OCTOBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018
Response Your insight into religious freedom
Defending the
defenders
• A solitary activist finding colleagues who become friends. • A brand new generation learning to counter hatred. • A unique opportunity to lobby the United Nations directly. These are just some of the amazing things we’ve seen as a result of a project we set up in South Asia. Here’s how it happened – and how you can get involved in making a life-changing difference. Continued on page
Editor: Jennifer Watkins. Writers: Scot Bower, Heather Fenton, Zoe Guy, Emma Howlett, Dave Mance, Jennifer Watkins, Olivia Watkinson. Graphic design: EPLS Design.
www.csw.org.uk
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@csw_UK
Continued from page 1 Michel Forst, the UN Special Rapporteur for HRDs, also attended this event. He spoke to the participants to get first hand reports of their experiences speaking up for human rights in South Asia, and trained them on accessing justice through the UN. Here are some of the results we’ve seen:
Human rights defenders from across the region share ideas
We know many courageous individuals defending human rights across South Asia and Central Asia – a region that includes countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Kyrgzystan. But their work often puts them in danger – when they criticise human rights abuses by governments and others, they become targets for harassment, imprisonment or worse. Who will defend the defenders?
So we set up a project to bring together human rights defenders (HRDs) from diverse religious backgrounds from all across the region, to jointly draft policy recommendations to improve their situation, and to train them in how they can keep themselves safe while they work for the safety and freedom of others.
“We are in touch with each other to move the cause forward…We keep exchanging ideas and analyses” On The FRONTLINES
Amjad, Pakistan
Solidarity: After the conference, when a Sri Lankan activist was threatened for his work, the group rallied together to support him and give him advice on how to file a complaint. Collaboration: Participants have stayed in touch, sharing experiences and ideas. Early interventions: Participants from Nepal and Kyrgyzstan told us that they learned from the experiences of their colleagues from other countries, and were motivated to intervene before the situation in their own countries deteriorates further. We’re positive that these results are part of God’s good plan for South and Central Asia, and it’s a privilege to be part of it. You’ve prayed faithfully with us for this region, and your prayers are being answered! Thank you so much.
A lot can happen in eight years. Alim and his son. Photo: Chin a Aid
In the last eight years I’ve cried – grieving the loss of family members. I’ve celebrated – weddings and milestone birthdays. And I’ve become a mum. I’m so thankful for the fullness of my life. Then I think of Alim. Alim is a Christian from Xinjiang Province in China. He was arrested in 2008, and eight years ago he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
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News Update
“Coming together made me feel we are not alone” Ajay, India
Empowering people, not just rescuing victims All around the world we’re expanding our training programmes – on p.7 you’ll read about the impact this has had on Nigerian churches devastated by violence. We’re empowering people – not just rescuing victims. We’re giving HRDs what they need to be as effective as possible in their work, which in turn makes us even more effective in our advocacy. And in the coming months we’ll be launching a campaign so you can get involved in our work for human rights defenders – more details soon! Women laugh in But we can’t do any of a market in Nepal this without funding. Your generous donation will enable us to continue defending the courageous men and women who tackle injustice and campaign for religious freedom.
Donate today to fund life-changing training across the world. There’s a gift form and freepost envelope enclosed with this issue, or you can give online www.csw.org.uk/donate
His crime? Well, UN experts have ruled that he is being detained ‘solely because of his faith’. For eight years, every word he’s spoken with his wife has been watched over by prison guards. How many birthdays, weddings and family gatherings have passed during this time? That’s when the reality of just how much he’s missed hits me. ‘So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.’ Joel 2:25 (NKJV) I believe that God can fulfil this beautiful promise in Alim’s life – to restore to him everything he’s lost. Please join me in praying this verse over Alim and his family. Emma Howlett Communications Team
Around the world Iran As we go to print, at least 12 Iranian Christians have been sentenced to ten or more years in prison for ‘national security’ crimes. In reality, their ‘crimes’ were simply celebrating Christmas, having a picnic, or meeting together. Their situations could change quickly, so check our website and social media for updates to guide your prayers.
Vietnam Nguyen Huu Tan died in suspicious circumstances, within ten hours of being taken into police custody on 3 May 2017. The Hoa Hao Buddhist had been detained under legislation that’s often misused against activists – and Mr Tan’s father had asked the government for the return of land confiscated by the authorities. Family members who requested an investigation into his death have been threatened with arrest. Please pray that a full and fair investigation will take place.
Cuba Religious freedom activist Félix Llerena López was arrested three months after an advocacy visit with CSW to the US. Police have said they are bringing criminal charges against him, but have not produced documentation that would allow him to appeal. He is not permitted to travel and was also expelled from university, so please pray for Félix at this difficult time.
Please pray • For God to give Alim strength and faith to endure his sentence • That God would move the hearts of the authorities so that Alim can have more regular visits from his wife and children • That God would move powerfully to restore the lost years to Alim and his family.
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Country in focus:
SRI LANKA
This is the Stuart that many of you will be familiar with: microphone in hand, talking enthusiastically about CSW! His packed schedule of speaking engagements took him all over the UK, sometimes to three different places a day.
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Stuart vis iting
a school
in Nepal
“Stuart has left a huge hole in all our lives, but he has left an even bigger legacy.” – Mervyn Thomas
We were deeply saddened by the loss of Rev Stuart Windsor, our Special Ambassador, who passed away at his home on 17 September. Stuart served as CSW’s National Director for 19 years before retiring and becoming our Special Ambassador, a role that he embraced with passion and commitment until the very end: he had been due to speak at a church in Sussex the morning he died. Passionately dedicated to the cause of religious freedom, Stuart travelled all over the world to visit people who were being persecuted for their faith and hear their stories first hand – something that often put him at great personal risk. Stuart’s deep and genuine love of Jesus shone out in everything he did, both as a pastor and as a tireless campaigner for human rights. His faith in God was absolutely unshakeable, and those who knew him often heard him quote his favourite verse, James 5:16: ‘The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person availeth much.’
Always a determined supporter of CSW’s campaigns, Stuart protests outside the Chinese embassy in London in 2016, demanding justice for Chinese human rights lawyer Li Heping.
Stuart testifies before the UN Commission of Inquiry on North Korea in 2013. His work put him in the very highest corridors of power, giving evidence in both Houses of the United States Congress, at the United Nations, and during hearings in the European and UK parliaments.
CSW will be holding a memorial service to give thanks for Stuart’s life, on 29 November 2017 at 2pm in Westminster Chapel, London. Everyone is welcome. Please email admin@csw.org.uk or call 020 8329 0010 to tell us if you would like to attend. 5
Perspectives
IRAQ
What does it mean to
BE A HERO?
Whenever I travel with CSW I always return with stories of heroes I’ve met. A recent visit to northern Iraq, where I visited towns around Mosul recently liberated from Islamic State (IS, Daesh) control, was no exception. However, some of the people I met caused me to stop and think about how we define our heroes. I met some whose heroism is obvious. People like Mustafa, a recent Christian convert who put his life on the line to rescue a Yazidi interpreter who lay dying in a sniper killzone. Mustafa carried the man to safety before being shot eight times. The last bullet went through his neck, and Mustafa kept his hand on his throat to stem the blood as he drove them both to safety. There is no doubt Mustafa is a hero, in this real life example of a Good Samaritan.
Or the testimony of Mariam, a Christian from Mosul who was captured by IS and sold as a slave more than 20 times over two years, during which she was raped and beaten hundreds of times. On one occasion, faced with her rapist captor, she threw herself from a third floor window. She was finally rescued, but when she went back home she was rejected by her family and even by her church, for allegedly bringing shame on them because of what had been done to her. Yet to me, Mariam’s strength and courage are heroic.
Every person I met, whether in the shade of a refugee camp or guarding one of the many roadside checkpoints, is a hero in their own right. From the comfort of my Western home I struggle to imagine the decisions they were forced to make: to run, to hide, to fight, to protect, to live. Would I have shown But then there are others who, while no less heroic, the courage they did? And what about those whose have stories that are more complex. Take Akram, stories are not simple, but an intricate mesh of a Christian teenager who hid with his disabled decisions and implications? Yet our privilege and mother as IS overran their village. Eventually they responsibility as followers of Jesus is to stand with were caught: his mother was they were that our those We’re sotortured, excited to announce nextwith messy, complex stories. My time in Iraq forced to convert, and Akram was made to join IS. has Pursue Justice event will take place on helped reframe my thinking, and I’m grateful for They only escaped when the area was liberated. The new heroes. Saturday 28 April 2018 – returning tomy the beautiful shame his mother feltStatPaul’s their Hammersmith. forced conversion, We’re busy planning SCOT BOWER matched by the pain ainbrilliant Akram’sday eyes, was evident packed with testimonies, updates, Chief Operating Officer as they told their story of courageous survival. The prayer and action, so don’t miss out! More details way this boy stood by his mum makes him my hero. Names have been changed for security reasons. to follow in the new year.
Save the DATE We’re so excited to announce that our next Pursue Justice event will take place on Saturday 28 April 2018 – returning to the beautiful St Paul’s Hammersmith. We’re busy planning a brilliant day packed with testimonies, updates, prayer and action, so don’t miss out! More details to follow in the new year.
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Feature
their stians saved Jigawa’s Chri n io ct u m destr churches fro
“We remembered what you taught us”
The bulldozers arrived one morning without warning. Within hours The Lord’s Chosen Church and The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) had been completely destroyed. Another five churches in Dutse, Jigawa State in northern Nigeria, were under threat of demolition. But because of CSW’s training, the bulldozers went no further. All thanks to your support, gifts and prayers… In January 2017 local authorities had slated seven churches for demolition – allegedly because they were ‘illegally constructed in a residential area’. Church leaders were still negotiating with the authorities when police arrived at The Lord’s Chosen Church with bulldozers, and proceeded to demolish it. The RCCG building was next. No warning, no due process and no court order. But some church leaders remembered a CSW training course they’d attended ten years earlier – and they decided to take
a stand before more churches were demolished. They told us, “We remembered what you taught us and we decided to make a noise with the press.” The authorities had planned to demolish all seven churches within two weeks, starting with the smallest. Putting CSW’s training into action meant this plan was halted. “Because of the noise we made they cannot do anything.” In fact, their social media campaign was so extensive that some of us had assumed more than two churches had been destroyed!
“What they did was so effective that local government plans to destroy churches have been disrupted, despite local officials denying it has anything to do with the church’s press campaign” CSW Advocacy Team Leader
Nigeria Campaign Update Thank you to all those who signed and sent back the petition in the previous edition of Response, protesting religiously-motivated violence in Nigeria. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response! If you haven’t already sent yours in, the deadline is 30 October. On Wednesday 15 November, we will present the petition in a meeting at the Foreign Office – and we’ll let you know the results of that meeting. We’re also asking you to email the governor of Kaduna State, one of the worst affected states. It only takes two minutes. Just go to www.csw.org.uk/nigeria Thank you!
“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1
This scripture sits boldly on a sign outside the tent in which The Lord’s Chosen Church meets today. As the leaders told us, the church “is being persecuted and being denied its right to worship”. While a recently constructed mosque remains, church leaders have been told their buildings will be moved to an undisclosed location. Whatever occurs, they remain encouraged by the promise that they have an eternal house in heaven.
One Month, One Church, One Prayer: Join us in a month of prayer and action for the persecuted Church this November. You’ll find everything you need on our website. Just visit www.csw.org.uk/oneprayer to download the IDOP prayer, a prayer map and an ideas kit. Or call our office on 020 8329 0010. Keep praying for the churches in Jigaw a as they fight to stay in the region
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Get involved this November! On Wednesday 22 November, get your church praying together for persecuted Christians around the world. #RedWednesday is an international event highlighting the scale of global Christian persecution today. • On #RedWednesday, 22 November, ask your church or small group to wear red. • Light your church building in red, showing solidarity with persecuted Christians. • Pray together for the persecuted Church. This November, stand up for faith and freedom!
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is an organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice. PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3YF, United Kingdom T: +44 (0)20 8329 0010 E: admin@csw.org.uk www.csw.org.uk @csw_uk /cswuk Registered Charity No. 281836