Government Introduces New Regulations on Religious Freedom

February 28, 2005

Source: Beliefnet.com

Wire Service: AP

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/161/story_16172_1.html

On February 28, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "China introduced new regulations Tuesday intended to protect freedom of faith, although critics argue that the broad guidelines could be used to persecute religious groups that authorities deem troublesome. The guidelines are meant to give a legal framework for China's constitutional promise of freedom of religion, state media have reported... China, which will convene its annual legislative session Saturday in Beijing, has banned many religious or spiritual groups, including the Falun Gong movement and churches loyal to the pope. It also tightly controls Tibetan Buddhism... The new law says that 'anyone who compels citizens to believe in or not believe in any religions ... shall be ordered to make corrections by the religious affairs department' and could face criminal charges, the newspaper said. Such language could be used to persecute the faithful that it allegedly protects, contends Nicolas Becquelin, research director of the New York-based Human Rights in China."