Pékin2008

In China, freedom of association does not exist.

Shi Enxiang, 85 years old, is the bishop of Yixian diocese in Hebei province (surrounding Beijing) and a stronghold of the "underground" Christian community (only the Party-controlled Christian community is recognised as "official"). He has already spent over thirty years of his life in detention for refusing to register with the government-controlled Chinese Church and he has steadily resisted all pressures meant to isolate his community from the universal Church.

In 1990, he was arrested by the Public security forces and detained for one month to undergo "study sessions" (political indoctrination and Party propaganda). Shortly afterwards, he was detained in a secret place for three years. In 1993, he was released from a labour camp. He had never been charged or sentenced. In 1996, when the authorities were about to arrest him again, he managed to escape and went into hiding.

On 13 April 2001, during a stay at his niece's in Beijing, he was kidnapped in the street. Witnesses saw two Hebei Public security cars take him away. When questioned about his disappearance, the authorities stated they knew nothing about him.

He has not been heard of since that disappearance from Beijing, six years ago.

The China 2008 Olympics Collective calls the authorities to give information about the whereabouts of Shi Enxiang and to release him as soon as possible since no charge has reportedly been brought against him.
They call on the authorities to conduct a full, independent and impartial inquiry into the disappearance of Shi Enxiang.