Chinese immigrants in Austria demonstrate in Vienna against China’s continued suppression of their religion

Vienna: In a powerful appeal for religious freedom, friends and members of the Chinese diaspora in Austria organized a demonstration against the ongoing religious repression in China. About fifty members of The Church of Almighty God (CAG), a religious organization that is severely persecuted in China, participated in the protest, which took place at Stephansplatz from 3 to 5 p.m. local time.

Protesters yelled slogans and brandished banners denouncing the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of religious organizations during Friday’s demonstration. The rally, which focused mostly on the increasing harassment of CAG members, brought attention to concerning claims of widespread mistreatment from foreign organizations and human rights groups.

In solidarity, religious scholars and officials from several non-governmental organizations that support religious freedom also participated in the demonstration. “Freedom of religion and dignity are universal values,” said one religious studies expert, who also pointed out that these ideals are increasingly under danger, especially in China.

A 2022 US Department of State report on religious freedom cited harsh actions against religious practitioners in China, such as torture, physical abuse, arbitrary incarceration, forced labor, and ideological indoctrination, according to the Chinese diaspora news release.

The Church of Almighty God (CAG) is the main focus of these operations, which have been particularly severe against both registered and unregistered religious organizations, the press statement said. The research also highlights alarming reports of forced religious renunciations, physical and psychological torture, and even extrajudicial executions, exposing the severe human rights abuses religious minorities in China endure.

Due to stories of people passing away in jail under dubious circumstances, the demonstrators expressed special worry for the fate of CAG members who were held. A 75-year-old devotee with several chronic ailments was also denied parole despite grave health concerns, while an 82-year-old devotee with colon cancer was apparently denied bail in one of the instances highlighted.

The Chinese diaspora has reported that more than 5,000 members of the Church of Almighty God (CAG) have applied for refuge overseas. However, demonstrators’ concern for individuals facing deportation grew.

Despite the fact that many Western countries have given shelter to CAG migrants, several still deny their requests, allegedly as a result of pressure from Chinese officials and misinformation efforts. There are growing concerns that deported refugees may be arrested right away, imprisoned for a long time, or even forcibly disappeared when they return to China.

The protesters called for the international community to confront China’s persecution of religious people more forcefully. They asked world authorities to make China responsible for its human rights abuses and demanded that CAG refugees be given safety. The demonstrators stressed that as a basic human right, religious freedom must be respected.

The protesters pledged to keep up their efforts to spread the word and seek justice for China’s persecuted Christians as the event came to an end. One protester said, “The world cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities.” “We will not stop speaking out until our voices are heard and our brothers and sisters are free.”