ChinaAid
May 18, 2010
CHINA–ChinaAid daily receives reports of events of persecution throughout China. The number and type are noted, and when many cases seem to emerge from a particular region or context, there is great cause for concern. Throughout April and May, Christians in Henan faced an increase in persecution, though two prisoners were also released. Petitioners in Shanghai and Xinjiang too have been faced with alarming consequences and possibly dire punishments. We can celebrate, however, the release of prisoners and the restoration of rule of law in three cases, thanks to international pressure and prayers. Still the ongoing persecution against churches, like Linfen Church in Shanxi and Liangren Church in Guangdong, is a constant reminder that religious freedom is not yet a full reality in China.
World events often lead to increased crackdowns in persecution–but whether the interrogations, beatings, and detentions were related to the Shanghai World Expo held in March and April, the U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue in May, or simply a pattern of random acts of religious repression remains to be seen. By sharing the vicitms of religious persecution stories with the world, ChinaAid believes we can continue to be an international voice for the voiceless, and continue to walk with these persecuted faithfuls.
Henan Province Persecution: April – May 2010:
April 9, 2010 – Henan Police Unlawfully Fine, Sentence Believers to Labor Camps. Read more.
April 25, 2010 – 4-year old Boy Seized in Raid on House Church in Henan, 7 Members Detained. Reported on May 12
May 2010 – Henan Christians, Arbitrarily Sentenced to Re-Education through Labor, Sue Municipal Committee. Read more. See the Administrative Indictment Statement for Gao Jianli, Liu Yunhua, Zheng Yumei, and Hua Yulan, issued this May. Read more about Gao Jianli and the other Henan Christians, persecuted in March.
May 5, 2010 – 16 House Church Leaders Detained in Henan. ChinaAid learned (on May 11) that on May 5, sixteen major house church leaders from different provinces were detained while meeting for prayer and Bible study.They are currently being held at a detention center in Luoyang city. ChinaAid urges the international community to call on the authorities to release the pastors, including Pastor Li Fuxing from Shandong and Pastor Zhang “Peter” Bide. Contact the Luoyang PSB Office to voice your concerns: +86-379-63133345
Henan Province Successes: April – May 2010:
April 17, 2010 – Rock Church Pastor Dou Shaowen Released! Read more.
May 11, 2010 – Henan House Church Leader Wins Case! Shangqiu Court Agrees to Settle. On May 11, at 2:30 PM, the Intermediate Court of Shangqiu city, Henan, opened the second trial for the case of sister Li Xianglan, a house church leader from Xiayi County. The church won the case when the court agreed to settle with the PSB. ChinaAid thanks the lawyers for their hard work, and the international community for their prayers. Watch for more details on the resolution of the Xiayi Case.
Persecution and Releases throughout China: April – May, 2010:
April 21, 2010 – Li Mingshun Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison, Released! Read the story of Li Mingshun and the North Korean religious refugees in Inner Mongolia.
May 5, 2010 – Xinjiang Christian Petitioner Beaten and Detained. Feng Yongji, a Christian peitioner from Xinjiang was illegally intercepted by the Shanghai Domestic Protection Security Squad on her way to Shanghai during the opening ceremony of Expo 2010. The guards handed her over to the police of Shihezi (her hometown). As the Shihezi police “escorted” her home, four or five officers beat Feng so severely that she passed out. Feng Yongjie is now being illegally detained at the Shihezi Police Detention Center. ChinaAid urges you to appeal to the authorities on Feng Yongjie’s behalf. Contact Feng’s husband, +86-321-224-3826 for more details, or call on the Shihezi authorities directly:
Shihezi Foreign Affairs (Overseas Chinese Affairs) Office of the General Department :+86-993-201-2414
Shihezi Government Net Tel: +86-993-206-9868
(Local in Shihezi)
Mayor hotline Tel: 1234
Law Service Tel: 12348
May 18, 2010 – Shanghai Christian Petitioner Facing Death in Labor Camp. More details to come.
May 18, 2010 – Liangren House Church in Guangdong: Read the Summary report of the Persecution of Liangren Church, published May 13, 2010.
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
