The USCIRF’s annual report on religious freedom in Hong Kong is cause for concern, as the persecution of Christians in the region has escalated following the approval of the new National Security Law. This legislation, heavily influenced by Beijing, severely restricts fundamental freedoms such as expression, association, assembly, and press. Religious individuals living in Hong Kong are directly impacted by these restrictions.
Article 23 of the National Security Law requires Catholic leaders to divulge confidential secrets to authorities who believe they could help identify dissidents. Violating this provision could result in prison sentences of up to 14 years for priests. This is just one example of how specific articles within the National Security Law target religious individuals with intrusive surveillance measures.
The USCIRF has classified the state of religious freedom in Hong Kong as “worrisome” due to these policies that force churches and religious groups to self-censor in order to avoid retribution from the local government or Beijing. Recent instances of persecution include the arrest of Protestant pastor Garry Pang Moon-yuen, who was convicted under the National Security Law for “seditious preaching.”
In addition to this crackdown on Protestantism, there has been a heightened crackdown on independent worshippers across China, with authorities sentencing them on charges of posing security threats. Detained Christians have reportedly been subjected to torture in detention centers and covert prisons. The British and Foreign Bible Society also revealed that thousands of Hong Kong Christians have sought refuge in the United Kingdom due to escalating persecution, establishing around 30 new churches in the country.
The history of Hong Kong highlights the complex political environment within which these religious freedom violations occur. Transitioning from a British colony in 1842 to Chinese control in 1997 brought about significant changes that continue to shape religious freedom issues today.
Overall, it is clear that religious freedom is under threat in China and Hong Kong, and urgent action must be taken by governments around the world to protect this fundamental human right.
