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Myanmar

• Nine Killed in Church Bombing

  

  Kachin State in northern Myanmar has been an area of political and military unrest for decades, as government forces continue to fight against the Kachin Independence Army. Fighting intensified after the military junta seized power in 2021; and ever since the political takeover, Christians have frequently suffered the brunt of the violence.

• Church Leader Released

  

  In 2023, Reverend Dr. Hkalam Samson was sentenced to six years in prison under the country's anti-terrorism laws. See this page for an earlier report on the charges against this prominent Christian leader.Although Dr. Samson was released under a general amnesty on April 17th of this year, later that evening, the authorities came to his home and detained him again, allegedly for questioning.

• Baptist Pastor Killed by Unknown Assailants

  

  On March 18th, three armed men entered a computer shop run by Pastor Nammye Hkun Jaw Li from his home in Magaung township. There, the men shot the pastor twice in the stomach and, when he did not immediately die, they also shot him in the head. At the time of publishing this report, the identities of the gunmen and the reason for the assassination are not completely evident. The pastor leaves behind a grieving wife and three children.

• Alleged War Crimes Against Christians

  

  Five Christians, who have been victims of persecution as a result of Myanmar's military dictatorship, recently filed a war crimes complaint in a Philippines court. Although these believers were originally from Chin state, they have emigrated to Australia, Britain, Canada and India. The alleged victims argue that a 2009 Philippine law obligates the country to prosecute war crimes committed elsewhere under the principle of universal jurisdiction.

• Terrorism Charges Filed Against Detained Church Leader

  

  On December 5th, a prominent Christian leader of the Kachin Baptist Convention, Dr. Hkalam Samson, was arbitrarily arrested at the airport as he was boarding a flight to Bangkok for medical treatment. (For details on Dr. Samson's arrest, go to this page.)In the weeks that followed, his concerned family members were forbidden visitation. They were also not allowed to provide the 65-year-old Christian man any food or medication, raising more concerns about his ongoing health needs.

• Pre-Registration Required to Attend Services

  

  Military authorities in Chin State, Myanmar, announced on February 13th that Christians residing within areas governed under martial law will be forced to register with township administrators seven days in advance of attending any church services. No information about the form of punishment that will be administered to those failing to comply had been provided at that time.

• Military Destroys Churches

  

  As Myanmar's military increasingly launches deadly airstrikes in an effort to crush rebel resistance, those residing in predominantly Christian regions are subjected to indiscriminate attacks. In many cases of similar attacks during recent years, Christians were especially affected, for churches and other religious institutions seem to have been specifically targeted.

• Church Leader Arrested at Airport

  

  A prominent church leader in Myanmar, who formerly served as the president of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), was reportedly arrested at the Mandalay International Airport on December 5th. After being held overnight, Dr. Hkalam Samson was sent back to the city of Myitkyina in Kachin State where military officers rearrested him, and he has since been detained. The Christian leader was scheduled to fly to Bangkok for medical treatment when intercepted by the authorities.

• Theological College Shelled by Military

  

  Four young men were wounded when Myanmar's military shelled the Kachin Theological Seminary on November 3rd. The attack happened in Kutkai, Shan State – a state where there has been recurring fighting between the military and various ethnic rebel groups. However, there were no ongoing conflicts reported taking place in or near the town of Kutkai, leading many to believe that the attack against the school was intentional.

• Church Building Seized and Damaged

  

  As fighting between resistance forces and government soldiers in Myanmar intensifies, churches are frequently being targeted by the country's ruling military junta. In mid-September, the Mother of God Catholic Church in Mobye, Shan State, was seized by troops. For several days, the military used the building as a kitchen for its soldiers, resulting in damages to the building. As part of the offensive, the community was hit by air strikes and heavy weapons, resulting in the destruction of more than 100 homes and the displacement of more than 5,000 people.