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Subject: PERSECUTION REPORT FOR JANUARY 27, 2004.

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 20:21:19 -0800

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

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

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

PERSECUTION REPORT FOR JANUARY 27, 2004.

The Voice Of The Martyrs provides the following bulletins of Christians suffering for Christ.

Pakistan:

Arrest Made in Bible Society Bombing

As reported in the special edition Persecution and Prayer Alert of January 15, 2004, the Bible Society library in Karachi, Pakistan, along with the adjoining Holy Trinity Anglican Church, was damaged when an explosive device was thrown from a motorcycle, followed a few minutes later with a powerful car bomb. More than eleven people were injured, though none seriously.

Two days after the attack, police reported the arrest of Shamim Ahmed, 25, a member of a banned militant group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Following information gained from his interrogation, police later raided a bomb-making factory in the city. According to the deputy inspector-general of the Karachi police, they found hand-made grenades, remote-control devices, parcel bombs and two bombs ready to be used, each weighing ten kilograms.

The day after the bombing, the Sindh governor, Ishratul Ebad Khan, visited the site along with John Alexander Malik, the Anglican bishop of Lahore, and the director of the Pakistan Bible Society, Anthony Lamuel. The governor announced that the government would cover the repair costs to the buildings.

There are questions whether the intended target of the bombing was the Christians in the area or the police guarding the property. Regardless, Christians in Pakistan have been made to feel particularly vulnerable because of this bombing.

For pictures of the attack, along with the subsequent arrest, or for more information on challenges facing Christians in Pakistan, follow the links from our web site at http://www.persecution.net/country/pakistan.htm.

Pakistan:

Police Charged with Contempt of Court

On September 25, 2002, gunmen burst into the offices of the Institute for Peace and Justice in Karachi, binding and then shooting seven people in an execution-style attack. Only one witness remained alive, a worker at the centre named Robin Piranditta, who was beaten by the attackers but lived. Soon he began facing police harassment, implicating him in the attack. He was arrested but, after facing torture from the authorities, the courts eventually ordered that he be released. However, as he left the courthouse on October 22, 2002, he was immediately rearrested and officially declared a suspect in the attack. He was later released.

According to a report by Jang News, on Monday, January 19, 2004, a division bench of the Sindh High Court announced that the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Qasim Ghouri and Inspector Tassarud Mehmood of the Crime Investigation Department, would be arraigned on charges of contempt of court because of the arrest at the courthouse. Their court date was set for February 9.

Because of the strong Islamic influence in Pakistan, the police and courts have frequently been less than favourable toward Christians. This court action is seen as a positive step in ensuring justice for all.

For more information on Pakistan, go to http://www.persecution.net/country/pakistan.htm.

Sri Lanka:

Two Churches Torched

Two Catholic churches were attacked in Sri Lanka within four days in continuing violence against Christians that appears to be escalating since the death last month of a prominent Buddhist monk, Gangodawila Soma Thero. Just after midnight on Thursday, January 15, ten people broke into St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Homagama. Statues were smashed and furnishings were soaked in kerosene and set on fire. According to the church priest, Rev. Hishantha Perera, the members of the church are remaining calm, but are anxious to see those responsible brought to justice. This was the same church where a Buddhist mob tore down the cross and raised a Buddhist flag on the top of the church in November, 2003 (see http://www.persecution.net/news/srilanka16.html for more details).

Pictures of the damage are available through a link on our web site at http://www.persecution.net/country/srilanka.htm. Early Sunday morning, January 18, St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in the village of Hokandara was also attacked when around six youth cut through the fence and set burning tires against the door, damaging part of the building. There were no injuries in either attack.

For more information on persecution in Sri Lanka, go to http://www.persecution.net/country/srilanka.htm.

India:

Christian Social Worker Warned to Stop Evangelism of Child Prostitutes

On January 6, 2004, the Times of India ran an article about the plight of young children being used as sex trader workers in India and how police seem to be turning a blind eye to the growing problem. The article also spoke of a Christian social worker named Anson Thomas who is on a campaign to rescue these young children from a life of prostitution. However, he has recently faced opposition with claims that he has taken advantage of his position as a social worker to evangelize these young children. The Times claimed that the brothel owners had convinced police to serve Thomas notice to stop "indulging in unlawful acts which would lead to religious and social trouble."

Police deny these allegations, saying that they were merely warning him. Deputy police commissioner Naval Bajaj told the Times, "I have full respect for Mr Thomas's work and we have followed up on every information that he has given us. But, there is no need for him to distribute cassettes and Bibles to the sex workers."

Those involved in trying to rescue these children from a life of prostitution recount many reports of police taking bribes, including the testimony from one thirteen-year-old girl who was told by police that the brothel was the safest place for her. There are sufficient laws in India against child prostitution.

However, according to Balkrishna Acharya of Rescue Foundation, which is involved in rescuing minors from these brothels, "I cannot think of one place which has been closed by the police."

For more information on India, go to http://www.persecution.net/country/india.htm.

Please see http://www.persecution.net for more information about persecution and ways to assist these believers.

Mission Network News reports the following persecution incidents.

Sri Lanka;

MNN is threatened by Buddhists for persecution coverage

Acts of violence and threats are forcing evangelical Christian organizations to keep a low profile in Sri Lanka. The latest wave of violence was sparked off by the sudden death of one of Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist monks.

The threats weren't only made against believers in Sri Lanka, but Mission Network News has been the target of threats recently.

The Executive Director of Mission Network News Greg Yoder says, "We've received three threats in the last two weeks by Buddhist upset by the coverage we've given the situation." He says, "One threat isn't repeatable and the other two threats were similar. They told us the information we had on the air was incorrect and that it would be best if we not come to Sri Lanka."

However, Yoder says, "According to Mission Network News sources, who are many, the information shared on the air is correct. We don't feel comfortable with mentioning who they are for safety sake, the sources are clear and the information we're airing is accurate."

Dozens of Buddhist monks have protested against what they're calling 'unethical conversions' by Christians and demanded that anti-conversion laws be enacted immediately. Buddhism is the majority religion, making up 70-percent of the population. 15-percent are Hindu and Christians make up about 8-percent of the population.

Yoder is encouraging people to pray for the many organizations working in Sri Lanka. "As believers we need to come along side them and come together as a body of Christ. What an encouragement we can be to those who are suffering for their faith," says Yoder.

Vietnam:

Missionary Radio is being jammed

"They're jamming our radio programs!" Far East Broadcasting Company is asking Christians around the world to pray that it stops so people can continue hearing the Gospel.

FEBC's Melinda Cheng says they received a report from their International Broadcast Manager in the Philippines where they beam short wave programming into Vietnam. Cheng says, "They report that we saw some apparently intentional interference or jamming for about 10-percent of our programs." She adds, "And, most of the programs that they're jamming are targeted at the minority languages in Vietnam and in Laos."

The jamming appears to be intentional on two fronts. Cheng says, "We've tried to change frequencies and the people who are jamming our programs are evidently following us because they're finding our new frequencies and jamming those as well."

FEBC thinks they know why their programs are being jammed. Cheng says, "In some respects it is because of the large response to our radio programs especially in the tribal languages. We also know the Vietnamese government is not comfortable with our programs and we're pretty sure that the government is behind the jamming. "Pray that the jamming will stop and that many will come to Christ as they're able to listen.

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

Christian Aid Mission provides these persecution bulletins.

Laos:

Officials threaten death by farm tools

Believers in villages of Laos's Attapue province are being told they must renounce their faith in Christ, leave their villages, or face being beaten to death with farm hand tools.

Christian Aid's confidential contact in the region said yesterday that the 11 believers who were released from prison January 9 are facing renewed pressure by authorities in Attapue province to renounce their faith. Along with them, 34 other believers who had fled but returned to their villages were facing similar pressure.

The key men perpetrating the persecution are Mr. Bounlarb (deputy district head of Sanamsai district) and Mr. Sitad (head of religious affairs for Attapue province). On January 18 they started digging pits, saying if believers did not deny Christ, they would be buried. They actually forced Mr. Wanchai and Miss Mayien to sign an affidavit stating they denied their faith in Christ. Believers in Dongsung village also were told they could deny Christ, leave the village, or face death.

The next day these same two officials led non-Christian villagers to two other villages and threatened believers there the same way. The spokesperson thought Kang, Donthapad and Donphai villages would be next.

Christians worldwide are asked to pray that Lao believers will be able to withstand this ungodly pressure, and contact their own government leaders to bring pressure to bear upon Lao leaders to comply with their own constitution that stipulates religious freedom.

See additional stories on persecution of Christians in Laos in previous issues of Missions Insider dated January 14 and January 7.

India:

Hindus attack churches in Gujarat and Madhya pradesh

Hindus are attacking churches in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh states of India, and much of the violence is going unchecked, according to reports received by Christian Aid.

"I have just received news from Gujarat that there has been lot of violence against Christians in Dahod district and in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh," a Christian leader in India told Christian Aid today. "A number of churches have been burned, including those in our fellowship. Radical Hindus went into churches and even pulled Christians out of their homes, beating them. Twenty of our workers have been affected by this.

"The Hindus are blaming Christians for starting the violence. They are inciting Hindus in other areas to attack Christians by telling these lies. When they started beating the Christians and Catholics, some of those who were attacked began to retaliate in some areas. Not all who are called 'Christian' are born again.

Some of these nominal Christians are retaliating in kind and bringing new retaliations. It is a chaotic situation."

The leader told of one case where Hindu radicals raped a girl who was a street fruit vendor, murdered her, and put her body in a Catholic church. When her body was found and reported to police, the Hindus told the police the priest did it.

Not only are the Hindus attacking churches, they also cut telephone lines to prevent reporting of the incidents. One leader, writing from South India, said that telephone lines had been cut so that two Gujarati leaders with him for a Bible college graduation and convention were not able to get in touch with anyone in their ministry area of Gujarat.

Similar violence is occurring in Madhya Pradesh state. The same leader said that a visiting Member of Parliament confirmed to him that the violence was spreading to Madhya Pradesh state. Several Pentecostal and Roman Catholic churches had been burned, and "95 of our own churches were not able to meet for worship this past Sunday" because of the violence in both states.

Another Christian leader wrote last Saturday that at least two churches in Madhya Pradesh had been burned and at least two people killed in a fierce conflict. One of his churches was burned and it was not even possible to visit the site to see the extent of the damage due to the violence. The local pastor and his family had to flee for their lives.

The leader requested prayer that these atrocities would be brought to proper public attention. Persons wanting to contribute to help restore the lost churches and aid those suffering losses from the violence may write to insider@christianaid.org and put MI-503 600-PERS on the subject line.

Please go to http://www.christianaid.org to learn about missions news and ways to contribute.

Forum 18 presents the following reports of religious rights violations.

Central Asia:

Uneven state policy towards religious minorities in Central Asia

State policies in Central Asia towards religious minorities present a varied picture. Orthodox Christians say they have almost no problems at all, which is in stark contrast to the situation of other religious minorities such as Protestant Christians, and to the situation of Islam, the most widespread religion in the region. Throughout the region both Islamic radicalism and proselytism by non-Islamic faiths are viewed very seriously indeed by governments, which frequently seek to control and/or severely repress both Islam and proselytism. This is partially due to fear of religious diversity, and partially due to fear of radical Islamic groups such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir.

Turkmenistan:

Secrecy surrounds content of new religion decree

Not even the government's Council for Religious Affairs knows how religious organisations gain state registration under new regulations, Forum 18 News Service has found. Only Sunni Muslim and Russian Orthodox communities have so far gained registration; all other religious communities are de facto barred from registering and so are illegal, thus breaching international human rights agreements. However, Forum 18 has been able to establish that, in the unlikely event of other religious communities being registered, they will have to pay a fee of about 10 times the basic monthly wage unlike the previous fee of 1-3 times the basic wage. Forum 18 knows of believers having been very harshly punished for unregistered religious activity.

Despite this, a government official insisted to Forum 18 that "Believers have complete freedom of conscience in Turkmenistan. You can pray at home, whether to God or the devil. But if you meet for services, then you must register as a religious organization."

Please visit http://www.forum18.org to learn about religious rights violations in communist and post- communist lands.

ASSIST News Service has these persecution incidents to report.

Mexico:

Christians still suffering religious intolerance

While the Mexican government official responsible for agrarian reform, Florencio Salazar Adame, says there are no conflicts in rural areas, other news shows that Catholics and evangelicals may be using religion as a pretext to promote their land interests, and that this is causing tension and clashes in the Tzotzil community in Mitzitón, Chiapas Province.

According to a report by http://www.ACPress.net, tension in this area goes back 20 years.

The Infodemex news agency reports: "In the name of their beliefs, the (Catholic) traditionalists have expelled dozens of Protestants, have burned or destroyed church buildings and private properties, banned the cutting of wood for domestic use, all of which has led to clashes which have ended up with injuries on both sides, and people illegally imprisoned. The fact that state aid in the form of the 'Procampo' support program has been given peacefully complicates matters further."

State sub-secretary for Religious Affairs, José María Morales, claims that some groups are using religion as a pretext to provoke clashes, because when they sit down to talk, the conversation is only about agrarian issues and Procampo aid. The Catholic bishop of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Felipe Arizmendi, agrees that "the main reason for the conflict is not religion, but this is used or mixed with political and economic interests."

Evangelical pastor, Esdras Alonso, explains that aggression against Protestants began in 1982 when 50 families were violently thrown out of their homes because, it was said, they could not live there due to their religious beliefs, even though several of them were the legal owners of their land. Yet the state agrarian spokesman continues to insist that there are no land conflicts thanks to the issue of certificates which regulate land ownership.

"The conflict is broader, too," said the ACPress.net story. "In San Juan Chamula in Chiapas, the government has opened nine schools especially for evangelical children, because Catholics will not allow them to study in the established schools. Religious intolerance has seen 30,000 evangelicals forced out of their homes over the past 30 years, as well as dozens of murders and injuries perpetrated against their community."

Hungary:

Radio station banned for anti-Christian remarks

Hungary's National Radio and Television Council (ORTT) has suspended the license of a radio station which called on Christmas Eve to exterminate Christians, ASSIST News Service (ANS) monitored Thursday, January 22.

The ORTT said it had banned Budapest-based Tilos Radio from the airwaves for 30 days while excluding the network from applying for funds for half a year "as a final warning", after one presenter suggested on December 24 it was time "to wipe out all Christians."

Tilos Radio, which means "Forbidden Radio" in reference to its former status as a radio pirate, already fired the host who it claimed had been talking under the influence of alcohol. It also apologized for insulting people in this mainly Catholic nation.

Hungarian media described the ORTT-decision as a compromise as right-wing delegates wanted to close down the station while liberal officials suggested a 24-hour cessation of broadcasting was sufficient.

"Exaggerated reaction"

Yet, Tilos Radio board of trustees chairman Gabor Csabai told reporters that while the station expected punishment, it finds the 30-day broadcasting license suspension "to be an exaggerated reaction" as the ORTT never gave such a stringent penalty.

He stressed Tilos Radio will consider whether to appeal it in court, once the station receives an official, written, confirmation of the media watchdog's ruling.

The ORTT-punishment came less than two weeks after a controversial demonstration in Budapest, where thousands of right wing protesters linked the radio's anti-Christian remarks to Israel.

Nazi era

Shouting "we had enough" demonstrators were seen waving flags from the Nazi era, while burning at least one Israeli flag. The Israeli Embassy in Budapest condemned the flag burning saying it did not understand why anti-Christian remarks aired by Tilos Radio, had anything to do with the independent democratic state of Israel.

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy, who also condemned the flag burning, has received death threats, his office said. The threats came in a letter signed by Budapest Civic Groups, part of a right wing movement lead by former prime minister Viktor Orban, which co-organized the mass rally, media said.

The flag burning also outraged Holocaust survivors remembering Hungary as a close ally of Nazi Germany during World War Two when 600,000 Hungarian Jews were massacred. The country's first ever Holocaust Museum is scheduled to open in April this year.

Suspects questioned

A Serbian-Montenegrin citizen, whom several photos reportedly showed taking part in the burning of the Israeli flag outside Tilos Radio on January 11, gave himself up to police Wednesday, Hungarian news papers reported.

Police questioned the man, identified as Zoltan B, and reportedly released him later that evening. Two other suspects, named as Miklos B. and Richard M. Giorgio, were also released pending trial or further evidence proving their involvement in the incident, ANS learned Thursday, January 22

Their brief detention came amid an ongoing debate about freedom of speech in this post-Communist country. Last month Hungarian President Ferenc Madl refused to sign anti-hate speech legislation sending it instead to the Constitutional Court for a second opinion.

The European Union, which Hungary hopes to join in less than 100 days, has in the past expressed concern about a revival of right wing extremism in Hungary and other former Soviet satellite states.

Pakistan:

Christian girl abducted for a second time

The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org reported that a young Christian girl named Shamim Kausor, from the district of Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan, was abducted at gunpoint from outside her home on 31 December 2003. Her family is one of only two Christian families in the Muslim village and this is the second time Shamim has been abducted by Muslim men. (Please see the web site for the full story where this was excerpted from.)

North Korea:

Boy's escape to China - a harrowing ordeal

During the winter months, crossing the frozen expanse of the Tumin River in darkness from North Korea into China is perilous on many fronts, yet for a boy named Timothy with a yearning for freedom it was worth the risk.

"Brother Timothy was caught trying to cross the river to China," says friend Young Park. Park provided the following account after his own release from custody. The two shared friendship and fellowship inside a North Korean prison near the Chinese border for a few short months. "He was badly beaten by the North Korean border guards," Park says.

The morning after the beating, Brother Timothy was taken from his cell to a small clearing in the trees. "The guards threw a rope over a bar and tied it to his wrists," Park says. "He was lifted and beaten so severely that one arm was pulled from its socket," he recounts. "The pain was intense." Surprisingly, the guards then released Timothy to fend for himself.

"Somehow he made it across the river to seek medical help to pull his arm back in place," Park reports. Now in China, Timothy made it to a safe house where he met missionary Peter Rhee. As the boy was treated he kept repeating the same words, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

"The person you should really be thanking is Jesus Christ," Rhee told him. Timothy looked up with a quizzical, yet hopeful look in his eyes as Rhee shared the gospel with him. In the relative safety of the little house near the border Timothy accepted Christ, as many tears poured out.

Timothy's first response was a desire to share the good news. "He wanted to tell his parents so they could taste real freedom," Park says. After several months passed Timothy made the difficult decision to return home.

"So Timothy crossed back into North Korea and made the long walk home," Park says. "He had been gone for many months, so he was careful not to be seen by his neighbours and friends.

There was no way of telling what his family's reaction would be as he approached his simple, one-story dwelling. "He waited until the darkness covered his movements and crept into the house," Park reports. "At first his family was overjoyed to see him, but as he shared the great love of Jesus his father became furious."

"He yelled at him to stop believing in Jesus," Park says. Timothy stared at his father, shaking his head in disbelief. "The father then had a fit of anger and screamed for the boy to leave immediately or he would personally turn him in to security." Timothy couldn't believe this was happening. This was not the reception he hoped for. As he looked at his mother, tears were welling up in both of their eyes.

Then he knew he must go. "He had to rush out after saying a tearful goodbye to his mother," Park says. "She held his hands and said, 'My boy, just be strong wherever you may be.'"

Timothy crossed the frozen Tumin River once more under cover of darkness, and made his way to the safe house. He already missed his mother and thought for a moment of the look on her face as he departed. Entering the safe house, he was warmly welcomed again by missionary Rhee. But after only a few days a terrible thought entered his mind, and began to gnaw at him.

"Suddenly it struck him that even though he had shared Christ with his parents, he had never told his grandmother," Park recalls. It occurred to him that unless he went back she would never have an opportunity to hear about Jesus. Due to her age, her eternal destiny was in jeopardy. He knew he was the only one who could make a difference in her life. So he asked missionary Rhee if he could leave once more.

"Missionary Rhee prepared a sack of rice and sugar, and gave him a little cash for transportation once he got into North Korea," Park says. As Timothy prepared to leave the missionary hugged him and said, "Remember He died for us that we might live."

"That's why I must tell my grandmother--and others. I will plant a church and return to bring the good news to you," Timothy said. He propped the sack containing the provisions on his shoulder, and tucked a Bible inside his shirt as he walked out the door.

Timothy waited near the riverbank for darkness to fall so he could safely cross the river. "He tried to listen over the sound of flowing water and falling leaves for the footsteps of the Chinese patrol," Park says. He was able to cross the Tumin after midnight and began to make his way toward his village.

Without warning, he stumbled upon a North Korean patrol. He froze in his tracks hoping they hadn't spotted him. "You there, where are you going?" a harsh voice demanded. He was caught like a bird of prey.

"Rough hands held him as others hit with fists and rifle butts," Park says. Surviving the first beating, he was taken to the local jail, where he was beaten again and thrown on the floor of the interrogation room. His interrogators began asking questions.

"While you were in China did you meet any American?" they asked.

"No," he replied firmly.

"Did you meet any missionary at all?" There was a brief pause as Timothy sought the Lord about a response. He knew he had to tell the truth.

"Yes," Timothy replied.

"Did you believe their religion," they asked, baiting him.

"You mean do I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord?" With Timothy's affirmation, an ugly grimace came over the officer's face. He quit writing and threw his pen at Timothy and then lunged forward to strike him.

The last thing Timothy remembered was seeing heavy muddy boots coming toward his face, according to Park. The next morning Timothy woke up in a dimly lit cell. He had slept on the cement floor, which suddenly felt cold and hard. He was hungry and hurting and as he felt around his mouth he noticed it felt swollen and twisted. In fact, his whole body was so sore it was difficult to move at all.

In the dim morning light of the dingy cell he remembered the first hymn missionary Rhee taught him. Since his jaw was swollen and he couldn't open his mouth very far he started humming, 'Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.'

Then Timothy noticed for the first time there were others in the cell with him and they were humming along with him, according to Park. "A strange warmth came over the boy as he praised God," Park says. Tears of joy began to roll down his cheeks, which now resembled the swollen cheeks of a prizefighter.

"The next day Timothy was interrogated harshly," Park recalls. "He was beaten so he would name the missionary he had met." They told him they would stop if he would verbally deny his faith, according to Park.

"How could I deny Him when He never denied me," Timothy told his captors. The beating continued until Timothy passed out, dropping to the concrete floor, now stained with his blood.

Hours later Timothy woke up in the same cell surrounded by faces peering at him in a circle fashion above his head. "Praise God," Timothy whispered. "He spared my life one more day so that I can praise Him." His mouth was still sore, but he began to hum another hymn the missionary taught him.

"Moment by moment I'm kept in His love, moment by moment I've life from above; looking to Jesus 'til glory doth shine, moment by moment, O Lord I am thine." The other cellmates began singing, and tears were flowing as they praised God amid the grey morning light.

Park remembers being surprised by the tenacity of his cellmate's faith. "I thought he was crazy," Park says. "He continued to sing every night and it turned into a small and secret revival," he recalls. "Every day Timothy was beaten and it got harder to recognize him."

"Timothy continued to sing until I was released," Park says. "It was a church within a cell."

Sadly, Park has no knowledge of his friend's fate, whether Timothy was released or succumbed to his captor's treatment. "I don't know what happened to him, but his strength gave us all strength to praise in the darkness."

"The gospel is more important than anything else to these refugees," says Thomas Kim, involved with a group ministering to refugees like Timothy along the border. "When they receive Jesus Christ they want to go back and share what they found," he says. "More than 70 percent return home."

Because North Korea is such a closed country, these refugees represent one of the few strategies to get the gospel across the border. "We need to continually pray that they would be able to return home safely with the scriptures and teaching materials," Kim says. "They are the ones who are going to missionize North Korea from the inside," he says.

Kim's group will share the gospel with refugees as they first arrive, as well as help provide for basic needs. "In the first two weeks we show them the truth and help them to understand the faith," Kim says. From those who accept Christ, several are chosen to bring into leadership training, which lasts two months. "We disciple them six months, but no more," he says. "After six months half will not want to go back to North Korea," he admits.

"The genuine Christians want to go back," Kim says. "It's not as easy as crossing the Mexican border, but there is a way," he says. "When they're hungry for the Word of God, they cross back and forth."

"They may be physically imprisoned in North Korea, but they're spiritually free," Kim says. "They know the real freedom in Jesus Christ."

Sri lanka:

President warns against anti-Christian violence

Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, has warned that anyone who incites the Buddhist public to attack Christians and their places of worship would be dealt with firmly.

In a public statement, the Sri Lankan President appealed to the media to act responsibly and help promote ethnic and religious harmony, according to a report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

CSW reports the warning came after the government received intelligence indicating organized Buddhist lobby groups with political patronage were preparing to incite anti-Christian attacks.

This latest wave of anti-Christian hostility was sparked off by the sudden death of one of Sri Lanka's most revered monks, CSW reported.

Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero, a champion of Buddhist nationalism, died in mid-December last year while visiting Russia. Although an autopsy confirmed he died of natural causes, the Sri Lankan media has speculated on the 'mystery' surrounding his death, indicating a possible Christian conspiracy. Some of Ven. Soma's supporters even claimed that he was number four on a 'hit list' of an unnamed Christian group, CSW said.

Tamils were also targeted after false rumours that some Tamils denigrated the deceased monk, the group reported.

At the state funeral of Ven. Soma on Christmas Eve, a small number of nationalist monks reportedly called for a 'holy war' against Christians, the group said.

CSW said in the five days between December 24 and 29, the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka documented 20 incidents of violent attacks against Christians and Tamils. At least 15 people were injured. One man at the state funeral was reportedly badly beaten by the crowd after being identified as a Christian.

Two churches in a district east of the capital Colombo were also attacked and extreme nationalists took to the streets.

"On December 29, 2003, dozens of Buddhist monks protested against 'unethical conversions' by Christians and demanded that anti-conversion laws be enacted immediately," CSW said.

"Thousands of colour posters bearing anti-Christian slogans appeared on the streets of Colombo. Christian charities, such as World Vision, were particularly targeted.

"Protesters carried pictures of the late Ven. Soma walking with the Sri Lankan Army. The image symbolized an expectation that along with Sri Lanka's monks, the state army should be a protector of Sinhala Buddhism."

CSW reported that some one hundred monks also staged a hunger strike 'unto death' outside the government's Buddha Sasana Ministry.

CSW has 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 British House of Commons to raise concerns with the UK government.

CSW's National Director, Stuart Windsor, said, "We welcome the warning given by President Kumaratunga, but remain gravely concerned that attacks on Christians have again risen sharply over the past two months. We strongly urge the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate and bring to justice those responsible for these attacks and media smear campaigns. We also urge the government of Sri Lanka to take further steps to promote inter-faith harmony in the country."

In background notes prepared by CSW, the group said that Venerable Soma was the founder of a prominent Buddhist lobby group, the Sasana Sevaka Sangamaya. He referred to Christian charities as "the instruments of a diabolical conspiracy by Christian powers to convert and corrupt the Sinhalese Buddhist public."

Sri Lanka is a majority Buddhist nation and although not recognized as the state religion, the constitution accords Buddhism the 'foremost place.' About 70 percent of the population of 20 million is Buddhist with another 15 percent Hindu. The Christians, who number just under 1.5 million or about eight percent, mostly live in the west of the country.

CSW said that in recent years, there has been an increased intolerance by the Sinhalese nationalists towards faith minorities. Christianity is often perceived as a threat to undermine Sri Lankan cultural and religious unity.

Anti-Christian elements regard conversions with scepticism believing that they can be coerced and unethical. The Anti-Conversion Bill, if it comes into force, will be a powerful tool to repress the religious minorities, particularly the Christians.

Part of EDM 210 reads: "That this House recognizes that the people of Sri Lanka have a long-standing reputation for tolerance and respect; notes however that the plight of one of the religious minorities in Sri Lanka, Christians, is getting worse; is also aware that anti-conversion legislation, modeled on the controversial and divisive anti-conversion law in Tamil Nadu, India, is about to be presented to the Sri Lankan Parliament; and calls upon the Sri Lankan Government to give full protection to religious minorities, to bring to justice those found to have participated in attacks upon religious minorities, and to promote genuine and lasting inter-faith harmony in Sri Lanka."

For more information please contact Richard Chilvers, communications manager, CSW on 020 8329 0045 or e-mail him at richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk

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

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