Britain-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said its report ‘China: Persecution of Protestant Christians in the Approach to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games’, shows that even Christians "seeking to help the victims of the tragic earthquake in Sichuan Province" have been arrested and fined.
CSW often advises British parliamentarians on issues related to reported religious persecution.The organization and other advocacy groups have linked the apparent crackdown to concerns within the Communist Party that Chinese Christians will use the event to spread Christianity and highlight their plight.
"As we mark the two month countdown to the Beijing Olympics today it is truly disturbing to report the deteriorating picture for China’s unregistered Christians," said CSW Executive Director Mervyn Thomas in a statement to BosNewsLife. "As China takes her place in the spotlight for the Olympic Games it is important to highlight that she must play by international rules, including her binding international obligations on human rights."
Chinese officials have denied human rights abuses, saying Christians are free to worship within the government backed churches.
