Response: April 2022

Your insight into religious freedom

April–July 2022

‘You are the answer to our prayers’ Telling the stories of Mexico’s indigenous religious minority women

Also inside this issue: Feature: Your impact in 2021 Myanmar: There must be a turning point and more...

UK takes centre stage in advancing religious freedom ■ The UK has a unique opportunity when

it hosts the Freedom of Religion or Belief Ministerial Conference this July. Here’s why it’s important and how you can be a part of it.

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All images by CSW unless otherwise stated. Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

In November, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will host the next ministerial on freedom of religion or belief on 5-6 July.

Perhaps the simplest way to understand this event is to think of COP26, the climate change conference - where key leaders come from around the world to discuss one issue, with the aim of working together more effectively.

As with COP26, NGOs like CSW have a key role to play. As specialists in freedom of religion or belief we will be hosting fringe events, providing briefings and reports, and some of us may also be invited into the main discussions.

As Chair of the UK FoRB Forum, CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas CMG is a key member of the team raising awareness of the Ministerial, so we took the opportunity to ask him some questions.

The Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Truro, Mervyn Thomas CMG, founder President, CSW and Fiona Bruce MP, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Image: Adobe Stock

Freedom of Religion or Belief Ministerial Conference

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Freedom of Religion or Belief Ministerial Conference

Why is this Ministerial important?

The summit comes at a key moment for communities of faith and belief around the world, with refugees fleeing Afghanistan and Ethiopia/ Eritrea, China introducing even wider restrictions on religious life, and communities in Nigeria under attack in a manner which may indicate an emerging genocide.

These are global issues that need global solutions. It’s only when those in power get round the table, and with input from NGOs and activists, that leaders can formulate a coordinated response in a way that drives action.

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These are global issues that need global solutions. Itʼs only when those in power get round the table, and with input from NGOs and activists, that leaders can formulate a coordinated response in a way that drives action.

Have there been Ministerials before?

This is the third in-person Ministerial, and the first outside the US, so it’s a huge opportunity for the UK. Weʼre so encouraged that governments are waking up to the importance and urgency of religious freedom for all.

I’m also encouraged that the UK Church is responding to the call to speak up for people of all faiths and beliefs – in February this year the Church of England General Synod made a commitment to stand up for everyone who faces injustice because of their beliefs. As the Bishop of Truro noted in his Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians, only when everyone can enjoy true freedom of religion or belief is every community safe.

Guest panellists at our online event series (from left to right) with the Bishop of Truro: Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford; His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London; and Dr Krish Kandiah.

Let’s seize this opportunity with both hands, play our part and trust God for fruit – millions suffering for their beliefs are hoping and praying for meaningful action.

How can we be a part of this?

As well as the summit itself, Fiona Bruce MP (the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief) is spearheading a set of 100 fringe events around the Ministerial.

These events are for everyone, to increase understanding and encourage action. For example, the Bishop of Truro and I are hosting three

online events aimed at church leaders entitled, ‘Why Christians Should Speak Up For People of Other Faiths’.

We need your help to invite others to these events, and raise awareness of the Ministerial. Let’s seize this opportunity with both hands, play our part and trust God for fruit – millions suffering for their beliefs are hoping and praying for meaningful action.

Get involved

Find out more about our online events with the Bishop of Truro, and invite your church leader, at csw.org.uk/events Join the call for urgent action from leaders at the Ministerial at csw.org.uk/campaigns

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Feature: Women in Mexico Maria Francisca (left), Maria Francisca and Angelinaʼs mother (middle), Angelina (right)

‘You are the answer to our prayers…’

■ No one should have to suffer because of the faith they choose to practise.

Yet for religious minorities in indigenous communities across Mexico, the right to believe is far from guaranteed. For women like Gudelia and Patricia Lucas Pérez, they know first hand the devastating consequences for daring to believe something different. These two sisters have witnessed the heartbreak of their father being forcibly displaced because of the faith they choose to practise. They also witnessed their neighbour attempting to sexually assault their mother.

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Our team travelled 20,000 miles to some of the most remote places in Mexico – sometimes even travelling on a donkey to reach a mountaintop community, to ensure these stories were heard.

We met Gudelia and Patricia as part of a groundbreaking research project funded by the Sir Halley Stewart Trust. They are two of the 25 indigenous women and two mestizas women who bravely shared their experiences with us.

It was the first time that many of the women had been asked to tell their stories.

When we first met one of the women, Angelina, in 2019, she told us: ‘...Nobody has visited me...I feel rejected…like I am worth nothing.’ Angelina’s family had their access to community services blocked when she refused to conform to the majority belief.

Our report ‘Let her be heard’ documents the stories of religious minority women in indigenous

communities across Mexico, giving them a platform to speak, and, at last, to be heard. It is the first project of its kind, unpacking the grinding daily reality of the discrimination and injustice being faced by religious minority women from indigenous communities.

From Oaxaca to Guerrero, gatherings were carried out in five states and our team travelled 20,000 miles to some of the most remote places in Mexico – sometimes even travelling on a donkey to reach a mountaintop community, to ensure these stories were heard.

The women from one community in a very remote part of Jalisco state told our team that they had been praying for an organisation to visit them and hear their stories. What a privilege to have been the answer to their prayers!

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Feature: Women in Mexico These women have gone through so much trauma, which can be hard to talk about, so a part of the interview process was to use art or embroidery to encourage conversation. Mexico’s history is steeped in the art of textiles and embroidery, and the women were encouraged to draw and embroider their hopes for the future on simple canvas bags.

The very act of joining together, side by side, physically and metaphorically, allowed these women to connect with others who had had similar experiences. The women spoke of, embroidered and drew their

Angelina Martínez Hernándezʼs ʻHope for the futureʼ artwork

dreams of a future where they are free from harassment and discrimination, where their churches are filled with freedom and where peace reigns in their communities.

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The very act of joining together, side by side, physically and metaphorically, allowed these women to connect with others who had had similar experiences.

We know that Mexico has a long way to go to uphold true freedom of religion or belief. But we also believe in the power of these women’s voices, the power of their stories, and the power of speaking truth to power in making freedom a reality.

Let her be heard

Use your voice to tell their stories and campaign for change at csw.org.uk/campaigns Read the report at csw.org.uk/LetHerBeHeard

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Feature: What you helped us achieve

Your impact

in 2021

■ Last year was another extraordinary year for CSW and it’s you, our incredible supporters, who made it all possible. Here’s just a brief look at a few of the things you helped us to achieve in 2021.

media

Media coverage in at least 245 different outlets, in 23 different languages and 41 countries

37,402 blog views 25,491 blog visitors forbinfull.org

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blog

Over 11,000 campaign actions taken

campaigns Interviewed 27 indigenous religious minority women in Mexico about the freedom of religion or belief violations they have experienced.

interviews Our training was provided to over 225 people across Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Around the world:

Feature: What you helped us achieve ‘We are very grateful and moved with so many letters that come to us mainly from England! If you could somehow convey my gratitude to those who write to us. You do not know how much encouragement those postcards and letters gave me when I was in prison.’ Pastor Ramón Rigal

at the UN

4 side events at the regular UN Human Rights Council (HRC) sessions 7 written statements for the regular HRC sessions 31 oral statements at the regular HRC sessions Submitted reports ahead of Sudan and Syria’s Universal Periodic Reviews Submitted information to the UN Special Procedures and/or the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on nine cases of concern

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thank you

Latest news

Latest news updates Priyantha Diyawadana

Pakistan On 3 December Priyantha Diyawadana, a Sri Lankan Buddhist, was killed by a mob of hundreds in Punjab, Pakistan, after he was accused of desecrating posters bearing the name of the Prophet Mohammed.

As is often the case with allegations of blasphemy in Pakistan, it later emerged that Mr Diyawadana had been falsely accused by colleagues at the factory where he worked, as a means of settling a personal score.

Nepal Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya of the Abundant Harvest Church in Pokhara, Nepal, was sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of 20,000 rupees (approximately £124) by the Dolpa District Court on 30 November last year. His appeal is pending and he is currently out on bail.

Pastor Keshav was initially arrested in March 2020 after a video in which he said that COVID-19 could be healed through prayer was uploaded to YouTube. He has denied uploading the video. The pastor was found guilty of proselytisation on 22 November 2021, and was immediately imprisoned.

Sudan A Sudanese couple has been tried for adultery after the husband converted to Christianity. Nada Hamad Koko and Hamoda Teya Kaffi divorced in 2018 after Ms Koko’s family found out about her husband’s conversion; however in August 2021 Ms Koko decided to reunite with Mr Kaffi, stating that she had also converted to Christianity.

While Ms Koko is now a non-Muslim under law, and therefore legally permitted to marry another nonMuslim, the prosecutor deemed her conversion unacceptable grounds for reunification. The case has concerning parallels with that of Meriam Ibrahim, a Christian woman who faced trial for apostasy and adultery in 2014 and was sentenced to death plus 100 lashes.

Thousands of you campaigned with us for her. Her sentence was eventually quashed and she was released.

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Feature: Myanmar/Burma

There must be a turning point for Myanmar

The military clearly underestimated the scale of resistance to the coup. Having tasted some degree of freedom, the people of Myanmar did not want to return to the dark days of dictatorship.

Min Aung Hlaing’s decision to seize power turned the clock back by more than a decade, reversing ten years of fragile democratisation.

Of course, that decade of reform was far from perfect – not least because it included the genocide of the Rohingyas. But nevertheless, it allowed some seeds of freedom to grow.

It enabled the people of Myanmar to vote freely, and an overwhelming majority was won by Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) in both 2015 and 2020.

The power grab ■ Last year, on 1 February, the Commander-in-Chief of

Myanmar/Burma’s military launched a power grab in a brutal coup d’etat. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing ordered his troops to take over government buildings, arrest members of Parliament and reinstate direct military rule – rejecting the results of the November 2020 democratic elections. Why? Because he wanted to be President. And if he could not gain office by the ballot box, he would do so with bullets instead.

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The military (known as the Tatmadaw) already had significant power and influence under a power-sharing arrangement with the civilian government. For example, a quarter of parliamentary seats were reserved for the military, and they were able to thwart any changes that threatened their interests.

Yet Senior General Min Aung Hlaing still chose to overthrow the democratically-elected government, plunging the country into an appalling political, economic, humanitarian and human rights crisis.

Attacked with full force The military clearly underestimated the scale of resistance to the coup.

Having tasted some degree of freedom, the people of Myanmar did not want to return to the dark days of dictatorship. But in response, the Tatmadaw unleashed its full force against its own people.

Most shocking has been the air strikes against civilians – breaking both international and Myanmar’s own laws. These attacks have been accompanied by appalling atrocities, including murder, torture and rape.

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Feature: Myanmar/Burma Pastor Cung Biak Hum

Pastor Cung Biak Hum is just one example. He was shot dead by soldiers as he tried to help extinguish a blaze caused by artillery fire, which destroyed 19 homes.

Meanwhile Muslims – especially Rohingyas – continue to face grinding persecution at the hands of a military regime driven by extreme Burman Buddhist nationalism.

Everyone in Myanmar is suffering the consequences of the coup, but it does seem that Christians have been targeted with particular intensity.

Provide a lifeline

Pastor Cung Biak Hum is just one example. He was shot dead by soldiers as he tried to help extinguish a blaze caused by artillery fire, which destroyed 19 homes.

Many have lost everything they owned. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at least 330,600 people have been forced to flee their homes – although this is likely to be a serious underestimate.

The religious element Everyone in Myanmar is suffering the consequences of the coup, but it does seem that Christians have been targeted with particular intensity.

Churches should be places of refuge, but several have been shelled and destroyed. At least five pastors have been murdered and four others jailed in Chin State alone.

As we reflect on the first anniversary of the coup, the world needs to wake up and do two things: cut the lifeline to the Tatmadaw and provide a lifeline to the people.

Many of you have been campaigning with us to cut the flow of weapons to Myanmar’s military, and we’ve seen some breakthroughs. But more must be done to enforce a global arms embargo.

So let us redouble our prayers and our efforts. Pray for those in prison, pray for the displaced, pray for the bereaved, pray for those in danger, pray for national leaders and for leaders across faith communities.

Pray for the international community to act.

At least five pastors have been murdered and four others jailed in Chin State alone.

Pray for Myanmar

using week 11 of the Prayer Diary. Join our efforts to press policymakers and parliamentarians to speak out: csw.org.uk/campaigns 16

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Your stories: How you can help

Dates for your diary:

Coming up this year

A birthday with a difference

13 May 5 May 25 May

‘Why Christians should speak up for people of all faiths’ You and your church leaders are invited to a three-part online series, exploring why speaking up for freedom of religion or belief for all is central to Christian mission. Hosted by CSW and the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Truro, with special guest panellists.

Sign up at csw.org.uk/speakforall

12 May

Ambassadorsʼ spring gathering If you’re a CSW Ambassador, we’ll be in touch soon with details of our spring gathering. Are you interested in becoming an Ambassador? Find out more on our website.

Learn more at csw.org.uk/ambassador

14 May 25 June

Bike Pilgrimage A team of sponsored cyclists is riding along the south coast for CSW and Release International, led by supporter Robert de Berry. Plus, they will be speaking about our work at over 40 churches along the route!

Find an event near you: csw.org.uk/bikepilgrims

3-4 June

Big Church Day Out With a fantastic line-up and our very own Tom’s Stage, we can’t wait for the Big Church Day Out! Come and say hello and get involved with our campaign.

Want to join us as a volunteer? Visit csw.org.uk/volunteer

5-6 July

Freedom of Religion or Belief Ministerial Conference This summer, leaders from around the world will gather in London to discuss freedom of religion or belief. There are dozens of ‘fringe’ events around the Ministerial, to help raise awareness.

Learn more at csw.org.uk/ministerial

■ As she approached a milestone birthday, Tina Grear decided to mark it in a way that would make a difference to people suffering for their faith.

You celebrated your 50th birthday recently and asked your friends and family to donate to CSW (and another charity) in lieu of receiving gifts. Why did you decide to do this?

It just felt like the right thing to do. I don’t particularly need anything and I thought if my friends’ generosity can make a difference, I would do this. It’s almost an easy way to help extend CSW’s impact.

How did you hear about CSW? I heard a talk about CSW and got in touch with the charity. When I was at university I used to get my fellow students involved in praying for prisoners and campaigning for persecuted Christians.

What has kept you supporting CSW for all these years?

People like Gao Zhisheng - his courage is what shines through. He was disappeared multiple times and put in prison. Even when he was recovering after his time in prison he was still challenging the authorities, which was remarkable.* He is a Christian and, like CSW, he was speaking up for people of all faiths and none.

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I also think of Shahbaz Bhatti, former Federal Minister for Minority Affairs for Pakistan and the only Christian in the Cabinet at the time. He knew that his work speaking up for minority communities would cost him his life and he continued. Sadly, he was assassinated in 2011.

I’m always struck by the incredible courage of people like Gao Zhisheng and Shahbaz Bhatti.

What inspires you in your own giving to CSW? From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

(Luke 12:48b) This verse always inspires me. At a time when we’re feeling poor we’re still fortunate and we can make a difference with what we’ve been given. It reminds me that whatever we give is incredibly important.

Get involved

Visit csw.org.uk/fundraise to help your friends make a donation to CSW to mark your special occasion, or visit csw.org.uk/donate to make your own gift. *Gao was disappeared again in 2017, and his current whereabouts are unknown.

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We believe everyone deserves to have their story heard.

CSW is a human rights organisation advocating for freedom of religion or belief. As Christians we stand with everyone facing injustice because of their religion or belief.

T +44 (0)20 8329 0010 @CSW_UK /CSWUK csw.org.uk

PO Box 99 New Malden Surrey, KT3 3YF United Kingdom

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