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Religious persecution
We simply cannot let things go on without doing anything. This is because Christian associations have been suffering, and we are feeling the pain deep in our hearts….”
Extract from a letter to the SPDC from six Christian organisations in Burma.
Religious persecution in Burma is among the worst in the world. Discrimination affects Christians, Muslims and Buddhists and illustrates the severity of human rights abuses faced by the people of Burma.
- Christians and Muslims are denied the right to build and maintain places of worship.
- In Chin state, crosses built on hillsides, as an expression of faith, are torn down.
- In Karen state, churches are burned down and Buddhist propaganda is played during Christian services.
- Christians are denied promotion in government or military service.
- The SPDC offers incentives to Christians to convert to Buddhism and children are taken into monasteries to become novice monks.
- In other areas, Christians are arrested, imprisoned and even killed by the regime.
The list could go on.
Instead, we’re going to let the story of Pastor Zang describe the situation for us.
In 1993, the SPDC accused the Christian community of Phailen on the India-Burma border, of buying arms with church funds to help the resistance army. Several community leaders were arrested, including Pastor Zang Kho Let. Pastor Zang was interrogated and when his answers failed to satisfy his interrogators, they cut open his mouth to the neck and told him, ‘We cut open your mouth so that you will no longer preach’.”
This is just one story of thousands showing the desperation of the situation for Christians in Burma.
Change for Burma! calls for:
- The UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief to investigate violations of religious freedom.
Take action today and use your voice to bring Change for Burma!
