Burma: New restrictions on religious activity
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported, ‘Kachin State sent a letter to local churches, ‘concerning Christians conducting cultural training,’ requiring Christians in Phakant Township to submit a request at least 15 days in advance for permission to conduct ‘short-term Bible study, Bible study, Sunday school, reading the Bible, fasting prayer, Seasonal Bible study and Rosary of the Virgin Mary Prayer.’ CSW said a request for permission must be accompanied by recommendations from other departments and submitted to the Township Administration Office. Meanwhile because Burma’s health spending is less than $5 dollars per person the Anglican Church has recruited hundreds of volunteer health workers to be sent to rural communities to provide education particularly pertaining to HIV (a subject that is taboo in Burma.)
Pray: for the Lord to bring about a change amongst Burmese leaders in attitude towards religious minorities. (Pr.21:1)
Burma: International action needed
A CSW report included a Burmese man’s cry, ‘We are so forgotten. Our suffering continues. We have never experienced freedom. No one cares for us. Inside Burma it is getting worse and worse. We want the world to know we are still suffering.’ With democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi imprisoned CSW said free and fair elections in November was impossible and called the EU, USA, the Association of South East Asian Nations and the UN to unite and send Burma the strongest possible message that its continuing crimes against humanity are not acceptable and will no longer be tolerated. They are calling for a universal arms embargo and the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity and war crimes. They are also calling for more humanitarian aid and protection for the displaced peoples receiving sanctuary in Thailand. Pray: the world would no longer ignore the suffering in Burma, and for God to release the country into physical and spiritual freedom. (2Sam.22:7) More: http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=report&id=125&rnd=0.0109064
Burma: CSW reports 'grave' human rights violations
There are reports of ‘grave’ human rights violations in the largely Christian Kachin area of Burma. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) heard first-hand accounts of the killing of unarmed civilians by the Burmese army and instances of torture and abuse. The report was based on interviews with internally displaced people from Kachin State and northern Shah State. It follows a three-week fact-finding visit to Rangoon and Kachin State on the China-Burma border. Witnesses also told of rape and the destruction of homes, churches and villages. CSW concludes in the report that while ‘a window of opportunity for change in Burma after decades of oppression and conflict may have now opened’, the situation in Kachin and northern Shan States illustrate that ‘there is still a very long way to go’. It goes on to outline the measures that need to be taken to ensure a lasting peace process, including a ‘genuine inclusive political process’ involving all ethnic nationalities, the democracy movement and the government.
Pray: for the pressure for real change in Burma to grow and that the political and religious minorities will be kept safe. (Ps.12:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/csw.reports.grave.human.rights.violations.in.burma/29312.htm
Burma: Christians in peace talks with government
Christian leaders in Burma are holding peace talks with the country’s central government whih they hope will help to end the 60-year conflict that has exhausted the nation’s civilian population. The rare opportunity for change has resulted in a group of Karen National Union leaders establishing a peace committee in hopes of capitalising on the transformations occurring in their fractured country. The Karen are a predominantly Christian minority group located in eastern and southern regions of the country that have been at war with the government since shortly after Burma gained independence from the UK in 1948. Ryan Morgan, an advocacy officer at International Christian Concern, ‘is hoping these talks are going to produce lasting results. ICC is excited about the possibility of changes and we are watching them closely.' I think it’s important, though, that the international community and other organisations stay aware of the plight of Christians living in Burma,’ he added.
Pray: for the nation of Burma and especially the predominantly Christian Karen minority group as they enter into these peace talks. (Lev.26:6)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/burmas.christians.in.peace.talks.with.government/29151.htm
Burma: Christians face systemic persecution
Burma doesn't seem to have made as many advances as it first appeared in a year of change. This was the conclusion of The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) which released a new report last week. According to their findings, Christian Chin from western Burma are denied religious freedom and face coercion to convert to Buddhism. They're not alone. Dyann Romeijn of Vision Beyond Borders says, ‘The report is specifically about the Chin and the persecution that they face, but we're seeing the same things throughout all the ethnic groups in Burma.’ CHRO exposed a decades-long pattern of religious freedom violations and human rights abuses including forced labour and torture which has led thousands to flee their homeland. Romeijn says ‘along with the abused Chin are members of the Kachin tribes and the Karen. It's bad for everyone. All the same policies that were in place before continue; the Kachin in northern Burma are being highly persecuted.’
Pray: for the protection of God's people against those who persecute them. (Ps.9:13)
More: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/17664
Burma: Christians face deadly attacks
On November 30th as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Burma to support Burma's apparent reforms to discuss minority rights, government troops killed civilians and burned houses 450 miles away in Christian majority state Kachin. Soldiers fired four rounds of mortar shells at civilians killing a woman and injuring six other villagers in Waingmaw Township, a battalion burned down ten homes in Nam Wai village and five in Hpa Ke village. The killing and arson followed two explosions that killed a student and injured another the previous night in Myitkyina. Local residents suspected government agents planted the bombs. The twin blasts rocked the state capital days after an explosion killed seven children and three internally displaced Kachin people and injured 16 children at an orphanage. Two sons and a grandson of a Christian couple who run the orphanage in their home were among those killed, but police arrested the family, alleging they had detonated it.
Pray: for the Burmese authorities to honour their agreement to implement minority rights reforms. (Am.5:24)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/burma/article_124091.html