Coalition of various faiths and human rights organizations join to raise awareness and advocate for US tougher policy. American leaders voice their support.
China
Crackdown on “Halalization” Spreads Outside Xinjiang
The Communist Party authorities are “de-extremizing” China by focusing on removing Islam-related symbols.
Religious Freedom in China, Bitter Winter Discussed at the European Academy of Religion
A panel in Bologna presents the main issues about religious freedom in China and introduces Bitter Winter to international scholars.
Reporting Boxes and Tip Lines to Stop Religion in Villages
Returning to a Cultural Revolution practice, China sets up boxes, phone lines, and web sites to report on neighbors, and defines monetary rewards for snitches.
Difficult Path to Worship Venue for Elderly Christians
To avoid being monitored or arrested, preachers in Jiangxi lead members of their congregation to a distant meeting venue very early in the mornings.
Pastor Wang’s Parents and Son Under Surveillance
Since his arrest in December, the pastor’s mother has been beaten, the whole family is being monitored, and his lawyer was detained.
CCP Continues to Thumb down House Churches
Closed down for “not having a religious activity venue registration certificate,” home-church Christians try to rent spaces, but are still suppressed.
Believers Resist Joining State-Approved Churches (VIDEO)
The Chinese government continues to vilify underground Catholics and house church Protestants, but believers adhere to their faiths in the face of persecution.
Auxiliary Police Investigate Religion in Rural Areas
As Chinese authorities promote a Mao-era policy that pits people against each other, they’re also increasing the militancy in each and every village.
“Henan-Style” Persecution Spreads to Other Provinces
Henan set the example: Campaigns to remove crosses, close down house churches, and repurpose religious buildings documented in dozens of cities across China.