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Subject: Persecution report for April 15, 2003.

Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2003 20:04:41 -0600

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

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

CC: "John M. Lindner" <jml@christianaid.org>

The Voice Of The Martyrs reports the following incidents of Christians suffering persecution.

Pakistan:

Christian dies in custody.

Christians in Lahore, Pakistan were shocked and angered by the death of Rehmat Masih on April 2. Rehmat was arrested on March 18, accused of stealing 300 law books. According to his family, Rehmat was tortured at the Sanha police station and then taken to Camp Jail where his condition deteriorated. He was eventually transferred to hospital where he died.

Rehmat was employed as a custodian at the Punjab Civil Secretariat (PCS) in Lahore. When 300 law books went missing, a member of PCS Law Department accused Rehmat and another Christian, Iqbal Masih. According to Rehmat's wife, he was illiterate and his only transportation was a bicycle, making the transportation of 300 books (which he could not even read) both impossible and ludicrous.

Following his death, the family brought Rehmat's body to the PCS office, demanding justice. Police cordoned off the area and pushed back the protestors. Rehmat's cousin, Boodi Masih was hit in the head with a police baton and died of his injuries.

According to Gulf News, Punjab Chief Secretary, Hafeez Akhtar Randhawa, has demanded an immediate investigation and has registered a case against Sandha Police Inspector Rana Mohammed, Deputy Secretary of Law Ghulam Mehdi and Camp Jail Superintendent Javed Latif. The PCS office is said to be quite shaken by the violence surrounding the protests and some officials are openly critical of the brutality by the police.

Canada:

Convert faces deportation to Iran.

"Nancy," an Iranian convert to Christ, is facing deportation from Canada on April 24 after failing to convince an Immigration and Refugee Board judge that she is a Christian. This is despite clear testimony from both her and her pastor. Wanting to protect her family in Iran, Nancy has asked that her real name not be published.

In 1999 Nancy was introduced to Christ by a friend in Tehran and converted to Christianity in the summer of 2000. When her husband was questioned about her church attendance, Nancy fled to Montreal to live with her sister-in-law. While there, she attended a Pentecostal church where she was baptized. She later became an active member of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Montreal. Those who know her confirm that she has a genuine Christian faith.

The immigration judge, Hélène Panagakos, repeatedly admitted in her ruling that she was not familiar with Protestant Christianity. This did not stop her, however, from judging Nancy's Protestant beliefs. When Nancy was unable to name more than two Christian sacraments and did not use the term "holy communion" for the receiving of bread and wine, Panagakos rejected her claim that she had become a Christian. It is worth noting that Protestants typically do not believe in more than two sacraments and frequently do not use the terminology "sacrament" and "holy communion." Panagakos claimed that Nancy obviously lacked knowledge of "the most basic Christian concepts."

Canadian officials have further decided that, even if she is a Christian, she does not face a significant risk of persecution in Iran.

As in much of the Muslim world, however, Iranian Muslims who convert from Islam to another religion are considered apostates. The penalty for apostasy in Iran is severe, often death. Nancy's family in Iran is already under surveillance by the authorities.

For up-to-date information on the mistreatment of Christians and other religious minorities in Iran, see the International Religious Freedom Report for 2002 submitted to the US Congress by the State Department at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2002/13995.htm.

Iran is still considered a country of particular concern by The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (see http://www.uscirf.gov/crptPages/CPC-Iran.php3).

According to the National Post, Immigration Canada has said there is little chance of the deportation order for April 24 being overturned. In an interview, Nancy said, "My life is not with the officer, it is in God's hands. I still have hope. I have been afflicted, but I am not despairing. I have been persecuted, but I am not forgotten."

Eritrea:

170 Protestants beaten and jailed.

Compass Direct has reported on a crackdown on Protestant Christians in Eritrea during February and March. A total of 170 Protestant Christians have been jailed, beaten and threatened with death by Eritrean security forces.

According to a report received on April 9, in five separate incidents, police barged into worship services and a wedding ceremony to jail men, women and children for practicing what government officials called "a new religion."

Although no formal charges have been filed, those jailed were held in cramped, suffocating cells for up to two weeks for refusing to return to the historically dominant Orthodox Church faith. One group endured 15 days in metal containers designed as severe punishment cells. Another congregation witnessed its pastor being tortured and humiliated in the jail yard. When relatives posted bail for their release, they were forced to sign a statement acknowledging that if a bailed prisoner was caught meeting in public or private with more than three others, he would be liable for execution.

Seventy-four soldiers remain in a military prison near the southern port city of Assab. They were arrested in February 2002 for refusing to recant their personal religious beliefs and return to the Orthodox Church.

China:

120 house church members arrested.

On April 8, Asia Harvest reported that 120 house church members were arrested on April 4 by police, many of them leaders of the Local Church, one of several Chinese church groups that comes from the root of Watchman Nee teaching. Twenty members were later released, but 100 remain in custody.

The Local Church is considered an "evil cult" by the Chinese government and those arrested often face severe beating and torture. A significant part of the Local Church fell into error in the late 70's and 80's, following the false teachings of Li Changshou. However, reports from China suggest that, at present, at least 60% of the Local Church remain solid, Bible-believing Christians.

India:

Anti-conversion law faces challenges.

The controversial anti-conversion law passed on March 26 in the state of Gujarat has not yet been officially declared law and may yet face revisions, according to news reports received this week by The Voice of the Martyrs.

According to an article in the Times of India on April 4, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has directed the Gujarat government to delete a clause requiring permission from a District Magistrate before any conversion. According to the NCM Chairman, Tarlochan Singh, none of the other states where similar legislation has been passed has a similar requirement. He added, "This clause is in violation of fundamental rights of a citizen ensured in [sic] country's Constitution." If the contested clause remains, the Times of India also reports that the state government may incorporate a clause into the Bill that will allow Hindus to convert to Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, and vice-versa, without seeking any permission. Though passed by the state assembly, as of last report, the bill had still not been signed into law by Gujarat Governor S. S. Bhandari. There is speculation on the cause, but the governor is under strong pressure, particularly from Christian groups in India.

Meanwhile, a petition by the All India Christian Council against the bill was rejected by the Gujarat High Court since the bill was not yet law. The Chief Justice of the High Court J. N. Bhatt ruled that it can be challenged only after the governor signs the bill into law.

Laos:

Churches closed; leaders arrested.

Two Lao Christian leaders, Mr. Ton, 58, and Mr. Serun, 45, were arrested on April 3, according to a report received today from Christian Aid. Authorities came to the Nong-ing church on March 30 to stop a worship service. The leaders persuaded the police to allow them to continue the service. Authorities returned, however, on April 3, arrested the men and destroyed the building.

It is thought that the church may have been targeted because it was visited by a high-ranking US official earlier this year. Another church in Kdngkok, which was also visited, has been seized and converted to a government office. Other churches in Laos have also been closed recently.

Please go to http://www.persecution.net to learn more about Christians being persecuted and how to help them.

Mission Network News has these persecution reports.

Egypt:

Ministry continues while Christian/Muslim tensions worsen.

Despite the welcome coalition forces are receiving in Iraq, many in the Arab world still view the liberation as western occupation. Because Christianity is linked to the west, International Needs Network "s Rody Rodeheaver says that view is affecting their ministry in Egypt. "It heightens the tensions between Muslims and Christians. Our executive director from Egypt, he lives for instance in an apartment building with lot of other Muslims and they will not greet him any more as they meet each other in the hallways." Despite that, ministry continues in Egypt. However, they are facing challenges with their Bible correspondence program. "He sends out over 4,000 Bible correspondence courses every month. And, (they're) going into places that I can't even tell you about on the air because they're so sensitive. And, we're running about $600 a month behind." Five-thousand dollars is needed to keep this program running.

Egypt:

Congregation left with no church building.

A church in Egypt is wondering where they'll be meeting in the months ahead. According to the Barnabas Fund, a congregation in Upper Egypt received permission in March to tear down their old church building and build another. However, after their building was demolished the local government withdrew their building license. This is the second time this year that local officials have done something like this. Pray that God will intervene and change the hearts of government leaders.

Bhutan:

Officials invade a church.

No one was injured when authorities in Bhutan invaded a Gospel For Asia church service last week. GFA officials say the pastor was interrogated, but nothing else happened. The pastor of the church has been persecuted and imprisoned since receiving Christ, but continues to boldly preach the Gospel. GFA is asking for the Lord's protection as government representatives say they plan to conduct similar activities at their Bible school in the region.

Please check http://www.mnnonline.org for missions news and a weekday audio broadcast.

Christian Aid Mission presents these persecution incidents.

Philippines:

Philippine bombings prompt prayers.

Philippine missionaries are requesting prayer in the light of recent bombings. A bomb went off near a wharf in the Philippine city of Davao on April 3 killing at least 16 people and wounding another 52. Six of the deaths were children aged two to 14.

It was the second bombing in Davao in a month. On March 4, a bomb exploded at the Davao Airport killing 21. Davao is the largest city on Mindanao Island.

No one claimed responsibility for the latest bombing, but the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is a prime suspect. The MILF, which has been fighting for a separate Islamic state for 30 years, has denied involvement in either attack.

The second bomb was planted by a row of food stalls and restaurants near the entrance gate of a passenger terminal on the wharf. "One of the people waiting to board the boat was one of our church members," a mission leader told Christian Aid, "but he wasn't hurt."

The MILF and the Philippine government signed a peace agreement in March, 2001, but that hasn't reduced the hostilities. In fact, one Philippine observer said, "I think oppressive governments and terrorist groups think now is the time they can do things, because the world's attention is focused on Iraq." He said he thought there could be as many as a dozen smaller bombings on Mindanao every day that do not make the international news.

"The MILF and the NPA [New People's Army] have always known they cannot defeat the Philippine military, so their strategies have been to fight a protracted guerrilla war replete with terrorism," said Elizabeth Kendal of World Evangelical Alliance. "However, in this sort of warfare, the primary victims are civilians."

A Christian Aid staff person said, "We get requests for prayer from mission leaders in Mindanao almost every day." Their concern is not just for safety, however. One of them wrote, "Help us pray to be more zealous in winning souls. We are sad that this disaster happened in our city. We need your constant prayers."

Christian Aid is assisting several evangelistic ministries in the Davao area. For more information about these ministries or to learn how to help them, write insider@christianaid.org and put MI-414 801-Davao on the subject line.

Burundi:

Christians bear killing, rape and destruction.

Refugees returning to Burundi still face murder, rape and destruction at the hands of rebels and even of the police, according to reports received by Christian Aid.

Despite a peace accord and cease fire having been signed by three of Burundi's four rebel factions, fighting and terrorism continue. "They are still killing, raping to death young women, destroying houses and cattle," a Burundi mission leader told Christian Aid. He said that rebels raped 20 young women from the church in one district.

Despite the violence, many refugees are coming back home from exile in Tanzania and Congo. "They come naked and sick," the leader said. "Often they are caught at the border and beaten to death by police or by other refugees.

Still reeling from the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda and subsequent nine years of unrest, attempts are being made to form a transition government to keep all parties happy. All the rebel groups are Hutus, and many fear that the genocide in Rwanda could happen in Burundi, also. "The spirit of genocide still inflames the region," the leader said.

In the midst of this hatred, many hearts are hungry for spiritual reality. A local businessman was chronically ill and called for the local priest. After a week of no change, the desperate man called the local missionary who had planted a small evangelical church. The missionary prayed for the man and he was healed. "Those who heard and saw the miracle were convinced that there is a mighty God trustworthy to be worshipped," the leader said. They forsook their idols and turned to the Lord, taking the church membership from 90 to 500.

"We are waiting for God to do the same thing in many parts of the country," the leader said and asked for prayer as they wage a battle against dark spirits in the name of Christ.

To learn how you can provide support or to learn more about indigenous ministry in this region write insider@christianaid.org and put MI-414 576-MCM on the subject line.

Laos:

Christians reopen church.

Christian ladies stood before the Sayanoun church in Savannakhet Province in Laos after authorities closed the church and barred the doors. After meeting outside the church for several months, the believers decided to take the wooden board off the doors and go back inside. Authorities have not yet said or done anything, but the local Christians stand in jeopardy of a further crackdown. They are greatly hated by Lao authorities.

Please go to www.christianaid.org to learn about missions and ways to help them.

Forum 18 News Service provides these incidents of persecution.

Georgia:

True Orthodox fear church-destroyers will escape justice.

True Orthodox leaders have expressed concern that the apparent closure of the criminal investigation into those guilty of destroying a True Orthodox Church in the village of Shemokmedi in south western Georgia last October will allow them to escape punishment. Deputy procurator Pridon Chanturia ordered the case to be closed on the grounds that "it was impossible to identify the organiser, encourager or perpetrator of the aforementioned criminal act". However, the chief procurator of Ozurgeti district, Yakov Iadolidze, categorically denied to Forum 18 News Service that the investigation has stopped. "The guilty will be prosecuted and there will be a criminal trial." But True Orthodox priest Fr Gela Aroshvili rejected Iadolidze's claim that the case was continuing. "He's lying. If that's so, why did they send us the 18 January decision declaring that the case was being closed?"

Turkmenistan:

Secret police interrogate and threaten Baptist children.

Raided by the secret police, the police and the procuracy on 16 March, the Baptist church in Balkanabad is facing new pressure. Children have been interrogated in school about "internal church life and their Christian education in their families", a statement from the church reaching Forum 18 News Service complains. They were banned from attending services and the older ones threatened with prison. A church service in a private flat was again raided on 1 April. Forum 18 was unable to reach the secret police (which the church claims organised the interrogations) or the police in Balkanabad to find out why the Baptists are being threatened for attending unregistered religious services, which are not technically illegal in Turkmenistan.

Please check http://www.forum18.org for information on religious rights violations in communist and former communist lands.

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