U.S. SENATE – Today during a Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) hearing on digital authoritarianism and the global threat to free speech, Daines called out China for removing the sale of Bibles from Chinese e-commerce websites and pressed for increased religious freedom in that country.
“The freedom to practice your religion without a fear of persecution is a human right that knows no borders,” said Daines. “The Chinese government must be held accountable for its blatant infringement on individuals’ religious freedom.”
During the hearing, Daines highlighted the Chinese government’s restriction of Bibles on e-commerce websites and questioned Sarah Cook, the Senior Research Analyst for East Asia at Freedom House, about these restrictions and if these actions had led to increased political dissent among the Christian community in China.
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This follows a recent congressional delegation trip led by Daines, where Senators met with top political and business leaders in China and South Korea. During the trip, the Senators confronted Chinese leaders about human rights abuses within their country, including abuses of religious freedom.
Background:
In March 2018, Daines led a congressional delegation to China, where he raised concerns regarding religious freedom and human rights with Chinese officials.
On February 14, 2018, during a Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) hearing, Daines questioned witnesses on how the United States can strengthen efforts to hold China accountable for religious freedom and human rights abuses.
On February 12, 2018, Daines sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, urging him to appoint a Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to focus on issues impacting Tibet, including religious freedom and human rights.
On January 31, 2018, Daines senta letter to the Nobel Prize Committee nominating pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.
On October 5, 2017, Daines voted to adopt the 2017 Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) report recommending increased efforts to hold China accountable for religious freedom and human rights abuses.
In April 2017, Daines led a congressional delegation to China, where he raised concerns regarding religious freedom and human rights with Chinese officials in Tibet.
On February 22, 2017, Daines sent a letter to Chinese Ambassador Cui, urging China to eliminate human rights abuses in its family-planning policies.
In 2016, Daines voted to adopt the 2016 Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) report recommending increased efforts to hold China accountable for religious freedom and human rights abuses.
On December 4, 2015, Daines called on China to end its brutal enforcement of its one-child policy during a Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing.
In 2015, Daines voted to adopt the 2015 Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) report recommending increased efforts to hold China accountable for religious freedom and human rights abuses.
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