Would the Real Article 300 Please Stand Up? Refugees from Religious Movements Persecuted as Xie Jiao in China: The Case of The Church of Almighty God

In order to be granted asylum in the democratic countries where they escape from China, refugees of The Church of Almighty God should prove that they have a “well-founded fear” that, should they return to China, they would be persecuted. In some countries, the debate focuses...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Introvigne, Massimo 1955- (Author) ; Richardson, James T. 1943- (Author) ; Šorytė, Rosita 1965- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: [2019]
In: The journal of CESNUR
Year: 2019, Volume: 3, Issue: 5, Pages: 3-86
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B China / Criminal law / Quánnéng Shén Jiàohuì / Persecution / Religious minority
IxTheo Classification:AZ New religious movements
KBM Asia
Further subjects:B Chinese Refugees
B Religion-Based Refugee Claims
B Article 300 of the Chinese Criminal Law
B The Church of Almighty God
B New Religious Movements in China
B Xie Jiao
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Summary:In order to be granted asylum in the democratic countries where they escape from China, refugees of The Church of Almighty God should prove that they have a “well-founded fear” that, should they return to China, they would be persecuted. In some countries, the debate focuses on the interpretation of article 300 of the Chinese Criminal Law, which imposes jail penalties on those active in groups persecuted as xie jiao (“heterodox teachings,” sometimes translated as “cults”). Chinese embassies often inform authorities abroad that article 300 is only enforced against members of xie jiaowho commit serious crimes. However, a study of the official interpretive documents and of 200 cases of members of The Church of Almighty God sentenced in China supports the conclusion that normal religious activities, such as attending worship services, trying to convert friends and relatives, or distributing religious literature are among the “crimes” punished under article 300 with severe jail penalties.
ISSN:2532-2990
Contains:Enthalten in: The journal of CESNUR
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.26338/tjoc.2019.3.5.1