House churches held a legal training camp during the National Day holidays

China Aid Association
(Henan—Oct. 9, 2011) During the golden week of the China’s National Day holidays in early October 2011, 30 House Church leaders from Central China area held a 3-day legal training program at a location in Henan province.  Two Christian Human Rights defense lawyers were in charge of this training program.  ChinaAid was the co-organizer.

In this 3-day Christian Legal Knowledge Training Program, the lecturers who are Christian right defense lawyers explained patiently and in great details the professional, systematic and practical basic courses to the house church leaders.  They have reaped great fruits from the training program and their confidence in defending the legitimate rights of citizens and churches through law is further consolidated.

Following is an outline of the lessons taught in this training program:

I.  Christians’ attitude toward law(1) Law of the Lord and the secular law
1. Concepts of the law of the Lord and the secular law and their relationships
2. The dual nationalities of Christians

(2) The legal concept in the Bible
1.  Bible emphasizes the concept of rule of law
2.  The concepts in the Bible that helped form the law of the Lord
3.  The actual legal system existing in the Bible.

(3) Different interpretations by Christians on a few passages in the Bible
1. Romans  13: 1-7
2. 1 Corinthians 6: 1-7
3. Romans 12: 14; 17-21

(4) The attitudes Christians should have toward the law
1.  Disputes among Christians toward defense of rights through the law
2.  The realistic significance of helping form the law of the Lord
3.  The best method of submitting oneself to the rulers is defending the dignity of the law
4.  Christians’ beneficial contribution to the construction of rule of lawII.  Laws and rules applicable to house churches(1) Ranking of the related laws and regulations
The Constitution
Criminal Law and Criminal Procedural Law
Regulation of Religious Affairs
Regulations applicable to Public Security agencies in continued interrogation
Law of the People’s Republic of China on Public Security Administration Punishments
Law of the People’s Republic of China on assembly, parade and demonstration.

(2)  Understanding the agencies in charge of administration of house churches
Department of United Fronts; Ministry of Propaganda
Bureau for Religious Affairs (also known as Bureau for Ethnic and Religious Affairs)
Public Security Bureau (DSPS—Domestic Security Protection Squad)
Bureau of State Security

(3) Applicable laws and regulations when related agencies raid house churches
1.  Regulations for Religious Affairs
2.  Law of the People’s Republic of China on Public Security Administration Punishments
3. Criminal Law

(4)  Laws and regulations on summoning and interrogation
1.  Law of the People’s Republic of China on Public Security Administration Punishments
2.  Regulations applicable to Public Security agencies in continued interrogation
3.  Criminal Procedural Law.III. Legal responses by Christians(1)  Legal principles
1.  General principles of judicial activities:  Fairness and justice
2.  All people are equal before the law
3.  Principles of open trial
4.  Principles of presumption of innocence
5.  Legal principles of crime and punishment
6.  Principles of open legislation
7.  Principles of no more than one punishment for the same case.
8.  Absence of legal prohibition means freedom

(2) Basic rights of citizens
1.  Right to elect and the right to be elected
2.  Right of freedom of speech
3.  Right of private properties
4.  Freedom of religious beliefs
5.  Inviolability of personal freedom
6.  Inviolability of residence
7.  Freedom of communication and secrecy of communication are protected by the law
8.  Rights of submitting petitions and complaints

（3）How to deal with interrogations
1.  Revelations from the Bible
2.  Some realistic methods

(4)  How to seek legal relief
1.  Comprehensive measures
2.  Filing for an administration reconsideration
3.  Filing for an administration lawsuit.
4.  State compensation

China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org