35 Arrested Christians in Xinjiang Released after interrogation; American Korean Pastor Put under Surveillance in a Hotel; New Website for Religious Freedom in China Launched

China Aid Association
(Midland, Texas (CAA)-October 26, 2006) CAA learns that all the 35 Christians arrested October 26, 2006 in a Bible training program held in Qilin mountain Villa, Urumqi city, Xinjiang Autonous Region have been released. They were released at 11pm after 12 hours of interrogation.
The police behaved relatively “gentle” during the interrogation, according to the eyewitnesses, female Christians were not abused this time, but at least one male Christian were beaten by the interrogators, and 2 Christians were fined 50 Yuan (about 6 US$).
After the interrogation, the American Korean pastor is currently put under residence surveillance in an unknown hotel, and the police have his passport. The local Christians are not able to converse with him.
Among the 35 previously arrested, sister Fu Jufang and sister Rao were summoned again to the police station at 1pm on October 27(Beijing Time) and were released at 7pm after 6 hours of interrogation. Sister Zhou Li and another sister are also asked to go to the Yongfeng police station for further investigation next Monday.
CAA today formally launches a new website to promote and advance religious freedom for all in China. The name of this website is WWW.MonitorChina.Org .
“We welcome the release of the arrested Chinese house church pastors and we hope the American Korean pastor can be allowed to come back home soon ,” Said Rev. Bob Fu, the president of CAA, “We hope through timely, accurate and truthful reports as well as faithful actions, the Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can be realized in China, which reads:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
CAA gathers verifiable reports on threats and actions against the religious freedom of all people in China, regardless of their religious affiliation. CAA then urge proper actions by concerned communities to help advance religious freedom for all in China.
Issued by China Aid Association Inc. on October 27, 2006 © China Aid Association, Inc