HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Despite China's economic and geopolitical development over the past decades, rights and freedoms have not been recognized in parallel. One of the most significant changes taking place in Chinese society is the rapid growth of spirituality among its 1.4 billion inhabitants. According to some estimates, in a few years there could be more Christians in China than in any other country in the world. However, only five religions are allowed. The religious fact is under great control, which is carried out through two channels: a restrictive legal framework and an extensive structure of administrative agencies. Through the principles of independence and self-management, the Chinese government tries to sinicizate religions and cut their relations with international religious networks, thus creating a kind of religious autarchy. Despite the opening-up turn of religious policy since the 1980s, in recent years a greater contraction of the legal framework of religious freedom has been observed.