Response July–Aug 08
Issue 153
One Dream: Freedom CSW’s new China campaign Prospects of peace
How Nepal’s recent elections are affecting the country’s Christians
Faith in a failed state
A Somali Christian speaks out about religious persecution
Be a voice for the voiceless www.csw.org.uk
Welcome
Two major events – the Burmese cyclone and the Beijing Olympics – have demanded a robust response from the CSW office in recent months. The devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis and the Burmese regime’s subsequent refusal to allow international aid to reach those affected demonstrates that the military regime is not only incompetent but inhumane in the extreme. In response to this we launched the Change for Burma! campaign, calling for urgent and long-lasting change for the people of Burma, and requesting immediate and effective international action to ensure the delivery of aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis. Secondly, the long-awaited Beijing Olympics are finally here, and so is our latest campaign, One Dream: Freedom, which seeks to highlight religious freedom issues in China. If there’s one thing I would ask of you this issue, it’s that you add your voice to one or both of these vital campaigns to help secure the freedom of Christians and others in Burma and China. So please put God’s love into action this summer. Pray, protest, provide.
Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive
Editor’s comment Don’t forget the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics on Friday 8 August. Our aim is that Christians around the world will join together and pray simultaneously on that day for religious freedom in China. You will also find a three-week prayer schedule for China in the enclosed copy of our Prayer Diary to help inspire and equip you. In addition, prayer and campaign resources will be available from 1 July at www.csw.org.uk/onedream. Sally Draper, Publications Editor
contents
Get in touch! Christian Solidarity Worldwide PO Box 99 • New Malden Surrey KT3 3YF
Contents 4
One Dream: Freedom
T 0845 456 5464 F 0208 942 8821 E admin@csw.org.uk www.csw.org.uk
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Prospects of peace
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.
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Reflections on Burma
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Faith in a failed state
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Over to you
UK registered charity number 281836 Company number 1536426 President Jonathan Aitken Patron The Baroness Cox of Queensbury Life Vice-Presidents David Atkinson, The Rev John Wildrianne, The Rt Rev Richard Hare Board of Trustees Chairman Franklin Evans Deputy Chairman The Rt Rev John Perry Other Members Anne Coles, Simon George, Sir Andrew Green KCMG, Nigel Grinyer, The Rev Chris Jones, Ernest Leland, Hector Mackenzie, The Rev Rory Macleod, David Shearman, David Taylor Board of Reference (partial listing) Lord Anderson of Swansea The Rev Preb Richard Bewes The Rev Lyndon Bowring Alastair Burt MP The Rev Dr Yonggi Cho The Rt Rev Lord Carey of Clifton Gerald Coates David Coffey (President of the Baptist World Alliance) The Rev John Coles (New Wine) David Drew MP Roger Forster Andy Hawthorne
The Rt Rev and The Rt Hon David Hope KCVO Simon Hughes MP Canon J John The Rt Rev Thomas McMahon (RC Bishop of Brentwood) The Rev Mark Melluish (New Wine) The Rt Rev Patrick O’Donoghue (RC Bishop of Lancaster) The Most Rev Dr John Sentamu (Archbishop of York) Phil Wall Paul Weaver
Response Magazine Editor Sally Draper Contributors Martin Dore, Sally Draper, Esther Priest, Liz Pruett, Benedict Rogers Design Wild Associates Print Active Colour Copyright © Christian Solidarity Worldwide 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this text permitted solely for CSW promotional use. For all other uses, please contact us.
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This magazine is printed on paper from sustainable forests Packaged in biodegradable polywrap
As the Beijing Olympics kick off, CSW launches a new China-focused campaign
We report back on how recent elections in Nepal are affecting the country’s Christians
Keeping you up-to-date with the latest news on religious freedom
We look at China’s foreign policy and ask what you can do
CSW’s advocate for South Asia, Benedict Rogers, reflects on recent events in the country
A Somali Christian speaks out about religious persecution
Ideas to get you fundraising for our work
Events, resources and merchandise related to our work
Events and resources to keep you informed
Your letters
Jul–Aug 08 Response 3
campaign
One Dream:
Freedom
China has had its fair share of turbulence in recent months: an Olympic torch relay pelted from every side; an international communit y shining an unflat tering spotlight onto the country’s human rights record; and a devastating earthquake which has shaken the Chinese communit y to its core. now, as the sky dawns on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, we ask whether China’s churches are facing a tempest of their own. We all know the challenge posed by the Bible verse “be still and know that I am God” in a world which insists on speeding past at the blink of an eye. And this challenge can be even greater when confronted with the storm of persecution. For 270 Chinese Christians who had gathered one December Friday in 2007 for leadership training and Bible study, stillness was indeed a distant prospect. This particular storm came suddenly and swiftly. At 1.30pm in Hedeng District, near the ancient wholesale market city of Linyi in eastern China, police appeared in armoured trucks and the arrests began. Invading the place where the leaders were meeting, 40-50 policemen from twelve different towns handcuffed the pastors in pairs and took them to the police station for questioning. Some were released after a few days, others, 4 Response Jul–Aug 08
after a few weeks, having first been forced to pay fines under the guise of an “interrogation tax”. What remained Eventually, most of those who had been detained by police officers were released after they paid their fines, but 21 prominent Christian leaders – seventeen male and four female – were accused of belonging to an “evil cult” and sentenced to reeducation through labour, with terms ranging from fifteen months to three years, in what is described as being the largest mass sentencing of house church leaders for 25 years. Substitution Under the guise of the governmentsanctioned Church body, the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), religious freedom for Christians exists as a thin veneer
campaign
in China. And it doesn’t take much to scratch the surface and expose the injustice beneath. It’s true that the government permits registered TSPM churches to function, but the level of control exercised by the atheist state is a far cry from what you and I would happily call religious freedom. An atheist government dictating the content of church teachings? Worrying, and true. The TSPM, under the direction of the Chinese government, carefully restricts the selection and training of members of the clergy, church publications, the location of church buildings and even the teaching of children under the age of eighteen. No surprise then that, in their quest to practise their faith without the interference of a controlling regime, most Christians in China choose to meet outside the official churches. But pursuing religious freedom isn’t as simple as a change in location. House churches themselves are fraught with danger. Fines, arrest, torture, labour sentences. Christians in China can pay a high price for faith. The other side of the coin Unfortunately, China’s human rights abuses do not stop at the persecution of Christians who meet outside registered churches. The Chinese government also persists in violating international law – most noticeably in the way it handles North Korean refugees within its territory. The Chinese government refuses to acknowledge North Korean refugees within its borders, and instead sends them back to North Korea, where they can face imprisonment, torture and even execution. Even though China is a party to the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, China continues to leave North Korean refugees no choice. If they try to
remain in China while avoiding detection, they surrender all basic rights. They are unable to access medical treatment and have no recourse to justice without exposing themselves to dangerous repatriation. Consequently, they are vulnerable to all sorts of physical and sexual abuse. If they are detected and repatriated, their fate back in North Korea can be even worse. A stark realit y One North Korean refugee, whose crime was simply crossing the border into China, reflects on his own experiences: “There was a special compartment made of iron. They told us that if we did something really wrong they would make us go in, and no one ever comes out of there alive. One night, when I couldn’t sleep, I was able to look inside the compartment. There was a man there under a blanket. He had no flesh left on his face; his eyes were barely open, and his skin was black. He was just alive. His crime had been the same as mine: just crossing over the border, but he must have said something to anger the guard. It was an appalling thing to see someone in such a disfigured tortured state.” Not only does the Chinese government send North Korean refugees back to certain punishment, but it also deliberately refuses to allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
>> Jul–Aug 08 Response 5
campaign
China so that China does, indeed, become “a country full of love, justice, freedom and prosperity”.
access to the area which borders North Korea. Consequently, North Koreans are unable to claim asylum. Broken promises In light of all this, it’s difficult not to harbour a cynical air when faced with assurances from the Chinese government that changes are being made. Amid promises to improve its human rights record, the situation for Christians and North Korean refugees in China continues to worsen. Game plan With the 2008 Beijing Olympics on our doorsteps, now’s the time to step out and speak up. In February, Zhang Mingxuan, the president of Chinese House Church Alliance, issued a letter to the international community entitled “We want the Olympics, but we want love and justice more.” He ends the letter with a charge to all Christians: “Pray for China and for the success of the 2008 Olympics in China and for the real freedom of religion in China. We pray to God that those brothers and sisters imprisoned for preaching Jesus Christ will be released soon and that God will make leaders in the Chinese government to treat the believers in the correct way and that God will make China a country full of love, justice, freedom and prosperity.” Already we’ve been lobbying on issues and cases, mobilising prayer and providing assistance, but we need your help to fight for the rights of persecuted Christians in 6 Response Jul–Aug 08
One Dream: Freedom is an exciting new campaign from CSW to encourage the UK Christian community to bear the burdens of those suffering in China in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics. All it takes is three simple steps:
Bejing Olympic Main Stadium
Pray for the Church and government in China. Why not mobilise prayer in your own church by hosting a special prayer time on Friday 8 August – the day of the Olympic opening ceremony? Our vision is for churches around the UK to be united in prayer at the same time on 8 August to mark the start of the Olympics. We’d love to hear about the event you’re organising and don’t forget to contact the office for resources. If you can’t run an event on 8 August, why not make room in your Sunday service on 10 August? Use the three-week schedule in the enclosed copy of our Prayer Diary to guide and inspire your prayers, or use the resources at www.csw.org.uk/onedream. You may also want to join together with likeminded CSW supporters and attend our China Prayer Evening on 8 August (advertised on p15). Protest the many injustices faced by Chinese Christians and North Korean refugees in China
campaign
by writing letters to the Chinese authorities and your MP and MEP. Look out for protest resources on the CSW website at www.csw.org.uk/onedream. Provide for Chinese Christians by encouraging the young people in your church to participate in Incarcerate – this year’s Outcry fundraising event which has a specific emphasis on China. You can also write to Chinese Christians with messages of hope and solidarity through our Connect & Encourage resource, available online at www.csw.org.uk. We’ll keep you updated with other ways you can pray, protest and provide for Christians in China through regular campaign updates. Sweeping the clouds away “’One World, One Dream’ is simple in expression, but profound in meaning,”
reads the Beijing Olympic official statement regarding the event’s slogan. ”It is of China, and also of the world. It conveys the lofty ideal of the people in Beijing as well as in China to share the global community and civilization and to create a bright future hand in hand with the people from the rest of the world. It expresses the firm belief of a great nation, with a long history of 5,000 years and on its way towards modernisation, that is committed to peaceful development, harmonious society and people’s happiness. It voices the aspirations of 1.3 billion Chinese people to contribute to the establishment of a peaceful and bright world.” Sadly, ideals aren’t always a reality, but through the 2008 Olympic slogan, “One World, One Dream” we are left with a considerable challenge: for Christians around the world to come together to promote the freedoms enjoyed by some but denied to many. Join with us this summer to help realise one dream: the dream of freedom.
report back
peace Prospects of
In 2006, we reported on Nepal, where months of mass rallies had led to the reinstating of parliament and the long-awaited return of democracy. Two years on, elections have finally taken place, and we ask what’s next in store for Nepal.
Bafflement, confusion, astonishment: three surprising words to describe the international community’s response to a monumental election. For now, Maoist rebels, who fought a ten-year battle in which 13,000 lost their lives, are set to lead a coalition government in the new Nepal. At first glance, the very idea that a Christian would vote for a Maoist communist may appear ludicrous, but look a little deeper and the reasons become clear. The catalyst was the king. After Gyanendra had shown his contempt for democracy by dissolving parliament and letting loose an army largely unrestrained by law, the Nepalis wanted democracy restored. The power of the people was successful in seeing Gyanendra slink back to the position of a ceremonial monarch, and now the Constituent Assembly has declared Nepal a republic.
8 Response Jul–Aug 08
The rocky red road Elections were twice postponed, but on 10 April they went ahead, with the Maoists winning 38% of the seats, giving them the leading voice in the elected assembly and the writing of a new constitution. “The people of Nepal are ahead of their political parties and leaders” says Dr KB Rokaya, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Nepal. “The thinking of many in the international community who were so sceptical of the Maoist’s commitment to democracy and human rights has been proven wrong.” A t wo-edged sword Despite reservations about the Maoist attitude to religion, there is clear evidence of their leaders’ belief in religious freedom. Rishi Acharya, leader of the Solidarity
report back
Christian Civil Organisation in Kathmandu meets Maoist Leader Prachandra
International Academy, says, “The government of Nepal has agreed to give a national holiday for Christmas on 25 December. The Christians give the credit to the Maoists for this and feel that only the Maoists can make Nepal a secular state and give them full religious freedom. Because of this all the Christians in Makwanpur region gave their vote to the Maoists”.
leadership control the violent, bullying tactics of its militia and Young Communist League in the far-flung provinces? And how will the integration of the People’s Liberation Army with its previously bitter enemy, the Nepal Army, happen? Vital human rights concerns, such as justice for the disappeared and torture victims, could well be ignored.
But, while those in positions of power are certainly committed to peace and religious freedom, it is reported that some Maoist forces on the ground are still perpetrating violence and appear to enjoy impunity for these crimes. “The Young Communist League is still killing people,” says Rishi Acharya.
But radical changes are afoot: the new parliament will contain 190 women (33% of MPs), which will change the low status of women and women’s issues irrevocably. And the lower castes, including Dalits, and indigenous groups, will be strongly represented.
The way ahead The country’s future is uncertain, and full of questions. Will a Maoist-led government truly work for consensus? Will the Maoist
One thing is for certain: Nepal has made huge leaps towards peace. And while the journey may not be over, peace and prosperity are finally on the cards.
“There is clear evidence of their leaders’ belief in religious freedom.”
What you can do Please pray for the future of Nepal using p5 of the Prayer Diary enclosed.
Maoist President Prachanda with Christian Community, April 2008
Jul–Aug 08 Response 9
NeWS
News Peru Europe Platform calls on EU leaders to raise human rights at Lima summit The Peru Europe Platform (PEP) issued a joint declaration calling on European Union and Latin American leaders to raise the issue of human rights in Peru when they met together in Lima for the fifth European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Summit (EU-LAC) in May.
Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: “We strongly believe in Peru’s potential to serve as a leader in the region but democracy must be strengthened and civil society must be allowed to function without government interference”.
Belarus: Belarusians call on EU to prioritise religious freedom On Tuesday 27 May a petition signed by 50,400 Belarusians and calling for the revision of a 2002 law restricting religious freedom was presented to Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament. At the same time a separate petition calling on the European Union to take action on the issue and signed by Roger Kiska, Legal Counsel of the European Centre for Law and Justice, was submitted to the European Parliament.
10 Response Jul–Aug 08
Aung San Suu Kyi
burma: CSW condemns Aung San Suu Kyi’s continued detention CSW has condemned the decision by Burma’s military regime to extend once again the house arrest of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Her detention was due to expire on 27 May, having spent over twelve of the last 18 years under house arrest. The decision to extend her current period of house arrest is illegal under Burma’s own laws. Aung San Suu Kyi’s current detention began in 2003, under the State Protection Law 1975 which does not provide for more than a five-year term.
Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW said, “Sadly, little appears to have changed in Belarus in relation to religious freedom since the days of the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, we are inspired by this initiative by Belarusian Christians, who have come together across denominational lines to demand that their right to worship freely be respected. We call on the European Union to respond to their call with decisive action, and ask that the EU make religious freedom in Belarus a priority in its relations with that country.” The European Parliament
news
Sudan: over 20,000 displaced following conflic t in Abyei More than 20,000 people are reported to have been displaced after fighting erupted in the disputed oil-rich border area of Abyei, throwing the future of the 2005 peace accord between northern and southern Sudan into doubt. Destroyed tukel
Fighting broke out after members of the Abyei police force killed one person in response to the earlier killing of three southern civilians by members of the northern-backed militia. The fighting began in earnest on 13 May, when northern reinforcements with heavy artillery attacked Abyei Town with heavy artillery. It intensified throughout the weekend, with northern forces reportedly launching deliberate attacks on Abyei’s civilians. Eyewitnesses report seeing between twenty to twenty-five dead bodies, and add that most of Abyei’s buildings were razed to the ground, along with the town’s marketplace.
campaign launch
Sudanese family
Ongoing campaign Change for Burma! CSW, in partnership with Premier Christian Media have launched the Change for Burma! campaign. The campaign, endorsed by Bishop Desmond Tutu, highlights the current crisis in Burma and calls for urgent and meaningful change in the country.
One dream: Freedom CSW is proud to announce the launch of One Dream: Freedom, which focuses on human rights in China in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics. Read more about how you can pray, protest and provide for China in this issue of Response and visit www.csw.org.uk/onedream. We have also included a special three-week prayer guide in the enclosed Prayer Diary.
Bishop Tutu added his support to the Change for Burma! campaign with a challenge to Christians to stand with the people of Burma. He said: “We follow the Christ who always stood with the oppressed, the weak and the marginalised; ‘inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these ye have done it to me’. Let us join with Christ with those suffering in Burma. Let us support them in their plight.” Visit www.changeforburma.org to find out more. Jul–Aug 08 Response 11
Throughout the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, China has sought to present itself as a sympathetic, responsible and caring global power. But there is also another China – one which places economic advancement ahead of human rights. Here we take a look at instances where China’s foreign policy has put a heav y toll on human suffering.
Crossing Sudan: Arms & Oil As a vastly growing economy with rapidly depleting domestic oil reserves, China needs to pursue other alternatives. In the 1990s, Sudan, a country of fragile stability, seemed an ideal opportunity, and China has since been a powerful investor in Sudan’s crude oil industry. Despite the appalling human rights record of Sudan’s Islamist northern government, China cemented its relationship with the east African nation during the 27-year war between northern and southern Sudan, which left over two million southerners dead and four million displaced. Chinese and other oil concessions occasioned much of the displacement, as the north adopted scorched earth tactics to ethnically cleanse southern villagers from lands designated as oil concessions for foreign companies. But the investment did not stop there. China has also capitalised on Sudan’s internal conflicts, supplying the north
12 Response Jul–Aug 08
with ammunition, tanks, fighter aircraft and various other arms that in the past decimated areas of southern Sudan, and are now causing similar widespread devastation in Darfur. In addition, as a permanent member of the Security Council, China has also obstructed effective action on Darfur. Burma: Vetoes & Investments In addition to Sudan, China has secured several oil and gas deals with the Burmese regime. These initiatives, among others, are supervised by Burma Army soldiers, who are responsible for gross human rights abuses including forced labour, rape, murder, forced relocation of villages and religious persecution. On top of the substantial revenue generated for the regime through economic investment, China has also sold billions of dollars worth of arms to the military regime in Burma, including tanks, armoured personnel carriers, jet attack aircraft, small arms and light weapons, logistical
Refuge & Revenue
Vetoes & Investments Arms & Oil
and transportation equipment, and coastal patrol ships. Finally, China vetoed a proposed resolution on Burma at the UN Security Council in 2007. If it chose to use its influence for good, China could make a major difference to the situation in Burma. North Korea: Refuge & Revenue With both countries treading the communist path, China and North Korea have been close allies for the past 50 years. Although North Korea is one of the most repressive regimes in the world, where religious freedom is nonexistent and Christians face devastating and ruthless punishment, China operates an agreement with North Korea to repatriate refugees fleeing the country. On their return from China, North Korean refugees can face torture, detention and even execution. In the run-up to the Olympic Games, both China and North Korea have tightened measures to prevent North Koreans reaching
the communist sphere of influence
and remaining in China. Although China is bound by the U.N. Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its protocol, it flagrantly violates its obligations, refusing North Koreans access to assylum proceedures and the UNHCR. Vietnam and Laos: The communist sphere of influence Sharing communist principles with one of the world’s biggest emerging superpowers, Vietnam and Laos are heavily influenced by China’s policies, including those on religious activities. China’s approach of controlling Christianity, largely through membership of the state-sponsored church body, the Three Self Patriotic Movement, is echoed in Vietnam and Laos’ approaches of management and control over religion. Churches must register to operate legally, which often opens them up to state intrusion and restrictions, and they must seek state permission for a wide range of activities. Unregistered congregations are especially vulnerable to significant harassment and persecution.
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Jul–Aug 08 Response 13
What you can do However much time you have to give, you can make a difference for people all over the world who are affected by China’s policies.
2-minute action Mention CSW’s Outcry youth fundraising event, Incarcerate, in your next Sunday service, encouraging the young people in your church to get involved. Direct them to the Outcry website at www.outcry-uk.org.
5-minute action Say a prayer for China using p7–9 of the enclosed Prayer Diary for reference.
30-minute action Write to your MP and MEP outlining your concerns regarding China’s foreign policy, and ask them to make representations to the Chinese government. Please visit www.csw.org.uk/onedream for sample letters. 45-minute action Send cards and letters of encouragement to Chinese prisoners using our Connect & Encourage resource. Visit www.csw.org.uk/writetothepersecuted.htm to download your copy.
3-hour action Come along to our China Prayer Evening on Friday 8 August. See the advert opposite for more details.
14 Response Jul–Aug 08
China
Prayer Evening Join with us to pray for the nation and the people
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Galatians 5:1
Friday 8 August 2008, 7–9.30pm Emmanuel Centre 9–23 Marsham Street London SW1P 3DW Nearest tubes: Westminster, St James’s Park, Victoria For more information please call 0845 456 5464 email events@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk
Event organised by Christian Solidarity Worldwide
feature
The recent cyclone which devastated Burma is a tacit reminder of the brutalit y ingrained on the country’s military regime. Our advocate for South Asia, Benedict Rogers, reflects on recent events.
Burma
Photo: Reuters/Aung Hia Tun
Reflections on
Burmese generals.
Victims of cyclone Nargis
A week after Cyclone Nargis struck Burma, the death toll was estimated to be at least 100,000 - and still rising. Yet as the bodies decomposed, Burma’s ruling Generals continued to refuse access to international aid workers. The limited aid supplies that did reach Burma were seized by the military, either to distribute themselves for propaganda purposes or, according to some reports, to sell on the streets. And then the regime took a three-day public holiday and closed its embassies, causing another delay for international aid workers trying to find a way in to help. Who are these Generals who are prepared to stand by and watch while thousands of their people die and more than 1.5 million are left homeless? How could they ignore the warnings they received of the cyclone’s advance? India issued 41 warnings from 26 April but the regime did nothing. Why? The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) consists of a cluster of Generals. The top leader, Senior General Than Shwe, in his seventies and in failing health, is reclusive and intransigent. He has refused to enter into talks with Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy, or any
16 Response Jul–Aug 08
of the major ethnic nationalities in Burma – a call they have repeatedly made in vain. He and his colleagues are guided primarily not by any political ideology, but simply by a desperate determination to hold onto power at all costs. There are, however, other guiding sets of beliefs behind the regime besides simply power, one of which is an extreme Burman Buddhist nationalism, expressed in a phrase which has echoes of the Nazis – “One race, one language, one religion.” The Generals are ultra-nationalist and have a xenophobic, racist hatred of non-Burmans within the country and abroad. They are also ostentatiously Buddhist – when it is politically convenient. But in truth, they manipulate the whole concept of religion, propagandistically appearing on television visiting monasteries, praying, and giving alms. Their charade convinced the new Thai Prime Minister who, following his recent visit to Burma, declared that he thought the Generals were “good Buddhists” because they “meditate”. The regime uses its distorted, perverted form of Buddhism as a tool to suppress nonBuddhists. Christians, particularly among the
feature Chin and Kachin, face severe restrictions and discrimination. Chin Christians have been forced at gunpoint to tear down crosses on hill-tops, and build Buddhist pagodas in their place – often contributing the costs and material for construction themselves. Children have been lured from Christian families and placed in Buddhist monasteries, where they are forced to become novice monks. Churches face serious difficulties in obtaining permission to build a new church, renovate or extend an existing church, or hold meetings other than their Sunday services. Christians are denied promotion in government service. Muslims among the Rohingya ethnic group face similar persecution – their mosques are destroyed, access to education denied and permission to marry refused.
result the regime desired. The constitution itself will enshrine military rule. The military will hold 25 per cent of the parliamentary seats, but its proxy parties will doubtless contest elections and probably rig them to win. According to the constitution, the president must be someone with military experience, who has not been married to a foreigner, and does not have children who have foreign citizenship. On all three counts, Aung San Suu Kyi – whose husband was British – is excluded.
Victims of cyclone Nargis
This is a regime which has only one care – self-preservation and control – and as long as they perceive an international presence in Burma as a threat, they will continue to refuse access and manipulate aid.
Yet despite the Generals’ overt Buddhism, last September they did not hesitate in brutally crushing protests led by tens of thousands of Buddhist monks. The military beat, arrested, jailed, tortured, and killed monks – and while the number of those killed is unknown, it is believed to have been in the hundreds. The Generals live in luxury while their people starve. Two years ago, Than Shwe spent $300,000 on his daughter’s wedding, where wedding presents amounted to $50 million. Recent reports indicate that the regime has only put $5 million into helping the victims of the cyclone. More than $40 million has been pledged by various other countries, but the Generals are still only permitting a trickle to get through. On 10 May the regime went ahead with a referendum on a new constitution, despite the devastation that the country was dealing with following the cyclone. The referendum was a complete sham – millions were already disenfranchised, and those who could vote were intimidated or forced into voting “yes.” In some cases, local officials even cast the ballots on behalf of voters – ensuring the
What you can do Pray As part of CSW’s Change for Burma! campaign, please pray for this situation using p10 of the enclosed Prayer Diary. protest CSW, in partnership with Premier Christian Radio, recently launched a new campaign, Change for Burma! to bring the Burmese government to account for its actions, and help secure urgent and long-lasting change in that nation. Please visit www.changeforburma.org to sign our petition to the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development, calling for immediate and effective international action to ensure the delivery of aid to the people of Burma. provide Please consider making a donation to CSW to help us do more for the people of Burma. Call 0845 456 5464, visit www.csw.org.uk or fill out and return the enclosed carrier sheet.
Jul–Aug 08 Response 17
interview
Faith in a failed state
Life as a Christian under a repressive regime is one thing, but imagine trying to live out your faith in a failed state. Constantly feuding warlords, violent clashes bet ween Islamists and Ethiopian troops, and the brutal and pervasive persecution of Christians. All this in a context where information on Christians is scarce and the international communit y has lit tle verified knowledge of the situation faced by the Church. Here, one Somali Christian shares his thoughts.
18 Response Jul–Aug 08
interview
The history of Christianit y in Somalia The Somali Christian community has existed for 50 years. It is believed there are approximately 1000 members throughout the world. Most are currently living in East African countries, mainly Ethiopia and Kenya. Inside Somalia there are some underground house churches, but it is difficult to determine the real number, and their specific locations. This small community has suffered severe persecution for their faith, which has intensified in the past 15 years. Around 200 Somali Christian converts and others have been killed because of their faith. Many others have been forced to leave their homes. Most of them are killed by Islamist extremists when they convert to Christianity from Islam. Ethiopia and Kenya are not only home to thousands of ordinary Somali refugees, but also hundreds of Somali Christians. Although the majority of them don’t have official refugee status from the governments and the UN refugee agencies, they feel relatively safe and are able to freely practise their faith. They prefer being illegal refugees in these countries than returning to Somalia.
What kind of persecution does the Somali Church face? The persecution against the Somali Church is tremendous, and several parties are involved
in it, such as clan members, Islamists and local administrations. Beyond the killing, they are also discriminated against in many ways, and they are not even recognised as an existing community. A Recent incident against Somali Christians In the first week of April, Daud Hassan Ali, 64 of Kingsheath, Birmingham, was found dead at the school a charity had built in Beledweyn, Somalia. His wife Margaret Ali said she was certain he was killed because he was born Muslim but converted to Christianity. Rehana Ahmed, 32, from Birmingham, and two Kenyan teachers (Gilford Koech and Andrew Kibet) were also killed. Following this, David Mohamed Ali, a Somali Christian evangelist and long-standing member of St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was killed on 22 April. It was reported that he was shot by two Islamist terrorists in Baidoa, Somalia. David was killed because of his faith. David Mohamed Ali
Why do human rights agencies not report on Somali Church persecution? It is not easy for international human rights organisations to get information about the situation of Somali Christians. Many Somali Christians remain silent, choosing not to complain to local NGOs, out of fear for their own safety and security.
What is being done?
What you can do
CSW is working hard to establish relationships with Somali Christian leaders in Ethiopia and Kenya, uncovering needs, grievances and areas where we can be of assistance. By visiting Somali Christian refugees in these countries, we are able to offer hope and support. Moreover, CSW is campaigning to ensure the plight of Somali Christians reaches the international media.
First and foremost when asked what we can do, Somali Christians ask for our prayers. Please use p6 of the enclosed Prayer Diary to pray for healing in this nation.
Jul–Aug 08 Response 19
provide
Invest
Words Esther Priest
It was a wet and windy Sunday af ternoon in April, and I found myself bat tling through the crowded streets of London, valiantly fighting off the wind and torrential downpour with my umbrella. “What on earth am I thinking?” I asked myself more than once. But I’d come up to London for a very good reason – to cheer on someone braving a far more difficult challenge than me.
On Sunday 13 April, CSW supporter Graham West faced 26.2 miles of the Flora London Marathon to raise funds for CSW and our work with the Free Burma Rangers. It was a tough challenge for Graham, 53, from Cambridgeshire, who was determined to finish no matter what. And finish he did! His performance on the day was so inspiring that not even the steady rain could dampen my spirits. After waiting on the sidelines for what seemed like hours, it was a tremendous thrill to see Graham jog round the final corner of the marathon and into the home straights of the Mall. Tired but triumphant after the race, he confessed, “My knees packed up even earlier than predicted, after which I ran and hobbled as best I could. Despite this I finished in 6½ hours! The cause made it all worthwhile. I still haven’t added up all the sponsorship yet but I expect the total will be in excess of £2000.” Endless ideas Fundraising can inspire people to achieve remarkable things. But while running a marathon might not be your cup of tea, there’s lots of other 20 Response Jul–Aug 08
ways to raise funds for CSW’s work. All around the UK, CSW supporters are coming up with wonderfully creative ideas to use their talents and raise money for the persecuted Church. Here’s just a sample: Bring n’ buy brilliance “Last June we organised a small bring and buy in a friend’s garden. We made cakes, had a raffle and friends ran a barbeque. We raised £500… !” – Phyllis Rawkins and Ann Robins
Jazz café smash hit “We recently had a ‘bring and share’ supper in a jazz café environment for CSW. Altogether we were able to send £100 to CSW from the evening and know that hearts were touched and information taken away.” – Kevin & Judy Wright
provide
your talents It goes without saying that every bit of fundraising you do is absolutely vital to the continuing success of CSW’s work. With the funds you raise we can provide solidarity and a strong voice to so many men, women and children who are persecuted for their religious convictions. What’s more, the act of fundraising can reap many unexpected rewards which have nothing to do with money. Fundraising can build your faith as you pray and trust God to accomplish what you’ve set out to do. Fundraising can open your eyes to the love and generosity of others – the willingness of friends and family to support you can be unexpected and deeply moving. And through your fundraising you can even inspire in others the same passion that motivates you to help the persecuted Church. Henri Nouwen once wrote in his booklet, The Spirituality of Fund-Raising, “Fundraising is proclaiming what you believe in, and proclaiming it in such a way that you offer the other person an opportunity to participate in your vision… It is saying, ‘We have a vision that is so exciting that we are giving you the opportunity to participate in that vision with the resources that God has given you’.” By fundraising for CSW you can share your vision of justice and freedom for persecuted Christians with those around you and invite them to invest in what God is doing through us. So take the first step today. You may be surprised by the results.
CSW supporter Graham West, tired but triumphant after the race
Fundraising may seem like a daunting prospect at first – but we’re here to help! CSW has produced a Fundraising Guide, packed full of all the practical advice, best-practice guidelines and handy hints you need to get started. Download it from the website, www.csw.org.uk/fundraisingresources.htm or order a hard copy by calling the CSW office on 0845 456 5464 or emailing admin@csw.org.uk.
Get involved today You don’t have to do it all on your own. Visit www.csw.org.uk/fundraisingresources.htm to let CSW know what you’re planning and find out what other CSW fundraisers are up to. You can also join forces with lots of other supporters through one of CSW’s fundraising events: 8 August – Incarcerate. An exciting Outcry fundraising event for young people. Visit www.outcry-uk.org or call 0845 456 5464 for more details. 26–28 September – Ben Nevis sponsored challenge. 11–19 October – Great Wall of China sponsored challenge. A limited number of places are still available on both sponsored challenges. Book your place today to avoid missing out! Call 0845 456 5464 or email challenge@csw.org.uk.
Jul–Aug 08 Response 21
noticeboard July–August
Noticeboard Dates for your diary Saturday 19 July
COLOMBIA DAY OF PRAYER
11am–3pm CSW invites you to attend our Londonbased prayer event for Colombia at Iglesia Cristiana de Newham, River Christian Centre, Vincent Street, Canning Town, London E16 1LZ (Nearest tube: Canning Town). However if you are unable to attend, why not hold your own event or bring the subject to the attention of your house group or wider church congregation? If you would like resources or more details about the day of prayer please email events@csw.org.uk or call 0845 456 5464. Friday 8 August
CHINA PRAYER EVENT
7pm–9.30pm CSW invites you to attend a London-based prayer event for China to mark the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The event is taking place at the Emmanuel Centre, 9 – 23 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 3DW (Nearest tubes: Westminster, St James’s Park, Victoria). Our vision is for churches around the UK to be united in prayer at the same time on 8 August to mark the start of the Olympics. Why not mobilise prayer in your own church by hosting a special prayer time on Friday 8 August? We’d love to hear about the event you’re organising and don’t forget to contact the office for resources. If you can’t run an event on 8 August, why not make room in your Sunday service on 10 August? If you would like resources or more details about the day of prayer please email events@csw.org.uk or call 0845 456 5464. 22 Response Jul–Aug 08
NEW WINE: KINGDOM COME SUMMER CONFERENCES
Newark 26 Jul–1 Aug, Shepton Mallet 26 Jul–1 Aug & 3–9 Aug Once again, CSW will be exhibiting at New Wine North and South. Come and visit our stand in the Marketplace to find out the latest on our work and to sign up to our current campaign. For more information visit www.new-wine.org/summer/
21–25 August
MOMENTUM: Shepton Mallet
This August, CSW will be exhibiting at Soul Survivor’s youth event, Momentum. Come and visit our stand to find out the latest on our work and to sign up to our current campaign. For more information visit www.soulsurvivor.com/momentum/index.html
new resources Outcry summer youth pack now available Our latest edition of Clamour, May– August 2008, is now available! This edition focuses on providing, with a special emphasis on religious freedom in China. Our leader’s guide will help you use the upcoming Beijing Olympics to highlight the situation of Christians in China and to enable your students or young people to get involved. The resource contains two complete session plans – including Bible studies, case studies and activities – and additional resources are available on the Outcry website. If you are not already on our mailing list, please sign up to receive our free resources at www.outcry-uk.org or by calling 0845 456 5464.
New!
CSW Fundraising Guide Fundraising may seem like a daunting prospect at first – but we’re here to help! CSW has produced a Fundraising Guide with all the practical advice, best-practice guidelines and handy hints you need to get started. Download your copy from the website, www.csw.org.uk/fundraisingresources.htm, or order a hard copy by contacting the CSW office on 0845 456 5464 or by emailing admin@csw.org.uk.
out and about
letters
In the coming months CSW staff and representatives will be giving talks about our work in the following locations:
Over to you
July 6 Lewes, Harlow 8 Cumbria 13 Birmingham 17 East Horsley September 14 Dartford 28 Basildon
We would love to hear your views on anything featured in Response magazine. Please email letters@csw.org.uk or write to us at Christian Solidarity Worldwide PO Box 99 • New Malden • Surrey KT3 3YF E admin@csw.org.uk • www.csw.org.uk
For more information on these speaking engagements, please contact Liz Pruett on 0208 329 0021 or by emailing lizpruett@csw.org.uk. Please note that all dates are subject to change.
We reserve the right to edit your letters for clarity and space.
merchandise
Focus on China As the world turns its at tention to Beijing this summer for the Olympic Games, millions of Christians in China will continue to face the prospect of persecution and imprisonment away from the spotlight. Join CSW’s efforts to ensure the Church in China is not forgot ten and broaden your understanding of their plight with these carefully selected titles. China’s Christian Martyrs Paul Hattaway This new book by Paul Hattaway, co-writer of The Heavenly Man, chronicles the inspirational lives and deaths of over 1000 individuals, Protestant and Catholic, martyred in China from 700 AD to 2004 AD.
Yun: The illustrated story of the Heavenly Man Paul Hattaway A dramatic retelling of Brother Yun’s autobiography, The Heavenly Man, with dynamic artwork by Chinese illustrators. Only
£10.99
Only
Save £2.00! (RRP £12.99)
The Heavenly Man Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway A worldwide bestseller, this is the intensely dramatic autobiography of Brother Yun, one of China’s house church leaders.
£8.99
£4.99
Save £2.00! (RRP £6.99)
Jesus in Beijing David Aikman The fascinating story of Christianity in China, which has weathered bloody persecution and witnessed the revival of an underground Christian movement in the face of heavy opposition.
£9.99
The quickest way to order any of these titles is by shopping online through the CSW shop at www.csw.org.uk/booksmusicanddvd.htm. Alternatively you can call St Andrew’s Bookshop directly on 0845 270 2160 to order over the phone. Please mention this advert when you call.
Jul–Aug 08 Response 23
London Conference Being a voice of hope He will proclaim justice to the nations… In His name the nations will put their hope. Matthew 12: 18-21
Saturday 8 November 2008 11am–4pm Emmanuel Centre 9–23 Marsham Street London, SW1P 3DW Tickets cost £5 Tickets available from 1 September 2008 from the CSW office