Court rejects Guiyang Ren'ai Reformed Church’s administrative indictment

Source:                 www.ChinaAid.org

Date:                      April 29, 2021

(Guiyang, Guizhou Province—April 29, 2021) During the afternoon of April 27, Chen Jianguo, a Christian from Guiyang Ren'ai Reformed Church, traveled to Guiyang Nanming District People’s Court with Sui Muqing, his lawyer. They had planned to submit an administrative indictment to sue Yunyan District Religious Affairs Bureau, and Yunyan District Public Security Bureau for misconduct of law enforcement. The court, however, promptly rejected their case.

Lawyer Sui Muqing listed Yunyan District Religious Affairs Bureau as the principal defendant, and Yunyan District Public Security Bureau as the secondary defendant. He presented the following three primary allegations:

1. According to the law, it was unlawful for Yunyan District Religious Affairs Bureau to interrogate Chen Jianguo and retain a record of his ID. Thus, I ask the court to order Yunyan District Religious Affairs Bureau to issue a public apology to Mr. Chen. 

2. According to the law, it was illegal for Yunyan District Public Security Bureau to verbally summon Mr. Chen, impose a three-day administrative detention on him, and refuse to deliver the administrative detention notice to him. Thus, I ask the court to revoke its administrative detention decision. According to the law, it was illegal for Yunyan District Public Security Bureau to search Mr. Chen’s home and seize his personal property. Thus, I ask the court to order Yunyan District Public Security Bureau to return his personal properties. I also ask the court to order Yunyan District Public Security Bureau to publicly apologize to Mr. Chen, and compensate him 10,000 Yuan (1545.07 USD) for his mental anguish.

3. Both defendants should pay for any legal expenses incurred from this case.

Lawyer Sui Muqing and Christian Chen Jianguo in lobby of Nanming District People’s Court. (Photo: ChinaAid source)         Lawyer Sui Muqing submitted his indictment paperwork to court. (Photo: ChinaAid source)   According to Lawyer Sui, Yunyan District Religious Affairs Bureau did not have the right to forcibly interrogate Christian Chen Jianguo, nor did they have the right to retain a record of his ID. With no legal grounds for the Yunyan District Public Security Bureau to administratively detain Mr. Chen under the charge of “unlawful assembly,” and no legitimate support for “unlawful activities in the name of social organizations,” the bureau abused its authority. The bureau also violated several rights which the Constitution and rule of law reportedly grant Chinese citizens. Yunyan District Public Security Bureau infringed on a Christian’s religious freedom, as well as his right of personal liberty. Further, the bureau’s actions, abuses of power to frighten and retaliate against Mr. Chen during law enforcement procedures, caused him great physical and psychological harm.   Therefore, in accordance with the law, Lawyer Sui developed the suit indictment on behalf of Mr. Chen. When he submitted the indictment to the Nanming District People’s Court, Lawyer Sui asked that the court issue an impartial verdict.   After the Nanming District People’s Court rejected Mr. Chen’s case, other Christians from Ren'ai Reformed Church and their legal team began to plan to take further steps to protect their rights.     Report by Yubing, ChinaAid Special Correspondent       ###