June 20, 2008 — Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) today made the following comments in a briefing held by the Congressional Task Force on International Freedom, entitled, "Religious Freedom in China: Analyzing the Impact of the Olympics."  The Task Force on International Religious Freedom, co-chaired by Congressman Franks, is a bi-partisan congressional group that brings attention to issues of international religious freedom and works to make this fundamental human right a priority within the United States Government as well as in its foreign policy.

The briefing addressed the impact of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on unregistered religious communities throughout China. This area of human rights has not been thoroughly examined, despite ample coverage and analysis of government restrictions on human rights advocates, journalists and refugees, as well as environmental concerns, as China prepares to host the Olympics. 

Panelists at the briefing included Rebiya Kadeer, a prominent Uyghur human rights activist; Bob Fu, President of China Aid Association; Todd Stein, Director of Government Relations for the International Campaign for Tibet; and Nina Shea, with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

_______________________________

"I would like to thank everyone for joining us for this timely and important briefing that will look at the impact of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on unregistered religious communities in China.  I would also like to express my condolences for those affected by the earthquake in China. 

"The Uyghur community Mrs. Kadeer represents, as well as numerous Christians, Falun Gong adherents, and Tibetan Buddhists face increasing persecution and restrictions on their freedom as China prepares to host the 2008 Olympic Games.  In the past two years alone, hundreds of foreign missionaries have been expelled and members of unofficial religious communities have been arrested, beaten, and imprisoned or fined.  Over the last six weeks, Beijing house churches were raided on a weekly basis with believers forced to leave and materials confiscated.  Restrictions have been placed on the media and journalists who are reporting on the human rights situation inside China and on property rental in Beijing by religious communities; other orders were issued to limit religious believers from attending the Olympics or remaining in Beijing during the Olympic Games. 

"One house church leader, Pastor Cai Zhouhua, who was released from prison in September 2007 after serving a three year sentence for producing Christian literature, reported how he had been forced to make soccer balls for 10-12 hours a day for the 2008 Olympic Games.

"Most of you have probably already heard about the attacks on Falun Gong adherents, human rights and democracy activists in Flushing, New York last month.  The Falun Dafa Information Center obtained a copy of a recorded phone conversation with New York City's Chinese Consul General, Mr. Peng Keyu, where he reportedly confirmed his role in countering their peaceful demonstrations.  As the New York City police look into the attacks on these demonstrators, I am very disturbed to even consider that the Chinese government may have been involved in intimidating these demonstrators here in the United States.  Sadly, we have the Tian'anmen Square to remind us of what happens to those who protest inside China, but the freedom to peacefully assemble is a cornerstone to America's freedom and, at the very least, we must do what we can to protect those who choose to express this right while they are here. 

"This week, there have been many events on China throughout D.C. and we have heard from some brave men who flew here from China to share their personal experiences with us.  We will be watching to see that these courageous human rights and democracy workers are not mistreated when they return home.  And we will continue to press for the release of so many, including Mrs. Kadeer's own sons, who have been unjustly imprisoned.

"In light of these attacks on religious communities in China and the intimidation of those in the United States who criticize the Chinese government's policies, this briefing comes at a very critical time.  This briefing will provide an opportunity to hear from expert witnesses about the Chinese Government's treatment of unrecognized religious communities and further examine the issues. 

"As you most of you here are likely well aware, the Olympic relay torch is scheduled to go through Tibet tomorrow and news reports indicate that there may be a recurrence of the protests and violence which occurred there in March.  It is my sincere hope that the Chinese Government will respect the integrity of these Games and cease their obstruction of human freedom for all of the Chinese people.  I commend the Chinese Government for releasing at least two men last night, Pastor Zhang Mingxuan and his interpreter.

"I would like to thank my colleague Rep. Cleaver, who serves as the co-founder and co-chair of the Task Force on International Religious Freedom, for co-sponsoring this briefing with me today, and for all of our colleagues who will be joining us to offer their remarks on the increasing persecution of religious communities in China."