WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined a bipartisan group of 17 colleagues in introducing a resolution to condemn the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of religious minorities and actions to limit free expression and practice of faith in the People’s Republic of China.

“This resolution reaffirms that the right to freely practice one’s religion is a universal right enshrined in international law, as well as China’s own constitution, and it is unacceptable for the Chinese government to persecute those who wish to worship according to their faith,” said Sen. Moran. “China’s leaders must uphold its obligations; otherwise, America should enact penalties for those responsible for ongoing abuses.”

Other senators supporting this resolution include U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-Ga.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). 

This resolution:

• Condemns violence against religious minorities in China and actions that limit free expression and practice of faith;
• Reaffirms America’s commitment to promote religious freedom and tolerance around the world;
• Calls on China to uphold its Constitution in addition to internationally recognized human right of freedom from religious persecution and to end violence and discrimination against religious minorities;
• Condemns the use of re-education centers and internment camps as punishment for religious practice;
• Condemns the restriction and censorship of religious materials like the Bible, the Quran, and any other religious articles or literature sacrosanct to religious practice or expression;
• Urges the President to take appropriate actions to promote religious freedom of religious minorities in China, using the powers provided to the President under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, and the Global Magnitsky Act.

To read the full resolution, click here.

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