Former US Senator Sam Brownback has called on Washington to actively pressure Beijing to end its systematic persecution of Uyghur Muslims, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, and Tibetans — and to hold Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials accountable for what he describes as severe violations of religious freedom. Writing in an opinion piece for Deseret News, Brownback argued that the United States must sustain support for communities striving to preserve their faith, language, and culture under CCP rule.

Xi-Trump Meeting and the Missed Opportunity

Brownback's remarks came in the context of Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Washington and his meeting with US President Donald Trump. According to Brownback, the high-profile summit should have drawn greater attention to the millions of people inside China who face government-imposed restrictions on their religious practice and worship. He argued that the bilateral agenda consistently sidelines the human rights dimension of US-China relations.

Under Xi, the CCP has intensified its campaign to 'sinicize' religion across China, compelling religious leaders to reshape their teachings, institutional structures, and leadership to conform with party ideology, Brownback wrote.

Christians Under Pressure to Prioritise Party Over Faith

Christians in China, according to Brownback, face mounting pressure to place loyalty to the CCP above the tenets of their faith. Authorities have reportedly directed churches to display CCP propaganda and rewrite religious texts in line with party doctrine. Pastors who resist face serious consequences — Brownback cited the case of Pastor Ezra Jin of Zion Church, who was detained for approximately a year before being released. Eight additional leaders of Zion Church reportedly remain imprisoned.

Uyghurs, Falun Gong, and the Assault on Minority Faiths

Uyghur Muslims in China have faced what Brownback describes as a broad assault on their faith and cultural identity. Chinese authorities have reportedly destroyed mosques, imposed restrictions on prayer and fasting, and banned religious and cultural dress. Falun Gong practitioners have faced arrest and, according to Brownback, killings.

On Tibet, Brownback noted that following the forced exile of the Dalai Lama and over 80,000 Tibetans in 1959, Beijing has destroyed monasteries, taken action against clergy, and criminalised expressions of Tibetan faith. He further alleged that the CCP has been separating approximately one million Tibetan children from their families through a state-run boarding school system, with the aim of severing their ties to language, culture, and religion.

What Brownback Is Calling For

Brownback outlined a specific set of actions he believes American lawmakers should take. 'The United States should sustain support for communities working to preserve their faith, language, families and culture in the face of Communist Party control. Religious leaders across America can raise their voices together, recognising that an attack on the conscience of one community threatens the freedom of all,' he said.

He added: 'American leaders should engage openly with the Dalai Lama and Tibet's democratically elected government in exile, press Beijing to end its persecution of Uyghur Muslims, Falun Gong practitioners, Tibetans and Christians, and hold Chinese officials accountable for severe violations of religious freedom.'

Broader Context and What Comes Next

This comes amid sustained international scrutiny of China's religious freedom record, with multiple United Nations bodies and Western governments having previously raised concerns about conditions in Xinjiang and Tibet. Critics argue that successive US administrations have allowed trade and geopolitical considerations to dilute pressure on Beijing over human rights. Whether the current administration will translate Brownback's recommendations into formal policy remains to be seen.