Chin Launch Campaign against Burmese Christian Persecution

The Canada-based Chin Human Rights Organisation (CHRO) has called for the international concern over the Burmese military junta’s systematic practice of religious persecution against Chin Christians in their homeland.

The immediate action of CHRO responds to Burmese military junta's recent destruction of a 50-feet high solid concrete Christian cross planted by an inter-denominational group in Matupi, a town in the southern Chin state. The cross is considered to be one of the few remaining crosses in Chin State.

According to CHRO, the military regime has also dismantled at least half a dozen crosses in Matupi, Tonzang, Hakha, Falam and Thantlang townships during the last several years beginning in mid 1990s. In addition, the militant has demolished several church buildings.

Other reports indicate that Chin Christian churches are restricted to build crosses on mountain peaks. However, the crosses are replaced with Buddhist pagodas or other Buddhist statues after they are taken down. Even worse, Chin Christians are forced by high command militants to pay taxes or contribute in constructing these statues which go against their beliefs.

The CHRO said that the regime has no justifiable cause for the removal of those crosses and construction of Buddhist pagodas in a land where the people are predominantly Christians.

The CHRO boldly spelled out the ultimate motive of the regime, "The regime is vigorously pursuing a policy of religious persecution against Chin Christians in order to expand the influence of Buddhism in Chinland. The ultimate goal is to gain control of the Chin people by annihilating their culture, religion and ethnic identity. The destruction of crosses, church buildings and persecution of Christian religious leaders are evidently designed to crush the will and psychology of Chin Christians to preserve and defend their religious, cultural and ethnic identity."

Salai Ram Lian Hmung, leader of Canada-based Chin Youth Organisation (CYO), echoed that Chin Christians in Bruma are being marginalised, "The Burmese army restricted all kind of Christian activities, they don’t even allow us to print the Bible in the country, the Burmese (military) are destroying our religion and our culture, and trying to assimilate the entire Chin people into mainstream Burma culture in the long run. We have to do something about it."

An international campaign was therefore launched in protest against the Burmese' government and its treatment of Chin Christians. On 24th January, more than 400 exiled Chins in New Delhi, India gathered outside the Burmese embassy.

In Kuala Lumpur, hundreds of Chin Christians staged demonstrations in front of the Burmese embassy on 18th January as well. Over a hundred of them were arrested and detained by Malaysian police charging them of illegal gathering without permission.

In a statement released on 20th January, the CHRO encourages Chin communities and supporters living in the capital cities of Asia, Europe and North America to stage a protest in front of Burmese Embassy.

Currently, the CHRO has stepped up the campaign by calling on Christians worldwide to observe 30th January as "International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Chin Christians in Burma".

Sources say that the North America Chin Christian Fellowship consists of more than ten Chin Christian churches in the United States and Canada along with their affiliated American, and Canadian churches will observe the day to pray for persecuted Chin Christians.

In fact, the Burmese military regime has persistently ignored calls by the United States and the larger international community to respect human rights and religious freedom of all its citizens. However, the CHRO believes that an internationally synchronised action is certain to bring an impact. As the world acts together in unity, the Burmese military junta will be pressured to take responsibility for its reprehensible actions.

The American Baptist Mission came to Chinland a hundred years ago and over the past century, almost the entire Chin population converted to Christianity. About 90 percent of Chins are Christians in Burma and religious persecution is major concern in Chin state.