Half a dozen members of an underground Protestant church in Sichuan’s Chengdu were recently arrested by Chinese authorities, as reported by Human Rights Watch. This arrest is part of a series of crackdowns on unofficial “house churches” in China over the past year. The Early Rain Covenant Church disclosed that its current leader, Li Yingqiang, was taken into custody during a police raid at his home in Deyang on January 6. Other key church members have also been detained.
Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, criticized the Chinese government for the recent arrests of underground Protestant church members. He emphasized the importance of allowing individuals to freely practice their religion and urged the immediate release of those detained. Among those arrested are Ye Fenghua, Yan Hong, Zeng Qingtao, and Dai Zhichao. Additionally, police have summoned another church adherent, Shu Qiong, in Chengdu for alleged disturbances.
The Human Rights Watch has called for the immediate release of individuals detained for their religious beliefs, citing protection under international human rights law. The organization also urged authorities to provide information about the detainees to their families and ensure access to legal representation. The crackdown on the Early Rain Covenant Church follows the recent detention of approximately 100 members of another unofficial Protestant church, Yayang Church, in Wenzhou.
The Chinese government’s actions have drawn international criticism, with calls for the release of detained religious adherents and respect for religious freedom in China. Concerned governments and religious leaders worldwide have been urged to pressurize the Chinese government to uphold basic rights and freedoms for all individuals.
