CSW asks European nations to seek Chinese religious freedom
By Christian Today
The Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao began his European tour yesterday amidst calls from human rights groups to address continuing violations of fundamental freedoms.
CSW has asked the British Government to raise a number of issues and cases during the Premier’s visit, not least that of an elderly Christian couple engaged in poverty relief.
According to China Aid Assocation Hua Zaichen, the 91 year-old husband of 79 year old Shuang Shuying who has been incarcerated for her beliefs for almost two years, is extremely unwell, and may be close to death. However, the Chinese authorities are refusing to allow Shuang Shuying to see her husband before he passes away.
Shuang Shuying has been ill for the majority of her time in prison. The family, who are known for their work amongst the poor and oppressed, have been persecuted for years by the Chinese Government.
The case of Shuang Shuying reflects the ongoing repression of Christians in China who operate outside the officially registered church. Some 50 to 100 million Protestants alone seek to avoid the theological and practical constraints imposed by registration and therefore risk being targeted by the authorities.
These restrictions, which clearly violate international standards of freedom of religion and belief, were raised by house church leaders during a recent meeting with the Chinese authorities.
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