Any institution not under the direct control of the Chinese government is considered guilty until proven otherwise.
The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) recent enactment of Order No.19, titled “Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues,” represents a concerning escalation in the party’s efforts to control religious institutions across China, including Tibet, East Turkestan, and Southern Mongolia. The order, consisting of 10 chapters and 76 articles, replaces previous regulations and raises alarms by intertwining religious activities with CCP ideology. Despite claiming to protect religious activities and citizens’ lawful rights, the law’s provisions contradict the constitutional guarantee of “freedom of religious belief.”
The order introduces cumbersome procedures for establishing and registering religious venues, leaving applicants subject to party cadres and imposing restrictions on naming conventions. Additionally, the law requires religious organizations to reflect a “Chinese style” in architecture and visual aspects, demonstrating a disregard for minority cultures and beliefs. Forced indoctrination into CCP ideology, restrictions on open-air religious statues, and evaluations based on loyalty to the CCP further underline the oppressive nature of the decree. The international community is urged to condemn this draconian measure, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom as a fundamental right. Failure to do so risks emboldening the CCP to commit further religious atrocities and undermine global civilization.
