Introduction

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a human rights organisation specialising in freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all.

This submission seeks to draw attention to particular concerns over the right to FoRB in the People’s Republic of China.

In the reporting period, the overall level of FoRB in the country has decreased. This downward trend fits into a broader pattern of increasing human rights abuses under President Xi, accompanied by and manifested through a shrinking space for civil society, a heightened sensitivity to perceived challenges to Party rule, and the introduction of legislation that curtails civil and political rights in the name of national security.

This submission will begin by looking at China’s record in the present UPR cycle in relation FoRB; it will then consider violations against FoRB and human rights defenders (HRDs); the final section examines the ratification status of international treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Commitments relating to freedom of religion or belief

In the second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle in 2013, China accepted 13 recommendations directly related to FoRB.

To read the submission in full, you can download the pdf here.