Response: January 2024

The difference your support made in 2023

January-April 2024

Perspectives: One day this will pass...

In focus: Reflections on our UN work in 2023 and more...

Training journalists in Mexico

Equipping journalists in Nigeria and Mexico

Also inside this issue:

Lead story: Training journalists

Equipping journalists in Nigeria and Mexico Journalists across the world are risking their lives to report on human rights violations. But a lack of understanding about freedom of religion or belief can lead to inaccurate or misleading reporting.

The impact of this can be devastating, and hard to reverse.

Thanks to the generous funding of a charitable trust, CSW has been training local journalists in Nigeria and Mexico to help change the story. We are hopeful that the skills they have learnt will be used to generate more effective media coverage about issues involving the right to freedom of religion or belief, and will make a difference for years to come.

2

The importance of the media cannot be understated. The stories they report, and the way they are reported in print and online publications, can contribute directly to the shaping of public opinion. Journalists who do not fully understand the importance of freedom of religion or belief, or how it is defined in domestic and international law, can inadvertently misinform the public, weakening pressure on the government to take effective action when the right is being violated.

In many countries, public opinion can play an important role in the impact of advocacy. A well-

informed public – including CSW supporters like you – can increase pressure on government officials to uphold human rights (including freedom of religion or belief). The public can also call on their leaders to hold perpetrators to account for their crimes.

What is the impact of poorly-informed reporting?

Over the years, we have seen the negative impact of poor media reporting, as CSW has worked on freedom of religion or belief issues in Nigeria and Mexico. In some cases, journalists accept as fact and report a government official’s statement that the victims are responsible for

the violations they are experiencing, without asking hard questions or seeking to hear the other side of the story. Such victim-blaming is often deliberately designed to shift attention away from the perpetrators.

Due to poor reporting on issues relating to freedom of religion or belief, people in both Nigeria and Mexico – including fellow Christians – often have little or no idea that people so close to home are experiencing severe human rights violations because of their religion or belief. Better reporting would help to expose the injustices taking place in nearby communities.

3

Lead story: Training journalists How is CSW tackling this issue?

What difference has been made?

We noticed that in both countries, most journalists are strongly committed to their work. They carry it out at great personal risk, but often lack the training to improve their reporting on freedom of religion or belief.

We are delighted that 51 journalists attended these workshops led by two of our in-country offices: CSW Nigeria, and Impulso18 in Mexico.

And we believe the participants will go on to have a considerable impact, as they put what they have learnt into practice.

In 2023, CSW began a new initiative to equip local journalists in Mexico and Nigeria – particularly those in regions with high rates of freedom of religion or belief violations. Thanks to the generous funding of a charitable trust, we were able to invite journalists to attend training workshops where they learnt about this human right and met survivors of violations. In Mexico they also interacted with state government officials who are tasked with upholding freedom of religion or belief.

A participant in Mexico said: ‘I plan to share all the materials you have, with great pleasure. I know so many pastors that this will help!’

One of our Impulso18 team members noted that the trainings were effective in bringing together the government, people affected by violations, and journalists: ‘We were an intermediary to facilitate understanding and dialogue.’

They also said: ‘Our hope is that religious minorities – who for years have faced attacks, discrimination, contempt, and more – will be seen and heard by civil society, by churches, and by the government (especially at the municipal level).

And that they would have greater support for solutions.’

'I plan to share all the materials you have... I know so many pastors this will help!'

4

‘Deeply optimistic’ One of the CSW Nigeria trainers said that he was encouraged by the timing of the workshops, because ‘Nigeria, especially northern Nigeria, is witnessing a high level of religious rights violations’. They continued: ‘The training gave the participants the opportunity to know about rights violations, drivers of those violations, and how to help those being violated. I remain deeply optimistic that the awareness created in them would lead to them making positive impact in their various states through their mediums.’

More success in 2024 Encouragingly, the 2023 workshops were covered positively in local media. And in the weeks and months since then, CSW Nigeria and Impulso18 have been contacted by

journalists and others who are keen to participate in future trainings. Another round will take place in 2024.

We are grateful to be able to continue equipping journalists, so that they can apply ‘best practice’ when reporting on freedom of religion or belief cases. We hope that this will result in improved coverage of these issues and creates a better-informed population, who are motivated and capable of holding governments to account for their actions.

Make a gift towards freedom. Today.

With your help, we can continue to raise awareness of religious freedom violations through our work with journalists, human rights defenders, and communities in the countries we work on.

5

Perspectives: Cuba

‘One day this will pass...’

e ssag r e m A sto . a P from zo’s son n Lore

A message from Pastor Lorenzo’s son.

Over the past two years, we have persistently advocated for Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo – an independent church leader in Cuba, who was arrested amid the peaceful protests of 11 July 2021. The following message comes from his son, David Rosales Carballo, who was detained alongside him that day*.

It is a privilege to hear David’s experience first-hand; how this long season has impacted his faith, his studies, and his hopes for the future.

We echo his thanks for all who have given heartfelt prayers and support for this courageous family – especially the hundreds who wrote a birthday greeting in October. It was a beautiful example of the global Church rising to stand against injustice. Together we will carry on the work until Pastor Lorenzo is freed. *David was only 17 years old at the time of the protests. After he was detained, he was separated from his father and transported in a blacked-out truck while handcuffed to another prisoner.

When David’s mother, Maridilegnis, asked about her son, the authorities claimed to have no knowledge of his whereabouts.

David was considered disappeared for a week, before he returned home on the evening of 18 July. Yet while her son was still missing, Maridilegnis was forced to sign a document stating that he had been charged with ‘disrespect’ and ‘public disorder’ and had to pay a 2,000 peso fine on his behalf.

6

David's words This time, with my father in prison, has been a very tough process for me and my family. But ‘with God, all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26).

When I left prison, everything had completely changed. I had to face my father’s sentence and my family’s pain over the injustice; I was there, I saw everything. These experiences affected my heart and mind on a grand scale, and I still need healing in different areas because [the wounds] are very deep.

Thus, I had to be strong to help my mum and my sister and, together, we had to rise up and be a support to my father who is in jail.

I also had university entrance exams coming up, but only God helped make it possible for me to study the career of which I had dreamed: Automatic Engineering. Perhaps there was then a little satisfaction, because I was going to go to university.

However, as every young Cuban knows, there is no great future behind all of this. It is as if one’s dreams crumble in one’s hands, but I had faith and started the degree.

Thanks to God, I managed (with great effort) to finish the first semester with good grades.

The conditions in the schools for scholarship students are inexplicable;

David and Maridilegnis

I would not have words to describe that here. It’s very laborious in all areas, and you become more discouraged every day to the point of no longer wanting to carry on.

This is how my dreams drifted away, but I decided to start my own business to help support my family and fulfil my dreams of having a workshop to repair and sell mobile phones. God put it on the hearts of people to make this possible, to help me with this project that is important to me. I am very grateful; it was encouraging to me, and it would not have been possible without this support.

My spiritual life was greatly affected by this whole process. Pain made me unable to see, and I questioned God: ‘Why did you allow such injustice to happen to my dad, who has served you all his life?’

7

Perspectives: Cuba

In Focus: United Nations

It was through His love, leading me through various circumstances, that I returned to Him. Today, despite all of this, I walk in confidence, and I wait on Him. This is also a beautiful opportunity to publicly thank brothers and sisters in the faith, who have been sending us mail during this time. All of it has been helpful, encouraging and comforting for my dad, and also for us as a family.

Our advocacy enhanced: Reflections on our UN work in 2023

When I see that, despite the distance, you take the time to show us your support, I am impressed.

Many of the letters are made with your hands and creativity, and that has impacted us a lot.

I f you have been receiving Response for a long time, you may know that it took us years to be granted our United Nations accreditation.

We eventually received it in 2017, and have been making the most of it ever since.

It has also sent a powerful message to the government: we are not alone.

We have all been able to see the love of God in action – that is the perfect bond. One day, all of this will pass, but love will remain.

At the start of every year, we like to look back on our work at the UN over the past 12 months. What has gone well? And where are we still waiting to see results?

So, keep going.

Thank you all for each letter.

Our advocacy enhanced

With love, David

Pray for Cuba using

CSW protest in London, 2022

p.9 of the Prayer Diary.

Send hope

Cuba is currently the biggest section in Connect & Encourage, our directory of people who have asked to receive cards and letters. Some have loved ones in prison or are in prison themselves. Write to someone in need of hope: csw.org.uk/ConnectEncourage 8

CSW’s UN Officer Claire Denman attended all three sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva in 2023 – in March, June and September. While there is plenty of advocacy that will continue into 2024, we are also encouraged by breakthroughs in cases like that of Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo.

Pastor Lorenzo has been unjustly imprisoned in Cuba since July 2021, and where initially his case seemed not to draw much international attention, that changed last year as UN experts grew far more vocal on this continued injustice.

‘We are imminently waiting for an opinion to be adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on the case,’ explains Claire. ‘This will be helpful and will provide us with 9

In Focus: United Nations a formal UN opinion on what’s happened to Pastor Lorenzo, which will enhance our advocacy and ability to take that information to others who can help us hold Cuba accountable for his imprisonment.’

A breakthrough on Sudan In October, the Council adopted a resolution which established an independent, international factfinding mission (FFM) for Sudan. This is something we had been calling for as a matter of urgency, as the country remains engulfed in conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with civilians bearing the brunt.

The FFM will comprise three experts who will investigate, collect and analyse evidence of violations and abuses that have taken place during the conflict. Most encouragingly, it is also required to systematically record and preserve all information, documentation and evidence for future legal action.

for Sudan was established, Member States failed to renew a resolution that would have enabled continued international scrutiny of the situation of human rights in Ethiopia.

This is still sorely needed to investigate potential atrocity crimes in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The UN’s failure to maintain this mandate is not only a missed opportunity; it also dealt a huge blow to survivors, who were looking to the UN to ensure accountability.

But even in the face of disappointments like these, Claire emphasises that the Council remains the foremost body for engaging on international human rights issues: ‘It provides a really unique place and space for trying to get important issues onto the agenda, discussed, and acted upon. Sometimes that happens more quickly than others, but it brings all the key actors to the same table to discuss the issues and to work out a way forward.’

CHINA The campaign of harassment continues against Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu. Church members and leaders faced various illegal tactics to prevent them from joining an online prayer meeting on 9 December 2023.

The gathering was to mark five years since the arrest of over 100 church members, including Pastor Wang Yi. Tactics included power cuts, police stationed outside their homes, door-todoor threats, and being forcibly taken to police stations.

Subdeacon Jia Xuewei was placed under administrative detention for 15 days, and preacher Dai Zhichao was criminally Preacher Dai Zhichao and his wife. Source: detained on suspicion China Aid of ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’. Mr Dai was released on bail on 9 January.

INDIA

‘It is not just a case of monitoring and reporting,’ says Claire. ‘It has a lot more weight to it, in the sense that the evidence that will be collected can be used for accountability in the future.’

A leader of India’s ruling party was charged with hate speech against Muslims for the eighth time. T Raja Singh made the comments during a public meeting in his constituency on 13 November 2023, and the case was registered two days later. While Singh’s comments were made in Telangana State, there has been similarly dangerous rhetoric in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh states.

Perseverance through setbacks There were also challenges in 2023. At the same HRC session where the FFM 10

Around the world

Claire at the UN

Around the world: Recent News

Some members of the Bharatiya Janata Party have used election campaigns to propagate hate towards India’s Muslim community. In recent years, such comments have resulted in the socioeconomic boycott of Muslims in India, and in extreme cases have provoked vigilantism and sectarian violence.

NORTH KOREA Under the cover of darkness, over 500 North Korean refugees were forcibly repatriated from China on 9 October 2023. They were mostly women, particularly civilians and religious figures who had been trying to escape to safety in South Korea.

Mervyn Thomas on Save North Korean Refugees Day, 2023

‘The horrific treatment they will now face in North Korea is no secret,’ said Mervyn Thomas, CSW Founder President.

China continues to return refugees to North Korea, knowing that they will likely face torture, imprisonment, or even public execution. Those found to have had contact with Christians are known to face particularly harsh punishment.

As a member of the United Nations and a party to the UN Refugee Convention and Protocol, China must grant refugee status to North Korean refugees, or at least allow them safe passage to a third country.

11

Around the world: Recent News MYANMAR/BURMA In early December, a state court in Kachin State rejected the appeal of Rev Dr Hkalam Samson, who remains imprisoned since his arrest in Rev Samson December 2022. In April 2023 he was convicted – like most religious and political prisoners – on trumped-up charges under counterterrorism laws, routinely used by the military to silence opposition.

Rev Dr Samson is an internationally renowned Christian pastor and human rights advocate. He has been targeted for speaking out against the continuing atrocities of the Myanmar military, which seized power in a coup on 1 February 2021

EGYPT An estimated 3,000 Coptic Christians live in Al-Azeeb village in Minya Province. The community recently received a permit from the government to build a church, as they did not have one and had to commute elsewhere to worship.

On the evening of 18 December, as workers were digging the ground to lay foundation, extremist members of the Muslim community from Al-Azeeb and nearby villages attacked the building sites. The attackers clashed with police, who were deployed quickly to contain 12

Your Stories: Invitations to speak the situation, and threw stones and Molotov cocktails which set fire to several houses and injured livestock belonging to Christians.

A local source said that Christians in the village are now fearful to go outside.

VIETNAM Members of the indigenous KhmerKrom Buddhist community in Dai Tao Hamlet were violently attacked by non-uniformed Vietnamese authorities and local gang members on 22 November.

Three members of the Khmer-Krom group were injured: the temple’s Abbot, Venerable Thach Chanh Da Ra; Kim Khiem; and Thach Ret. Khmer-Krom Buddhists have faced harassment in Dai Tho since March 2022, when Vietnamese authorities attempted to cut down a sacred 700-year-old tree at the Tro Nom Sek temple, and responded with violence to the monks who resisted.

The November attack took place in a temple where a Khmer language class was taking place. Restrictions on indigenous languages have not only been imposed on Khmer-Krom Buddhists, but also on Montagnard Christians, Hmong Christians and many other indigenous religious groups in Vietnam.

Learning more and taking action hroughout 2023, churches T across the UK have welcomed our team into their Sunday services, small groups, prayer gatherings and other events. Whether in person or via video, it is always a privilege to be invited to share with you and your communities about those who are suffering for their beliefs. We are looking forward to meeting many more of you in 2024!

Hosting a speaker is one easy way for your church to make a difference in the year ahead. Our speakers are experts in their field who can help churches like yours gain a greater understanding of the harassment and persecution people are facing because of their beliefs. We can all play a part in working for justice for these groups, and we hope our words will encourage your community to stand up and speak out.

‘It's easy to forget the blessing and privilege we have here in the UK where we have freedom to follow beliefs, and worship where and when

CEO Scot Bower speaking at Purley Baptist Church

we wish,’ said a member of a church we visited in Ealing.

‘CSW gives us the opportunity to understand how many across the world suffer without such freedoms – and do something about it!’

They continued: ‘Among our congregation, we have a significant number who came originally from Nigeria, China, and Iran, so the issues resonate deeply with many of us.’

13

Your Stories: Invitations to speak Learning leads to action Our talks can also help congregations understand how their generous donations are used to make a difference to people suffering for their beliefs. We often focus on one specific person or community, which helps put a face and a name to the thousands of people experiencing injustice worldwide.

This past year, for example, we raised awareness for Pastor Lorenzo in Cuba, and Reverend Dr Hkalam Samson in Myanmar/Burma; both are unjustly imprisoned in connection with their beliefs. Many people heard their stories for the very first time, and many people were stirred to take action in response.

What does a speaking engagement look like?

No event is too big or too small! This past year we have spoken on stage at the Big Church Festival; given longer talks at churches of various sizes; and provided shorter video messages during the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Talks are always tailored to the needs of the church or community group, and often include a time of prayer afterwards. It is always so encouraging to continue the conversation over coffee, and see how people have been touched by what they’ve heard.

14

Our team of gifted communicators include staff members such as Founder President Mervyn Thomas, as well as volunteer speakers like our Church Ambassador Keith Davies. Keith has visited countless churches over many years, telling stories from around the world and encouraging prayer.

Encouraged by your compassion Neil joined CSW as Partnerships Manager in 2022, but he has long been passionate about working for a world where everyone is free to believe.

He said: ‘On a visit to Iraq in 2005, I made a promise to a pastor that when I returned home, I would share his stories with the UK Church.’ For nearly twenty years, this pastor’s stories have fuelled Neil’s desire to see more churches standing with all who face injustice. He regularly speaks at churches up and down the country. ‘I’ve seen how God speaks to us through these stories, and I’m thankful for every invitation to speak.’

‘I have been encouraged by the compassion of supporters who have been earnestly praying for people like Professor Solomon Tarfa in Nigeria,’ said Neil. Professor Tarfa had been serving an unjust prison sentence on false charges – but was acquitted and released in January 2023. While

Professor Tarfa has been set free, we are still praying and advocating for the return of all the children of Du Merci orphanages, founded by the professor and his wife, Mercy. Raising awareness, as well as mobilising prayer and campaigning, are all ways that the Church can rise up against injustices like this.

‘I’ve been talking to churches about the difference our supporters have made for Professor Tarfa and Mercy.

I’m praying that CSW can bless the Church in the same way the Church is a blessing to all those we seek to help.’

Neil, CSW Partnerships Manager

Would you like us to come to your church or event in 2024?

Visit csw.org.uk/inviteaspeaker for more information.

Thank you!

We are so grateful to everyone who gave to our Christmas appeal.

Thanks to generous supporters we were able to match donations pound for pound up to £83,100! Hundreds of you responded and to date you have given over £50,000 which will be put towards our work speaking up for people suffering for their beliefs.

Thank you so much!

Special thanks also go to Anne Greig who swam the length of the English Channel in her local pool – 22 miles – over four months. Anne said: ‘What motivated me were the photos I picked up at Greenbelt some five years ago of four individuals suffering persecution… It was a delight, in the last week of the swim, to hear that one of them [Nguyen Bac Truyen] had been released from prison… What really encouraged me were the donations – as they came in, I knew increasingly that I’d finish.’

As a result of completing this impressive challenge, Anne raised over £2,300 for CSW and Release International. Congratulations, Anne!

Get involved

Could you take on a fundraising challenge in 2024? Find inspiration and more at csw.org.uk/fundraise

15

Play your part in tackling injustice

Bishop Rolando Álvarez. Photo: DIVERGENTES/Carlos Herrera

Locked up for speaking out Bishop Rolando Álvarez has been a vocal defender of freedom of religion or belief and a critic of human rights abuses committed in Nicaragua, under the government of President Daniel Ortega.

On 10 February 2023, Bishop Álvarez was sentenced to over 26 years in prison on false charges of conspiracy and spreading false information. He was held in solitary confinement in a punishment cell for almost a year. On 14 January, we received the news that he had been freed and sent into exile with 18 other Roman Catholic leaders and seminarians. Bishop Álvarez is just one person among thousands around the world who dare to defend human rights and speak out against authoritarian rule.

Bishop Álvarez may have been alone in his prison cell, but you stood with him in spirit.

And you can continue to do so with many others.

Give £4 a month and help people like Bishop Álvarez facing injustice for their beliefs.

Through giving, you will play a part in raising these cases with people in power until action is taken so people can live without fear.

E admin@csw.org.uk T +44 (0)20 8329 0010 @CSW_UK /CSWUK csw.org.uk Registered Charity No. 281836

PO Box 99 New Malden Surrey, KT3 3YF United Kingdom

Scan the QR code to give today.