Belgium

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been actively working with governments around the world to promote greater religious freedom. According to CSW, 2012 saw a greater focus on religious freedom issues in the past. The next challenge is to turn that focus into concrete action. 

Christian Solidarity Worldwide will be hosting an important speaker and democracy activist, Dr. Yang Jianli, in Brussells next week to address the European Union Parliament on human rights issues in China. Despite rapid economic growth and some greater freedoms, China continues to repress religious freedom on a regular basis. Millions of Christians who attend China’s unregistered and therefore illegal house churches are at risk of arrest and government harassment. Arrests and temporary imprisonment in “black jails” or unofficial holding cells are not uncommon. Christians who actively work for greater religious freedom are more at risk and face years of potential imprisonment. 

As restrictions on the freedom of religion and belief continue to grow worldwide, advocacy groups are pushing for a new international charter that protects the rights of individuals to choose their own faith. The charter has been introduced to the European Parliament in Brussels and received approval from some national leaders, however even if the charter is enacted some doubt if it will actually do anything to curb the persecution of religious minorities.