Finally Free

The beginning of May saw not one but two amazing answers to prayer. On 9 May Chinese human rights lawyer Li Heping was released and returned to his family, who hadn’t seen him in nearly two years. Just two days later we got the news of the release of Rev Hassan and Mr Abdumawla, two Sudanese men held in a maximum security prison on unjust charges.

“When my family fell down you didn’t walk away. You helped us stand up and I thank you for your help.” Wang Qiaoling, Li’s wife, in a message to CSW supporters

Your prayers answered in China…

Li Heping was released just two days after CSW supporters joined in prayer for him when he was given a suspended sentence. Li was imprisoned two years ago as part of the Chinese government crackdown on human rights defenders. Over 300 human rights defenders, as well as their friends, family and colleagues, have been detained, harassed or even disappeared.

We’ve been campaigning for Li since his detention, and in October 2016, we presented a petition with 2,148 signatures to the Chinese Embassy in London, calling for his release. If you prayed for Li, signed the petition, or generously donated: thank you! We’re thrilled to share this wonderful news with you.

Although Li is now at home with his family, his wife Wang Qiaoling says that they’re being monitored closely by the authorities. As with many human rights defenders in China, there will likely be restrictions on his freedom of movement and freedom of speech and expression during his four-year suspended sentence. What’s more, many of Li’s colleagues are still in prison. It’s clear that human rights, including religious freedom, are under severe threat in China. You prayed for Li’s freedom: keep praying for his safety and that of his colleagues.

…and your prayers answered in Sudan!

The week Li was released, there was one more surprise to come: the release of Rev Hassan and Mr Abdumawla in Sudan. These men, along with two others, Rev Kuwa and Mr Jašek, were charged with national security crimes in August 2016, after being arrested almost a year earlier. In reality, their only crime had been raising money to treat a young man who’d been badly burned in a student protest.

Rev Kuwa was found innocent of all charges and released in January 2017. Mr Jašek received a presidential pardon and was freed in February, and in May Mr Abdumawla and Rev Hassan were released after receiving a presidential pardon.

“I am now with my children and my family, they are happy, some are crying. They can’t believe it” Rev Hassan, the day he was set free after a year and a half in detention

You may already be familiar with their names, of course, because thousands of supporters like you rallied behind these men magnificently. Over 700 supporters tweeted senior EU officials about the case, and almost 5,000 emails were sent to Sudanese embassies around the world asking for the men to be released! Again, we want to say a huge thank you: your prayer, financial support and determined campaigning made all the difference. God is good!

Li Heping, Rev Hassan and Mr Abdumawla have all been released into an uncertain situation.

Both China and Sudan are very restrictive for human rights, especially religious freedom; so while we praise God for releasing these men, please continue to uphold them in prayer:

• Firstly, praise Almighty God who breaks down the prison walls!
• Ask God to watch over the men and their families as they readjust to life outside prison
• Pray for protection for the many human rights defenders in China who, like Li Heping, face harassment, prison and even torture for defending others’ rights
• Pray for comfort and encouragement for church leaders and human rights activists in Sudan, who continue their work despite intense government pressure.