Parents forced parents to sign an obligation condemning religious beliefs in Wenzhou city, east China’s Zhejiang province, when their children entered kindergartens. This was reported by UCA News on March 21, citing local human rights group China Aid.
Kindergartens in Longwang District, near Wenzhou, have issued directives for students’ guardians to sign a “Family Religious Commitment Form.” According to human rights activists, this directive violates the right to freedom of religion, guaranteed by the country’s constitution.
A Wenzhou kindergarten teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the requirement came as a surprise to everyone because previously religious restrictions had only been imposed on kindergartens, not parents or children.
“In the past, the Department of Higher Education required that kindergartens not be superstitious or participate in religious activities, but it did not require the families of children attending the kindergarten not to believe in or participate in any religious activity.” .she said.
Under the terms of the bond, the parents pledged not to hold any religious beliefs, engage in any religious activities, and “not propagate or propagate religion anywhere.”
In Wenzhou, where Christians make up a significant part of the population, the government has imposed a series of restrictions on the local community, according to news reports. As of 2018, some 150,000 Catholics live in the city.
In 2014, the provincial authorities launched a massive two-year campaign to demolish religious buildings. More than 2,000 Christian sites were reportedly demolished, with authorities often claiming that the structures were built illegally.
In particular, the main sanctuary of the Sanjiang Protestant Church was demolished after nearly a month of clashes with worshipers over the legality of the building.
In 2017, the local government banned city hospital workers, school teachers, and all government employees from entering churches to pray and worship.
In 2021, Vatican-approved Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of the Wenzhou diocese was released from prison for the sixth time.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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