GatheredTogether.org » ChinaAid

U.S. Congressmen Defend Religious Freedom in China

seniorSOY — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:30:18 +0000

Congressmen Wolf and Smith. Photo provided by www.ChinaAid.org

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 /Christian Newswire/ — CAA received a report in August that the Chinese government had issued a secret directive calling for the dismantling of six house churches in Beijing. U.S. Congressmen Frank Wolf (R- VA, 10th) , and U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ, 4th) learned about the report, and were deeply concerned by the news.

Last July, prior to the 2008 Olympics, the two U.S. Congressmen traveled to Beijing on an investigative tour and personally met with members of the Shouwang House Church. View CAA’s Press Release on their visit. Their encounter with the Chinese Christians and human rights lawyers left a lasting impression.

On September 8, 2009, Congressman Wolf and Congressman Smith addressed a letter to the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, congratulating him on his new position, and calling the issue of religious freedom in China to his attention. They urged the Ambassador to prioritize the U.S. position of supporting religious freedom and to publicly state the importance of religious freedom to a modern nation.

Click here to view the signed letter to Ambassador Huntsman.

ChinaAid is grateful for the actions taken by Congressman Wolf and Congressman Smith on behalf of the persecuted church. We ask for continued prayer for the churches in Beijing and greater China, who have been targeted by the Chinese government.

To express thanks for the Congressmen’s work, please contact the following offices in Washington, DC:

Congressman Frank Wolf, VA-10th District
241 Cannon Building
Washington, DC 20515
Tel: (202) 225-5136
Fax: (202) 225-0437

Congressman Chris Smith, NJ-4th District
2373 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 225-3765
Fax: (202) 225-7768

Taochuan Christian Church Leaders in Shaanxi China on Trial

seniorSOY — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:18:16 +0000

SHAANXI, China /Christian Newswire/ — On July 29, 2009, the Luonan People’s Court of Shaanxi publically tried the case for Liu Caili, Huang Shumin, and Xu Fenying, leaders of Taochuan Christian Church who were arrested and detained by the Luonan County Public Security Bureau (PSB) on June 14. They were shown handcuffed on the Luonan TV Station. Later in the afternoon, the court heard the case for Zhang Miaoli of Taochuan Christian Church, who was arrested on June 19, and illegally detained for five days. Pastor “Bike”, Zhang Mingxuan, President of the Chinese House Church Alliance, attended the trials as a visitor. Members of Taochuan Christian Church are praying for the lawful resolution in this case and for renewed freedom to worship together.

Between June 2 and June 14, Luonan County authorities formally abolished Taochuan Christian Church, illegally searched the property, imposed a fine, detained and interrogated members of the church and banned them from assembling to worship. After seizing Liu Caili, Huang Shumin and Xu Fenying on June 14, 2009, the Luonan County PSB officers televised them in handcuffs being escorted by police. (Watch video.) Xu Fenying was released on June 19 after five days of detention, and Liu Caili and Huang Shumin were released at at 8:30 a.m. on June 24 after serving 10 days of detention. Zhang Miaoli’s arrest and five-day detention followed on June 19th.

To address these violations, on June 22, 2009 the four persecuted Christians entrusted Attorney Wu Chenglian, to submit their administrative lawsuit to the Luonan People’s Court of Shaanxi. They sued for the following:

The repeal of the administrative penalty enacted by the Luonan County Public Security Bureau
The return of the seized books and fines
Compensation for the lawsuit expenses accrued throughout the case and any losses due to the abolishment
A public apology to the defendants issued by the Luonan County Public Security Bureau broadcast by the Luonan TV Station

Pastor Bike was hopeful after witnessing these public trials. “I believe the Luonan Court will handle this case with fair judgment, and the government will change the erroneous views and mentality of the religious department of Luonan through the law.” He says hopes that all Christians in China will continue to follow the holy will of God, abide by the laws and the regulations of the state and protect their freedom of belief and human rights in accordance with law. Pastor Bike further encourages Chinese Christians to urge the public security departments and the departments in charge of religious affairs to correct their illegal conduct and bring God’s blessings to the nation.

ChinaAid resolutely supports the members of Taochuan Christian Church in their brave actions to protect their freedom of belief according to the law. ChinaAid urges the police officers who are persecuting the Christians to repent, and encourages supporters of religious freedom to speak out for justice and freedom on behalf of the persecuted Christians.

Contact the following government authorities in Shaanxi and urge they allow Taochuan Church to worship freely, and compensate and publicly apologize to Huang Sumin, Liu Caili, Xu Fenying and Zhang Miaoli:

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 495-2000
Fax: (202) 588-9760

Watch video of Huang Sumin, Liu Caili and Xu Fenying being escorted in handcuffs that was shown on the local TV station after the Christians were arrested at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzuoKENo6DQ

NOTE: If you are a citizen of another country, please click here to find the contact information of the Chinese embassy in your own nation www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/2490/ .

2008 Persecution Report

seniorSOY — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:16:45 +0000

/Christian Newswire/ — ChinaAid announces the release of the 2008 Persecution Report, documenting significant increase of persecution of house church Christians in China, during the past year. In a few days, China’s human rights record will be reviewed by the UN. On February 9 the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will host a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva, Switzerland during which China’s review will take place. NGOs from around the world submitted reports of human rights abuses in China for this meeting, including reports on the persecution of house church Christians. Many NGOs have complained that the final summary which will be used during the UPR does not significantly address human rights abuse issues, including the persecution of house church Christians. ChinaAid urges UN member nations and citizens of those nations to appeal for accurate reports to be used during the UPR on China. The 2008 Persecution Report documents the confirmed reports received by ChinaAid. While it is not comprehensive of all the abuses of human rights and religious freedom in China, it covers the majority of provinces and municipalities in China and involves many types of persecution and indicates a trend towards targeting Christians in urban areas with tougher tactics.

The year of the Beijing Olympic Games marks a year of increased persecution of house church Christians. In 2008, the total number of house church Christians persecuted in the nation increased 157%. In Beijing alone, persecution increased 418%.

It is important to note that persecution of Christians is clearly human rights abuse. The Chinese government does not recognize the human rights of house church Christians because they are not members of the registered church. One Chinese Christian observed the universal implications of their suffering, “If someone thinks that … Chinese Christians are striving only for Christianity and the Chinese nation, he misunderstands, because they firmly believe that what they suffer is the sacrifice for human dignity and freedom.”

China Aid urges recipients of this information to hold the Chinese government responsible for the human rights abuses against house church Christians in China. Make your appeal for accurate reports to be used during the UN Universal Periodic Review on China by contacting your country’s UN representative (www.un.org/members/missions.shtml), sending e-mails to UN officials (see below) and circulating this report.
What you can do to help:

Read the 2008 Persecution Report.
Send a polite letter urging the UN to support Christians who are persecuted in China:
- Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: InfoDesk@ohcr.org
- Petitions Team for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: tb-petitions@ohchr.org
- Office of the Spokesman for the UN Secretary- General: inquiries@un.org
- UN Commission on Human Rights: 1503@ohchr.org