CSW has called on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to raise violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) with the Chinese authorities as a matter of urgency during her visit to China from 23-28 May.
The former bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Joseph Zen, was reportedly arrested on 11 May and released on bail after being questioned for a number of hours. The Vatican stated that it was following developments “with extreme attention” in a statement issued on the same day.
90-year-old Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen arrested Read More »
The pro-Beijing newspaper Tai Kung Pao, controlled by the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong, has issued articles criticising “Western” religions and Falun Gong, and attacking religious leaders and teachers for inciting people to participate in demonstrations.
Pro-Beijing Hong Kong media criticises religious leaders and Falun Gong Read More »
On 4 January Ren Qiuanniu, the lawyer who defended Chinese human rights defender Zhang Zhan, received a letter from the Chinese authorities saying that his license to practice as a lawyer may be revoked. Zhang was sentenced to four years in prison on 28 December on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, a charge
On 30 June 2020, a new national security law came into effect in Hong Kong, shortly after being passed by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s highest legislative body. The law prohibits secession, subversion, terrorism and ‘collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security’, and was met with fierce opposition from activists, residents, legal experts and democratic governments around the world, who believe the law is a serious threat to human rights and fundamental freedoms.
