Additional Name(s): Li Qin
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: China
Ethnic Group: Han
Religion or Belief: Christian – Church of Almighty God
Sentence: 7 Years, 3 Months’ Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/1/2022
Date of Sentencing: December/26/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Cult
Li Weijin
Extra Bio Info:
Li Weijin is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.
On September 1, 2022, public security officials in Guangdong province detained Li amid mass raids targeting members of the banned Church of Almighty God. During Li’s detention, police seized Church of Almighty God religious materials.
On December 26, 2023, the People's Court of Liwan District in Guangzhou City sentenced Li to seven years and three months in prison and fined her 23,000 yuan for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL).
Publicly Available Information:
“Guangdong’s Harsh Persecution of Church of Almighty God Members” Bitter Winter
Nov 18, 2024
USCIRF Mourns the Passing of Former Commissioner Felice Gaer – A Relentless Advocate for the Dignity of Every Person
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) was saddened to learn of the recent death of former Commissioner Felice Gaer. Gaer served as a USCIRF Commissioner from 2001 to 2012, including three years as Chair and three years as Vice Chair. An esteemed human rights expert and advocate, she was the longtime director of the American Jewish Committee’s Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights.
“As a Commissioner, Chair, and Vice Chair of USCIRF, Felice Gaer contributed her deep knowledge, rigorous analysis, tireless work ethic, and passion for human rights and justice to USCIRF’s work for over a decade,” said USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “Her efforts to bring to light the unique ways women experience religious freedom violations and the religious freedom implications of anti-Semitism were especially influential and impactful. May her memory be for a blessing.”
“USCIRF mourns Felice Gaer’s passing and extends our deepest sympathies to her husband, Dr. Henryk Baran, and family,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Eric Ueland. “She was an unflinching advocate for the oppressed and a persuasive proponent of strong U.S. and multilateral action to combat religious persecution abroad. Her leadership and eloquent voice in pursuit of equal dignity for all will be noticeably missed.”
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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 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].
Nov 15, 2024
On today’s episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck joins Senior Strategic Advisor Elizabeth Cassidy to reflect on his trip to the United Kingdom. Marked by a special relationship, the United States, and the United Kingdom, aim to place a special focus on international religious freedom. Chair Schneck discusses USCIRF’s key engagements held with government and civil society actors and highlights the UK’s leadership role in the space.
Read USCIRF’s 2024 Annual Report