Hui Christian Pastor Sentenced to Nine Months in Prison for Organising Illegal Gatherings

Ma Yan, a pastor affiliated with the Hui Christian community, was sentenced to nine months in prison by the Yinchuan Railway Transportation Court in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on 24 March 2025. The court convicted him of organising illegal gatherings, a charge stemming from a gathering of no more than ten Christians in Jinfeng District, Yinchuan, on 9 August 2024. The event was raided by police officers, leading to his subsequent legal proceedings.

Ma was charged and tried on 10 February 2025. According to CSW sources, he pleaded guilty during the trial. This plea was reportedly made due to the relatively lighter sentence associated with the charge of organising illegal gatherings compared to other potential charges. The charge also avoids the moral stigmatisation that might accompany more severe allegations.

China Aid, a US-based rights organisation, reported that Ma’s sentence will be reduced by 32 days of prior administrative detentions. Given his criminal detention since 20 August 2024, he is expected to be released on 17 April 2025. This reduction highlights the complex interplay between administrative and criminal penalties in his case.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas expressed strong disapproval of the sentence, stating that it is unacceptable for a pastor to face imprisonment for organising a small gathering of Christians. He referenced Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of assembly. Thomas noted that Ma should not have been detained at all and called for his immediate acquittal.

The case underscores ongoing tensions between religious freedom and state regulation in China. It raises questions about the legal framework governing religious gatherings and the treatment of religious leaders within the country’s legal system. The incident also reflects broader concerns about the suppression of religious expression and the challenges faced by minority religious communities.

The sentencing of Ma Yan serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding justice and protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their faith. As Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us, we should advocate for the voiceless and defend the rights of the oppressed. The case calls for continued vigilance and support for those who seek to live out their faith without fear of persecution.

Source: Read the original report