40 years of standing against injustice
October 2019-January 2020
Language matters: How you can help everyone facing injustice because of their beliefs Children from Iraq's ancient Yazidi community, which is being persecuted
Also inside this edition: Country in focus: A turning point for Sudan? Feature: Early Rain Church perseveres Love Letters: Send hope for Christmas and more...
Feature: China
“We do this for the faith”
Early Rain Church perseveres despite the crackdown
It’s been nearly a year since Early Rain Church in China last saw their pastor, Wang Yi. Arrested along with over 100 church members in December 2018, Pastor Wang has been in detention ever since. He was targeted for peacefully speaking up for churches and Christians who were being harassed by the government.
Despite experiencing an incredibly difficult year, Early Rain Church perseveres. And while several church members remain behind bars, others, including Pastor Wang’s wife Jiang Rong, have been released on bail.
We have “experienced
God’s wonderful promises, faithfulness, and comfort... We do this for the faith
”
In a statement on Facebook in July, a member of the church wrote: We thank God for leading us through these trials and allowing us to share in this calling...We also thank God for giving [us] so many brothers and sisters with obedient and steadfast hearts. As many churches within God’s
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All images by CSW unless otherwise stated.
kingdom of grace suffer with us, he has shown them that ‘it is good…to share in our trouble.’ (Phil. 4:14) We have experienced God’s wonderful promises, faithfulness, and comfort... We do this for the faith.
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Feature: China Messages of hope Almost 400 cards have been sent to the CSW offices, both online and by post, so that we can pass them on.
While Early Rain Church is sending their message of endurance to the outside world, CSW supporters have been sending them messages of hope and support. Almost 400 cards have been sent to the CSW offices, both online and by post, so that we can pass them on. If you’ve written to Pastor Wang Yi and his church, thank you so much. Your support is a huge encouragement to them.
My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience Foreseeing the targeting of his church and his own arrest, Pastor Wang Yi wrote a declaration to be published by his church should he be detained for more than 48 hours. We reproduce an extract of his letter below, with thanks to China Partnership and their team of translators who have given their time to make Pastor Wang’s words public.
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Separate me from my wife and children, ruin my reputation, destroy my life and my family – the authorities are capable of doing all of these things. However, no one in this world can force me to renounce my faith. Regardless of what crime the government charges me with, whatever filth they fling at me, as long as this charge is related to my faith, my writings, my comments, and my teachings, it is merely a lie and temptation of demons. I categorically deny it. I will serve my sentence, but I will not serve the law. I will be executed, but I will not plead guilty. Regardless of which regime I live under now or in the future, as long as the secular government continues to persecute the church, violating human consciences that belong to God alone, I will continue my faithful disobedience. Jesus is the Christ, son of the eternal, living God. He died for sinners and rose to life for us. He is my king and the king of the whole earth yesterday, today, and forever.
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I am his servant, and I am imprisoned because of this.
With thanks to China Partnership. Statement taken from chinapartnership.org/ blog/2018/12/my-declaration-of-faithful-disobedience, translated by Amy, Brent
Encourage Send a message of hope to Pastor Wang Yi at csw.org.uk/dearpastorwang
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Country in focus: Sudan
Celebrating the power sharing deal. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
What started as protests against a government decision that tripled the price of bread, very quickly developed into nationwide calls for democratic reforms and the removal of the president. Throughout the protests Christians and Muslims showed inspiring displays of religious harmony.
A turning point for Sudan? From December 2018 Sudan saw mass protests, with people across the country from all walks of life, Christians and Muslims alike, calling for freedom, justice and peace. In April President Omar al Bashir was arrested - one of the protestors’ key demands - and a transitional military council (TMC) took power. In August, the protestors and the military signed a power-sharing agreement for a three-year transition period to civilian rule. A new civilian-led government has been appointed to implement comprehensive reforms. The nation appears to be at a turning point.
On 14 April, days after the president was deposed, Christians were invited to lead a service at a sit-in around the armed forces and security services headquarters in Khartoum, where they called for democracy, human rights and equal citizenship. ‘We must make a covenant that we will not withdraw or accept anything less than a new Sudan ruled by humanity and citizenship,’ said Pastor Rafaat Sameer Masaad, head of the Evangelical Synods. As we go to print the mood in the country is one of cautious optimism while civilians being in government is a positive step, there is a very long way to go. The military and paramilitary organisations still wield significant influence; true reform will involve limiting their powers. There will also need to be justice and accountability for human rights violations committed over the last 30 years, including during the recent protests.
Violence and an internet shutdown From the start, the protestors suffered violence from the authorities, with hundreds losing their lives. On 3 June
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a sit-in in Khartoum was violently dispersed, with at least 128 people killed and over 70 verified reports of sexual assault. There were also attacks on civilians in other parts of the country and particularly in Darfur. For months the Rapid Support Forces (RSF or janjaweed, a paramilitary group accused of serious abuses in Darfur) were out in full force across the country. It was reported that they treated civilians in a degrading manner and at times even tortured them. On 3 June the RSF forced protestors to drink polluted water. Some protestors were observing Ramadan at the time, when their religion forbids them from eating or drinking during daylight hours.
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Country in focus: Sudan In the days after the 3 June attack, the military shut down the internet to prevent news from spreading. When the internet was restored in July, social media was flooded with footage of brutal assaults.
The international community’s response On 6 June the African Union (AU) suspended Sudan from all AU activities, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. At the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) session in July, CSW described the Council’s inaction to date as ‘unacceptable’, and demanded that it establish an independent international fact-finding mission into the human rights violations which took place during the protests. We reiterated the need for the HRC to take meaningful action on Sudan, during the September Council session.
What’s next? Reviving Sudan’s struggling economy will be the first priority for the new government. Following the appointment of the civilian-led administration, the US said it would consider removing Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism - which would allow the international community to provide economic support to the government. Former president al-Bashir is on trial for corruption, and the new administration will need to assess 8
Around the world:
Latest news
whether he should face trial for other crimes committed during his 30-year rule. The International Criminal Court (ICC) still holds an arrest warrant for him for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. Meanwhile, a case against leaders from the Sudan Church of Christ (SCOC) is continuing. We reported last year that the case had been dismissed - eight leaders had been charged with trespass, among other things, for entering their church headquarters which the government had appropriated. The case was reopened in August, underscoring the need for urgent legal reform.
A revolution against injustice ‘Over 2,000 years ago, Christ led a revolution against injustice, slavery, division and hatred…This is a time to move away from the trenches of religious and ethnic discrimination and head towards an inclusive and unifying Sudanese national identity for all of us.’ These inspiring words were part of Pastor Rafaat Sameer’s April address to protestors. It’s only because of your ongoing support that we’re able to amplify grassroots voices from Sudan such as Pastor Rafaat Sameer, and raise their plight with those in positions of influence. Thank you.
Discover Get the latest
updates on Sudan at csw.org.uk/ sudanprotests and use p.4 of the Prayer Diary to join us in prayer.
Latest news updates
Photos of arrested Baha'i leaders. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes
Eritrea On 17 July, and in a move that has been heavily criticised, six bishops issued a statement excommunicating Orthodox patriarch Abune Antonios for allegedly committing heresy. Efforts are reportedly underway to replace him illegally. On 2 July, several Catholic nuns were evicted from the health centres where they worked and lived, and property belonging to the centres, including beds, bedding, cupboards, chairs and tables, was confiscated, as part of the government’s forcible closure of 21 Catholic health centres in rural communities. At least one woman is reported to have died due to pregnancy complications following these closures.
China
Iran
22 UN Member States, including the UK, have signed a letter urging China to release over one million Uyghurs, Kazakhs and members of other ethnic groups who are detained in camps in north-west China. Most of the detainees are Muslim, and reasons for their detentions include accessing religious materials online, having relatives who live abroad, or having the messaging service WhatsApp on their phones. Witnesses say detainees are subjected to torture and illtreatment; Chinese authorities claim the camps offer vocational training to ‘save’ people from extremism.
Mehdi Hajjeti, a city councillor in Shiraz, southern Iran, was arrested in June and sentenced to one year in prison, after speaking up in support of two Baha’i friends who are in prison. He was already on bail following his conviction in September 2018 for criticising the government’s treatment of Baha’is. Followers of the Baha’i faith are some of the most persecuted religious minorities in Iran, experiencing discrimination in everyday life ranging from educational and employment opportunities to wider societal attitudes. On 3 January 2019, nine Baha’is were sentenced to a collective total of 48 years in prison. 9
Feature: Love Letters
Send a message of hope this Christmas Have you written your Christmas card list yet? This year, join our Love Letters campaign and send a message of encouragement to someone experiencing harassment or imprisonment because of their faith. We know that many of you already include some of the people we work with in your personal lists, and we’re so grateful. To make it a little easier this year, here’s a list of some of the people the Love Letters campaign has featured so far, who would love to hear from you this Christmas:
Pastor Wang Yi and Early Rain Church, China Pastor Wang Yi is the head of Early Rain Church. In December 2018 over 100 church members were arrested, including church leaders and seminary students. Several of those arrested are still in detention, including Pastor Wang Yi.
The remaining members of Early Rain Church are working hard to keep their community going, though their reduced numbers and resources will likely make Christmas especially difficult for them. Your card will be a huge encouragement. Please send your card to: Early Rain Church c /o CSW PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3YF
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Ruth and Joel Rigal, Cuba Ruth and Joel are the children of Reverend Ramon Rigal and Ayda Expósito. They attend school online – their parents didn’t want to send their children to a state-run school in Cuba where they would be bullied because of their beliefs. However, protecting Ruth and Joel in this manner is illegal in Cuba. Parents are legally required to send their children to state-run schools where, their father worries, they will be singled out for harassment by both staff and pupils because he is a church leader. Make their Christmas special by sending a card. Ruth and Joel aren’t able to live in the same house at the moment, so please write separate cards to each of them. Please send your card to: Ruth Rigal c/o CSW PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3YF Joel Rigal c/o CSW PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3YF
Rebecca Sharibu, Nigeria Rebecca (above) is likely to spend another Christmas without her daughter Leah, who was one of 110 girls abducted from their school in Dapchi, Nigeria by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists - an offshoot of Boko Haram - in February 2018. The next month, following negotiations with the government, the surviving girls were put into trucks to go home. However, Leah wasn’t among them. She wasn’t released because she refused to convert in exchange for her freedom. She remains a prisoner. Rebecca, her husband Nathan, and Leah’s brother Donald, will be spending their second Christmas waiting for Leah to come home. Please send your card to: Rebecca Sharibu c/o CSW PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3YF
Encourage
These are just a few of the people you can write to – find the full list at csw.org.uk/ connectencourage 11
Perspectives: Persecution Christians in Kandhamal, India (see next page). Photo: Marcus Perkins /CSW
Language matters: What does persecution mean? We often hear of someone being persecuted - and the Bible tells us it’s an inevitable part of Christian life. In 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul writes, ‘Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’ But did you know the word ‘persecution’ has a strict definition in international law? Because of that, it’s important to use the word correctly in this context. If we describe something as persecution when in reality it’s less severe, we risk true persecution not being taken so seriously by the international community.
There are a few high profile cases of genuine religious persecution. In 2016, a UN Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea found ‘reasonable grounds to believe’ that crimes against humanity have been committed by state officials in a ‘widespread and systematic manner’ since 1991, including persecution of religious and ethnic groups. The 2014 genocide of the Yazidis in Syria had ethno-religious elements, and the UN has described the ongoing campaign of violence against the predominantly Muslim Rohingya people in Burma (Myanmar) as a ‘textbook example of ethnic cleansing’. 12
Defining crimes against humanity The concept of crimes against humanity emerged after the Second World War, underpinned by the belief that certain crimes are an affront to the very conscience of mankind. Genocide, war crimes, the crime of aggression and crimes against humanity are the four ‘atrocity crimes’ in international law, and persecution is one of the crimes against humanity. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), adopted in 1998,
defines persecution as the ‘intentional and severe deprivation of fundamental rights contrary to international law by reason of the identity of the group or collectivity’. For the crime of persecution to occur, it must be 'committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack.' In fact, what the early Christians experienced would be classed as persecution in today’s legal definition as it was severe, persistent and done with the deliberate intention of eliminating the Church.
Definition of persecution:
The intentional and severe deprivation of fundamental rights contrary to international law by reason of the identity of the group or collectivity.
Perspectives: Persecution What counts as persecution? In the course of CSW’s work we see the full range of violations of freedom of religion or belief. These can be things such as: • • • •
Discrimination Harassment Intimidation Suppression of religious activities, such as church attendance • Deprivation of liberty, e.g. arrest and detention • Denial of rights such as voting and education. Not all of these will fulfil the criterion of ‘severe’ deprivation of fundamental rights, so they may not count as persecution, although they may be precursors of persecution. Example 1: Destroying a Christian’s property does not constitute persecution even if the property was destroyed because its owner is a Christian. However, if the attacks on Christianowned property are incessant and are serious enough to destroy the economic livelihood of a part of the population, this can be persecution.
Why it’s important to use the word correctly
Case study: India In 2008 Kandhamal in Odisha State saw the worst anti-Christian violence in India’s history. Over 100 people were killed, hundreds of churches were destroyed, and thousands of homes were looted and burned. More than 54,000 people fled their homes and are still struggling for survival.
The Bible itself uses the term ‘persecution’, and teaches us how to persevere in the face of opposition. But when the word is used wrongly, it confuses scenarios requiring justice through the international legal system with those that do not. People experiencing genuine persecution may then find it harder to get justice.
Example 2: Destroying places of worship may count as persecution if there are serious effects on a strongly religious population, or if the destruction is part of a deliberate policy targeting a religious community, aiming to control or end the expression of their religion or belief. Case study: Zanzibar Attacks on churches occur sporadically. Restrictions on construction include an extra-legal practice whereby congregations must ask for permission from local communities, which is rarely if ever given. Sometimes buildings are demolished without notice. Several churches, including some with all necessary permissions, are embroiled in court cases, with hearings repeatedly postponed in order to deplete their meagre resources by forcing them to retain lawyers from mainland Tanzania indefinitely because local lawyers won’t take their cases.
In addition, history shows us that less severe violations are often the early
warning signs of true persecution. Loose application of the term undermines efforts to address these warning signs and prevent the onset of the crime of persecution. Language matters. Using the word ‘persecution’ correctly, while accurately defining and drawing attention to early warning signs, is one way we can help everyone who faces injustice because of their religion or belief. Adapted from a blog post by Joanne Collins, CSW’s Parliamentary Officer
Read Read more about definitions of persecution on our blog csw.org.uk/languagematters
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On the frontlines:
Nguyen Bac Truyen A Hoa Hao Buddhist, Nguyen Bac Truyen has been defending human rights in Vietnam for many years. His work has involved representing those who have been unfairly deprived of their land and assisting families of political prisoners. He has also spoken up for freedom of religion or belief, providing free legal assistance to persecuted religious communities.
A prime target
Nguyen Bac Truyen arrives at court in 2007. REUTERS/Kham
Lawyer, activist, prisoner: The courage of Nguyen Bac Truyen Nguyen Bac Truyen is a human rights activist from Vietnam whose actions exemplify what it means to love one’s neighbour and illustrate the importance of standing up for the rights of those of other faiths, even at personal cost.
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As a result of his work, Truyen has regularly been targeted by the authorities and in July 2017 the police abducted him. For nine months he was held incommunicado, until his trial. For six of those months he was prevented from seeing his wife, and was only granted access to his lawyers two weeks before the trial began. On 5 April 2018 Truyen was found guilty of ‘carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the government’. He and five other activists who were on trial at the same time were handed lengthy prison sentences - his was 11 years, followed by three years under house arrest.
Solidarity and selflessness This is not Truyen’s first time in prison, and we know that during a previous prison sentence he endured brutal treatment by the guards that has left him with abdominal pain to this day. Despite his frailty and poor health, Truyen went on hunger strike earlier this year in protest at the treatment
of a fellow prisoner of conscience Nguyen Van Hoa, a young Catholic activist. Along with other prisoners, Truyen called on the prison officials to stop abusing Hoa and release him from solitary confinement. It’s not always easy to stand up for other people’s rights, especially when it means putting your own life in serious danger. It is even harder to stand up for someone else’s rights, when your own are already being abused. But to stand up for someone else’s rights when you are serving an unjust prison sentence yourself, and to take the radical decision to go on hunger strike in defence of their rights despite your own physical frailty – now that is truly a remarkable act!
Pray
Join us in praying for human rights defenders like Nguyen Bac Truyen on p.11 of the Prayer Diary.
It’s not always easy to stand up for other people’s rights, especially when it means putting your own life in serious danger. It is even harder to stand up for someone else’s rights, when your own are already being abused.
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Get involved: Stand in prayer
This November, make a stand for religious freedom. It’s so easy for us to take church for granted! How often have you stopped to think what it would be like if you were prevented from attending your usual Sunday service? Not this Sunday, nor next Sunday, nor the Sunday after that… For all these people, this is their reality.
Offer up one Sunday This November, join us in marking the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (17 November) and Red Wednesday (27 November), by attending a Sunday service in place of one of these people. Dedicate the service to praying for this individual, and remind yourself of the incredible privilege you enjoy every week – to be able to attend church and worship publicly, without fearing the consequences.
Stand in someone's place. Nigeria - Leah Sharibu
Cuba - the Ladies in Whites
16-year-old Leah Sharibu has been held hostage by a terrorist group since February 2018 after refusing to convert.
Each week, the government of Cuba prevents the Ladies in White, a peaceful protest group, from attending Sunday Mass.
Iran - Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani
Eritrea - Patriarch Antonios
Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, one of many Christians jailed on false national security-related charges, has been detained since July 2018. This is not his first unjust prison sentence.
Patriarch Antonios, the head of the Orthodox Church, has been under house arrest since 2007 for objecting to government interference in church matters, and was recently ‘excommunicated’.
China - Pastor Wang Yi Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Church has been detained since December 2018 for speaking up for independent churches targeted by the authorities.
Pray
Find free prayer resources which your church or small group can use this November at csw.org.uk/prayer
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the Ladies in White
Pastor Wang Yi
Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani
Leah Sharibu
Patriarch Antonios
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Our manifesto #13
We believe in the power of prayer to bring change.
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 Registered Charity No. 281836
PO Box 99 New Malden Surrey, KT3 3YF United Kingdom