China: Information on a Christian evangelical sect called the Shouters, including its rites, religious practices and approach to Christianity, and on whether it is active today
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 August 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CHN27474.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China: Information on a Christian evangelical sect called the Shouters, including its rites, religious practices and approach to Christianity, and on whether it is active today, 1 August 1997, CHN27474.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab3157.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
For information on the Shouters' rites, practices and approach to Christianity, please consult the attached 22 July 1997 and 26 July 1997 letters from two University of Leeds scholars.
Additional information on the sect's origins, beliefs and repression by the authorities can be found in the June 1994 Human Rights Watch (HRW)/Asia report entitled China: Persecution of a Protestant Sect, which is available at all Regional Documentation Centres.
According to Country Reports 1996, the Chinese police arrested 40 Shouters members in Fujian province for actively seeking converts to the sect (1997, 629). The Shouters sect is considered "counterrevolutionary" by Chinese authorities (ibid.). China's response to the criticism of its treatment of Shouters members in Country Reports 1996 is found in the attached 28 March 1997 Xinhua and 14 April 1997 Beijing Review articles. In these reports the Chinese authorities refer to the Shouters sect as an "evil" organization that is involved in criminal acts such as rape and fraud (ibid.).
The April 1997 issue of The Asia Lutheran reports that more than 100 church leaders have been arrested since January 1997, and that 55 church leaders, including Shouters members, remain imprisoned. The source adds that the authorities have targeted the Shouters, New Birth and Little Flock sects because of their attempt to consolidate into one house church (ibid.). Please consult the attached Asia Lutheran report for additional information on the arrest and incarceration of Shouters members.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
The Asia Lutheran [Tokyo]. April 1997. "Ecumenical News: China." [Internet] [Internet] [Accessed 27 Aug. 1997].
Beijing Review. 14 April 1997. "China: Another US Attempt to Use Human Rights to Create Confrontation: Comments on US State Department 1996 Human Rights Report on China Information Office, State Council." (NEXIS)
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996. 1997. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Lecturer, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Leeds, England. 22 July 1997. Letter sent by electronic mail.
Honorary Research Fellow, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Leeds, England. Letter sent by electronic mail.
Xinhua [Beijing, in English]. 28 March 1996. "PRC: Commentary: 'Anointed One' Leader Guilty of 'Criminal Acts'." (FBIS-CHI-96-061 28 Mar. 1996/WNC)
Attachments
The Asia Lutheran [Tokyo]. April 1997. "Ecumenical News: China." [Internet] [Internet] [Accessed 27 Aug. 1997].
Beijing Review. 14 April 1997. "China Another US Attempt to Use Human Rights to Create Confrontation: Comments on US State Department 1996 Human Rights Report on China Information Office, State Council." (NEXIS)
Lecturer, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Leeds, England. 22 July 1997. Letter sent by electronic mail.
Honorary Research Fellow, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Leeds, England. Letter sent by electronic mail.
Xinhua [Beijing, in English]. 28 March 1996. "PRC: Commentary: 'Anointed One' Leader Guilty of 'Criminal Acts'." (FBIS-CHI-96-061/WNC)
Additional Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Report. 1996-1997.
Amnesty International. July 1996. People's Republic of China: Religious Repression in China.
DIRB Amnesty File. "China." 1996-1997.
Human Rights Watch World Report. 1996-1997.
Human Rights Watch (HRW)/Asia. December 1995. China: Religious Persecution Persists.
China Focus [Princeton, NJ]. 1996-1997.
China Rights Forum [New York]. 1996-1997.
Electronic sources: DIRB Databases, Global News Bank, REFWORLD (UNHCR database).
