In China, where freedom is not free, decorating one’s own home or having a “sensitive” social media username is a license to be arrested or even sent to jail.
China
Uyghurs Oppressed in Every Facet of Life
Chinese authorities set up checkpoints and surveillance cameras, track travel and harass students in an effort to stamp out Muslim faith.
Electronic Monitoring Bracelets for Sentenced Believers
Christians forced to wear a tracking device to be watched by government officials 24/7 and restricted to designated areas they’re not allowed to leave.
Shop Signs with Religious Symbols Removed
“Promoting religious belief or using religious words is not allowed in public places,” is the party line in China’s central province of Henan.
Buddhist Statue Destroyed for “Obstructing View of Pilots”
In the provinces of Sichuan and Zhejiang, authorities have demolished two large Buddhist statues under ridiculous pretenses.
Rewards Spur Local Governments to Destroy Temples
In Henan province, authorities find yet another way to undermine religion: play on citizens’ greed to make them allies in repression.
China Confiscating Passports, Restricting Outbound Travel
The targets of these restrictions include teachers and health-care workers, in addition to low-level civil servants.
The Move to Cut off Christianity Starts at Seminaries
Destroy underground seminaries, control curriculum at state-approved facilities, and prohibit foreign studies: control the church by controlling the clergy.
Muslims in Xinjiang Treated as Terrorists
Although they are not technically living in prison, the built environment and the government regulations remind the Muslims: We think you are a threat.
Christian Beliefs Prevent a Hero From Receiving Reward
The Chinese government uses every possible means to conceal an act of bravery merely because the rescuer has a cross in his home.