"we are persecuted,
but not forsaken
A Publication of Christian Solidarity Worldwide - USA
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For many of us, 24 May 1991 was just another Friday. But in Eritrea, 24 May was a giant of a day, marking the end of a war that had become part of the fabric of life and had claimed 65,000 lives.
Understandably therefore, 15 years on, Independence Day 2006 should have been a day of celebration. But the festivities were marred when around 50 evangelical Christian students were subjected to harsh military punishment.
Eritrea: Will it never
end?
Peru:
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Targeting
the “Official” Church
Christian students are not the only group being hunted by the Eritrean
authorities. In 2002 the government closed every church except the
Lutheran, Orthodox and Catholic churches. Almost 2000 Christians from
every walk of life are currently detained without charge or trial on
account of their religious affiliations, despite guarantees in the
Eritrean constitution to protect the right to freedom of opinion and
religious belief.
Even the official churches have suffered at the hands of the state. The
Orthodox Patriarch Abune Antonios was forcibly removed and placed under
house arrest last year. His replacement was seemingly hand-picked by the
government – in violation of canon law.
Since then, the Eritrean Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod has circulated a
letter to all parishes which officially excommunicated 65 key members and
coordinators of Medhane Alem Church, part of the renewal movement within
the Orthodox Church. The decision essentially banned the church members
from participating in communion, baptism, marriage and funeral rites.
Their crime was refusing to confess that the Medhane Alem movement and its
leaders were “heretics” whose objectives were to destroy the Orthodox
Church.
In an attempt to quell the ensuing outcry, the authorities jailed three of
the excommunicants for allegedly instigating open resistance to the
church’s decree.
Dividing Mother and Child
Christian arrests in Eritrea have been indiscriminate. Three protestant
women were detained in May following accusations of “actively witnessing
about Christ”. Ghenet Gebremariam, Maslale Abraham and Alganshe Tsagay
were all members of Nefasit’s banned Full Gospel Church. All three were
forced to leave their young children behind.
Two days later, Gebremarian’s six-month-old baby, Hazaiel Daniel, died
of unknown causes. She was then released on bail, but her companions are
still in police custody.
Freedom of Belief
Eritrean authorities repeatedly deny the religious persecution in the
country. But their targets for arrest belie their protestations. British
evangelist Gerald Gordon was arrested for enquiring about the welfare of
Orthodox Church Patriarch Abune Antonios during a chance meeting with the
President of Eritrea. He was detained for three days before being expelled
from the country. He was not told the reason for his detention.
There were around 35 Christians in the prison with Mr Gordon, all of whom
were held without charge. But rather than despairing at their situation,
Mr Gordon described how their joy was such an encouragement to him.
Helen Berhane
The high-profile case of 31-year-old Eritrean gospel singer, Helen Berhane,
is just one example of the Eritrean government’s ruthless punishment of
Christian believers. As a member of the outlawed Rhema Church, she was
incarcerated in May 2004 and refused to sign a paper renouncing her faith,
even though this would have ensured her immediate release. She has
subsequently spent most of her days in solitary confinement, and is
reported to have been held for some time in a shipping container at the
Mai-Serwa military camp. Even in the face of persecution, Helen’s faith
remains steadfast.
A CD that Helen Berhane recorded shortly before her arrest is now
available through St Andrew’s Bookshop. Please call 01494 865501 to
order your copy.
Our Campaign
In response to the detention of Christians in Eritrea, CSW, Release
Eritrea and Christian Concern for Freedom of Conscience (CCFC) organized a
protest to mark the anniversary of the Eritrean government’s decision to
ban all churches not belonging to the Orthodox, Roman Catholic or Lutheran
denominations. Around 100 Christians from across the UK and Ireland joined
the protest for religious freedom outside the Eritrean Embassy.
This protest followed on from a successful Day of Prayer for Eritrea,
which focused on the suffering of Eritrean Christians who daily face the
threat of persecution and imprisonment for their faith.
CSW and Release Eritrea are also giving evidence at a parliamentary
hearing on human rights in Eritrea organized by The Conservative Party
Human Rights Commission.
Photo: A
CSW supporter prays during a protest outside the Eritrean Embassy in the
UK
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PRAY Please pray that all Eritrean Christians may find peace and joy in the face of this state repression. Praise God for signs that since CSW’s Day of Prayer, many members of the Eritrean Diaspora are being liberated from fear. Give thanks for the inspiring faith of Eritrean Christians, who continue to rejoice and trust in the Lord despite being in prison. |
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Forgiveness, I am sure, is something that we all struggle with. The Bible tells us to forgive one another, but where do you find the strength to forgive the person who killed your loved one in cold blood? How do you move forward from your grief without blame, anger or bitterness?
This is how: with joy, faith and courage, all of which radiate from the beaming smile and infectious laughter of Sister Lalani Jayasinghe. Yet behind her joyful spirit is a poignant story of suffering and betrayal.
In 1986, Lalani fell in love and married a former Buddhist monk who had converted to Christianity, Pastor Lionel Jayasinghe. Together they founded a church in Tissimaharama, in the far south of Sri Lanka.
Immediately their ministry was met with hostility from local Buddhists. As the church grew, mobs threatened them and tried to disrupt their activities. The tension escalated until, on 25 March 1988, tragedy struck.
That evening two men arrived at their home and Pastor Lionel went to greet them, leaving Lalani and their toddler son in the bedroom. A few minutes later she heard a gunshot. Shortly afterwards her husband staggered into the bedroom pursued by his attackers. He had been shot in the face. As Lalani helplessly watched, the two men stabbed him and shot him again. They were contract killers.
When they left, Lalani mustered all her strength and carried her husband to their car and drove to the hospital. He died before they arrived.
As Lalani and her son struggled to come to terms with their loss, the situation worsened as their church came under continuous attack. Bibles were burned, the roof was destroyed and members assaulted, and on one occasion three bombs were planted to destroy the building entirely, although thankfully only one exploded and no damage was done. Personal attacks also occurred. Lalani’s house was stoned and she received threatening letters.
Forgiveness does not come easily. For Lalani, these men had robbed her of a husband and father, and then proceeded to sink her congregation, her friends, into fear. Yet gradually, the atmosphere changed. People saw that Lalani was not discouraged. Each time the church was damaged; she simply rebuilt it and resumed her work without dwelling on bitterness or resentment. She prayed for the sick and shared food with the hungry. When I met Sister Lalani, I could see her love in action, but most of all, I saw her remarkable ability to forgive.
But Lalani is not alone in facing trials in Sri Lanka. On a recent visit I met several pastors in Galle District who have received death threats. In one village, in February this year, posters baring the chilling words, “get your coffins ready because we’re going to kill you” were displayed on rocks, abandoned buildings and a shop bulletinboard. The posters named two pastors and another man as their targets, and there are rumors of a hit-list with at least four pastors’ names on it.
A Buddhist family who sheltered their neighbor, a pastor, from an angry mob has also become a target in one village. Excreta and black oil were thrown into their well, polluting the water supply. Their water tank and water connection were damaged, and their 20-year-old son was threatened with death.
Yet despite these trials, I have never felt it appropriate to pity our persecuted family; in fact the thought makes me feel uncomfortable. Amid the turmoil and violence of Sri Lanka, there is a lesson. Sister Lalani’s story shows an incredible capacity to forgive; something which hits home when we think of our own lives, and how unwilling we can be to forgive lesser misdemeanors. In following the example of Christ, we should also learn from remarkable individuals like Sister Lalani.
Photo: Sister Lalani Jayasinghe
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PROTEST Proposed anti-conversion legislation is on the agenda in Sri Lanka. A draft anti-conversion bill proposed by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party of Buddhist monks passed its first reading in Parliament and is currently being considered by a Standing Committee. The current draft, which forbids conversion “by the use of force, allurement or by any fraudulent means”, contains definitions of those terms which are still too vague and could restrict the work of Christian humanitarian aid agencies if their efforts are considered to be “allurement”. Once the Standing Committee issues an opinion, which could include proposed amendments, the bill could be passed by a simple majority. Even if no one is prosecuted under an anti-conversion law, such legislation will, in the view of most church leaders, increase inter-religious tensions. Christians will feel threatened and intimidated, and religious freedom will have been dealt a severe blow in Sri Lanka if the bill passes. For more information, click here. Please write to your members of Congress, and urge them to raise the following issues with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner. - - -The need to urge the Sri Lankan Parliament not to pass the proposed anti-conversion bill. - - -The need to urge the Sri Lankan Parliament to ensure better police action in cases of violence or threatened violence against Christians. For Senators and Representatives: Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202.224.3121 to find out your Congressperson's name Senators: Write
to your Senator at US Senate, Washington, DC 20510 |
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On 26 June Pastor Carlos Lamelas walked out of prison and into the bright Cuban sunshine a free man. It was the first time he had been in the open air in 126 days. He told CSW that his two young daughters, aged 5 and 12, now refuse to leave his side, afraid that he might be taken from them again.
Pastor Lamelas, a former president of the Church of God denomination in Cuba, was never charged with a crime, but sources close to him pointed to his outspoken calls for increased religious freedom as the reason behind his four-month imprisonment.
Respect for religious liberty in Cuba continues to deteriorate and Pastor Lamelas’s arrest was yet another worrying development. However, his unexpected release may indicate that the Cuban government is sensitive to international pressure and will tread more carefully if the situation is made public.
New legislation introduced last year that would have potentially shut down house churches throughout the island does not appear to have been enforced across the board. There were, however, some reports indicating that individual churches in different locations in the country had experienced problems because of the new law.
At least one church was demolished and a number of others were threatened with demolition because they were considered to be “illegal buildings”. All had been in existence for a number of years.
However, one church in a remote seaside village that had managed to send out an urgent request for prayer to the international community found that the demolition order was subsequently rescinded. Encouragingly, local Communist Party officials came and personally apologized to the pastor of the church, saying that the official who had given the order for demolition would be punished. While the pastor saw this as a direct answer to worldwide prayer, he was cautious in his optimism as the church has yet to receive the official authorization that would keep it safe from such orders in the future.
House churches are not the only churches to encounter problems in Cuba. Even churches that are officially recognized have had difficulties. CSW visited one such church in Eastern Cuba. Over a century old, and the only church of its denomination in the town, it had applied to the government for permission to carry out essential repairs to the roof in 1996. The government never responded and in early 2006 the church was forced to close its doors after the Ministry of Health found it to be unsafe. The pastor agreed with the Ministry of Health’s decision, but it was unclear what the future of the church would be. They had submitted a second application to carry out repairs, more extensive this time but unsurprisingly had not received a response. In the meantime, the congregation must meet in a rudimentary building at the back of the church. This too, however, is considered to be illegal as the building is not authorized for that use.
Christians encounter official discrimination on a daily basis. Cubans holding privileged and high-level positions often knowingly give up all hope of being promoted or receiving an increase in wages or housing allotments when they openly become Christians. Many are excluded from work functions and meetings on the basis that they are no longer considered “trustworthy”. This means that they will not advance in their careers.
CSW met a number of people who had been demoted or transferred, or given early “retirement” after publicly admitting they had converted to Christianity. In one case, a university professor who had converted to Christianity was transferred from the city to teach at a technical secondary school in a rural area and was then encouraged to “retire”. It is still not possible for members of the police, military or other security forces to openly convert to Christianity or to participate in religious activities. Some occupations, like diplomatic work and journalism, are still completely closed, albeit unofficially, to Christians.
While life is not easy for Christians in Cuba, there are still many reasons for hope. On Sundays and on many evenings during the week Cuban Christians meet openly to worship God together and churches are overflowing. A few days after his release from prison, Pastor Lamelas told CSW that he believed something “big” was going to happen in the Church in Cuba. “As the environment becomes more oppressive, we will see more clearly the movement of God’s hand, I think the Church will experience something very powerful.”
Advocacy in action >>>
In June, CSW published a comprehensive report on religious freedom in Cuba, outlining the situation and providing recommendations to the Cuban government, the European Union and the UN for improvement in religious liberty.
After publication:
CSW used the report to advise EU officials on appropriate, sensitive methods of monitoring religious freedom on the ground in Cuba;
CSW distributed the report among contacts in Latin America, the US and the UK;
Many organizations asked for permission to use the report in their own internal briefs and training materials for their work in that country;
The team received positive feedback from recipients, stating that CSW had produced the most comprehensive report in existence on the subject of current religious freedom concerns in Cuba;
CSW was invited to discuss religious freedom developments in Cuba on Radio Marti, which is broadcast into Cuba on shortwave radio from the US.
In addition to the report, CSW also alerted the European Commission and Council to the ongoing detention of Pastor Lamelas and asked the EU to make urgent representations on his behalf. At CSW’s request, a Member of the European Parliament, Dr Charles Tannock, submitted an official question to the Commission regarding Pastor Lamelas’s detention. Two weeks later Pastor Lamelas was unexpectedly released without any explanation from Cuban officials.
CSW staff will follow up these developments with further lobbying of UK and EU bodies.
Photo: Pastor Carlos Lamelas with his wife and daughter. Photo courtesy of Compass Direct
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PROTEST Applying pressure on an international scale is imperative to drive change, as demonstrated by Pastor Lamelas’s swift release. In order to make our voice more effective, we need you to help with our advocacy. By writing to the Minister for Religious Affairs in Cuba, Caridad Diego, you can ensure that our concerns do not escape the Cuban government’s attention. We have included a sample letter which outlines our concerns in more detail. Please write a polite letter to the Minister for Religious Affairs (outline and translation opposite) at the following address: Señora Directora, Caridad Diego, Jefe de la Oficina de Asuntos Religiosos, Comité Central del Partido Comunista de Cuba, La Habana, Cuba Estimada Señora Diego, Le dirijo esta carta para referir a la cuestión de libertad de religión en Cuba. Me he enterado de que en el caso de un grupo de iglesias, todavía les resulta difícil recibir permisión oficial para realizar renovaciones y trabajos de construcción para que quepan los miembros de la congregación y las actividades de la iglesia. Entiendo que deben obtener la permisión del Ministerio de la Religión pero muchos ni siquiera reciben respuesta. Por ejemplo, el Ministerio de la Salud Pública ha declarado que no era habitable, por razones de seguridad, una iglesia que había esperado 10 años la respuesta a su solicitud de realizar reparaciones urgentes. Le pido respetuosamente que se sirva de la influencia que tiene como Ministerio de los Asuntos Religiosos para garantizar a todos el derecho de reunirse de manera segura en las iglesias y otros lugares de servicio. Además, quisiera pedirles que deroguen la ley que han adoptado en 2005 y que restringe el uso de casas privadas para actividades religiosas. La ley puede severamente afectar el derecho fundamental de los Cubanos de practicar su religión y puede incriminar a los que no hacen nada más que reunirse en paz para practicar su religión. Le agradezco de su atención. Esteemed Senora Diego, I am writing regarding religious freedom in Cuba. It has come to my attention that a number of churches continue to find it impossible to receive official permission to carry out essential renovations and building work to accommodate worshippers and the activities of the church. I understand that they must seek permission from the Ministry of Religion, but many simply never receive a response. In one case, a church was condemned by the Ministry of Health for safety reasons, after waiting almost 10 years for a response to its request to carry out urgent repairs. I would respectfully ask that you use your position as Minister for Religious Affairs to ensure that these processes are made more efficient so that all Cubans are able to meet together safely in their churches and other places of worship. In addition, I would like to respectfully ask that the legislation to restrict the use of private homes for religious activities which was issued in 2005 be repealed. This legislation would severely restrict the basic right of the Cuban people to practice their religion and would criminalize people who are doing nothing more than peacefully gathering together to practice their faith. I appreciate your attention to these matters. |
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Sometimes a situation is so desperate you just can’t ignore it, and as report after report of violence, abduction and murder poured into CSW inboxes, we realised that something had to be done.
Somalia has been without a government since 1991, when President Siad Barre’s dictatorship fell and the warlords who defeated him began fighting amongst themselves. In 2004 an interim government was created, led by President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed. Although the international community supported it, the new regime has failed to impose its authority and is now based in Baidoa, many miles north of the capital Mogadishu, for security reasons.
The Islamic Union of Courts, a collective of Islamist militia, has now gained complete control of Mogadishu, having defeated various secular warlords who have vied for control of the capital since 1991. Some saw their victory as the first step towards the restoration of order in a lawless nation. However, the militias are led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, who both the United Nations and the United States have linked to Al Qaeda. While denying this, Sheikh Aweys has declared Somalia 100% Muslim and announced his intention of expanding the authority of Shar'ia courts across the entire country.
Christians in Somalia
To be a Christian in Somalia is both dangerous and terrifying. After the fall of Barre’s brutal but secular regime, severe persecution drove the Somali Church deep underground. Only a few courageous individuals have openly declared their faith, often with devastating consequences. Christians have been jailed, murdered, tortured, beaten, publicly whipped and in a recent case, almost beheaded by Islamists. A Somali source told CSW, “Since the beginning of the civil war, Muslim fundamentalist organizations, particularly Al Qaeda and its partners in Somalia, have killed hundreds of Somali Christians and dozens of missionaries working in Somalia.” Only in North Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia is the level of persecution believed to be higher.
Somali Christians in Kenya
In a desperate attempt to escape persecution, many Somali Christians have fled to Kenya, hoping to be free to practice their faith. Instead they continue to suffer severe harassment, both from Somali Muslim refugees who outnumber them, and from Kenya’s own Somali population.
In poorer suburbs of Nairobi, many Somali Christians have been subjected to brutal attacks. In May a young girl named Muna was beaten bloody by a group of Somali women as she made her way home from school.
Others have seen their children abducted and returned to Somalia for rehabilitation. Seventeen children have been taken so far. One family has lost three children in this manner, and almost lost two more.
Those sheltering in refugee camps situated along the border are particularly vulnerable as Somali gunmen often cross the border at night to rape, loot and even kill people.
The CSW Response
Tragically, the plight of Somali Christian refugees in Kenya has been largely ignored by the international community. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kenya has not yet recognized their need for consideration. Those who venture to UN offices for help find that their cries fall on deaf ears, and are often told to return to dangerous refugee camps. Knowing these facts, we could not stand by in silence. CSW is currently lobbying the UNHCR to recognize Somali Christians as a special case.
It is unlikely that you will see much newspaper coverage on Somali Christians. But the media is one of our most powerful advocates, exposing injustice by shining a large and relentless spotlight on its perpetrators. For this reason, CSW is publicizing a press conference held by Somali Christians in Kenya, which hopes to draw attention to their plight.
Remarkably, despite their circumstances, the faith of the Somali Church remains strong. Many count their sufferings as blessings, remembering not only Jesus’ teaching on persecution, but his promises too. In their words, “this is a difficult time for the Somali Church, but this Church is the Lord’s and he will continue protecting her.”
Fact File >>>
Population: 10.7 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Mogadishu
Area: 637,657sq km (246,201 sq miles)
Religious groups: Muslim 99.95%,
Christian 0.05%
(Operation World, 2001)
Languages: Somali, Arabic, Italian, English
Membership (selected): UN, African Union (AU) G-77, IMF
Photo: Women in Bualle, southern Somalia - Marcus Perkins/ Tearfund
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PROTEST Please write to the Head of the Desk for the East and Horn of Africa, Mr Golam Abbas, outlining your concerns. The address is: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Case Postale 2500 CH-1211 Genève 2 Dépôt Suisse |
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
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Alan Garcia will be inaugurated president of Peru on 28 July. He has been president before, during one of Peru’s most unstable periods in the late 1980s. During his rule the internal conflict raged out of control as the Shining Path terrorized the countryside and became increasingly brazen in its attempts to overthrow the government. Under Garcia’s direction, the government used harsh tactics to retaliate. Forced disappearances, like that of Pastor Párraga were commonplace.
Even more worryingly, the party of his opponent in the presidential runoff, Ollanta Humala, won a significant percentage of seats in the Peruvian legislature. Humala has been personally implicated in serious human rights violations including torture and forced disappearance.
CSW and many other human rights organizations, in and outside of Peru, are concerned that the backgrounds of both of these men mean that they will be unlikely to support the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) or the ongoing investigations of human rights atrocities.
For Ida and her children, this means that they may never know the fate of Pastor Párraga and that no one may ever be held responsible.
CSW will continue to work with our partners in Peru and with other organizations to push the Peruvian government to implement the TRC recommendations and to bring those who were responsible for atrocities to justice.
For more information on CSW’s TRC campaign please click here to visit our partners in the UK
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This is an important time for worldwide protests against anti-conversion legislation. Your letters are a key part of this – please write to Senators and Congresspersons, asking that anti-conversion legislation be raised with the Indian government.
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PROTEST Please write to your Senator or Representative, asking them to raise anti-conversion legislation with the Indian Government. |
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| Photo: Reuters/Gopal Chitrakar |
Tens of thousands of people had gathered in cities all over the country to condemn the ongoing struggle between government forces and Maoist rebels. Defying a daytime curfew which had caused a nationwide economic shutdown, protestors could not be silenced in their pursuit of justice. Their persistence paid off; the King finally gave in to the protests and power was handed over to a provisional democratic government.
As a result, both sides to the conflict have declared ceasefires. The United Nations is already monitoring human rights in the region and is well-placed, if called upon, to help with the ceasefire and elections. In addition, censorship has ended and many political prisoners have been released. At last, peace and democracy have become a real possibility in this beautiful but war-torn land.
And as the darkness surrounding Nepal begins to dissipate, another beam of light penetrates its borders. This officially Hindu country, where conversion is illegal and public evangelism forbidden, has now been declared a secular state, which may lead to full religious freedom for Christians and other minority faiths. Encouragingly, CSW’s partner Dr KB Rokaya, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Nepal, has been appointed to the official Government-Maoist Ceasefire Monitoring Committee. As the first Christian to gain official recognition, this development is a great honor.
When CSW asked Dr Rokaya how much support there was for full religious liberty he replied, “Many Hindus are in favor of a secular state. Only a handful of extremists are protesting, which will not have much impact. It was good that we were proactive in maintaining understanding among religious groups and also in educating the Hindus.”
These first steps towards peace are an achievement for Nepal, but we must keep in mind the needless loss of more than 13,000 people since the insurgency began ten years ago. Nepal now stands at a crossroads. Apprehension for the future is a powerful concern, but amid the uncertainty is a new sense of optimism and a hope among its people, that this may herald long-lasting calm after a ferocious storm.
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PRAISE Praise God for this major breakthrough and pray that it would be enduring. |