11 Minors in Xinjiang Province Detained By PSB Officials for Attending Bible Study

China Aid Association
(Xinjiang- February 28, 2008) CAA has learned that 11 minors  and 2 adults have been detained by Xinjiang PSB officials while attending a House Church Bible Study in Houcheng County, Qingshuihe township. At 9:00pm PSB officials disrupted the gathering and detained the minors along with Ms. Fun Jun 41, owner of the house, and Ms. Lu Lanxiang-42. The children, ages 16-17, were brought to the Qingshuihe township PSB office in freezing weather and were not allowed to bring adequate clothing.
Sources close to CAA say that 16 year old Lou Nan, daughter of pastor Lou Yuanqi, who pastors the house church, is one of the detained. Pastor Lou Yuanqi was not present during the detention of the other members. Pastor Lou was detained on October 20, 2002,  along with 3 other pastors for organizing the House Church. All 3 pastors served 32 days in detention where they were severely beaten by guards and inmates daily.
The 13 members now detained are being held by Qingshuihe township PSB officials under  the charge of “illegal religious gathering”. Family members have been denied visitation. The condition and wellbeing of the church members remains unknown.
CAA condemns the actions of the PSB officials who have callously detained 11 minors and their Bible teachers for gathering together. We exhort Government officials to remain consistant in policies of religious freedom and release the members being held.
To voice your concern please contact:
Qingshuihe Township PSB Office- 86-999-3291054
Chinese Embassy in Washington DC
Address: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 338-6688, (202)5889760
Fax: (202) 588-9760
Issued by CAA  February 28, 2008