USCIRF Welcomes Enactment of the Tibet Policy and Support Act

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends President Donald J. Trump for signing the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (H.R.4331 / S.2539). This law establishes an official U.S. policy affirming the right of the Tibetan Buddhist community in selecting and venerating their own religious leaders, including the Dalai Lama. The law imposes sanctions on Chinese officials who interfere in the selection of a successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In addition, it requires the Secretary of State to seek to establish a consulate in Lhasa.

“I commend President Trump for signing this important bill into law. It enacts a much-needed upgrade to existing U.S. policy on Tibet and sends a strong message to the Chinese Communist Party that it must respect the religious freedom of the Tibetan people, particularly the right of the Tibetan Buddhist community in the selection of a successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama without government interference,” said USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer.  “I also commend Senators Rubio and Cardin, Representatives McGovern and Smith, and all Members of Congress who supported this legislation. This coordinated, bipartisan effort demonstrates the U.S. government’s commitment and resolve to holding the Chinese government accountable for its egregious religious freedom violations against the Tibetan people.”

USCIRF also welcomes the U.S. Department of State’s recent imposition of broad visa restrictions on Chinese officials—regardless of their location—responsible for the persecution of religious and spiritual practitioners, ethnic minority groups, dissidents, human rights defenders, and others. In addition, this year, the U.S. government has imposed other visa restrictions and financial sanctions on Chinese officials involved in abuses in Xinjiang, restrictions on access to Tibet, and the destruction of Hong Kong’s autonomy.

“The Tibetan Policy and Support Act offers strong support to the persecuted Tibetan Buddhist community. Coupled with existing sanctions and visa restrictions, the U.S. government will hold accountable any Chinese officials who implement or enforce repressive policies that violate religious freedom and other human rights in China, including in Tibet,” added USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel. “I strongly urge the current and incoming administration to implement this law to its fullest extent.”

In July 2020, USCIRF applauded the administration’s targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against four senior Chinese officials, including Chen Quanguo, the current Communist Party Secretary of Xinjiang and former Secretary for Tibet until 2016. Chen is responsible for the egregious religious freedom and human rights violations in Tibet and Xinjiang.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to 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].

USCIRF Troubled with the Relocation of Rohingya Refugees to Bhasan Char Island

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed its concern over reports that Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are being forced to relocate from Cox’s Bazaar to the cyclone and flooding prone island of Bhasan Char.

“We are concerned that many Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Burma are facing forced relocation to an area that is deemed unsafe by the United Nations,” stated USCIRF Vice Chair Anurima Bhargava. “The transfer of Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char island must be based on a voluntary and informed decision, not a pressured or coerced initiative on behalf of the Bangladesh government.”

While USCIRF, along with the U.S. Department of State, commends Bangladesh for providing refuge to millions of Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution and violence in Burma, USCIRF also recognizes the apprehension faced by Rohingya refugees in relocating to a flood-prone area that is disconnected from mainland Bangladesh.

USCIRF Commissioner Nadine Maenza added, “We are gravely concerned about the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. We understand the many challenges the Bangladeshi government is facing while hosting the Rohingya refugees, especially during a global pandemic. However, we urge the Bangladeshi government to respect voluntary movement and ensure that refugees have access to health, livelihood, education, and be protected from natural disasters, such as cyclones and flooding from monsoons.”

USCIRF hopes that conditions in Burma improve allowing the return of Rohingya Muslim refugees from Bangladesh to their homes and livelihoods. In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State continue to designate Burma as a Country of Particular Concern, due to Burma’s systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief that includes its persecution of the Rohingya. In October 2020, USCIRF released a factsheet on Rohingya refugees in Southeast Asia.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to 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].

USCIRF Condemns Harsh Sentence for Christian Bookseller Chen Yu

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the harsh and disproportionate sentence handed down to Chinese Christian bookseller Chen Yu. In September 2019, local authorities in Linhai City, Zhejiang Province, criminally detained Chen for selling Christian books imported from overseas. In September 2020, authorities sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on the charge of “illegal business operations” and fined him 200,000 yuan (approximately US $30,000).

“The seven-year sentence for Christian bookseller Chen Yu is extremely disproportionate and outrageous. It further shows that the Chinese Communist government is becoming increasingly hostile toward Christianity,” said USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer. “I call on the local government in Linhai City to immediately grant him the right to post bail and appeal his sentence. Chen deserves to be home with his family this Christmas, not behind bars.”

Chen’s harsh sentence came against a larger background of China’s escalating persecution of religious communities, including Protestant Christians. Those involved in Christian publishing in particular—including the publication or distribution of Bibles—have come under increasing scrutiny. In addition to Chen Yu, authorities in Bao’an District of Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province charged and sentenced two other Christian publishers in December for “illegal business operations.” The seven-year sentence against Chen, however, presents the harshest such penalty to date.

“Chen Yu’s sentence is not only disproportionate to his alleged crime—it is also yet another flagrant assault on religion by the Chinese government,” added USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel, “Chinese authorities have made it clear through their continued mistreatment of Uyghurs, Christians, Falun Gong Practitioners, and Tibetans that religious activity of any kind is unwelcome.”

In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State continue to designate China as a Country of Particular Concern, a recommendation USCIRF has made since its first Annual Report in 1999.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to 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]