Additional Name(s): Xin'ai
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: China
Ethnic Group: Han
Religion or Belief: Christian – Church of Almighty God
Sentence: 6 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/15/2021
Date of Sentencing: August/24/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Possession of Religious Materials Proselytizing Activities Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Cult
Deng Lihua
Extra Bio Info:
Deng Lihua is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.
In October 2021, authorities in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, detained Deng amid mass arrests of Church of Almighty God members. Police arrested Deng in relation to her possession and dissemination of religious materials, missionary activities, and religious leadership role.
On August 24, 2023, the Court of Yiwu City in Zhejiang Province sentenced Deng to six years and six months in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). The court also fined her 60,000 yuan.
Publicly Available Information:
- "CAG Christians Collectively Given Heavy Jail Terms As CCP Escalates Efforts To Ban The Church" Association for the Defense of Human Rights and Religious Freedom
Additional Name(s): Xiaoxi
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: China
Ethnic Group: Han
Religion or Belief: Christian – Church of Almighty God
Sentence: 6 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/15/2021
Date of Sentencing: August/24/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Possession of Religious Materials Proselytizing Activities Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Cult
Chen Aishe
Extra Bio Info:
Chen Aishe is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.
In October 2021, authorities in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, detained Chen amid mass arrests of Church of Almighty God members. Police arrested Chen in relation to her possession and dissemination of religious materials and missionary activities.
On August 24, 2023, the Court of Yiwu City in Zhejiang Province sentenced Chen to six years and six months in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). The court also fined her 60,000 yuan.
Publicly Available Information:
- "CAG Christians Collectively Given Heavy Jail Terms As CCP Escalates Efforts To Ban The Church" Association for the Defense of Human Rights and Religious Freedom
Sep 4, 2025
India Expels Rohingya Refugees and Muslim Citizens
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned by the Indian government’s expulsion of Rohingya refugees back to Burma. This effort to deport Rohingya refugees, who are predominately Muslim, also comes during a campaign to expel hundreds of Bengali-speaking Muslims to Bangladesh in recent weeks, marking a concerning implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
“The Indian government’s expulsion of Rohingya refugees is a blatant disregard for international law and the principle of non-refoulement,” said Chair Vicky Hartzler. “The Indian authorities must immediately end this unlawful expulsion and arbitrary detention of refugees, who are at risk of severe persecution if forced to return to Burma.”
The escalating crackdown and characterization of Bengali-speaking Muslims and Rohingya as non-citizens sets a dangerous precedent for religious freedom in India. In May, Indian authorities reportedly deported 40 Rohingya refugees, forcing them to make a dangerous journey by boat to Burma. India has hosted thousands of Rohingya refugees since 2017 but does not formally recognize them as refugees under the Foreigners Act. Similarly, the Indian government deems Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam as “illegal immigrants” from Bangladesh. Since May, Indian authorities have sent hundreds of Muslims to Bangladesh without due process.
“Forcing Muslims to prove their citizenship is a direct targeting of individuals based on their religious identity, and directly violates India’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” said Commissioner Stephen Schneck. “We urge the Trump Administration to incorporate religious freedom into its bilateral engagement with the Indian government, emphasizing the need for protections for Muslim populations and other religious minorities.”
In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations.
###
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].