I'd like to draw your attention to two press releases recently published by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The first deals with human rights abuses in Communist China; the second with Communist Cuba. I print the opening paragraphs of both below but I urge you to follow the link and read both releases in full.Number One) The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom commends President George W. Bush for pledging Thursday that while attending the Summer Olympic Games in China, he will raise concerns about freedom of religion in China with President Hu Jintao. The Commission urges President Bush to request to meet with prisoners and persons detained by the state because of their exercise of freedom of religion or advocacy of this and related human rights and to attend an “unregistered” church—underlining the Chinese government’s violations of religious freedom by its efforts to control faith.
“Notably, President Bush has repeatedly raised religious freedom concerns with the President of China. It is important that this continue. During his visit to Beijing this summer, we urge the President to stress, in both private conversations and public action, that protecting religious freedom means more than just allowing worship. It also means individuals must enjoy the freedom of expression and association, as well as the right to choose their own leaders and freely educate their children in the principles of their religion,” said Commission Chair Michael Cromartie. “President Bush has made of point of meeting the Dalai Lama and unregistered Protestant leaders at the White House. While in Beijing we urge him to visit an unregistered Protestant church and Goeden Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama-selected Panchen Lama, who has been held incommunicado for 12 years. The President should also seek the immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned Roman Catholic bishops and priests, unregistered Protestant leaders, Tibetan Buddhists, and Uighur Muslims.”...
Number Two) President Fidel Castro’s resignation gives the Cuban government an opportunity to reject its repressive past and chart a future course in which long-trampled freedoms and human rights are protected. Since 2004, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has kept Cuba on its Watch List of countries that require close monitoring due to the nature and extent of violations of religious freedom engaged in or tolerated by their governments. Today, the Commission urges the U.S. government to press Cuba through all available diplomatic channels to release all political prisoners, repeal repressive laws, and lift restrictions on freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief.
“Cubans have waited too long for the Communist government to recognize their basic human rights, including religious freedom,” said Commission Chair Michael Cromartie. “While we have no illusions about Raul Castro’s political views, the Commission sees Fidel Castro’s resignation as an opportunity for Cuban officials to reform their repressive practices. Cuba’s future is best assured by fully protecting, in law and practice, the fundamental freedoms of religion, expression, association and other human rights. The Commission calls on the U.S. government and its allies to send this message clearly to Cuba’s new leadership.”...