European Parliament Calls on China to Protect Religious Freedom

A motion presented by deputy speaker of the European Parliament Mario Mauro and MEP Jose’ Ribeiro y Castro calling on the Chinese government to end discrimination and religious repression in its country has been adopted by the European Parliament, reports International Christian Concern.
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The motion voiced particular concern over the “long-time persecution” of members of the Catholic Church in the People’s Republic of China who, owing to state repression of religion, have been “forced to go underground”.

The European Parliament, during a plenary session, called on the Commission, the Council and the Member States to press the Chinese government on this issue of the persecution of Chinese Christians.

The European Parliament also made the call for these EU bodies to obtain information from the Chinese government detailing the missing or arrested according to a list published by AsiaNews.

“The motion comes before the assembly late with respect to the arrest of these men because of the obstinate opposition of those parliamentary groups more sensitive to trade deals than human rights,” said MEP Mauro.
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Mr Mauro also hinted at an ultimatum for China on the issue of religious persecution: “We cannot continue to accept that bishops, priests, and religious groups who ask for religious freedom be accused of being terrorists, counter-revolutionists, enemies of China and sent to prison and be persecuted. It is time we make it clear to Beijing that without religious freedom its economic development.”

The motion, which also called on Beijing to ensure it “respects international standards of human rights as well as religious rights”, received the overwhelming support of every party in the European Parliament.

The appeal was also made to the Commission and Council to demand “the unconditional release of all Chinese Catholics incarcerated on account of their religious convictions and to cease immediately all kinds of violence towards them.”

The motion coincides with a spate between the Vatican and Chinese officials who have rejected an invitation from the Pope for four Catholic Bishops to attend a conference in Rome.

Chinese officials declined permission for the clergymen to attend on the basis that the Vatican’s decision “shows no respect”, said Xinhua news agency.

The refusal is a blow to the Pope’s efforts to improve its official ties with China, which ordered Chinese Catholics to sever ties with the Vatican in 1951.