Close

Search

CSW - everyone free to believe

China

Activists, religious believers tightly controlled for 100 year anniversary of Communist Party

1 Jul 2021

Chinese authorities reportedly arrested religious believers and placed activists under house arrest in preparation for celebrations of the 100-year anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on 1 July.

Activists, dissidents and former prisoners of conscience across the country were placed under house arrest or had their movement restricted in the run up to the anniversary. Others were forced to travel to areas away from their homes under police supervision. In common with other important “sensitive” political occasions, activists were also warned not to give interviews to foreign media.

The authorities have also paid special attention to religion. On 29 June China Aid Association reported that the CCP had intensified its censorship on religious books, videos and audio materials before 1 July. The report cites a group chat message from a primary school teacher to parents which notified them that “the CCP forbids students to read religious books.” China Aid also reported that the social media app WeChat had similarly posted a notice stating: “To implement regulations… the “mini check-in” platform will continuously delete all circles, topics, journals, audios and videos that are related to religion.”

On 30 June Bitter Winter reported that over 1000 members of the Church of Almighty God, a group banned by the Chinese government, were arrested prior to the 1 July anniversary. According to the report, police arrested hundreds of members in Shanxi, Henan, Guangdong, Anhui and elsewhere.  Some provinces also gave orders for the maintenance of social order during the anniversary celebration which made specific mention of the Church of Almighty God.

Meanwhile, Gao Heng, a Christian who was detained after holding a placard calling for prayer for China on 4 June 2021, the anniversary of Tiananmen Square Massacre, remains in custody. His family was informed by local police that he would be released on 20 June. However, he has not yet come home and his lawyer does not know what is happening.

In the approach to the anniversary, various human rights organisations have issued statements condemning violations by the CCP. The International Campaign for Tibet issued a statement on 30 June deploring the destruction of Tibetan culture and stating that Tibetans continue to face immense restrictions on their abilities to practice their religion, concluding that “in Tibet under Chinese rule, Tibetan Buddhism faces threats to its survival as a result of Chinese policies.”

This week also marks a year since the introduction of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, and the 24th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China. Over the past year, opposition politicians, activists, journalists and demonstrators have been arrested in a sweeping crackdown on civil and political rights. Christians and other religious communities have expressed fears about what the wider human rights crackdown could mean for the right to freedom of religion or belief, with some religious leaders already having moved out of the city.   

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “The 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party is nothing to celebrate. Instead, it marks the completion of a century in which the CCP has been regularly responsible for egregious human rights violations against the Chinese people. The situation today is particularly concerning, and clearly demonstrated by the continuing crackdown on the right to freedom of religion or belief, as well as on those seeking to defend fundamental human rights. Instead of speeches and ceremonies, the Party should mark this day by releasing prisoners of conscience, ceasing human rights violations against Chinese citizens, and creating a clear path to justice for victims of past abuses. Until this happens, there will be nothing to celebrate.”

Related

Loading...
Loading...

Sign up for updates on the work of CSW

* mandatory fields

By signing up you will receive news about CSW's work and how you can support it. You can unsubscribe at any time.

#2 CSW manifesto

We believe no one should suffer discrimination, harassment or persecution because of their beliefs