A/55/280 China 59. In response to allegations of a campaign to promote atheism in order to undermine the influence of Tibetan Buddhism (see document E/CN.4/2000/65, para. 27), China stated that such allegations were belied by the facts, which were as follows: The Chinese Government persistently pursues a policy of religious freedom. The State Constitution provides that citizens have the right to believe in a religion or not to believe in any religion. The Government protects the right of religious groups and of citizens to engage in normal religious activities. It has not conducted atheist propaganda in places of worship nor among the faithful. 60. With regard to the allegations relating to the province of Hebei, the arrest of a Catholic priest, Yan Weiping, and his death and the arrest of a student, Wang Qing, who had attended an illegal seminary (ibid.), the Government explained that Yan Weiping had died of a heart attack and that the allegations that he had been arrested and his body found in the street were pure lies. As for Wang Qing, it said that inquiries conducted by the relevant public security services had led to the conclusion that no person of that name existed. The Government also noted that its legislation guaranteed freedom of religion, while forbidding religion to be used as a way of disturbing the social order, stating that: Nobody in China is liable to judicial proceedings nor to imprisonment by the authorities on account of his or her belief in a religion, nor can a person be arrested for exercising his or her religious rights in his or her own home. At the same time, a citizen who has broken the law cannot escape judicial proceedings by reason of his religion. 61. With regard to Falun Gong (ibid.), China replied as follows: The Chinese authorities have numerous reasons for banning Falun Gong, whose leader, Li Hongzhi, rashly declares that medicines should not be taken to treat disease, advocates a “global explosion”, proclaims that “the end is nigh”, poisons people’s minds, dupes the masses and accumulates wealth. Figures so far available show that nearly 1,400 people have died as a result of 14 practising Falun Gong and that a very large number of its practitioners are mentally disturbed, with broken homes and scattered families. Moreover, the Falun Gong organization steals secret State documents, attacks press organs, harasses the public services, disrupts traffic and seriously disturbs the peace, thus undermining social stability. There are many factors showing that Falun Gong is a sect hostile to society, science and the people and represents a serious danger to society. The vast majority of the population, including believers, are resolutely opposed to this sect’s activities and their harmful effects. The relevant Chinese authorities have, to general satisfaction and with the support of people from all walks of life, banned Falun Gong in accordance with the law. The measures taken by the Chinese Government against Falun Gong have the basic aim of protecting the people’s rights and freedoms. The Chinese Government respects universal human rights principles and works tirelessly for the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Chinese people, particularly their right to the freedom of religious belief. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international human rights agreements provide support for rights and freedoms, but they also expressly provide that the exercise of such rights should be restricted in order to protect national security, public safety, public order, public health and the rights and freedoms of others. The Falun Gong organization, which champions a heresy devoid of principles, constitutes a serious threat to the lives and safety of individuals and society. To show leniency to such a sect would be a travesty of civil rights. The banning of this organization by the relevant Chinese authorities does not constitute a violation of human rights or freedom of religion; its aim is to protect the human rights of the population as a whole, including those who have suffered from Falun Gong. It is normal for a State to combat organizations that put society, rights and the public interest at risk. The Chinese Government has acted just like any other country. In today’s