Bush administration criticizes China on religious rights record

Published: 2004-02-27

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Bush administration criticized China for "backsliding" on key human rights issues, including religious freedom. In its annual report on international human rights, the U.S. State Department said China increased its crackdown on underground church members, democracy activists and protesting workers. The report, released Feb. 25 in Washington, covers the worldwide human rights situation for 2003. The Bush administration said that whatever progress was made in advancing human rights, many countries took several steps back in 2003. "Even a cursory reading of the country reports for 2003 confirms that many -- too many -- governments across the globe still violate the most basic rights of their citizens," said Secretary of State Colin Powell at a Feb. 25 press conference on the report.

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