A New Framework for Promoting Religious Freedom in China (Task Force Report)

By Dr. Carol Hamrin on 15 March 2005

Creating a sustainable approach that can effectively promote steady progress toward religious freedom in China will require sophisticated cooperative initiatives that involve various sectors, actors, and nationalities.

The eight principles outlined here should inform these initiatives.

1. "Mainstream" Religious Freedom
2. Build Consensus among Outside Actors
3. Support Indigenous Problem-solving
4. Promote the Link to Economic Development
5. Address Security Concerns
6. Include Provincial and Local Players
7. Work with the Chinese Diaspora
8. Coordinate Initiatives around International Norms

Excerpt

"Conventional approaches that empha­size public moral condemnation, top-down pressure, and reactive diplomacy have not delivered sustainable results on the ground. While case-by-case intervention is important, much more is required to promote cultural and institutional change. The new practically minded, multi-sector framework offered here should guide future thinking about religious freedom engagement. No single actor lead­ing a grand coalition will "own" this new framework. Rather, it is for multiple actors working in multiple channels to create a shared mindset, a consensus on principles for use by organizations and associations as criteria in shaping concrete initiatives.

Champions are needed in many sectors to start cooperative initiatives and projects that incorporate religious rights objectives. Because religious freedom is not gener­ated overnight, such projects should include medium- and long-term activities that promote cultural tolerance and institutional change. The desired result will be effective parallel actions by government and nongovernmental agencies that are synergistic-promoting the goal of freedom of religion, belief, and conscience in a healthy civil society."

Attachments

A New Framework for Promoting Religious Freedom in China