In the Press...
Zeale article on Smith's new legislation'Rep. Chris Smith introduces resolution condemning China's "ethnic unity" law''The bipartisan measure urges sanctions against Chinese officials and condemns what lawmakers describe as the forced assimilation of ethnic and religious minorities.'By Elizabeth Ervin Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., introduced a House resolution June 30 condemning a new Chinese Communist Party (CCP) law that he says gives the Chinese government unprecedented legal authority to replace distinct ethnic and religious identities with a single party-defined national identity. In a July 1 press release, Smith, co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, said House Resolution1400 condemns the CCP's Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress, which took effect July 1. Jointly introduced with Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., the resolution argues Beijing is "unjustly claiming" the authority to punish lawful speech, advocacy, and religious practice beyond China's borders. According to the release, the Smith-McGovern resolution asserts that the CCP’s law threatens outside minority groups, including Uyghurs, Chinese dissidents, journalists, religious leaders, and former political prisoners. "Beijing's message is chilling," Smith said in the release. "Abandon your faith, forget your language, obey the Party — or face punishment, even abroad." The measure also calls for sanctions and visa restrictions on Chinese officials and entities responsible for what lawmakers describe as the forced assimilation of ethnic and religious minorities, according to the release. Smith urged Congress to respond by condemning what he described as the CCP's campaign of “cultural and religious erasure.” "This is not unity," Smith said. "It is tyranny — and it turns cultural and religious erasure into official policy. Congress must act decisively to condemn the CCP's atrocities and protect Americans and diaspora communities from transnational repression." The measure also calls for stronger protections for Chinese diaspora communities in the U.S. and continued U.S. advocacy for political prisoners detained for peacefully exercising their religious rights. |