United States: U.S. Congressmen Urge Bush to Openly Address China's Religious Freedom

As President Bush's visit to China is approaching, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and several members of Congress held a joint press conference on Capital Hill on November 9th, 2005, and released a Policy Focus on China. The Congressmen condemned China's current human rights status and called upon President Bush to boldly and openly address United States concern about the lack of freedom of religion and belief in China.

Press conference

Members of Congress acknowledged the USCIRF's effort. Although USCIRF delegation's trip to China in August 2005 was arranged and monitored by the Chinese communist government, members of the delegation were able to unearth China's real religious situation. Congressmen claimed that the Policy Focus on China was released at the right time and hoped that President Bush would be able to carefully read it before his visit to China, and that he would adopt the suggestions in the report.

Congressman Wolf from Virginia: tell the Chinese government how important these things are

Congressman Wolf from Virginia said, "President Bush is going to visit China soon. This presents a great opportunity. I urge Mr. President to publicly, boldly and loudly, not privately, tell the Chinese government how important these things are and raise the Commission's findings to the highest level.

The Chinese government is guilty

Congressman Smith from New Jersey said, "The Chinese government is guilty of systematically torturing believers in religion." He suggested President Bush tell the Chinese government that they need to improve human rights or else there will be sanctions. He said that without penalties, the Chinese government will continue to obstruct freedoms. And it'll be business as usual.

Several Congressmen raised the issue of the persecution of Falun Gong in their speeches.

Congressman Lantos from California: Falun Gong is a painful page of China's modern history

Congressman Lantos from California said, "Falun Gong is a painful page of China's modern history. The peaceful practice of Falun Gong should be sanctioned without harassment, persecution and imprisonment."

A member of the USCIRF explained that during their delegation's two-week visit to China in August, they found Chinese officials are particularly sensitive to Falun Gong.

Member from the USCIRF: we don't buy their rules

Mr. Land from USCIRF said, "Falun Gong is like a bur under their saddle. When we met the officials, as the meetings get tedious, as long as you mention 'Falun Gong', they'll jump like Skinner's Stimulus Response - 'evil cult'. Then they'll get into long practice of slide shows and testimonies of former Falun Gong practitioners, trying to convince us to believe it is an 'evil cult'. Of course you can tell we don't buy their rules.

Ms. Bansal, former president of USCIRF said, "When you ask them the definition of 'cult', you find it is very circular and only gives more room for the officials to maneouver -- an activity that is not normal is illegal and what is illegal is not normal. The discussion about rule of law, legalisation of religions and etc. doesn't lead to the protection of individuals. It's not rule of law, but rule by law."

USCIRF members expressed that the commission will raise the Falun Gong issue and the imprisonment of lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who spoke out in defense of Falun Gong, in their letter to President Bush.