US Sanctions Chinese Entities For Human Rights Abuses of Uighurs

In a press release yesterday, he U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it is imposing sanctions on 28 Chinese governmental and commercial organizations because they have been implicated in China's human rights abuses of Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. Thompson Reuters reports on these developments.

Bibles Are Excluded From Tariffs On Chinese Goods

Christianity Today reported last week that Bibles and other religious books have been removed from the list of items produced in China that will be subject to U.S. tariffs. Printing companies in China are the world's largest supplier of Bibles, publishing millions of copies each year. A statement from SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission points out that "Bibles contain a large amount of text that must be formatted to a bound book on thin paper. China has been specializing in this printing technology for decades..."

Trump's Proposed Tariffs On China Will Impact The Cost of Bibles

AP reports that the Trump Administration's proposed 25% tariffs on imports from China will make Bibles more expensive and impact Christian evangelical organizations that give away Bibles as part of their religious activity. Imposition of those tariffs is now on hold as trade negotiations have resumed. Over half of the Bibles printed worldwide come from China where printers have adapted to the specialized printing requirements needed for production. It is estimated that 150 million Bibles are printed in China each year and that some 20 million are sold each year in the United States. Bible publishers have told the U.S. Trade Representative that the printing of books does not involve technology that is at risk of theft by China.

USCIRF Urges Trump Administration To Raise Religious Freedom In China Trade Talks

As White House trade negotiations with China continue, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom today issued a release urging the Trump administration to discuss China’s persecution of religious communities with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He who is in Washington, DC for negotiations. USCIRF is particularly concerned with China's treatment of Uighur and other Muslims in Xinjiang. USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer said:

The communist Chinese government’s brutal campaign to ‘sinicize’ all religions is one of the worst abuses of religious freedom taking place today.  During these talks about our trade relationship with China, religious persecution and human rights more broadly must be on the table. This is about the right of every man and woman, whether Muslim or Buddhist or Christian or Falun Gong, to worship as he or she sees fit. At a time when the lives and freedoms of millions of Chinese people are under attack by their own government, we cannot, in good conscience, conduct trade negotiations with their leaders as if this didn’t matter.

Chinese Police Detain Prominent Pastor and Some Members of Unregistered Church

The New York Times reported earlier this week that on Sunday Chinese police detained Wang Yi, one of China's most prominent Protestant pastors.  His Early Rain Covenant Church, with its over 500 members, is one of many churches that are not registered with the government. These independent Protestant churches that have not complied with the registration laws are one of the fastest growing religious movements in China, claiming some 30 million adherents. More than 100 members of Early Rain were also detained, though a number were released by Monday with some of those then being placed under house arrest.

China Is Engaged In Mass Detention of Muslims

A New York Times story posted Saturday reports that the Chinese government is engaged in mass detention of Muslims:

In a campaign that has drawn condemnation around the world, hundreds of thousands of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities have been held in “transformation” camps across Xinjiang for weeks, months or years at a time, according to former inmates and their relatives.

Beijing says the facilities provide job training and legal education for Uighurs and has denied carrying out mass detentions.

But speeches, reports and other documents online offer a clearer account than previously reported of how China’s top leaders set in motion and escalated the indoctrination campaign, which aims to eradicate all but the mildest expressions of Islamic faith and any yearning for an independent Uighur homeland.

Vatican Reaches Provisional Agreement With China Over Recognition of Bishops

As reported by Crux, the Vatican yesterday announced that it has signed a provisional agreement with China that would resolve the long-standing conflict over the appointment of bishops.  Pope Francis will officially recognize eight bishops named by the Chinese government's Patriotic Association, but previously not recognized by the Vatican. A Vatican spokesman said:

The objective of the accord is not political but pastoral, allowing the faithful to have bishops who are in communion with Rome but at the same time recognized by Chinese authorities.

For nearly 70 years, Chinese Catholics have been split between an official church recognized by the Chinese government and an underground church loyal to the Vatican.

USCIRF Denounces China's Crackdown on Uighurs; State Department Focuses On Yemen's Persecution of Bahais

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a press release yesterday denouncing China's increasing crackdown on Uighur Muslims.  It said in part:

In addition to longstanding restrictions on Uighur Muslims’ religious practice during Ramadan—such as preventing Uighurs from fasting and praying—the Chinese government has instituted a multifaceted security grid throughout Xinjiang comprised of both personnel and advanced technology, including armed checkpoints, facial and iris recognition software, and cell phone monitoring. Moreover, the Chinese government seeks to stymie the growth of the next generation of Uighur Muslims by banning Uighur language instruction in schools, prohibiting children from attending mosque, and proscribing Islamic baby names considered “extreme.”

Meanwhile yesterday the State Department issued a press release denouncing harassment of Baha'is by the Houthi leaders in Yemen.

Falun Gong Is A Religion Under FACE Act

In Zhang v. Chinese Anti-Cult World Alliance, (ED NY, April 23, 2018), a New York federal district court in an 84-page opinion ruled that a group of Falun Gong adherents may proceed on certain of its causes of action against individuals who have engaged in verbal and physical confrontations with plaintiffs.  The court explains:

Adherents of Falun Gong live in the United States. Some are citizens of this country. It is contended by them as plaintiffs that the Chinese Government has conspired with individuals to harm followers and suppress Falun Gong in the United States by organizing and encouraging the Chinese Anti-Cult World Alliance (“CACWA”) and individuals to inflict injuries on those who follow Falun Gong.

Defendants oppose Falun Gong in Flushing, Queens, New York, and elsewhere. They deny that Falun Gong is a religion. Following the position of the Chinese Government, their opposition is based upon characterizing Falun Gong as a “cult” indoctrinating its followers with beliefs that are dangerous, unscientific, and offensive.

One of plaintiffs' claims was brought under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994 which allows a civil action by any person who has suffered physical interference with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship. The court held that for purposes of this statute, Falun Gong is a "religion":

Expert testimony showed that Falun Gong is at its center concerned with ultimate questions of life and the universe. Dr. Waldron explained his view that Falun Gong is derived from Buddhism and other ancient Chinese religions. There is no genuine dispute for purposes of this case: Falun Gong “occupies a place in the life of its possessor parallel to that filled by the orthodox belief in God.” Int’l Soc. For Krishna Consciousness, 650 F.2d at 440 (2d Cir. 1981). Falun Gong is a religion for purposes of the instant litigation. The jury will be so instructed.

Plaintiffs were also allowed to proceed with claims of assault and battery, and bias related intimidation under the New York Civil Rights Act.  Defendants were allowed to move ahead on civil rights and assault and battery counter-claims growing out of the same incidents. New York Law Journal reports on the decision.

China Bans Tours To The Vatican

According to a report yesterday by UCA News, in China the State Tourism Bureau has sent a directive to travel agencies instructing them to end tours to the Vatican.  Travel agencies were instructed to remove the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica from their list of tour destinations.  Any travel agency advertising those destinations will be subject to a fine equivalent to $45,430(US).  The directive apparently stems from the long simmering tensions between Beijing and the Holy See.

China Bans Islamic Names For Uighur Children

The New York Times reported yesterday that China has taken further steps to "curb religious fervor" among Uighurs in the western region of Xinjiang.  It has banned parents from giving their children names that can be seen as encouraging Islamic extremism.  According to Radio Free Asia last week:

Islam, Quran, Mecca, Jihad, Imam, Saddam, Hajj, and Medina are among dozens of baby names banned under ruling Chinese Communist Party's "Naming Rules For Ethnic Minorities," an official confirmed on Thursday.

An employee who answered the phone at a police station in the regional capital Urumqi confirmed that "overly religious" names are banned, and that any babies registered with such names would be barred from the "hukou" household registration system that gives access to health care and education.

Vatican Close To Agreement With China On Appointment of Bishops

Reuters reports today that the Vatican and the government of China are close to reaching an agreement on ordination of bishops. This would end a 60-year dispute over the authority of the Vatican in which the Chinese Communist Party has appointed bishops who often are not recognized by Rome while an underground Catholic Church continues to be loyal to the Vatican.  The Vatican may be set to recognize 4 of the 8 disputed bishops appointed by China. Of the other 4, two have children or girlfriends, and two head dioceses where there is a competing Vatican-appointed bishop. Pope Francis has made the negotiations with China a priority.  The agreement under discussion would allow local clergy to choose bishops, with the Pope making the final appointment and having a veto over the choices.  A large number of vacancies currently exist in dioceses in China.  The Vatican hopes that an agreement will also lead China to recognize the 30 bishops who currently refuse to be part of the government's Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]

Federal Commission Issues Report on Human Rights In China

Last week, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (created by law in 2000 to monitor China's international human rights compliance) released it 346-page 2016 Annual Report (full text). The letter transmitting the Report to President Obama includes a summary of findings on religious liberty:

The report notes the Chinese government’s efforts to expand political influence over the activities and growth of religious communities through both a national-level “sinicization” campaign and the convening of the first National Conference on Religious Work in 15 years. The report also notes the detention of Catholic clergy and Falun Gong practitioners, the ongoing demolition campaign targeting church buildings in Zhejiang province, and continued efforts to control the leadership of Tibetan Buddhism and restrict the religious practices of Uyghur Muslims. The report recommends expanded U.S. leadership on international religious freedom, through coordinated multilateral efforts and bilateral interactions that stress the strategic and economic value of promoting this fundamental freedom. The report also recommends that the Administration use existing law to restrict entry visa access for individuals complicit in severe religious freedom violations.

Crux has more on the Annual Report released on Oct. 6.

Obama Presses China's Xi On Religious Freedom

President Obama is in China for the Sept. 4-5 G-20 Summit.  (See prior posting.) Today he met with China's President Xi, and the White House released a Readout of the President’s Meeting with President Xi Jinping of China which included the following:

The President reiterated America’s unwavering support for upholding human rights in China and stressed the need for China to protect religious freedom for all of its citizens.

U.S. Pressure On China Over Religious Freedom As Obama Heads There For G20

On Sept. 4-5, President Obama will attend the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China. (Yahoo News).  Yesterday the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a statement (full text) urging the President to raise religious freedom concerns with China's President Xi and asking him to press for the release of prisoners of conscience.  This follows a White House meeting on Tuesday by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice with Chinese human rights advocates to discuss religious freedom and other human rights issues in China. (White House statement).

USCIRF Criticizes China's Restrictions On Muslims During Ramadan

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom yesterday issued a statement (full text) strongly criticizing restrictions imposed by the Chinese government on religious practices during Ramadan, ending with Eid al-Fitr. USCIRF Chair Thomas Reese, S.J. said:

The Chinese government once again has banned government employees, students, and children from fasting, and in some cases praying, during Ramadan.  While restrictions on Uighur Muslims’ religious practices take place year round, they are particularly onerous during Ramadan, giving lie to the government’s claim that Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang enjoy religious freedom.  They do not.  The Chinese government is violating its own constitution and international human rights standards by denying religious freedom to its citizens.

Chinese Court In First Ruling of Its Kind Rejects Same-Sex Marriage

A court in China yesterday ruled that same-sex marriages are not legal.  As reported by the New York Times, this is the first case of its kind adjudicated in China.  In a decision handed down a few hours after the hearing, the court upheld a decision by the civil affairs bureau in Changsha, Hunan Province, to deny Sun Wenlin and Hu Mingliang a marriage license.  The two men plan an appeal.

China Charges Human Rights Lawyer Criminally

Radio Free Asia reported yesterday that Chinese authorities have now arrested a Chinese human rights lawyer on criminal charges after he assisted Protestant churches in resisting an urban "improvement" campaign that required removal of their roof-top crosses:

Zhang Kai's initial period of detention in an unknown location under "residential surveillance" reached the end of its six-month limit last week, and the lawyer was immediately held instead under criminal detention on suspicion of "disturbing public order" and "endangering state secrets," a fellow lawyer told RFA....

Chinese media aired footage of Zhang last Friday "confessing" to the charges, and accused U.S.-based Christian rights group ChinaAid of supporting him.

The confession appears to have been coerced.

First Same-Sex Marriage Case In China Moves Forward

In China's Hunan Province, a court has accepted jurisdiction for the first time in a case seeking to legalize same-sex marriage in the country.  According to a Reuters report yesterday, plaintiff Sun Wenlin says that last June an official in the Furong district civil affairs bureau rejected his application to marry his same-sex partner. Wenlin argues that China's marriage law protects the freedom to marry and provides for gender equality.

Obama Exchanges Views With China's President On Human Rights and Religious Freedom

China's President Xi Jinping is on a state visit to the United States. (Background).  The two leaders held a joint news conference yesterday (full text) covering a wide range of topics.  Among the topics addressed were human rights and religious freedom in China:

President Obama: ... [W]e had a frank discussion about human rights, as we have in the past.  And I again affirmed America’s unwavering support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people, including freedom of assembly and expression, freedom of the press and freedom of religion.  And I expressed in candid terms our strong view that preventing journalists, lawyers, NGOs and civil society groups from operating freely, or closing churches and denying ethnic minorities equal treatment are all problematic, in our view, and actually prevent China and its people from realizing its full potential.  

Obviously, we recognize that there are real differences there.  And President Xi shared his views in terms of how he can move forward in a step-by-step way that preserves Chinese unity. So we expect that we’re going to continue to consult in these areas.  

Even as we recognize Tibet as part of the People’s Republic of China, we continue to encourage Chinese authorities to preserve the religious and cultural identity of the Tibetan people, and to engage the Dalai Lama or his representatives....

President Xi: ... Democracy and human rights are the common pursuit of mankind.  At the same time, we must recognize that countries have different historical processes and realities, and we need to respect people of all countries in the right to choose their own development path independently. 

The Chinese people are seeking to realize the great renew of the Chinese nation, which is the Chinese history.  This process in essence is a process to achieve social equity and justice and advancing human rights.  China stands ready to, in the spirit of equality and mutual respect, conduct human rights dialogue with the United States, expand consensus, reduce differences, learn from each other, and progress together.