China is claiming the right to punish its critics anywhere on Earth

China's new Ethnic Unity Law has sparked international concern. The law has been criticized for its potential to target ethnic minorities both within and outside China's borders. The law follows a pattern of tightening controls over ethnic minorities, particularly in regions like Xinjiang and Tibet. Critics argue that the law is part of a broader effort to suppress dissent and enforce cultural assimilation.

The law has been described as a tool for 'cultural genocide' by some international observers. The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has issued an open letter expressing concern over the law's implications for Tibetan communities. The law's extraterritorial reach has raised particular concerns in neighboring countries like Kazakhstan, where there is a significant ethnic Kazakh population. Some in the United States, particularly in Massachusetts, have also expressed worries about the potential repercussions of the law.

The Conversation notes that the law's global jurisdiction claims are unprecedented and have set a worrying precedent for international law. The specifics of how the law will be enforced outside of China's borders have not been detailed.