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Myanmar

• Joint Organizational Statement Released

  

  A coalition of more than 25 organizations has signed a joint statement expressing deep concerns over the violence committed by security forces in Myanmar against peaceful protesters. The global call to action follows the illegal coup d'état which overthrew the democratically elected government on February 1st. This signed statement especially spotlights how the military has been destroying places of worship in their crackdown. Religious and ethnic minorities have been targeted, resulting in an increasing number of internally displaced persons.

• Day of Prayer for Peace

  

  The nation of Myanmar, also referred to as Burma, has dominated the news in recent days, following a recent military coup. On February 1st, the military seized control just as a new session of parliament was set to open. Thousands of citizens have risen up in protest, but the military has reacted with extreme force, resulting in the deaths of many civilians. In the midst of the fierce oppression, and at the risk of their lives, the people of Myanmar are continuing in the outcry for a return to democracy.

• Churches Reopen in Rebel-Controlled Area

  

  In September 2018, Wa rebels in the state of Shan began closing churches and arresting Christians (read more). In the process, the pro-Chinese rebels had closed more than 100 churches. In September 2019, the rebels began allowing some of these churches to reopen and, by mid-December, all but one of the 52 Baptist churches in the region had been allowed to resume ministry.

• Christian Villagers Released

  

  Political and religious conflicts are widespread in Burma (also known as Myanmar). The difficulties facing the Muslim Rohingya people have resulted in cries around the world for help and protection. However, there are also lesser-known groups suffering from the atrocities, such as the Chin people who are predominantly Christian. (For more information on the difficulties encountered by Christians in Burma, go to this page.)

• John Cao's Appeal Delayed Again

  

  Despite continued efforts to submit an appeal, local authorities have again postponed the hearing for John Cao, who was convicted in 2017 of "organizing an illegal border crossing" between China and Myanmar, and thus sentenced to seven years in prison (see this report).

• Kidnapped Pastor and Others Assassinated

   

  

  Pastor Tun Nu, who served with Gospel for Asia in Rakhine State, was kidnapped by five gunmen on January 19th. Despite searches conducted by church members, police and military, there was no trace of his whereabouts. Regrettably, he was found shot to death on February 1st, along with others who had also been kidnapped. Members of a rebel army in the area are believed to be responsible.

   

• Persecution Over Christmas

  

  In areas throughout India, as well as Burma, Christmas was not a season of peace and joy. Christians faced violence and resulting injuries, as those opposed to the message of Christ stoned, slashed and terrorized local believers.

  In the Kanta Kawn Township of Central Burma, 27 Christians had gathered together in a home for a Christmas service on December 17th. As they prayed, villagers surrounded the house and began throwing stones. They then broke into the house to vandalize it. Along with causing damages to the home, motorbikes, furniture and dishes, the perpetrator injured six of the worshippers.

• Released Pastors Ordered Not to Pray

  

  On September 27th, we reported on how Chinese-backed rebels were pressuring churches in the Wa region of Shan State (read more). Reports indicate that the rebels released 100 pastors on October 5th, but only after forcing them to sign an agreement that they would only pray in their homes and not in churches. The seven who refused to sign are still being detained, along with more than 100 others.

• Pro-China Rebels Target Christians

  

  The Chinese-backed "United Wa State Army" (UWSA) rebels have been destroying churches and detaining pastors for interrogation in the Wa area of Burma's Shan State in response to new directives. The ethnic rebel group has declared autonomy for the region of Wa, which borders China where the Wa people originated before migrating into Burma.

  In early September, the UWSA issued a Chinese-language statement instructing all members of the rebel army to "find out what the missionaries are doing and what are their intentions." The statement also bans any construction of new churches and orders the destruction of any facility built after 1989 without explicit government permission. It further forbids any foreign church workers and prohibits any religious teaching in schools.

• Military Blocks Aid to Christians

  

  For years the northern state of Kachin has faced armed conflicts between the government military and rebel groups fighting for independence. In January, we reported that soldiers of the government troops were also targeting Christians by destroying church buildings, as well as raping and murdering innocent women (read more).