Response: April 2024

Your insight into religious freedom

April-July 2024

Sudan: Reflecting on a year of crisis Mexico: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is growing in the darkest of places...’ and more...

Bishop Rolando Álvarez Lagos (photo taken before arrest). DIVERGENTES/Carlos Herrera

Bishop Álvarez: Released into exile

Also inside this issue:

Lead story: Bishop Álvarez

Released into exile: Bishop Álvarez

The release of Bishop Álvarez Lagos should have been purely good news. After more than five months under house arrest, followed by nearly a year in solitary confinement, the Nicaraguan human rights defender was finally free.

We of course have reason to celebrate: the bishop is no longer held in inhumane conditions; no longer serving over 26 years on false charges. However, this breakthrough is bittersweet, as Bishop Álvarez Lagos was exiled from the country, having already been stripped of his nationality and his civil rights for life.

‘Like many religious leaders in Nicaragua, Bishop Álvarez Lagos was targeted for refusing to stay silent in the face of corruption and rampant violations of fundamental human rights,’ said Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Head of Advocacy.

release, including by raising awareness in the media, briefing politicians and highlighting his case to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

After his arrest in August 2022, Bishop Álvarez Lagos was transferred to La Modelo Tipitapa prison, where he was held in a punishment cell with very little light. Political prisoners in Nicaragua are not allowed a Bible or other religious literature.

On 14 January we heard the news that Bishop Álvarez Lagos had been released from prison, but expelled to the Vatican along with 18 other Roman Catholic bishops, priests and seminarians – most of whom had also been political prisoners. Among the group was Bishop Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega, who had been arrested just before Christmas 2023, after he told his congregation that Nicaragua's bishops were ‘united in prayer’ for Bishop Álvarez Lagos. It is alarming that even such acts of solidarity can lead to arrest.

He may have been alone in his cell, but you stood alongside him in prayer and support, as well as writing letters of encouragement. Thank you!

Meanwhile, we were consistently advocating for his unconditional 2

Released into exile

Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes and Bishop Álvarez (photo prior to arrest)

‘[Their release] should not be interpreted as a gesture of good will on the part of the government,’ said Anna Lee. ‘Bishop Álvarez Lagos, Bishop Mora Ortega and the 17 others have been forced to leave their country, because the government compels those who are critical of the regime to choose between prison or exile.’

No one should be forced to make such a choice. But sadly, this is the everyday news in Nicaragua, where Protestant Christians and other minorities are also under threat and now also being imprisoned.

‘Even bringing a Bible to sick people in hospital, or to prisons or educational centres, can be seen as a crime...’

Bishop Álvarez Lagos surrounded by security forces, 2022. Photo: Diocese of Matagalpa

Tightening reigns on freedom Earlier this year, we released a report describing the Nicaraguan government’s hostile takeover of religious life, and their evertightening reigns on fundamental freedoms. It is particularly disturbing to hear of the government’s monitoring and surveillance of religious activities, which is putting pressure on leaders to practice self-censorship.

‘Police officers infiltrate churches to listen to what is said,’ said one defender of freedom of religion or belief, who must remain anonymous.

They explained that even bringing a Bible to sick people in hospital, or to prisons or educational centres, can be seen as a crime.

‘What can really be seen is a country with a population full of fear, trembling, sadness, anguish, psychological trauma, anxiety and depression… There is no longer joy; 3

Lead story: Bishop Álvarez

Feature: Sudan

‘All they did was destroy the building, not the church...’

Reflecting on a year of crisis in Sudan

Bishop Rolando Álvarez Lagos (photo taken before arrest).

DIVERGENTES/Carlos Herrera

children and families cannot go out into the streets happy and free. [There are] homes where only mother is there because father is in prison, or a relative [is] in jail; children alone without father and mother because they both had to emigrate and go into exile in other countries. The people of Nicaragua are suffering all this and more.’

President Ortega and his government seem determined to silence their critics, and all independent voices in Nicaragua, using a range of tactics.

Meanwhile, we remain determined to expose the sinister truth and hold them to account. The authorities

may be closely monitoring religious activities, but we are continuing to meticulously record violations of freedom of religion or belief through our in-country documenters. And we can see it having an effect. We have spoken to people who were previously unaware of the situation in Nicaragua, but now they know. Now the world is watching.

Breakthroughs may be bittersweet, but we will celebrate every small and partial step forward, even as we continue pressing on for justice in full.

Make a gift towards freedom. Today.

With your partnership and prayers, we can continue advocating for the oppressed – the unjustly imprisoned, the exiled, and anybody living in fear because of their religion or belief.

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‘Sudan is facing one of the fastest unfolding crises globally,’ said UN experts in February this year. They estimated that 25 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, with over 14 million children among that incomprehensible number. We must not forget their suffering amid the other urgent crises around the world, and must continue praying and advocating for peace.

Sudan has been in a state of crisis since April 2023, when conflict broke out between two factions of the ruling military junta: the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The violence began just days before they were due to merge as part of a planned transition to democracy.

parties, and the seizure of religious buildings for use as military bases.

For example, the SAF shelled and completely destroyed the largest church in Omdurman on 1 November.

In the year since then, it is Sudan’s civilians who have suffered most, bearing the brunt of air strikes and some of the gravest crimes under international law.

Churches under fire Christians are particularly vulnerable, with reports of attacks on clergy, the bombing of churches by both warring

The Evangelical/Episcopal Church in Omdurman, shelled by the SAF November 2023

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Feature: Sudan ‘The extremists have always wanted to destroy the churches in Sudan, particularly our church, the Evangelical Church, and there is no better time than the current one.’

On 12 January the Evangelical Church in Wad Madani was set on fire and partially destroyed by members of the RSF. The church is the biggest and one of the oldest in Gezira State, which has been controlled by the RSF since December 2023. It is considered a high value target and is next door to an Evangelical school that the previous regime attempted to seize.

Crisis in context:

Fortunately, the church was empty at the time of the attack. However, this means that the only way the culprits would have been able to break into the building and set it on fire would

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solidarity and prayers to the Lord for saving the Christians in Sudan and giving them peace and reassurance.’

‘They shot my son’

Damage to the Evangelical Church in Wad Madani

have been with the knowledge of the RSF. After the attack, CSW spoke to Reverend Yahia Nalu, Chairman of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Synod, who told us: ‘All they did was destroy the building, not the church. The building is not the church because the church is in the souls of believers.’

Reverend Nalu’s words are inspiring, but he also believes that the situation is likely to get worse.

‘The situation is alarming, and we are apprehensive that these violations will continue and expand, not only to buildings but to target the servants of the Lord. We need everyone’s

Faced with similar violations, many Christians have fled the country over the past year. Among them is Father Arsenius, priest of the Al-Masalma Coptic Church in Omdurman which was attacked by RSF gunmen last May. The attackers shot Father Arsenius’ son in front of him and threatened to do the same to him if he did not accept Islam. ‘They shot my son, and he was lying down in front of me and heavily bleeding,’ he explained in a TV interview after he fled to Egypt.

‘I rushed to help him and told them this is my son, but they did not allow me and threatened me to shoot him if I tried to help him.’

‘The person in charge put his Kalashnikov down, took his knife, and passed it on up from my neck to my kidney. He threatened to shoot me if I did not accept Islam. I refused and

2019 protests.

Photo: Amgad Salah

said if God wants me to die by your bullet, His will is above us.’

Thankfully, Father Arsenius’ son later received treatment at a private hospital and has since recovered.

Many in Sudan still need our prayers.

Prayer and advocacy CSW had called, alongside other NGOs, for the creation of an independent fact-finding mission on Sudan as a matter of urgency. Encouragingly, the UN established a fact-finding mission in October 2023, which began work in January 2024, but it remains short of funding.

13 December 2018

22 February 2019

11 April 2019

3 June 2019

August 2019

July 2020

Protests begin in Blue Nile State and soon spread across Sudan.

President Omar al-Bashir declares a one-year state of emergency in response to continuing protests.

President Bashir is removed from power by the army, bringing an end to three decades of oppressive rule characterised by severe and widespread human rights violations.

Rapid Support Forces (RSF) use heavy gunfire and tear gas to disperse a sit-in by protestors in Khartoum, killing over 100 people. Many female and several male protestors are raped.

A transitional, civilianled government is appointed and expected to run for 39 months to move Sudan towards democracy, marking a brief period of hope for change.

The death penalty is abolished for apostasy (leaving one’s religion), and it is subsequently decriminalised. This is one of the few positive steps forward made during the transitional period.

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Feature: Sudan

Perspectives: Mexico

One of its key tasks is to investigate and analyse evidence of human rights violations during the conflict, with a view to ensuring accountability for those responsible. It is due to report its initial findings at the June-July session of UN Human Rights Council, before a comprehensive report at the September-October session.

You can join us in praying for this important work; that it will be funded sufficiently and supported by UN member states, bring to light the suffering that is currently unseen and contribute significantly towards peace, justice and accountability.

We also ask you to pray for those facing specific violations because of their religion or belief: ‘We request special prayers for the little remaining servants of the Lord in Sudan who are doing a great job,’ says Reverend Nalu. ‘Please pray to the Lord to give them strength and put food on their tables as they have no income or savings. We finally request prayers for rebuilding these destroyed and burned churches.’

Pray for Sudan using p.5 of the Prayer Diary.

Latest updates: csw.org.uk/sudan

Reflecting on a visit to Mexico ‘ Tell them that the Kingdom of Heaven is growing in the darkest of places…’

Pro-democracy demonstrations, 2019.

Photo: Amgad Salah/Facebook

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25 October 2021

July 2022

15 April 2023

The Sudanese military seizes power in a coup, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. He declares a state of emergency and claims that the military intends to hold power until elections in July 2023.

Four men are charged with apostasy, despite it being decriminalised in 2020, indicating a deterioration in the situation of human rights following the coup.

Conflict breaks out between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, which plunges the country into humanitarian crisis.

These hope-filled words come from a pastor and human rights defender in Mexico. Some of the CSW global team were able to meet him in person at the start of the year, as well as many others facing violations because of their beliefs. CEO Scot Bower tells us more about the visit to Mexico.

Scot with Maria Concepción, her family, Pastor Rogelio and members of their church

‘If human rights are to matter at all, they must protect even the smallest child in the most remote village.’

I sat opposite an elderly pastor and human rights defender, listening to the translation of his words as they were repeated back to me. I had asked what message he might have for CSW supporters, and the reply had come quickly: the kingdom of heaven is on the move, and human rights matter – to everyone, everywhere.

I’ve been reflecting on many of my conversations in Mexico since returning to the UK, but this 9

Perspectives: Mexico encounter stood out. Perhaps it was the assurance of his age, or the authenticity of his words as an indigenous Zapotec Christian speaking about a situation he knew well. Next time, he tells me, he would be glad to take me to the mountain villages. Today, though, it is too risky; too dangerous to show up unannounced.

I was in Mexico with CSW team members from the UK and the US, along with colleagues from our Mexico office, Impulso18. During our assignment we met with pastors, lawyers, state and federal government officials, as well as embassy staff.

Most importantly we spent time with individuals and communities who faced hostility and harassment after converting away from the majority religion.

Driven out of the village We travelled for seven hours on the mountain roads to Oaxaca and sat with a young family who had been expelled from their community seven years ago. The now adult daughter described the moment she learned that her father had been thrown out of their village.

Her father had been forced into a truck, driven out of the village and left by the side of the road hours away from his home. He then walked home, only to be detained again by members of the village assembly and driven even further away from the village – this time a four-hour journey. The family are now settled in the state capital and rarely visit the village that their family called home for generations.

Pablo delivering your Connect & Encourage letters

After attending a local Protestant church service, we visited an elderly couple with a similar story. This pastor and his wife had been expelled from their community over 30 years ago and had brought up their children in the city. The sense of loss of indigenous identity – particularly for the now adult children, who have since gained a university education and moved away – was palpable.

Stories of expulsion or the threat of exile were relatively common, but the persecution faced by minority communities varied. Some faced fines for refusing to take part in religious festivals, others found their crops destroyed.

Meeting Maria Concepción In Hidalgo we met with Maria Concepción, who will be known to many CSW supporters. Last year we asked for urgent prayer after a violent attack on Maria Concepción left her in intensive care. Members of her Baptist church had even cleared a plot of land for her burial, as hope was dwindling.

But our collective prayers were answered: Maria Concepción survived.

She told me that her health was much improved, yet she was still experiencing problems with her eyes. Please continue to lift Maria Concepción and her family in prayer.

I also had the privilege of meeting Maria Concepción’s pastor – a brave

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young man whose house had been destroyed in an effort to pressure him to move away from his village. ‘When you convert to Christianity, you lose all your rights in the village,’ he told me.

Training and equipping Yet there is hope. Everywhere we visited we heard the same message, as all agreed that training was key.

Bringing together religious and community leaders to increase understanding of rights and tolerance towards minority groups is desperately needed.

CSW have been invited to lead or contribute to such training in at least five states. And as I spent time with the religious affairs teams in Hidalgo and Oaxaca, I was impressed by their commitment to see change in their states and to work together to ensure the rights of minorities are protected.

There is much to do and the situation is extremely complex, but there is a willingness to work towards change and CSW are extremely well positioned to help. As my Zapotec pastor friend reminded us: the kingdom of heaven is on the move, and we are committed to bring light where there is darkness – to bring justice and freedom for all in Mexico.

Pray for Mexico using p.10 of the Prayer Diary.

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Around the world: Recent News

Around the world Activist raided by Indian authorities On 2 February, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation conducted raids on the office and residence of prominent activist and author, Dr Harsh Mander. Dr Mander is known for openly criticising India’s ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for fuelling communal disharmony.

Dr Harsh Mander

The raids and investigations are clearly a response to Dr Mander’s continued human rights advocacy.

They reflect the sort of tactics used by the BJP to silence their critics, especially ahead of India’s 2024 general election. Over 250 activists and scholars issued a joint statement condemning the raids, labelling them a 'vindictive witch hunt'.

had been peacefully protesting the construction of a hydroelectric dam, which would destroy six monasteries and force two villages to relocate.

As well as being home to hundreds of Buddhist monks, these monasteries have huge religious and historical significance. Wonto Monastery, for example, is famous for its ancient architecture and murals dating back to the 13th century.

Montagnard Christians targeted in Vietnam On 26 January, Nay Y Blang was unjustly sentenced to over four years in prison after holding prayer meetings in his home. He was accused of using the prayer meetings to ‘gather forces’, divide national unity, and incite secession.

The 48-year-old is a Montagnard Christian and a member of the Central Highlands Evangelical Church of Christ, which is not recognised or approved by the Vietnamese government. Another member of the church, Y Krec Bya, was arrested while celebrating Easter last year.

Mass detentions in China Police in Sichuan Province have detained more than 1,000 Tibetans since 22 February. Among them were monks and local residents who 12

Nay Y Blang. Photo: Cong An Nhan Dan/Radio Free Asia

Hundreds of Nigerian schoolchildren abducted ‘When I turned, we discovered that the school premises was surrounded by bandits. We became confused; we didn’t know where to go…’

A schoolteacher describes the moment when armed terrorists descended on the government school in Kuriga, Kaduna State, on 7 March. Some escaped, but tragically 287 primary and secondary school children were abducted.

This was the second mass abduction in a week, marking a concerning resurgence in central and northern Nigeria.

On 4 March, around 200 women and children were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists while gathering firewood in Borno State. Those taken had been living in camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), having been forced to flee their homes due to violence.

And the tragedy continued the following week, when around 61 people were abducted on 11 March from Buda in Kajuru, southern Kaduna State.

Good news: Three acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan We welcome the acquittal of two Christian brothers, Rocky and Raja Masih, who were cleared of blasphemy charges on 1 March. A court ruled that the brothers had been framed by two people who held a grudge against them.

When Rocky and Raja were falsely accused in August 2023, hundreds stormed the Christian colony in Jaranwala, seeking to execute the two men themselves. Over 21 churches and several homes were set on fire, and many people are still living in difficult conditions. Some, including children, developed skin diseases due to the chemicals used to set the fires.

On the same day as Rocky and Raja’s acquittal, a Hindu man’s

Rocky and Raja Masih with their lawyer.

Photo: Facebook/Tahir Bashir

25-year sentence was overturned after a successful appeal. Notan Lal, a headteacher, was accused of blasphemy by a student in 2019. This accusation sparked an outbreak of violence in Ghotki District. Mr Lal’s school was ransacked; a Hindu temple was attacked; and shops owned by the Hindu community were looted.

Both cases highlight the dangerous impact of Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws – on individuals, and on entire communities. We continue to call for their repeal.

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Your Stories: Making a difference together

Supporting CSW for over 30 years This year, we are celebrating 45 years of CSW! In that time, CSW has grown into an international organisation that is at the forefront of protecting freedom of religion or belief for all, in over 20 countries.

Mervyn Thomas at the launch of CSW’s Faith and the Future report, 2018

We give God thanks for sustaining us for so many years. We are also deeply grateful to every individual and organisation that has partnered with CSW through their prayers, gifts and campaigning at any point along our journey so far. Together, with God, we’re making a difference. Thank you!

Reverend Martin Truscott has been supporting CSW with a monthly gift for over 30 years. He said: ‘I can’t remember how I first got involved with CSW – it’s been part of my life for a long time. Like many people of my generation, my father was a prisoner of war, so freedom was very important to him. He and my mother taught us that we all belong to each other and that not everyone is the same as us – it was just the way we lived. Supporting CSW became a part of this for me. I receive the magazine regularly and I’ve kept involved by praying and preaching.

‘To those who are not yet involved, I would say: think about the freedoms you take for granted. They were spelled out by Franklin D Roosevelt:

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“freedom of speech… freedom of worship… freedom from want… freedom from fear”.

‘Looking ahead, we still need to live in hope. It’s incredibly important that we keep on working towards justice.’

‘Suddenly, Christians were free to worship…’

CSW’s Founder President, Mervyn Thomas, also shared his reflections: ‘We started CSW in 1979 in response to Christian persecution in Eastern Europe – the old Soviet Bloc. We felt God had called us to ‘speak up for those who couldn’t speak up for themselves’ (Proverbs 31:8).

‘Ten years later, communist governments fell throughout Eastern Europe and suddenly overnight Christians were free to worship and practice their faith freely.

‘During the early eighties, we campaigned for Romanian Orthodox priest Father George Calciu, who had been in prison for 21 years, including several years in solitary confinement.

The young MP David Alton was travelling to Romania in 1984 and, whilst our supporters were praying in the UK, David spoke to Romanian government officials and Father Calciu was released from prison.

‘After communism fell, we looked around the world and found that not only were Christians persecuted, but also other religious minorities.

Lord Alton at a CSW protest, 2021

Proverbs 31 told us to speak up for all who couldn’t speak up for themselves, so we began campaigning for freedom of region or belief for all, in accordance with Article 18 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

‘Today the situation is as bad as ever, but nevertheless thanks to our efforts over the years, there is more awareness of the issues than ever before. Therefore, I have hope because we have in place initiatives like the International Religious and Belief Alliance (IRFBA) with 40 member countries working together to make a difference, and CSW is right at the heart of IRFBA, with three people serving on their panel of experts.’

Thank you so much for supporting CSW and helping to bring about so many breakthroughs over the years!

Join the movement.

Together, we are working towards a world free of religious persecution.

Visit csw.org.uk/donate to make a special anniversary gift or set up a monthly gift, if you can, so that CSW can continue to speak up for people suffering for their beliefs for as long as they need us.

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Play your part in tackling injustice

Madhuri in Nasik, India. Photo: Marcus Perkins/CSW (2008)

45 years of speaking out against injustice We have seen many breakthroughs over the last 45 years, and we will continue to stand with people who are targeted for their beliefs – for as long as it takes.

Whether you have joined us in working for justice through prayer, giving or campaigning (or all three), thank you!

Please continue to partner with us in this vital work as so many people still need your help.

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