The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Protestant news agency IDEA have named Chinese Christian Chang Hao from Yunnan province as the “Prisoner of the Month for November 2023”. They are calling for action on his behalf. The evangelical house church preacher was arrested on 14 April 2023 during a search of his church. The local police subsequently confiscated two mobile phones, a laptop, Bibles and all of the house church’s Christian literature, as well as face masks printed with Bible verses.

The community had not joined the state-controlled Three-Self Church but had become known in the area around the city of Zhaotong through the distribution of the masks with Bible quotations. Chang Hao has not yet been allowed to speak to his family or a defence lawyer. The authorities are also refusing the lawyer access to the files. His relatives have so far been unable to find out anything about his whereabouts. The police have accused the preacher of picking fights and provoking trouble. However, he had already been summoned and questioned several times before his arrest. His family is particularly concerned because his health was already in poor condition, including diabetes.

Sample letter

President Xi Jinping
Via Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
Märkisches Ufer 54
10179 Berlin

Excellency,

On 14 April 2023, the Chinese Christian Chang Hao from Yunnan Province was arrested. Investigators have accused him of picking quarrels and provoking trouble. The preacher of a house church has not yet been allowed to speak to a lawyer. His relatives have instructed a defence lawyer, who has not yet been given access to the files. The family has not even been informed of his whereabouts.

On 5 October 1996, the People’s Republic of China signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 18 of which includes the right to freedom of religion. The arrest of the Christian is a serious violation of religious freedom, although this human right is guaranteed in Article 36 of your country’s constitution. With this in mind, I would ask you to work for his immediate release.

Yours sincerely