Commission urges Obama to address religious freedom while in China
September 02, 2016
Citing increased government repression in China, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has encouraged President Barack Obama to address religious freedom concerns with President Xi Jinping during an upcoming meeting in China.
“As the Chinese government aggressively asserts itself on the global stage, at home it aggressively violates the human rights and religious freedom of its citizens,” said Father Thomas Reese, SJ, the chairman of the federal commission.
“While these violations have intensified in Zhejiang Province, the location of the G20 Summit, they also are taking place throughout China as the government seeks to repress the voices of individuals and groups advocating for their rights,” he added.
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Posted by: Gregory108 -
Sep. 04, 2016 1:36 PM ET USA
I'd like to urge President Obama to address the dwindling of religious freedom in the United States, when he's here, especially his and his administration's role in suppressing it! That would be a good start, and might give him practice in addressing it in someone else's country, much as it does need to be addressed! I'd especially like him to express his understanding of the concept that it's freedom to actually practice one's religion publicly that's guaranteed, not just freedom to worship!
