American faith groups unite to decry restrictions on religious freedom in China
- The Coalition to Advance Religious Freedom in China is formed as global scrutiny grows of the measures the authorities have taken against Uygurs in Xinjiang
- The alliance wants Trump administration to apply Magnitsky sanctions against Chinese officials
Religious rights campaigners representing various faith groups in China announced on Monday the formation of a coalition to pressure the US government into taking action against Beijing over what they call its continuing repression of religious practitioners.
Seeking an end to “business as usual” with China until the government ceases faith-based persecution, the Coalition to Advance Religious Freedom in China (CARFC) is composed of more than a dozen religious advocacy groups, including those representing the largely Muslim Uygur ethnic minority, Catholics, Protestants, Tibetan Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners.
“We demand that China abide by its own constitution – as well as its international legal obligations – and respect the rights of all its citizens,” CARFC coordinator Greg Mitchell said at a news conference in the US Capitol.
Among the coalition’s first steps is a direct appeal to members of the Trump administration calling for sanctions against Beijing officials.
One letter had already been sent to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, listing the Chinese officials whom the coalition believes are responsible for restricting the religious freedom of Chinese citizens, Louisa Greve of the Uygur Human Rights Project said.