Response - July 2021

Your insight into religious freedom

July–October 2021

Also inside this issue:

The truth about Tigray

and more...

An Ethiopian woman who says she was gang-raped by armed men. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Massacres, starvation and wanton destruction.

Feature: UN Special Rapporteurs On the frontlines: Being different is considered a crime: The story of a Muslim woman in Cuba

Feature: The Missing

‘42 seconds changed our family…’

■ CCTV footage shows the moment that five black

SUVs, two motorcycles and 15 men wearing black balaclavas took just 42 seconds to abduct Pastor Raymond Koh on a street in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia in broad daylight. An eyewitness described the February 2017 incident as ‘something out of a movie’.

Pastor Raymond hasn’t been seen or heard from since that day four years ago. His wife Susanna and the rest of his family are still seeking answers, fighting for justice and continuing to trust that God will help them find the truth.

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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.

Pastor Raymond’s activities had drawn the attention of the authorities for some time before his abduction.

In 2004 he founded Harapan Komuniti (Hope Community), a NGO that provides social and charitable assistance to marginalised and underprivileged communities. In 2011, a dinner organised by the NGO was raided by 30 officers from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department after the organisers were accused of ‘proselytising Muslims’. Pastor Koh’s family received death threats in the aftermath - once he received a box of bullets in the post. Despite this, Pastor Raymond continued to carry out his ministry work bravely until his abduction. Pastor Raymond’s family believe that he was abducted in an attempt to silence him.

‘When I came back there was no fear…’

It is hard to imagine what we would do in Susanna’s situation. How would we find the strength to persevere, to be strong for our children and to keep seeking the truth? Susanna shared with us her journey...

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Feature: The Missing ‘I believe that everyone goes through difficult times in one way or another.

For me it has been a long and difficult journey, but I believe that the Lord is my Good Shepherd. Around three weeks after the abduction, when I was coming to the end of myself, God took me to a silent retreat. During that time he ministered to me through the book of Ruth. God spoke to me very personally, showing me that he is my kinsman redeemer and the provider of all my needs. When I came back [to Malaysia], there was no fear of the interrogators or the police who were following me. I could even stand up to them and exert my rights.’

Rights Commission of Malaysia, who, in April 2019, after a year-long enquiry, concluded that the Special Branch of the Malaysian Police were responsible.

In June 2019, the government set up a special task force to look into this finding, but there has been no update from the task force.

Susanna continues to stand up for her family’s rights, seeking the truth of her husband’s abduction. The family made a complaint to the Human

‘We don’t want the authorities to forget about Pastor Raymond…’

Susanna has also met the former and current prime ministers of Malaysia, as well as filing a civil suit against the police and the government. ‘We are praying and trusting God for him to help us find the truth,’ she told us.

"I want to thank the Church for their prayers during this ordeal"

"Even though I do not see the results of my prayers now, I believe that God is in control and is sovereign. In his perfect timing, he will answer our prayers. I continue to have hope."

‘Throughout these four years, the prayers of the saints have sustained me. God caused a spirit of prayer around the world for Pastor Raymond. I want to thank the Church of God worldwide for their prayers and for standing with us in our ordeal.

It’s wonderful to see the body of Christ helping one another - when one part suffers, the whole body suffers. We are one family.’

Susanna has been so blessed by the prayers, support and encouragement from people all over the world and is thankful for every single person who has helped to keep his case alive. She has received thousands of cards over the last four years.

‘We don’t want the authorities to forget about Pastor Raymond,’ she told us.

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Your prayers and support sustain Susanna and many others whose loved ones have been abducted or forcibly disappeared. Your cards and campaigning, in combination with CSW’s advocacy, ensure that the authorities do not forget about Pastor Raymond and the countless others around the world who have been disappeared in connection with their faith.

Get involved Watch Susanna share her family’s story at: csw.org.uk/pastorkoh Send a card or letter of encouragement to Susanna and Pastor Koh’s family at: Susanna Koh #107, Lot LG109B, One Utama Shopping Centre, No 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama 47800 Petaling Jaya Selangor, West Malaysia Or you can email Susanna at liewsusanna@yahoo.com

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Your stories: How you can help

Painting for hope and justice ■ Elaine Almond, a long-time CSW supporter and Ambassador, has come

up with a creative way to raise funds for CSW. She’s selling her vibrant, eye-catching paintings to help people who face injustice because of their faith. We are privileged to be able to introduce you to Elaine and her art. laine says, ‘Art can help to lift us out E of the mundane, open our eyes to what is around, not just the material world we inhabit, but the colours and experiences, be they physical, emotional, mental or spiritual: the life journeys we take.’

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a retired nurse and psychotherapist, an abstract artist and a part-time lay minister in a church in Kent.

What inspired your interest in art?

Art has been important to me since childhood. When I took early retirement in 2008 due to chronic illness, I enrolled on some courses and learnt to paint as a distraction and I just kept going! I have exhibited locally and nationally and in 2017 was shortlisted in the National Open Art Competition for ‘A Slice of Life 1’.

Get involved

Why are you raising funds for CSW? We heard about CSW via Rev Stuart Windsor in church around 1998 and started reading the magazine regularly and praying. In 2003, we had an opportunity to travel with CSW staff to Peru to visit prisoners and their families.

I had worked in Peru previously and spoke Spanish. We learned from those who have suffered and how to pray. Our church was hooked and a prayer group came out of that and has continued since. The church started making regular donations to CSW. We have seen answers to prayer - for example, we heard how Pastor Nadarkhani was released from prison in Iran, and heard his testimony at a CSW conference. Last year, due to COVID-19 it was difficult for the church to meet to do fundraising, so I thought I would offer my paintings for sale to help people facing injustice for their faith, and to support a local hospice that I used to work for.

To view and purchase Elaine’s paintings, and support CSW’s work, visit elainealmondart.com/supportingcharity2021

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Raise money for CSW as you shop online ■ Did you know that you can raise money for CSW while you shop? And all from the comfort of your own home?!

There are two easy ways to help raise vital funds for CSW as you shop online:

Go to Amazon Smile and select Christian Solidarity International as your chosen charity, and every time you shop Amazon will donate to CSW at no cost to you. You simply need to visit smile.amazon.co.uk and shop with Amazon as usual.

Get involved

Register with Give As You Live and do your online shopping as usual – there are over 4,000 stores to shop from, including Boots, John Lewis, Argos and eBay.

To raise money for CSW at no cost to you, visit smile.amazon.co.uk and giveasyoulive.com

It’s easy to do and costs you nothing!

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Thank you: You've made such a difference.

Around the world:

Latest news

Latest news updates

We couldn’t do this without you.

■ Last year was challenging for so many of us, and we are still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our lives.

Nehemiah Christie

Thank you.

We wanted to say a special thank you to you for remembering all those facing injustice because of their religious beliefs during this time.

By God’s grace and with your generosity, we raised over £2.27 million and spent £2.04 million working towards our vision of a world free from religious persecution, where everyone can practise a religion or belief of their choice. There is still much to be done, but through your prayers, campaigning and giving you are making a real difference.

We are giving God thanks for the release of Pastor A Dao last September after more than four years in prison in

2020 Income breakdown

Vietnam. He was not expected to be released until August 2021.

Pastor A Dao was arrested in 2016 following his return from a conference on freedom of religion or belief.

In April 2017, he was sentenced to five years in prison for ‘illegally taking people to Thailand’, a charge he denies.

Thank you for enabling us to advocate for Pastor Dao and many others around the world.

We couldn’t do this vital work without you.

Thank you.

What we spent it on

India

China

We’re sad to report that Nehemiah Christie, a Christian religious leader and human rights defender based in Tamil Nadu, India, passed away on 6 June. He is survived by his wife, Deepika, and their two daughters Elena Abigail (12) and Neginah Yale (4). We’re humbled by Nehemiah’s courage, faith and determination to stand up for the rights of others, whatever the cost.

Human rights lawyer Chang Weiping has been behind bars since 22 October 2020, when he was detained for ‘inciting subversion’.

In March 2021, news emerged that the charges against him had been changed to ‘subversion’. This means he now faces a much heavier punishment if convicted, up to life imprisonment, purely for his peaceful defence of fundamental freedoms. Among others, Chang has defended members of the banned spiritual movement Falun Gong, and Christians who attend unregistered ‘house’ churches.

Pakistan In June Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel were released from death row, after the Lahore High Court acquitted them on blasphemy charges.

They were sentenced to death in 2014 for sending blasphemous text messages to a local cleric. The couple are illiterate and unable to text in English; they have always maintained their innocence. Thank you so much for your prayers for them over the years - we thank God for their freedom!

He remains at high risk of severe torture, while his family continue to be harassed at home. His wife, Chen Zijuan, described their seven-year-old son as 'scared to the point of insomnia…He even asks what he would do if the police hold a gun to his head.'

Image credit: Facebook/Free Chang Weiping

Photo: Morningstar News

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The charts on this page are from our 2020 annual report which you can view at csw.org.uk/annualreport

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Feature: United Nations

UN Special Rapporteurs:

Voices for the vulnerable

■ Partnering with the UN is essential for addressing

issues of religious freedom and keeping them in the spotlight. One way we do this is through the UN Special Procedures – unpaid experts, special rapporteurs and working groups appointed by the Human Rights Council to report on either a country or a theme.

Among the 44 thematic positions are experts on education, racism and human rights defenders, but we work most closely with Dr Ahmed Shaheed, the UN’s Special Rapporteur who focuses on freedom of religion or belief. By presenting expert research, including from CSW’s advocates, to the people who hold the power, he helps turn our work into real change.

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"They can’t do their work without NGOs like CSW who are reliably providing evidence of human rights violations."

What is the role of a Special Rapporteur?

How does CSW work with Special Rapporteurs?

Throughout their appointment, Special Rapporteurs champion human rights around the world in two main ways: by conducting impartial research and by raising individual cases to UN Member States.

It’s therefore Dr Shaheed’s job to investigate violations of freedom of religion or belief and keep pushing his concerns to the forefront of policymakers’ minds. Without his consistent reporting it would be easy for issues of faith to get lost in the sea of urgent matters, but Dr Shaheed ensures that every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief remains on the agenda.

Alongside their own fact-finding missions, Special Rapporteurs like Dr Shaheed rely on trustworthy accounts from our advocates, who gather information directly from people experiencing injustice. CSW’s Deputy Team Leader for Public Affairs, Claire Denman, emphasises that it is a partnership: ‘Through verified, credible reporting, the Special Rapporteurs call out truth to power… They can’t do their work without NGOs like CSW who are reliably providing evidence of human rights violations.’ Likewise, we need them to keep bringing these stories to the world’s attention. Special Rapporteurs are crucial for amplifying our work at the UN, being a voice for the vulnerable with the aim of holding perpetrators to account and securing justice for victims.

"Without his consistent reporting it would be easy for issues of faith to get lost in the sea of urgent matters."

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In focus: Ethiopia & Tigray What are the results?

The benefits of working with UN experts can be immediate; prisoners could receive better treatment or even be released following urgent communication from Special Rapporteurs. More often, however, results take time.

For example, CSW provided Special Rapporteurs with evidence that enabled them to confidently call on the Chinese government to free Pastor Wang Yi, who was detained as part of a large-scale crackdown on unregistered churches. Although this has not yet led to his release, we celebrate the smaller victory that China’s human rights violations were exposed for the world to see.

We take heart that the more cases are published and publicly condemned in this way, the more pressure is put on countries like China to change.

Claire therefore highlights that Dr Shaheed’s consistent reporting is what makes his partnership with CSW so valuable: ‘He raises the profile of the right to freedom of religion or belief at the UN and beyond, ensuring that the voices of religious minorities are heard.’

Through your continued support, we can keep enabling UN experts like Dr Shaheed to champion freedom of religion or belief for everyone and shine a light into the dark corners of the world.

Claire Denman, Deputy Team Leader for Public Affairs

"He raises the profile of the right to freedom of religion or belief at the UN and beyond, ensuring that the voices of religious minorities are heard."

Pray

that God will uphold the Special Rapporteurs as they shine a light into dark corners of the world.

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An Ethiopian woman who says she was gangraped by armed men.

REUTERS/Baz Ratner

■ A brutal battle for control of

Ethiopia's Tigray region has claimed over 52,000 lives and forced an estimated two million people to flee since hostilities began last November.

Despite a communications blackout imposed by the Ethiopian government at the beginning of the conflict, and ongoing restrictions, reports continue to emerge of horrific crimes perpetrated largely by Eritrean soldiers. These crimes include brutal acts of sexual and gender-based violence, indiscriminate bombing, extra judicial killings, and looting of homes, businesses and historical and religious sites. The fundamentally sadistic nature of the secretive Eritrean regime is on open display in Tigray.

Massacres, starvation and wanton destruction: The truth about Tigray Churches and monasteries targeted A renowned monastery established in the 6th century, as well as one of the oldest mosques in Africa, have been damaged by shelling and looted. Another church’s compound has been used as a military command centre despite the presence of clergy and nuns.

The December killing of around 700 people at the Maryam Zion Church in Axum, which is believed to house the biblical Ark of the Covenant, brought the crisis into sharp focus. Many were dragged from the church and murdered in the streets. Survivors were not allowed to bury the corpses until hyenas had descended on the town to consume them.

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In focus: Ethiopia & Tigray These attacks appear to be timed to coincide with religious festivals, possibly to inflict maximum casualties Clergy and worshippers have died in their hundreds during attacks on churches and monasteries. These attacks appear to be timed to coincide with religious festivals, possibly to inflict maximum casualties. According to a Tigrayan official: ‘They kill whomever they find in whichever village they get in. In the village I was in yesterday – it’s a small village – they killed 21 people, out of which seven of them were priests.’

is left, is just waiting to starve to death.’ So far an estimated 10,000 women and girls, ranging from an eight-year-old to grandmothers aged 72, have been raped.

Anything not transported to Eritrea is destroyed. Livestock are seized and eaten, while crops are burnt in fields.

Starvation is rife; the UN estimates some 2.3 million people – around half the Tigrayan population – are in need of assistance. People are beginning to die of hunger, while Eritrean troops deliberately obstruct aid distribution.

In February, around eight people were reported to be dying daily due to illnesses exacerbated by the lack of medication.

‘Waiting to starve to death’ Assefa is a resident of the northern town of Hawzen, but fled in fear of the killings. He said, ‘They are raping our women – including nuns in convents - they have pillaged our towns, they have ransacked and shelled our churches and mosques, and whoever

The war on Tigray has heightened the vulnerability of the estimated 100,000 Eritreans who had sought refuge in Ethiopia from their repressive government. In what would amount to a gross violation of the United Nations and African refugee conventions, at least 6,000 refugees are alleged to have been forcibly returned to Eritrea.

Eritrean soldiers are embarking on extensive looting. Civilians are forcibly deprived of money and jewellery, while homes are comprehensively cleared, including of blankets, cutlery, shoes and clothing. Hospitals have been emptied of medication, factories of equipment, and stores of goods.

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Civilians bearing the brunt The ramifications of the war in Tigray increasingly threaten the stability of East Africa. Ethiopia withdrew troops from Somalia to fight in Tigray, undermining anti-terrorism efforts.

There has been fighting along the border between Ethiopia and Sudan, and Sudan and Egypt have expressed dissatisfaction about Ethiopia’s desire to fill its Great Renaissance dam.

Ethiopia itself has become more

unstable, with violence erupting in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, an ongoing insurrection in Oromia, and tensions in the Afar region.

Sadly, international calls for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Eritrean troops and unhindered humanitarian access have so far gone unheeded, including a call from the Hiob Ludolf Centre for Ethiopian and Eritrean Studies at the University of Hamburg, for cultural heritage sites to be respected and preserved.

There are worrying indications that atrocity crimes - war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide may be underway. In the words of a priest from the Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat: ‘They want to annihilate Tigray. By killing the men and boys, they are trying to destroy any future resistance...They are raping and destroying women to ensure that they cannot raise a community in the future. They are using rape and food as weapons of war.’

The current situation constitutes a threat to both regional and international peace and security, and must be addressed decisively while it can still be contained.

Pray

for Tigray using the Prayer Diary Week 11, 19-25 September.

All images on these pages: Scenes of destruction at the Wukro Maray Primary Hospital. Habtom Gesgis/Facebook

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On the frontlines: Cuba

‘Being different is considered a crime’ The story of a Muslim woman in Cuba ■ Across Cuba, the authorities

Havana streets. Giulio Paletta/CSW

Maryam1 is a Muslim artist who has experienced significant pressure from the government because of her faith.

She explains how this has affected every area of her life.

I graduated from university in visual arts in 1990. Everything was fine until I converted to Islam in 2004.

A small group began to meet at our home every Friday for prescribed prayers as well as to study the Qur’an, and to learn and teach the basics of Islam. This house of prayers operated until 2017, when an agent who went by the name of José2 invaded our home without a search warrant, claiming, ‘I’m sure you have a bomb there.’

Later we discovered that some of the people who frequented our house under the pretext of learning about Islam were in reality undercover 16

use all kinds of tactics to harass and discriminate against people of all faiths and beliefs. All religious groups are targeted to varying degrees, usually tied to levels of perceived lack of support of or cooperation with the government.

[government intelligence] agents.

We decided to close the house of prayers for this reason.

Targeted at work During the same period, I was invited to work as a curator at a gallery.

While I was working in the gallery, I was constantly harassed by the same official who had invaded my family’s home [in 2017]. Then [the authorities] changed their strategy and put more pressure on the gallery director. As they could not do anything legally to fire me because I complied with everything, José began to tell the director that I should not be allowed to dress in the Islamic way, and that he could not allow me to give seminars and talks about art, which was part of my job.

1-3

Names and titles removed to protect the author.

It was for these reasons that the director was forced to prevent me from offering lectures and from participating in public activities that were part of my job. At times they put pressure on the other artists to discourage them from working with me.

with a piece of green fabric, they responded: What for if I was going to have my private parts exposed anyway?

Entering the bank, in 2016, I was also asked to remove my hijab. It was not the first time that I had been there to pay my social security. I had never had any problems, but that morning In October everything 2010 the was curator different. of the art When I centre protested, invited me the guard to give a unfastened conference his gun on women 'Horror'. Credit: The author holster, in Islamic so to society, avoid bigger problems for but it never took place due to my husband I decided to obstacles that were imposed leave the bank. It was very by senior individuals in the humiliating. art scene.3The curator who invited me, a young feminist, I am afraid that if I wear a head protested this, which resulted covering, I will just continue in her being fired from the art to be humiliated and I do not centre. In solidarity with her, I have the strength. Even at the requested to be let go. airport, you cannot attempt to leave Cuba wearing the hijab ‘Being different is without pressure from state considered a crime’ security.

At the hospital, while giving birth, women are stripped naked. At that point there is no option to request to be treated only by a female doctor, so you are naked in front of a team of doctors.

When I asked if they would at least let me cover my head

It is not possible to recount all of the suffering and the worry that we have about the future of our daughters, in a country where being different is considered a crime. In this country we have no right to practise Islam.

The new neighbourhood Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan to answer someone who asked, ‘Who is my neighbour?’

Jesus had just told him to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. The man was told that his neighbour is anyone who needs his help – and that really wasn’t what he was expecting to hear. Especially since the person in the story who needed help, was someone he would have considered his enemy.

So what does this mean for us now?

Some Christians have pointed out that if Jesus was telling the story of the Good Samaritan today, he might have told it about the Good Muslim.

At CSW we work for religious freedom for all. That means that everyone is entitled to choose and change their religion. We believe God calls us to speak up for the rights of people of all faiths and none.

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Perspectives: Justice

Shahbaz Bhatti

How do we keep going in the face of injustice? A personal viewpoint ■ When faced with the realities of genocidal states and

suicide bombers, how do we persevere? If we believe in a God of justice, why does he allow such injustice, and how do we know he will make all things right?

Cecil is CSW’s South Asia Deputy Team Leader. Reflecting on his firsthand experience growing up as a Christian in Pakistan, here he offers some thoughts on a heavenly perspective on justice.

We all know that feeling. We read a story of terrible injustice, or perhaps we experience something in our own lives, and in that moment the world just seems too cruel, too unjust.

Growing up as a Christian in Pakistan, I saw injustice all around me. In one famous case in 2009 Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of four, was arrested and later sentenced to death under the blasphemy laws. All she was guilty of was offering a cup of water to a colleague.

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At that time my dear friend Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, spoke out strongly against the misuse of the blasphemy laws, despite the knowledge this would make him a target for extremists.

One of my darkest days was 2 March 2011, when Shahbaz was assassinated outside his mother’s home. His government did not protect him and no one has ever been brought to justice for his death. I wondered what hope is there, when our boldest, most brilliant voice can be snuffed out without consequence?

Asia Bibi

Two things have kept me going. First, the example of my father, who was a human rights activist and war hero. No matter what the consequences, what the odds, he never gave up. I think we all need those examples in our lives, people whose very spirit can pick us up when we are weary from the fight.

Even in his final battle against cancer, he would laugh and joke with the other chemotherapy patients, keeping up their morale and his. The death of our bodies is the battle we can never win and yet he fought it all the way, with courage and dignity.

Second, I find great hope in knowing that God seems to delight in changing the hardest heart. When I think of the gunmen who killed Shahbaz, I remember that God chose the murderer and persecutor Saul to bring the gospel to so many.

In Matthew 25 Jesus promises a final judgment where the wicked ‘will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ Revelation 21 promises that God will make a new heavens and a new earth where he will dwell with us, and ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.’

To me these are snapshots of God’s eternal perspective; that He will both judge justly (and who am I to say who will make it into His kingdom?) and create a new, just world.

I still have moments when I feel hopeless – it’s impossible to do this work and not feel that way. But I trust God. I remember to stay hopeful and that, despite the extremists’ efforts, Asia Bibi is today alive and free. And I keep going.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain."

Revelation 21:4 19

Our manifesto #11

We believe we can all play a part in campaigning for freedom of religion or belief.

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.

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