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Subject: PERSECUTION REPORT FOR MARCH 9, 2004.

Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2004 21:18:50 -0800

From: "Bruce Atchison" <ve6xtc@telusplanet.net>

To: "Ted" <thilts@help-for-you.com>

 http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

PERSECUTION REPORT FOR MARCH 9, 2004.

The Voice Of The Martyrs provides these reports of Christians suffering for the gospel.

China:

House church leaders' cases still pending

The Voice of the Martyrs (Canada) has learned that, contrary to recent reports, house church leaders Liu Fenggang and Xu Yonghai have not been sentenced to life in prison. Rather their cases are still pending in the court. Liu and Xu have been charged with "providing national intelligence to overseas organizations."

Liu Fenggang was arrested in Hangzhou on October 13, and his home was searched on October 15, leading to the confiscation of two computers, his address book, cameras, documents and other items. Based on some of the material found in the search, Xu Yonghai and his wiFE were arrested on the night of November 9, and although Li Shanna was released six hours later, her husband has remained in detention ever since.

For more information on persecution in China, go to http://www.persecution.net/country/china.htm.

Please go to http://www.persecution.net to learn more about believers suffering for Christ and how to assist them.

Mission Network News has this incident to report.

Nepal:

A church leader gets a court date.

The future of a missionary pastor with Gospel for Asia in Nepal could be decided soon. We just received word that his case will be heard in court very soon.

Pastor Manja Tamang, who was wrongfully imprisoned on murder charges, was convicted on trumped up murder charges. On March 18 his case will be heard before a full panel of judges in the Supreme Court of Nepal. It often takes many hearings and cancellations before a case is fully decided. "Please continue to pray with us for quick release and justice for our brother Manja," a GFA leader writes.

After two judges deciding Manja's verdict last November came to different conclusions, our dear brother continued to wait patiently in his prison cell, shining the light of Christ to the people around him. Like Manja, his wife remains in the joy of Christ, ministering to other women and children in Nepal. Their children study in a local school and are doing well.

Please visit http://www.mnnonline.org to read missions news and to hear a weekday audio program.

Christian Aid Mission provides these persecution bulletins.

Vietnam:

Missionaries report spread of gospel amidst persecution

The following article contains excerpts and summaries taken from various reports from Christian leaders working in villages throughout Vietnam. Names and locations have been removed and, in order to protect their ongoing ministries, no further information can be released.

A missionary reports, "Thank God, the number of believers in our new church has reached 85. Because of persecution from local authorities, the congregation has to split into 4 cell groups to facilitate Bible study and mutual intercessory prayer. On the first Sunday of each month, those 4 groups meet together to take the Lord's Supper. We have found cell groups to be of great help in keeping Christians strong in their faith, and very few fall away.

"Many local people want to believe Christ to be saved and to escape from a dark life of demon worship and of costly sacrifices offered to idols, but few dare to confess their faith for fear of persecution by the government. The authorities often publicly declare that evangelical Christianity is in opposition to their way of life. Christians receive none of the government sponsored benefits that other citizens enjoy.

"When going out on my missionary trips, I have to go stealthily and must hide each time I meet the police or local authorities. So I prefer to go by night on foot, or else I do my witnessing while working at the fields. Though difficulties still remain ahead, thanks for your prayers. Our church continues to grow day by day as more and more people come to know Christ."

A missionary who has an effective and growing work among the Hmong tribals was called in by local authorities recently. Fearing the worse, he had his son ride with him on his motorbike so their only transportation could be returned home and not lost. Before leaving home, he said to his wife and children: "If we cannot meet again on earth, we will meet in heaven. Make sure to be faithful to God."

Just as he suspected, when he reported in to the authorities, he was immediately arrested and put in prison. His son recalls, "When I was waiting outside, I heard a loud cry but did not know if this was caused by officials striking my father."

The missionary's wife and children have tried to visit him but have been turned away each time by police. His condition and status is unknown. Please pray for him and for his family to stand firm in their walk with Christ.

Last year, a missionary planted a church in a village near the Cambodian border. It has grown to 41 believers. Since the village is near the border, there are many guards in the area. When local authorities discovered the church, the missionary was told to call a gathering of the believers and persuade them to deny Christ. The missionary was told that Christianity was a "traitor's religion with nothing good in it," but he refused to do as he was instructed.

During the next three months, the missionary continued to evangelize the people of the village, and divided the church into two cell groups for Bible study. Then he was called into police headquarters, where he was beaten and compelled to sign a paper promising not to be involved in "illegal" evangelism. Upon returning home, he continued his evangelistic efforts and work with his church. Over the next couple of months, he was called in several times. Each time he would be beaten and instructed to stop his evangelistic efforts. More than once, he was brought to the hospital for treatment of his injuries at the hands of the police.

"There are now several people who desire to believe Christ but are hesitant for fear of persecution and harassment by the authorities," writes the missionary. "Thank God, all the believers are standing firm in faith and continue to follow the Lord." "Please pray more for me and for other Christians to get stronger in the Lord and to bring more souls to Christ day by day."

There are many missionaries in Vietnam who have similar stories. You may help support the work of indigenous missionaries in Vietnam by contacting Christian Aid and using gift code 740-WMN.

India:

Tortured for peace?

Anti-conversion laws in India have been at the centre' of much anti-Christian activity in recent weeks. Radicals in the state of Orissa forcibly shaved the heads of seven Christian women last month in an attempt to coerce them to commit to Hinduism. Hindu politicians defended the action by stating that "the torturing of Christians was a part of the peace agreement," apparently trying to present their actions as a valiant defense of their Hindu culture and laws.

Hindu violence against those embracing Christ's message in this state has a long history; one need only think of the martyrdom of Graham Staines and his two sons who were burned alive in 1999. Scores of anti-Christian incidents have taken place in Orissa and in other areas of central India.

In Orissa, the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act has restricted Christian evangelization among India's unreached. The All-India Christian Council is now attempting to use this very legislation as a test of the State's impartiality and good faith to take action against those behind the forcible Hindu conversions.

You may help support indigenous missionaries in India by using gift code 600-MSF.

Please go to http://www.christianaid.org to learn about missions work.

Forum 18 news service provides these bulletins of human rights violations.

Azerbaijan:

Baptist pastor flees serious death threats

Adventist pastor Khalid Babaev and his family have fled Nakhichevan (Naxçivan) in fear, being forced to flee by the refusal by police to protect them from serious death threats, Form 18 News Service has learnt. The state official in charge of religious affairs locally has claimed to Forum 18 that he didn't "know that there are people here who hate others for religious reasons" and that he is "too busy to look into the case," even though he has been told by Pastor Babaev of the death threats. It is believed that the threats are related to the commemoration by Shia Muslims of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, grandson of Islam's prophet Muhammad, which is often a tense time.

Uzbekistan:

Authorities close Christian church in Khorezm

On 27 February, Forum 18 News Service has learnt that the authorities in Khorezm region decided to close the Urgench Baptist Church. The only other church in the region is the Protestant Korean Church. It was decided to close the church as it had been working with children and would not revise its statute. Statute revision requires church re-registration, which the authorities have denied to other churches making them illegal. The authorities claim that children's work was taking place without parental consent, but parents had given their consent - only to have the NSS secret police pressure them into denying this. Those parents have now asked the church's forgiveness, Forum 18 has been told. Article 3 of Uzbekistan's law on religion forbids "the enticement of underage children into religious organisations, as well as the religious instruction of children against their or their parents' will". Unregistered religious communities are illegal and banned from operating, which provision is against international law.

Please check http://www.forum18.org for religious rights violation reports from communist and post-communist lands.

ASSIST News service provides the following bulletins of persecution.

Sri Lanka:

Upsurge of violence against Christians

With an escalation of violent attacks and an increase in demands for anti-conversion legislation, Christians in Sri Lanka, who account for about 7.5 per cent of the population, are facing mounting pressure.

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a total of 91 attacks on Christians and churches were recorded last year and, so far this year, 41 incidents have already been documented.

"We are becoming increasingly concerned about the deteriorating situation," said a CSW spokesman.

The UK-based group cites several recent incidents. They include:

* On January 20th, a mob of militant Buddhist protestors set fire to the doors of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in the capital, Colombo, and vandalized a cross. A week earlier, another Catholic church in the suburbs of Colombo had been attacked. A police investigation is underway, and a man has reportedly been arrested in connection with the arson.

* On January 13th, the Calvary Church in Wattegedara was attacked by a mob of about 20 people armed with bicycle chains at midnight. They attempted to cut the church's telephone line. The police were alerted and the mob was dispersed. On the same day in Thalapathpitiya, a trishaw parked in the grounds of Calvary Church was set on fire.

* Two days later, in Weliweriya, Gampaha District, a member of the local Assemblies of God (A/G) church was denied burial at a public cemetery, and hundreds of people led by monks organized to prevent entry into the cemetery. The family was denied entry, despite the deployment of police, and eventually the deceased person was buried in the family garden.

CSW then said that on February 15th, three churches came under attack in one night.

"The Pastor of the Apostolic Church in Boraluwewa was warned that his church would be attacked," said the spokesman. "The police were notified, but they failed to provide protection, or to investigate the threats. That night, a crowd of about 100 people with two vehicles completely demolished the church and the staff living quarters and all their personal belongings were set on fire. Five people were later arrested.

"The same mob also attacked Gethsemane Church in Boraluwewa, demolishing their worship centre.

"The third incident took place in Kurundugaha Hathapma Anuruddhagama (Karandeniya), in Galle. A gang of 10 attacked the home where the Calvary Church worshipped, armed with five swords and a gun. The home owner was attacked with a sword, but he escaped with minor injuries. His wife was trapped in the house and the intruders threatened to kill her if the worship service continued. The family informed the Elpitiya police the next day and asked for protection, but so for none has been provided."

The CSW spokesman said, "Extremists, stirred up by the death of anti-Christian Buddhist nationalist monk the Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero, have intensified their calls for the introduction of anti-conversion laws modeled on legislation introduced in five states in neighbouring India. Demand for anti-conversion legislation in Sri Lanka has been developing over the past year.

"In January, Buddhist monks launched a 'fast-unto-death' campaign demanding that the government enact anti-conversion legislation within 60 days. The government agreed to this demand, and the fast was called off. Subsequently, however, the Parliament was dissolved and the legislation has not been introduced. In the forthcoming elections, however, the Supreme Council of Monks will contest seats on a religious platform, with the objective of introducing anti-conversion laws."

He said, "CSW is increasingly concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka. We have recently worked with a cross-party group of UK MPs to table an Early Day Motion (EDM No. 210 Attacks upon Christians in Sri Lanka) in the House of Commons. We urge people in the UK to write to their MPs in support of the EDM.

"The persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka, through both violent and legislative means, causes us deep concern," said Stuart Windsor, CSW-UK's National Director. "The rise of militant, violent Buddhism, and the disregard for human rights, must be stopped before it spreads further. We urge the government of Sri Lanka to take action to stop the violence and to reject anti-conversion legislation, and we encourage efforts by moderates to engage in reconciliation between the Christian and Buddhist communities."

For further information, please contact Richard Chilvers, CSW's Communications Manager by e-mail richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk.

Iraq:

Christians threatened by interim constitution

A leading human rights group investigating the plight of persecuted Christians in Islamic nations warned Friday, March 5, that Iraq's interim constitution will not end Muslim violence and discrimination experienced by Iraq's Christian minority.

Barnabas Fund made the comments as news emerged that Friday's signing ceremony was postponed after five Shiite members of the Governing Council objected to two clauses of the document.

One of the clauses deals with the make-up of the five-member presidency that would assume power from the United States-led coalition at the end of June. The Shiite council members reportedly want three of those seats to reflect the community's majority in Iraq's population.

A spokesman for one of the members told the Voice of America (VOA) they also object to a clause dealing with the vote for a future permanent constitution. The clause says that document could be vetoed by three of Iraq's 18 provinces and Shiite members fear that would give too much power to the three Kurdish regions in the north.

stand-off

The stand-off came amid concern that Shiite Muslims want to increase their influence at the expense of Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq, which critics say is already reflected in the interim constitution. While Barnabas Fund is pleased that Islam is mentioned as "a source" as opposed to "the source" of law in the document, it warns that "the following qualifying paragraph states that no law is to be passed which goes against the tenets" of Islam.

"Such tenets are codified in the shari'a, which carries inbuilt discrimination against women and non-Muslims," said Barnabas Fund in a statement seen by ASSIST News Service (ANS). It comes as a major set back for Iraq's Christian minority as "the greatest problem facing Christians at the moment is violence and the threat of violence," Barnabas Fund said.

February 3 a Christian residence in the Shiite stronghold of Basra was hit by a grenade. "Before they were just attacking us in the street, now we are not safe in our own homes," the head of the household was quoted as saying by Barnabas Fund. On 11 February gunmen fired on an office of the Assyrian Democratic Movement in Mosul, injuring one security guard. Most Iraqi Christians are ethnic Assyrians, the organization claimed.

governing council

The party provides the only Christian representative on the Governing Council, Younadam Kana. Missionary workers have also complained about violent attacks, ASSIST News Service learned. Barnabas Fund recalled how American Pastor John Kelly was killed February 14 when gunmen from a passing car attacked the taxi he was travelling in.

"They were returning from a trip to see the ruins of Babylon, when a car started to overtake their taxi on the inside. The four occupants armed with Kalashnikovs then suddenly opened fire," the well informed Barnabas Fund said. In addition five Christian roadside vendors in Basra were shot dead on February 15 by gunmen with Kalashnikovs.

"The gunmen pulled up in police vehicles and were wearing police uniforms suggesting a disturbing connection between hardliners who want to introduce shari'a and the coalition supervised police," Barnabas Fund said. In Baghdad, ANS learned that several Christian shop owners have been attacked as well, while some of them carry guns to protect themselves.

Muslim extremeists

The violence has been linked to Muslim extremists and supporters of the previous regime of Saddam Hussein. William Warda, head of the "Many Christian Churches have received anonymous threatening letters," the Assyrian Democratic Movement's Department of Culture and Information reportedly said. Barnabas Fund quoted Bishop al-Qas of Amadiyah, in the Kurdish region, as saying that posters had been put up urging Christians to convert to Islam or leave the country.

ANS has also established that students at several Christian schools in the country received death threats.

"Whole denominations have taken the decision not to hold night time services anymore, but only daytime ones. One church in Baghdad has stopped having services altogether (and) Muslim extremists are calling Iraqi Christians "crusaders" or a "fifth column for the Christian Wes and the Americans," Barnabas Fund said.

Shiite leaders

However some Shiite leaders, including Baghdad representative Sheikh Abd al-Jabbar Menhal, and Muslim intellectuals have reportedly condemned the attacks saying that "Islam respects all sacred places" including churches. Barnabas Fund has urged Christians around the world to pray "that God will give the Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority, Paul Bremer, "great wisdom" as he must put his signature to the interim constitution.

Barnabas Fund also asked to "Pray that Iraqi Christians will have peace, faith, and hope, and that the Lord's hand of protection will be over them," amid ongoing bloodshed and suicide attacks.

Please see http://www.assistnews.net for Christian-oriented news items.

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