The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice today announced on October 9, 2026 that it will award the 2026 Lantos Human Rights Prize to Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, founder and leader of Zion Church and a former religious prisoner of conscience of the Chinese Communist Party. This announcement coincides with the one-year anniversary of Pastor Jin’s arrest, which was part of a widespread crackdown on Christians in China. 

“I am honored to receive the Lantos Prize and to have the opportunity to raise awareness about the severe persecution faced by people of faith in China. The Chinese Communist Party has targeted my church community and so many other communities, spanning many different faith and belief traditions. It is vital for people around the world to come together to advocate for greater religious freedom for the people of China; this right is fundamental to any peaceful and just society. I am especially focused on advocating for the release of my eight brothers and sisters from Zion Church, who remain unjustly imprisoned. I will not rest from speaking out until they are free and reunited with their loved ones.”  - Pastor Ezra Jin