November 18 2002

More than a thousand people attended the biggest ever Christian human rights conference co-hosted by Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Release International in association with Premier Christian Radio.

Delegates were challenged by speakers from the persecuted church to speak up on behalf of the 250 million persecuted for their faith around the world.

The conference, held at Westminster Chapel in London on Saturday November 16, was addressed by speakers from Pakistan, Nigeria, Turkmenistan, North Korea, China and Egypt.

Chun Ki Won, a South Korean, told delegates how he had smuggled 237 people from appalling conditions in North Korea.

He said: "All through the missions I have gone through, you might say that one or two of the incidents were coincidences, but all the way through, God was blinding the guards to us passing through the borders and I got through all the minefields and checkpoints unharmed."

Cecil Chaudhry, a decorated former fighter pilot in the Pakistani Air Force, told delegates of the human consequences of the blasphemy law which saw 75 people charged with insulting the Prophet Mohammed in last year alone. The mandatory sentence for this offence is death.

He said: "I have demanded and continue to demand the total repeal of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan no matter how many extremists get upset about it. The only amendment I am willing to accept in this law is that it is not made applicable to non-Muslims."

Baroness Caroline Cox, President of CSW UK, spoke of her recent visits to Sudan, Nagorno Karabakh and Indonesia.

She said: "Pity weeps and turns away, but compassion weeps and holds out a hand to help. Our advocacy must be grounded in the authenticity of first hand evidence so we can come back and say I have seen, I have been there. There must be accountability for the accuracy of our advocacy and some aid without which those for whom we are speaking may not be able to survive."

Delegates also heard an interview with former Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken who spoke of his visit to China and South East Asia with CSW earlier in the year.

The conference worship was led by Graham Kendrick, who performed a specially written song about the persecuted Church called How Long?

He said: "Listening to reports of our persecuted brothers and sisters brought home to me the challenge of the deeper note of worship that they bring, of worship in the midst of suffering and deprivation.

"I hope the song How Long? will be a catalyst for prayer and action, for their encouragement, defence and support."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: "I was extremely encouraged to see such an unprecedented number of Christians gathered to hear the authentic voice of the persecuted church.

"The quality of speakers was again outstanding and I believe that Saturday's conference would have been a defining moment in many people's Christian experience.

"Our partnership with Release International and Premier Christian Radio was a great success and I hope that together we can build on an inspirational day and strive to put our persecuted family high on the church's agenda."

Eddie Lyle, Executive Director of Release International, said: "The single most penetrating comment came from Brother Yun, a church leader persecuted and imprisoned for his faith in China.

"He said that the church in the West had lost its flavour. We need to speak out on behalf of our persecuted brothers and sisters, but we also need to hear their rebuke and learn from their obedience and lifestyle."

The conference was preceded by a prayer concert held on Friday night at St Michael's Church, Chester Square in London, again led by Graham Kendrick and attended by some 220 people.

Media Enquiries:

Allen Moxham, EA Media Consultancy 020 7207 2154 or

Richard Chilvers at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on 020 8949 0587 or 020 8942 8810 or email richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk or go to www.csw.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Some of the speakers are still in this country this week and are available for interview if you contact the CSW office. These are:

Saidu Dogo, secretary of the Christian Alliance of Nigeria
Cecil Chaudhry, member of the executive committee of the Catholic Bishops Conference in Lahore and leader of the Christian Liberation Front
Shohrat Piriyev, a lawyer and church leader from Turkmenistan
Chun Ki Won from South Korea and Yoo Sang Jun from North Korea
Mamdouh Nakhla, a lawyer from Egypt

Christian Solidarity Worldwide works for the religious liberty of persecuted Christians, helping others suffering repression, children in need and victims of disaster throughout the world.

Release International serves persecuted Christians in 50 countries around the world, by supporting pastors and their families who are being victimised, by supplying Christian literature and Bibles and working for justice.