US Should Pressure China Over Religious Freedom Violations, Says Sam Brownback

Former US Senator Sam Brownback urges US pressure on China over alleged religious freedom violations.

Brownback called on US lawmakers to engage openly with Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Tibet’s democratically elected government in exile. He urged Washington to hold Chinese officials accountable for what he described as severe violations of religious freedom.

Writing in Deseret News, Brownback said China’s ruling Communist Party has intensified its campaign to ‘sinicise’ religion under President Xi Jinping. He said authorities have pushed religious leaders and institutions to align their teachings, leadership and practices with party ideology.

Brownback said China pressured Christians to prioritise Communist Party loyalty and alter religious practices. He cited Pastor Ezra Jin of Zion Church, who spent about a year in detention, while eight other church leaders remain imprisoned, according to Brownback.

The Former US Senator alleged that China has restricted Uyghur Muslims’ religious practices, including prayer, fasting and traditional dress, while authorities have arrested and killed Falun Gong practitioners.

On Tibet, Brownback said Chinese authorities destroyed monasteries, targeted clergy and criminalised expressions of Tibetan faith. He further alleged that boarding schools have separated around one million Tibetan children from their families and culture.

Brownback urged US leaders to sustain support for communities seeking to preserve their religious and cultural identities.

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