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| Authorities raid Yang Hua’s church. (Photo: ChinaAid) |
ChinaAid
(Guiyang, Guizhou—Sept. 27, 2018) A tortured house church pastor in Guiyang, Guizhou, is still under government surveillance months after being released from prison as persecution across the country escalates.
Yang Hua, who was taken into police custody on Dec. 9, 2015, after he attempted to stop authorities from confiscating a church hard drive, faced many difficulties, including repeated torture and ailing health, during his time in prison. Charged with “divulging state secrets,” he served two-and-a-half years in prison before being released on June 20, 2018. Now, he is stalked by officials wherever he goes, making it difficult for him to meet up with friends. In addition, he had been in the hospital with various illnesses for a period time, but when he began to feel worse, he returned home.
Even as Yang attempts to recover, the persecution around him continues to increase, as more than 10 churches were closed by authorities. All unregistered congregations consisting of more than 50 people are faced with either being forced to become official churches or experiencing the authorities’ retaliation.
Out of fear, they do not want to identify themselves.
One Christian said similar abuses are occurring across the country, as some house churches in Henan, Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Fujian have also been shut down.
ChinaAid decries these abuses and exposes them to urge world leaders and members of the international community to intervene on behalf of Chinese Christians, protecting religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law.
ChinaAid Media Team
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