Christian Persecution in China affects not only people of faith
ICC Note:
Christian persecution is rampant in China, and now, anyone who tries to defend Christians is subject to being imprisoned or tortured as well. Many lawyers who offered legal consultation to churches facing cross demolition were criminally detained. One lawyer, Wen Yidian, who was detained was released early due to the international community advocating for his release. His family later thanked everyone and mentioned that the best way to confronting China on human rights issues is by persistent, focused and high-level pressure.
09/14/2016 China (Gospel Herald) – A pastor from China’s coastal Zhejiang province has been released after spending several months in prison for protesting the defending churches facing demolition.
According to China Aid, an organization dedicated to exposing religious freedom abuses in China, Wen Xiaowu, a house church pastor, was originally detained in April with his wife, Xiang Lihua, and their eldest son, Wen “Eden” Yidian. The incident occurred shortly after Wen had contacted U.S. Consulate officials and foreign journalists to give them an update regarding the Communist government’s continued “Three Rectification and One Demolition” beautification campaign, which has seen the demolition of at least 1,200 crosses and numerous places of worship in the past couple of years.
Two days later, Wen Xiaowu and Xiang, both of whom had provided legal consultation to churches who are facing cross demolition campaign, were officially charged with “gathering a crowd to disturb social order” and criminally detained. Wen Yidian was taken into police custody the same night and accused of “obstructing public service” for resisting his parents’ arrest.
On Friday, the pastor was finally released; however, he must serve six months under “residential surveillance.”
Reads the China Aid report: “Wen’s family wishes to thank the international community for advocating for his release and says that they believe ‘persistent, focused and high-level pressure’ works well when confronting China on human rights issues.”
…
[Full Story]