The use of political ideology such as Communism as a means of controlling and persecuting people of faith has a long and fraught history. Authoritarian governments are more likely to restrict and persecute people for their religious beliefs.[1] Despite the development of human rights protections in the aftermath of World War II, and an agreement in the international community to protect the vulnerable and ensure that mass atrocities are never allowed to occur again, ideological repression has manifested in the ongoing persecution of those who do not conform to those in authority in Communist regimes.

The Coronavirus pandemic and enactment of national security legislation (under the guise of a terrorist threat) has provided an excuse for authoritarian regimes to use their power to persecute minority groups, or those that are seen as challenging their ultimate power.

Christians remain a persecuted group in many communist countries, particularly North Korea and China. Because of the restrictions on freedom of expression and a complete lack of transparency, many authoritarian regimes are able to provide an outward appearance of tolerance, whilst readily engaging in persecution within the confines of the country. The detention of journalists, control of the media and human rights monitors remain the key ways in which information is kept from the global community.

But the brutal reality for Christians inevitably makes its way to the public realm, whether through brave and selfless advocates that risk their lives in order to let the global community know, or defectors who are able to make it to a safe country and seek asylum.

China

China is identified as one of the most difficult places for Christians to practice their beliefs. Although China remains an officially atheist nation under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the country has gone through a religious revival over the past four decades and it is estimated that China will be home to the largest population of Christians by 2030. It is estimated that there are between 93 and 115 million Protestants, and 10 and 12 million Catholics in China, although obtaining accurate figures remains problematic.[2]

Whilst Article 36 of the Chinese Constitution protects freedom of religion, the provisions provide authorities with scope to choose which religious practices they deem “normal” and consistent with CCP policy.[3] This has led to countless examples of persecution and discrimination, and in response, underground churches continue to be established, existing in parallel to state-sanctioned Christian churches. 

Repression of people of faith

The US Council of Foreign Relations has placed China as the 10th country on a list of the most difficult to practice Christianity.[4] People who attend both State-sanctioned and underground churches are reportedly subjected to harassment, particularly since the leadership of Xi Jinping.[5]

Christian persecution has involved the following:

-          Removal of crosses and demolition of churches, such as the church in Shanxi Province
-          Ban on religious belief among CCP members to prevent the “penetration of Western hostile forces”[6]
-          Raids on churches
-          Lengthy prison sentences for those who are deemed as members of unregistered churches[7]
-          Restrictions on the publishing of religious texts
-          Children under 18 years are prohibited from participating in religious activities and receiving religious schooling.[8]
-          Torture including beatings by police and security forces, use of sleep deprivation, forced disappearances, restrictions on freedom of movement[9]
-          Forced labour
-          Deaths in custody, including those who committed suicide as a result of being pressured to renounce their faith[10]

The CCP has attempted to bring Christianity under the banner of party influence. In 2014, Beijing announced that Christianity should “first and foremost be compatible with the country’s path of socialism and that the construction of Chinese Christian theology should adapt to China’s national condition and integrate with Chinese culture”[11]

The use of national security to counter the perceived threat of Christianity is also being used by the CCP. For example, regulations passed in 2018 included explicit bans on “unregistered groups teaching about religion and increased oversight on religious gatherings and financing”.[12] A national security law also bans what they deem as “cult organisations” which has been used to target groups such as the Falun Gong.[13] Counterterrorism law defines religious extremism as “distorted religious teachings or other means to incite hatred, or discrimination, or advocate violence.”[14] This has provided scope for the CCP to persecute underground churches and members of Christian organisations for harming ‘national security’.[15] Legislation surrounding religious groups has also led to oppression. For example, there are regulations around foreign donations and restrictions on ownership of religious venues.[16] Any donations must be deemed as appropriate by the CCP.[17]

Religious texts are also subject to tight controls by the CCP. Regulations restrict the publishing and distribution of religious texts as determined by the State Publishing Administration. This has resulted in non-authorised texts being confiscated and publishing houses closed.[18] According to reports, books and computers have been seized by authorities in raids.

Torture perpetrated against Christian prisoners is well documented, including being subjected to sleep deprivation, stress positions, beatings (sometimes with metal bars and other weapons) resulting in broken bones and dislocated limbs, and solitary confinement.[19] There are documented reports of some prisoners being restrained in what they call the ‘tiger chair’ which restricts their limbs in painful positions. Reports of prisoners being forced to kneel on iron rods in painful stress positions are also documented. The denial of medical care for people in custody has also resulted in deaths.[20]

There are also documented cases of enforced disappearances and forced labour.

The website Bitter Winter reported that on January 15, Chinese authorities arrested 150 pastors, elders and leaders from Henan Province’s China Gospel Fellowship. They were forced to sign a “statement of repentance” before being released. Pastor Wang Yi, the leader of Early Rain Covenant Church in the city of Chengdu, Sichuan province, was charged with “instigating subversion of state power” and “illegal business management” for being the senior pastor. In 2019 he was sentenced to nine years in prison.

It is also reported that the CCP has engaged in the mass killing of prisoners of conscience for their organs; mostly practitioners of Falun Gong and Uyghurs and also, in lesser numbers, Tibetans and House Christians, primarily Eastern Lightning or the Almighty House of God.[21] Medical journals have documented that there are serious concerns as to whether consent has been provided in many of the cases of organ donation in China. The US has introduced a Bill entitled the ‘Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2021′ to the US legislature to tackle the ongoing issue of organ transplants. We should follow suit in Australia, including enacting Magnitsky style legislation to identify and sanction human rights perpetrators.[22]

Constant surveillance and discrimination has reportedly led to suicide. For example, Cheng Dongzhu of Hubei Province reportedly drowned herself in a lake after years of surveillance by authorities. The installation of security cameras with facial recognition around churches has led to significant concern for practicing Christians as it has been used as a means to identify those who attend worship.

Voice of the Martyrs reports that on March 19, 2021, Siming District United Front Work Department (religious affairs bureau) sent a notice to each neighbourhood committee, asking them to strengthen the screening of unregistered churches. The notice specifically asked neighbourhood committees to organise staff to patrol and check mixed-use (residential-commercial hybrid) buildings and business hotels on Saturday evenings and Sundays when most religious activities occur. Once an individual discovers illegal religious activity, they are to report this "crime" to the district's United Front Work Department to co-ordinate the investigation and penalty.

The overwhelming reports of persecution coming out of China remain of serious concern. Multiple sources have documented the many ways in which people of faith are subjected to harassment and in some cases torture and murder.

North Korea

The situation for Christians in North Korea are reportedly some of the worst in the world, and many organisations consider persecution to be extreme.[23] A UN report suggests that the severe human rights violations perpetrated by the government reached the threshold of crimes against humanity and that there were no rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.[24]

Although accurate figures are difficult to obtain, reports suggest that approximately 300,000 Christians reside in North Korea.[25] The advocacy group Open Doors estimates that around 50-70,000 Christians are imprisoned in labour camps due to their faith. NGOs report that between 2007-2018 1,341 cases of violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief by DPRK authorities, including 120 killings and 90 disappearances.[26] 

The Constitution protects citizens from persecution and states that “Citizens have freedom of religious belief”. However, it outlines that religion must not be used “as a pretext for drawing in foreign forces or for harming the state or social order”. The Criminal code includes provisions to punish people who “imports, makes, distributes or illegally keeps drawings, photographs, books, video recordings, or electronic media that reflect decadent, carnal or foul contents” without authorisation. This provision has been used to destroy Christian literature and imprison Christians for simply practicing their faith.

Although obtaining documentation is extremely difficult, various reports of persecution and serious violations of human rights include;

-          executions

-          torture

-          beatings

-          arrests

-          detention in prison camps

-          harassment; including being arrested for merely being in possession of religious material, or having contact with religious practitioners.

The United Nations has been particularly vocal about the crimes against humanity and human rights abuses taking place in North Korea.[27] The secrecy that surrounds prison camps ensures that transparency and accountability remain elusive. Freedom of expression is denied and citizens are subjected to control, surveillance and punishment forming a severe breach of basic human rights.

There are reports that suggest some Christians have been executed merely for being in possession of a Bible. Reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, detention and torture continue to come out of North Korea.

“many Christians are detained in prison camps, where they endure dire living conditions and brutal torture”[28]

[1] Pew Research Centre, 2020, Government Restrictions on Religion Rise Globally. Available at Government Restrictions on Religion Rise Globally | Pew Research Center (pewforum.org)

[2] https://freedomhouse.org/report/special-report/2017/battle-chinas-spirit

[3] The protection is limited to broadly termed “normal religious activities” and further states “no one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the education system of the state” in https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

[4] https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/christianity-china

[5] https://freedomhouse.org/report/special-report/2017/battle-chinas-spirit

[6] Former SARA director, Ye Xiaowen stated “religion became a weapon in the hands of dissidents for inciting the masses and creating political disturbances” see, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

[7] For example, Yunnan Province

[8] https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

[9] https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf; https://bitterwinter.org/new-tortures-target-church-of-almighty-god-members/

[10] https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

[11] https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/christianity-china

[12] https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/christianity-china

[13] This has been used to ban Falun Gong movement and other such organisaitons. See, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

[14] See https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

[15] https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

[16] https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

[17] https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

[18] https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHINA-INCLUDES-TIBET-XINJIANG-HONG-KONG-AND-MACAU-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

[19] New Tortures Target Church of Almighty God Members (bitterwinter.org)

[20] For example, Liu Jun of Jianxi Province died of kidney disease after being denied treatment.

[21] Organ trafficking and trafficking in persons for organ removal | The International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China

[22] Home | The International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China

[23] https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom/north-korea/

[24] https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom/north-korea/

[25] 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom: Democratic People’s Republic of China.

[26] https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom/north-korea/

[27] https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom/north-korea/

[28] https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom/north-korea/

Authorised by George Christensen, Mackay for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party.