On 7 September China’s State Council released a set of revisions to the 2005 Regulations on Religious Affairs which strengthen state control over religious activities in China. According to the state media agency Xinhua News, the revised regulations “protect freedom of religion belief”; however, the revisions also clearly focus on the “management and supervision” of […]
Revisions to Regulations on Religious Affairs Read More »
On 18 April, five Christians from Xinjiang Province, China, were jailed for 3-5 years for participating in the planning of a Bible study. The sentencing occurred against the backdrop of the detention of dozens of Uyghur Muslims for ‘illegal religious activities.’ A court in Changji, Xinjiang Province, sentenced the Christians on 18 April, according to
Muslims and Christians detained in Xinjiang Read More »
A new year message calling for “rule-based governance” and “the betterment of human rights in China” has been issued by around 300 Chinese human rights lawyers. The message, posted on ChinaChange.org, highlights multiple cases of human rights abuses in 2016, including the detention of human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong, who went missing on 21 November.
Human rights lawyers issue new year message Read More »
Authorities in China removed organs from the body of Christian prisoner of conscience Peng Ming against his family’s wishes, according to a statement by the family dated 10 December and translated by China Aid. On 2 December, CSW expressed concerns over the lack of information about the death of Peng Ming, a long term political
Organs removed from prisoner of conscience Read More »
Peng Ming, a long-term political prisoner, has died in prison in Hubei, China, but doubts have been cast over the lack of official information concerning his death. In other news, Jiang Tianyong, another human rights defender, remains missing and may be at risk of torture. Peng Ming died in prison on 29 November while serving
Prisoner of Conscience Peng Ming dies in prison Read More »
Christian Solidarity Worldwide welcomes the United Kingdom’s calls for China to safeguard freedom of religion or belief, expressed on 19 September in a statement at the 33rd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council. The UK expressed concern about restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and expression in China, and stated that “new
UK, UN raise religious freedom concerns in China Read More »
Christian Solidarity Worldwide remains deeply concerned about the situation of freedom of religion or belief and other human rights violations in China ahead of the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China next week. The 11th G20 Summit will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang on 4 and 5 September. Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province. The
human rights concerns ahead of G20 Summit Read More »
The first sentences have being handed down to lawyers and activists arrested as part of the “709 crackdown” on China’s community of human rights lawyers and activists, their associates and family members. On 4 August, Zhou Shifeng, founder of high-profile firm Fengrui, was sentenced to seven years in prison for subversion, according to news reports. Two other activists were also convicted and
First sentences given to rights lawyers Read More »
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) welcomes a new report by the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission on the crackdown on human rights in China. The report, entitled “The Darkest Moment: The Crackdown on Human Rights in China 2013-2016”‘, focuses on the period since Xi Jinping became President. It includes information on the right to freedom of religion or
CSW welcomes inquiry on human rights in China Read More »
Father Yang Jianwei went missing in Hebei Province, China on 15 April, the third Catholic priest to have disappeared and suspected to be detained by the authorities this month. Meanwhile, in neighbouring Henan Province, a pastor’s wife was reportedly buried alive on 14 April while protesting the demolition of her church. Father Yang is the
Chinese priest missing Read More »
