinese jurisdiction to individuals outside China, including U.S. citizens. Politically, it reinforces bipartisan U.S. concerns about religious freedom and ethnic rights while calling for sanctions and diplomatic engagement without altering any constitutional authorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-24: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3217)
- 2026-06-24: Submitted in Senate
Bill Versions
- Condemning the People’s Republic of China’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, concerned with its implications on the rights and freedoms, as well as survival of the identity, of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, and other affected communities, and calling on the Government of the People’s Republic of China to end its abuses and campaigns of transnational repression that undermine United States sovereignty and threaten the safety and freedoms of people in the United States. — issued 2026-06-24 — PDF (7 pages)