Myanmar army: Stop suing Samson!

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on August 26, a Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) officer filed a lawsuit against an ethnic Kachin pastor for the comments he made during a meeting with President Donald Trump. The conversation took place at the White House during the Ministerial to Advance International Religious Freedom last month.

At a Ministerial-related event, a group of international attendees met with Trump in the Oval Office to discuss religious freedom violations. The leader of the Kachin Baptist Convention, Rev. Hkalam Samson, expressed his support for the decision to impose sanctions on Tatmadaw Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and three other senior officers.

He also told Trump that there was no religious freedom in Myanmar and that oppression and torture were still common in the country, where fighting between ethnic armed organizations and the Tatmadaw continues despite a return to civilian rule. He requested that Trump support Myanmar’s transition to “genuine” democracy and federalism.

For that, Lieutenant-Colonel Than Htike from the Tatmadaw’s Northern Command filed a lawsuit with the Myitkyina Township Court on Monday.

Rev. Samson told Frontier on August 28 that he was aware of the document, but had yet to be contacted by the court. He said he never thought he would face legal action over his remarks at the meeting with President Trump.

“I spoke about what was really happening in our country, and I think what I said about the US sanctions decision made them (the Tatmadaw) angry,” he said.

A Myitkyina court document stated that a decision on the charge to be brought against Rev. Samson would be made on September 9.

Lawyer Mung Seng Tu, based in Kachin State, told The Irrawaddy, “We still don’t know how the court will proceed in this case. If the court wants to proceed with it, they will instruct the police to testify in the case. Then, both sides will have to submit testimony at the police station. After that, the court will officially open the case.”

“In my view, he has a right to express his views. Moreover, he did not intend his comments to be broadcast. They appeared live on the news on social media,” he told the magazine.

“In terms of speaking about religious freedom, he fully has the right to rebut [the lawsuit] if there are [supporting] facts and documents,” he added.

Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “The lawsuit against Rev. Samson goes to show that any Christian in Myanmar can be singled out by the Tatmadaw and slapped with absurd charges. The Myitkyina Township Court should dismiss the case and resist pressure from the Tatmadaw. Myanmar needs to show that it is truly a democracy by respecting freedom of speech and admitting its shortcomings in regard to religious liberty.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Li Yingqiang released by Chinese authorities

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that over the weekend, elder Li Yingqiang from Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in Sichuan was released on bail and sent back to his hometown in Hubei province.

Li has lost some weight but is overall healthy and remains in high spirit.

Together with elder Qin Derfu, Li was accused of “picking quarrels and stirring up trouble” and “running an illegal business” in the 1209 government crackdown against the house church last year.

For nearly eight months, Li’s wife Zhang Xinyue heard no news about her husband.

The government further persecutes Li’s family by attempting to force Zhang to send their home-schooled eight-year-old daughter to public school or face arrest. While the authorities’ effort failed in the end, Li’s daughter was greatly traumatized by the experience and Zhang was worn out in the process.

In a message sent via social media yesterday, she said, “Thank you my friends, family, brothers and sisters! Thank you for walking with my family through different means in the past eight months. May God greatly bless you. I love you all!”

While most of the detained ERCC members have been released on bail and sent back to their hometowns, Pastor Wang Yi, Qin Derfu, and Gou Zhongshan are still criminally detained on trumped up charges and deprived of the right to meet with their lawyers or family.

Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “Praise the Lord that elder Li is finally able to embrace his wife and kids after many months of unjust imprisonment! While we celebrate his release, we continue to pray for Pastor Wang Yi, elder Qin Derfu, and brother Gou Zhongshan. They are still incarcerated and enduring hardships that we cannot imagine.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Wang slapped with charges in China

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on August 10, Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in Sichuan issued an emergency statement regarding the government’s planned appointment of lawyers for the church’s imprisoned senior pastor, Wang Yi. Through various channels, ERCC has been informed that officials in Chengdu are planning to bypass the lawyers appointed by Pastor Wang Yi and forcibly assign other lawyers, including Christian lawyers, to defend him.

In the statement, ERCC said, “According to Pastor Wang Yi’s public statement before his arrest, he does not accept, recognize, and even condemned the consistent acts and performance of these officially appointed lawyers.”

“He does not accept any appointed lawyers who are not assigned by him or his direct family members,” the statement added.

ERCC also endorses the two lawyers assigned by Wang, Mr. Zhang Peihong and Mr. Ran Ton. The church reiterated that it would rather have Pastor Wang Yi defend himself if Mr. Zhang and Mr. Ran are unable to defend him due to the government’s interference.

Meanwhile, ERCC church member Li Chengju was released on August 9 after five weeks of being criminally detained. She lost weight and much of her hair due to the conditions at the detention center. Her “crime” was distributing Gospel leaflets while she went grocery shopping on July 4.

Li had previously been detained for 15 days for serving in a Bible class, and her husband Chen Shaowen was also detained for two weeks after they opened up their house for a small group gathering.

Thankfully, most of the detained ERCC members have been released or put under house arrest since last December’s church-wide crackdown, including Pastor Wang Yi’s wife Jiang Rong. However, two other elders, Li Yingqiang and Qin Derfu, accused of “picking quarrels and stirring up trouble” and “running an illegal business,” are still behind bars.

Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “After slapping an additional charge on Pastor Wang Yi last month, Beijing now wants to trample the rule of law and ignore the rights of its citizens to further persecute him. The world should not keep silent and allow the Chinese government to abuse human rights without facing repercussions.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Fulani militants strike again in Nigeria

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on Thursday evening, August 1, 2019, Fulani militants ambushed and shot three young men, all members of the Baptist church in Ancha village of Miango District in Nigeria’s Plateau State. The three men were serving as part of the community volunteer watch. Thankfully, all three survived; however, they all suffered gunshot wounds and had to be admitted to the local hospital.

The three survivors, Akore Joseph (19), Nuhu Ishaya (21), and Achi Danjuma (22) shared their story with ICC. Akore began, “We had gone on patrol earlier [that day], and had left my mobile phone battery to be recharged in the next village. So I asked my friends to come with me to go and get it.  On our way back from picking it up, we were walking and talking [when]… all of a sudden, sporadic gunshots erupted from the corn farms. I turned to flee. It was as I fled that a bullet hit me.” Akore was shot in his right shoulder. After fleeing, the three men hid from their attackers until they felt it was safe.

Corroborating the incident, Nuhu Ishaya said, “We tried to hide as secure as we could.  They searched for a while, but didn’t locate us so they went away. We were bleeding. We eventually ran to the nearest village and told the villagers what happened to us.” Nuhu was shot twice, once on the left wrist and also on his upper thigh.

Achi Danjuma, the third survivor, recalled that they had been talking about a previous attack that took place in the village of Hukke, which they were returning from. As they discussed it, they were then attacked themselves. He explained, “The militants recently killed some boys at Hukke village.  It was the memory of that attack that came upon us and we became uneasy and talked about it along the way.” A bullet struck Achi on his right arm.

Pastor of the local Baptist church, Rev. Nanchwat Laven, lamented about the toll that the attacks have taken on his congregation. Yet, he continues to look up to God to intervene and bring them relief and peace. He said that after he learned about the attack, he called Nuhu Ishaya’s cellphone. Someone else answered and eventually told the pastor that he was Fulani, and that they were attacking the Irigwe (the major tribe in Miango), because they are proving “stubborn” by not letting the Fulanis’ cattle graze freely.

Nathan Johnson, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said, “This attack is deeply concerning. Ancha village is a small community that has suffered on numerous occasions. They lost 20 lives during an attack in 2017 and have suffered several other smaller attacks since. I have personally prayed over the mass graves in Ancha that these attacks have created. The Nigerian government must intervene, protect their citizens, and prosecute those who are killing wantonly.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Holy Toledo!

Back in March, I did a post on how US President Donald Trump is losing his mental capabilities.  The parallel I showed was that of Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar, who went crazy for seven years during his reign.

After hearing this speech, the President is very close to losing all of his mental faculties.  He made the mistake of saying Toledo instead of Dayton in addressing the mass shootings that occurred over the weekend.

In the video below, former White House secretary Ari Fleischer attempts to justify the mistake by saying that former Vice President Joe Biden has also made these types of stumbles as well.  The problem is that both President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are in their seventies.  This faulty argument made in the video proves that President Trump is senile.  Former President Ronald Reagan was experiencing early signs of Alzheimer's disease during his two terms in office. 

What are the signs that President Trump is experiencing early signs of dementia.  Well, the two signs are listed in James 3:16.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  James 3:16 (KJV)

His conversation is steeped with conflict and strife.  Remember last week where he said that he was the "least racist person?"  Least is still a quantifier of racism.  That quote proves that he has an internal conflict within himself that does not deal with people of other races correctly.

Envy is shown because he always wants the spotlight and because he attempts to knock down anyone else that attempts to take the spotlight from him.  Plus, he is confused all of the time.  If he continues down this path, then he more than likely will unravel even further over the next couple of months.

Brigade 30 has gone rogue in Iraq

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on August 5, 2019, the 30th Brigade of the Hashid al-Shaabi militia violently resisted efforts by the Iraqi Army to take control over the militia’s checkpoints.

Last month, the Central Government called for the integration of Hashid and other Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) militias into Iraq’s formal armed forces. A deadline of July 31 was established, and Hashid was supposed to withdraw from the Nineveh Plains. Hashid, which is backed by Iran, refused.

“Today, since the morning, the military (Iraqi Army) drove toward Mosul and the areas which are under Brigade 30 – Hashid control. Legally, Brigade 30 is supposed to be under PMF control, but in reality they are fighting the Iraqi Army. The gathered people who have a commitment to Hashid are blocking the road,” said Ziyad, a local Christian resident.

Many of the protestors and members of Brigade 30 belong to the Shabak, an ethnic group that receives support from Iran. The protestors blocked the road from Mosul to Erbil by burning tires, building barriers of trees, and pelting stones at the Iraqi Army.

The conflict occurred near Qeraqosh, which was the largest Christian city in Iraq prior to ISIS. Threats of violence have deterred many Christians from returning home. “Today, there were no grocery shops opened in Qeraqosh due to blocking,” said one resident. “Also, you can neither go to Erbil nor to Mosul.”  

Another resident, Matthew, further explained the situation, “Wa’ad Qado and his group at Brigade 30 are losing and they are breathing their final breath. I think what is happening today is a good reason for anyone from the Iraqi government, and for the prime minister, to show the world the real face of Hashid, the political Hashid and the leadership of Hashid.”

The government has not yet issued an official response regarding today’s violence.

“Christians suffered a lot because of the support the Shabak gets from the militia. It was good to have the Nineveh Protection Unit (a local Christian militia) at some point, but still they are not as equipped as the Iranian militia,” Matthew added.

The 30th Brigade’s commander, Wa’ad Qado, was recently sanctioned by the United States for egregious human rights abuses. The militia was initially formed under the mandate to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS), but had become entrenched in areas previously under the extremists’ control. Hashid has established a reputation for extorting and harassing victims of ISIS’s genocide.

Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “Today’s violence underscores how volatile the security situation remains in the Nineveh Plains. This was the homeland of Iraq’s Christians. But after displacement by ISIS, it has become the testing ground for various outside groups to assert their authority. It is not simply enough for Hashid to leave the Nineveh Plains. Rule of law and due process must take root in the Nineveh Plains. Otherwise, the security situation will remain captive to the special interests of whomever has the largest strength in the province. Iraq’s Christians have made it clear that this type of captivity is a significant motivator for why so many have fled the country.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Arakan Army releases captives in Myanmar

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on August 1, the Arakan Army (AA) released dozens of villagers from western Myanmar’s Chin State. These villagers were held captive for six months in a border camp, after soldiers took them from their community following a battle with government forces. ICC’s local source in Myanmar has confirmed the release of these primarily Christian villagers, following confidential negotiations.

According to the AA, which is fighting for greater autonomy in neighboring Rakhine State, the detained civilians were sent to community leaders in Ohnthee Wa village so they could be taken to an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Meezar.

Pastor Moses from the camp told Radio Free Asia that he was informed about the villagers’ arrival in Ohnthee Wa, but that he had not yet met them. “They said they have come back, but they are still in Ohnthee Wa village,” he said. “They said that all have been released. They will stay in Meezar where the IDP camp is.”

On February 2, 2019, 54 ethnic Khumi villagers were abducted by the AA and brought to their base located between the Myanmar and Bangladesh border. While the AA claimed that it had “rescued” these villagers by helping them flee to safety, where the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) has been carrying out an offensive against the AA, the villagers who escaped later denied this. Rather, the villagers said that they were taken against their will, and were used as human shields at one point when the Tatmadaw attacked with combat helicopters.

Fourteen of these villagers managed to escape the camp in the last few months, and one died while in AA custody.

Field Director Salai Terah from the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO), which has repeatedly called for the release of the villagers, told Khonumthung News, “We welcome the release of the King-talin villagers. We are grateful for it. We expect that this sort of problem won’t occur again.”

Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “For the Chin captives who were held against their will for months, this is definitely encouraging news that they could finally return home. We rejoice with them and their loved ones. However, the AA should not have taken them in the first place. Civilians have the right to live without fear despite ongoing armed conflicts between the AA and Tatmadaw.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org