November 4 2003

A book of testimonies from Christians imprisoned in Peru is to be launched at the International Christian Human Rights Conference in London on November 15.

Tried by Fire, published by Monarch and priced at '6.99, is a collection of testimonies from seven innocent Christians all arrested and imprisoned in Peru during the 1980s and 1990s.

Hundreds of innocent Peruvian Christians were rounded up and convicted by 'faceless judges' of terrorism offences in the attempt to crack down on the Shining Path guerrillas. Many served five to ten years in prison before their cases were reviewed and they were released. CSW continues to work with Peruvian human rights lawyers to secure freedom for the remaining innocent prisoners.

Wuille Ruiz Figueroa, who wrote one of the testimonies in the book, will be speaking at the International Christian Human Rights Conference.

Anna Lee Stangl, CSW Advocacy Officer for Latin America, translated the testimonies after visiting Peru several times to work with the two partner agencies of Paz y Esperanza and CEAS.

She said: "I am thrilled to see the stories of these seven humble men and women from the poorest areas of Peru finally presented to an international Christian audience. It is vital that we Christians in the Northern Hemisphere know and understand what our Christian brothers and sisters in Peru have gone and are going through even as this book is launched. At the same time, I hope that these stories will challenge readers in how we react to adversity and injustice in our own lives as they present the beauty of God's faithfulness and the ultimate rewards of trusting God."

The UK's largest ever International Christian Human Rights Conference, featuring speakers from all over the world, is expected to attract more than a thousand Christians.

The conference will be on November 15 from 9.30am to 5pm at Westminster Chapel, Buckingham Gate, London SW1. Tickets at '5 and '3 concessions are available by calling 020 8329 0010 or visiting the CSW website at www.csw.org.uk or by emailing sarah.armitage@csw.org.uk

Co-hosted by Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Release International in association with Premier Christian Radio, the conference will feature presentations by persecuted Christians from around the world. Delegates will be urged to respond with prayer and through writing campaign letters in support of the persecuted Church.