Congress Condemns China's Persecution of Christians, Uyghurs, and Buddhists, Reaffirming Global Religious Freedom Commitment

This resolution is a clear, strong statement from Congress, essentially putting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on blast for its systematic persecution of religious minorities. It’s not a new law that changes your taxes or healthcare, but it’s a major foreign policy declaration that reaffirms the U.S. commitment to international religious freedom, citing specific recent actions by the CCP, like the abduction of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri and over 20 members of Beijing Zion Church in October 2025. The bill also calls out the CCP’s broader campaign against Muslim Uyghurs, Tibetan Buddhists, and other Christian groups, linking these actions to President Xi Jinping’s promise to “Sinicize religion in China.”

The Fine Print on Foreign Policy

For those of us juggling mortgages and work deadlines, why does a resolution about China’s religious policies matter? Because it sets the tone for U.S. foreign policy and potentially lays the groundwork for future actions that could affect global stability and trade. The resolution serves two main purposes: first, it condemns the CCP’s actions, which it calls “crimes against humanity and genocide” against Uyghurs. Second, it reaffirms that the U.S. policy, established by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, is to actively promote religious freedom worldwide. This isn't just talk; it's a formal declaration that the U.S. will use all available diplomatic, political, and commercial channels to push back against this persecution.

Putting Existing Tools to Work

While the resolution doesn't create new sanctions, it explicitly references existing powerful tools the U.S. can use. Specifically, it mentions the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of 2016. Think of Magnitsky as the policy equivalent of a targeted financial strike. This law authorizes the President to impose sanctions—like freezing assets or denying visas—on specific individuals responsible for gross human rights violations. By reaffirming this commitment, Congress is signaling that the U.S. is ready to use these tools against the CCP officials involved in detaining people like Pastor Jin and leaders of other faith communities.

The Real-World Stakes

For the millions of Christians, Uyghurs, and Buddhists in China, this resolution offers a vital lifeline of international recognition and moral support. The bill demands that the Government of the People's Republic of China immediately release Pastor Jin and all other wrongfully detained religious leaders, and end all forms of violence and discrimination. For the U.S., this resolution is about maintaining international leadership and standing by human rights principles, even when it means diplomatic friction with a major global power. This high-level condemnation means the issue won't be swept under the rug in future trade or climate negotiations, keeping the pressure on the CCP to respect the internationally recognized right to religious freedom, which, ironically, is even guaranteed (on paper) in their own constitution.