15th April 2004

The United Nations today failed to censure China for its grave human rights record. Despite clear evidence of serious violations, the 53 state member body failed to pass a US-proposed resolution on China. Instead China used its political weight to bring a 'no action motion' to block consideration of the resolution.

This is despite compelling evidence presented at the Commission by human rights activists and survivors of abuse.

CSW's International Advocate facilitated a meeting to enable representatives of the persecuted church in China to draw attention to the very serious abuses suffered by Christian believers.

Amongst the speakers was Peter Xu Yongze, who is referred to as the Billy Graham of China and is the founder of one of the largest Christian groups in China, numbering many millions. Recounting some of his own experiences from his seven years in detention, on five separate occasions, he painted a vivid picture of the cruelty that can be meted out to Christians simply for following and sharing their faith. Amongst the tortures he experienced, he described how he had been forced to hang in a crucifix position for hours in excruciating agony.

Despite the severity of the mistreatment, he expressed the attitude of the church towards the Chinese authorities as one of forgiveness. When he was taken down and brought back into the interrogation room to confess, his only response to their torture and interrogation was to say 'Thank you'. While hanging there, he expressed his gratitude to God. His thoughts were that he might die and would have the unspeakable joy of being united with Jesus. He also expressed how he felt the closeness of God's love as he felt something of the agony of the cross and realised more clearly the love of Jesus that led him to willingly suffer such agony for mankind.

He concluded that: 'Christians in China desire to live respectful and law-abiding lives. Christians have been recognised as being a force for social stability and respect for the law. Yet they continue to be persecuted for simply adhering to their faith according to their consciences. We do not seek confrontation and we are patriotic to our nation. All we ask is to be able to practise our faith freely.'

His compelling presentation was complemented by detailed accounts of the situation of Christians currently in detention, presented by Bob Fu, a former Beijing pastor who is now President of the China Aid Association. Amongst the many concerns he highlighted was the situation of the South China Church. He stated that in the last ten years, 8,903 believers have been arrested and detained and at least three have been tortured to death. He went on to present video testimony of women who had been tortured and sexually abused to force them to give evidence against Pastor Gong Shengliang of the South China Church. He also showed footage of the destruction of churches in China.

In addition, he presented new documentary evidence of an official strategy to repress the unregistered Church. The document was issued in November 2003 by the Religious Affairs Bureau of Qingdao City, Shandong Province and provides evidence of an intensified campaign against unregistered Christian believers and churches. It speaks of brainwashing and states: 'Those who are deeply affected by self-proclaimed preachers, oppose patriotic religious bodies and defy the government's administration shall be 'educated' and 'transformed' through compulsory study of the government's religious policy and regulations.'

Ben Rogers of Christian Solidarity Worldwide presented a speech on the harsh repression of the underground Catholic Roman Church, on behalf of Joseph Kung of the Cardinal Kung Foundation.

Alongside these presentations, Harry Wu, veteran human rights campaigner and former prisoner of 19 years, who is denounced as China's 'No. 1 troublemaker', presented further evidence of repression and state policy towards Catholics and other religious believers.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide stated: 'It is an honour and privilege to have played a part in this historic opportunity for the persecuted Chinese Church to have their voice heard for the first time at the United Nations in this way. Their faithfulness to God and their forgiveness, and even love, for their torturers is a shining example of God's grace at work in man. Yet we must never forget the severity of the suffering they endure or fail to speak out on their behalf. There are many Christians suffering appalling brutality for their faith right now and it is vital the international community responds to the call of the persecuted church of China to speak out and take up the cause of those counting such a high cost for their faith.'