Chinese Central Government Further Restricts Religious Freedom
ICC Note:
On Friday, November 28, over 20 grnment officials forcibly took Pastor Zhang Mingxuan, head of the Chinese House church Alliance, to announce the Chinese Government’s decision to abolish the Chinese House Church Alliance. When Zhang refused to sign the document, his phone, camera and camcorder were confiscated. Seventeen other Christians who were holding a prayer service in the Pastor’s residence were also detained and intimidated.
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11/30/08 China (ChristianNewswire) China Aid Association has learned that at 7 a.m. on November 28, 2008, Pastor Zhang Mingxuan, head of the Chinese House Church Alliance, was forcibly taken by four plain-clothed officers from Henan Public Security Department and City of
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The decision statement claims: It has been found out through investigations that the “Chinese House Church Alliance” is not registered and it engages in its activities in the name of a social organization without authorization. Pursuant to Article 35 of the “Regulation on Registration and Administration of Social Organizations,” this agency has hereby made the decision to abolish the “Chinese House Church Alliance.” —Public Seal of Ministry of Civil Affairs. November 28, 2008. After that, the government officials wanted Pastor Zhang to sign the document, but Zhang refused. Zhang’s cell phone, camera and camcorder were taken by force and were confiscated. During the interrogation, Zhang’s wife was also taken by force from her home to that hotel. It was until 5 o’clock in the afternoon that Pastor Zhang’s wife was released. The whole process was videotaped by people specially assigned for the task.
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The 17 Christians who were holding a prayer meeting in the residence of Pastor Zhang were taken to the local police station and were illegally detained and intimidated. They were released at 1 p.m. Each of them was forcibly photographed and they were made to sign documents. Over 600 Bibles, computers, VCD players, Shengshan magazines and many cell phones were confiscated.
