Response: October 2020 - January 2021 by CSW UK

Your insight into religious freedom

& prayer diary

October 2020â&#x20AC;&#x201C;January 2021

Voices from Cuba

Yoel and Ricardo tell us about life in Cuba for religious freedom defenders

Also inside this edition: Latest News: Pastor Keshav released on bail On the frontlines: Speaking up for religious minorities during the pandemic and more...

Now includes your Prayer Diary

China: Join the campaign

‘Sorry China, I’m not buying it’

What’s the link between how we spend our money and how religious minorities in China are treated? And how can we use our power as consumers to fight for freedom of religion or belief in China?

Eziza made a heartbreaking choice when she fled China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in 2018, after her husband was rounded up. She fled with two of her daughters who still had passports, but was forced to leave her seven-year-old, who had no passport, with neighbours. Her daughter was soon taken by the government to an orphanage. Eziza believes she will never see her daughter or her husband again, and sits in agony fingering the one tiny picture she still has of her little girl.

Illustration by award-winning Chinese artist and human rights activist, Badiucao

China: ‘Sorry China, I’m not buying it’ 'The clothes factory was no different from the [internment] camp. There were police, cameras, you couldn’t go anywhere.' The heartbreak for Eziza is endless – and she is not alone. This is life for countless people from the Uyghur ethnic group, living in exile, severed from their roots and separated from their loved ones. Since 2016, between one and three million Uyghurs – a predominantly Muslim community – have been placed in ‘re-education camps’. They are incarcerated for ‘crimes’ such as ‘unusual beards’, possessing a religious book, or meeting with others to pray. President Xi Jinping has made it his mission to repress not only Islam but every religion or belief, with a severity and determination not seen since Mao. Mosques, churches and Buddhist temples have been torn down throughout China, leaders imprisoned and congregations forced to recite atheist slogans and propaganda as they worship.

From re-education camp, to slavery Many of those released from ‘reeducation’ camps are sent to factories which supply well known Western clothing brands. Whereas the region used to produce very little cotton, it now generates 85% of China’s output. Despite global outrage at the abuses, leading clothing brands continue to source millions of tons of cotton and yarn from the Uyghur Region. Gulzira Auelkhan, a Kazakh woman who was initially detained in an internment camp and then subjected to forced labour in a factory said: ‘The clothes factory was no different from the [internment] camp. There were police, cameras, you couldn’t go anywhere.’

Money talks. It can also call for justice. How can you and I take on a global superpower and tackle such largescale injustice? We put a lot of thought into how to respond, and decided the best approach would be to join with other organisations to bring economic, as well as political, pressure to bear. CSW has become a part of a coalition of over 250 civil society organisations, Uyghur rights groups and labour unions from around the world calling on brands to ensure that they are not supporting or benefiting from forced labour of Uyghur and other peoples.

What are we asking brands to do? We are urging brands to stop sourcing cotton from the Uyghur Region and to cut ties with companies implicated in forced labour.

The entire clothing industry is potentially tainted by forced Uyghur labour, and credible reports have implicated dozens of brands – Adidas, Nike, Marks & Spencer, Gap, H&M and IKEA, to name just a few. The onus is on each corporation to make a clear statement and ensure they’re not part of the problem. Your voice as a consumer has influence. Will you use it for families like Eziza’s?

Act against injustice. Today. Write to brands asking them to sign the pledge, with our simple online tool at csw.org.uk/campaigns Contact a company you recently bought clothes from and ask them to prove they don’t source their cotton in Xinjiang – it could be anything from a letter to a tweet. Get ideas at csw.org.uk/notbuyingit

In focus: Cuba

Giulio Paletta/CSW

Voices from Cuba Since the 1959 revolution, many religious groups in Cuba have experienced significant hostility from the government. Sadly we’ve seen the situation worsen in recent years, with people detained, arbitrary fines imposed and churches demolished.

Yet hope hasn’t died, and we’re continually inspired by the courage and determination of those who face these difficulties head on. Yoel (Yoe) Suárez and Ricardo Fernández Izaguirre are human rights defenders who have faced personal reprisals from the Cuban government because of their work. Both men continue speaking up for justice, despite the dangers. We interviewed them both recently to find out what life is like for them during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is Cuba – in their own words.

‘I have come up against the government many times’ – Ricardo’s story As a journalist and religious freedom defender, I have come up against the government many times, from threats, to imprisonment, to being prohibited from leaving the country. Right now the religious freedom situation in Cuba is very challenging. Now we are seeing pastors declared ‘regulados’, that is, forbidden from leaving the country. We have seen an increase in the number of churches that have been demolished. We have seen how the Cuban State Security has tried to intimidate these pastors, so that they do not continue to do what they do: defend their faith. We have also seen an increase in repression against the Ladies in White, a movement that tries to pray and ask God for freedom for political prisoners in Cuba and better prison conditions. 6

‘The authorities disregard these rights’ All these things have contributed to a very tense atmosphere for religious freedom in Cuba. Because even though the new constitution included the right to freedom of religion, the government has no political will. Every time we come before the authorities, the authorities disregard these rights that are there in the new constitution. During the coronavirus pandemic, churches have been forced to close their doors. The government has used this opportunity to attack pastors and harass them with fines and threats. On top of this, the government took the opportunity to go one step further, and we have at least two confirmed cases of churches being demolished.

They took advantage of the fact that the churches were empty, and that members of the congregation could not defend the church as they have done in the past.

‘The government tries to silence the Christian community’ – Yoel’s story Hello, my name is Yoe [Yoel] Suárez. I am a young Cuban journalist. I am a Christian. I specialise in issues relating to religion in the country. The situation for religious freedom in Cuba has a lot to do with other freedoms, and with the limitation placed on these individual freedoms by the Cuban Communist Regime. Freedom of association is highly restricted; freedom of expression is also highly restricted, and this of

In focus: Cuba

As such, with these kinds of ‘games’, the Cuban government tries to silence the Christian community and all religious groups, but particularly the Christian community.

Latest news China

As the news this summer showed footage of shackled and blindfolded Muslims from the Uyghur ethnic group being herded onto trains, CSW welcomed the joint statement by 50 United Nations (UN) Independent Experts calling on the UN Human Rights Council to take urgent action to monitor human rights violations in China. At the same time over 75 faith leaders, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, called for action to stop ‘one of the most egregious human tragedies since the Holocaust: the potential genocide of the Uyghurs and other Muslims in China’. CSW was one of the first international NGOs to raise awareness of the plight of Uyghur Muslims and to advocate for action from the international community. We’ll continue to build on these milestone moments to seek justice and freedom for all in China.

AFOLABI SOTUNDE / REUTERS

CSW welcomes international action on behalf of Uyghur Muslims

Pastor Keshav

Nepal Pastor Keshav released on bail Many of you have been praying for Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya and his family in Nepal, who was arrested and detained on multiple occasions earlier this year before being detained at a remote location on charges of ‘outraging religious feelings’ and ‘attempting to convert’. He was originally arrested after a video in which he said the coronavirus could be healed through Christian prayer was uploaded on YouTube. The pastor denies uploading the video. We’re pleased to report that Pastor Keshav has been released on bail and reunited with his family. However,the case against him is still ongoing.

Relentless attacks despite the COVID-19 lockdown by Reuben Buhari Research and Press Officer, CSW Nigeria

Based on the need to curtail the spread of the deadly COVID-19, states in Nigeria started enforcing a total ban on human and vehicular movement. Kaduna state, northwest Nigeria, followed suit to ban all forms of movement. Even interstate travels were banned. Government and security men were everywhere ensuring total compliance. But ironically, since Wednesday 25 March 2020, when the total restriction on movement came into effect in the state to prevent people from contracting and dying from the COVID-19, attacks by Fulani militia on Christian villages, especially in the rural areas of Southern Kaduna, have increased and killed more people than the coronavirus itself.

Information gathered by CSW’s Nigeria office shows that in all instances, the heavily armed Fulani militia carried out the attacks and left before security men responded. Even more telling is the fact that, unlike previous attacks, the ones under the COVID-19 lockdown were boldly carried out on villages that lie on busy highways with GSM networks.

From 25 March 2020, when the lockdown came into effect to 15 June 2020, when the state government lifted it, Fulani militia carried out 17 attacks across five Local Governments. They killed 78 people and burnt down about 165 houses, while hundreds were displaced from their villages into makeshift camps for internally displaced persons. Additional 50 people are still missing months later from villages across River Kaduna, in Kajuru local government area of the state, which were attacked between 19 May and 23 May. The survivors are still unable to go back to count or bury their dead because the Fulani gunmen have refused to leave the villages. In fact, under a 24-hour time frame, 29 people were killed in five attacks on four villages of Gonan Rogo, IdanuDoka, Ungwan Rani-Doka and two attacks on Makyali in Kajuru LGA, all south of Kaduna city. The worst cases of injured survivors with severe machete cuts on their bodies are from these attacks. The boldness of the attackers and the brazen way the attacks were carried out was glaring in Makyali village, south of Kaduna metropolis and about 50 kilometres from the city centre, which was attacked on Wednesday 13 May 2020, at around 7am. Then by 11am, the attackers came back in greater number and attacked the village. Eleven were killed while three additional youth got

AFOLABI SOTUNDE / REUTERS

Feature: Nigeria

killed when they pursued the gunmen into the bush. But the worrisome aspect of the attack is that a military checkpoint sits close to the village. There is another one in Idon village some kilometres away and another after crossing the village.

And while the attackers easily moved around, residents of Kaduna could not and those who dared to were considered violators of the lockdown orders, arrested and fined. More pointed is the fact that nobody has been arrested for the killing of these 78 people. While the Coronavirus that influenced the lockdown has killed 12 people in the state so far, as of 11 August 2020, Fulani militia killed 78, mostly children, old people and women. From the attack on Labi village on 25 March 2020 in Chikun local government where five people were killed to the attack on 3 June, 2020 on the village of Tudun Agwalla in Kajuru local government where nine people were killed and several houses burnt down, it has been tales of blood and sorrow for the Christians in Kaduna state. CSW’s Nigeria office also found out that a lot of attacks and kidnappings continue to happen in remote villages which go unreported. Some people, tired from constant attacks and kidnapping, packed up and abandoned

Protest against the Kaduna killings, outside the London High Commission

their villages, and are now staying in makeshift internally displaced person’s camps within Kaduna city. However, since the lifting of the COVID-19 restriction, the attacks on Christian villages have continued. From 15 June to 6 August, 11 attacks were recorded across four local government areas of Kajuru, Zangon Kataf, Kauru and Jema’a. 107 people were killed, thousands displaced and dozens left with permanent injuries. The total deaths from 25 March to 6 August 2020 stands at 185, excluding those who later died in the hospitals from gunshots and machete injuries.

Pray Although these stories

are incredibly hard to read, we know that God remains sovereign over all, and a day is coming when his mercy and justice will reign. Your prayers are needed now more than ever. Find specific points for prayer for Nigeria on p.36

Perspectives: Radical love

CSW staff with the former Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rehman Chishti MP

The story of the Good Samaritan A year ago, a landmark report was published. Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Truro, was asked by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to produce a review of the persecution of Christians worldwide and the FCO response. And while the review highlighted the widespread persecution of Christians, it also made an extremely important point: that we cannot confine ourselves to speaking up only for Christians. Where Christians suffer, it’s very likely that other religious minorities are also suffering, and in the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus made it clear that our calling as Christians is to seek justice for them too. One year on from the Truro report, Mervyn Thomas, Founder President of CSW, spoke to Bishop Philip. He told Mervyn, ‘I was asked to do this review into the persecution of Christians – and I would absolutely defend that because I think Christians have been significantly overlooked in the global understanding of what religious persecution looks like – but I was absolutely clear that my recommendations needed to be framed in terms of guaranteeing the freedom of religion or belief of everybody. That includes the freedom not to believe, as well as the freedom to believe and to change your religious affiliation. ‘There are many reasons for doing that – if you said, “We’re going to privilege Christians in all of this,”

you actually can make Christians more vulnerable. And you were unlikely to have come up with a set of recommendations that would have been agreed by the government. ‘And even more fundamentally, it’s not part of the Christian tradition to argue for special pleading for ourselves.

‘Our understanding of the love of neighbour says we’ve got to love everybody indiscriminately.’

A picture of radical love Bishop Philip’s words underscore what CSW regards as one of our fundamental principles: that we are called to defend the rights of everyone, whether they are Christian or not. In 2018 Mervyn wrote about how he is convinced that as Christians, we must speak up for people of all faiths and none – because that is what Jesus would do. The parable of the Good Samaritan confronts us with a picture of radical love for those in need. There is not only a command to ‘be nice’ to those around us, or a religious and moral obligation to do good unto others, but also a compelling and Christ-like calling to show love to those who are not ‘like us’.

Mervyn wrote: ‘Our neighbour, as Jesus so clearly shows us, is the person who doesn’t look or think like us, and may believe different things to us – and at times, someone with whom we may not agree. ‘In the parable, those sharing the victim’s religious and ethnic background pass him by in his moment of greatest need. Instead he was helped by someone from a totally dissimilar background, a person whom the victim and his community would ordinarily actively avoid.’ You’ll see this principle throughout our work: that we will help anyone who needs assistance, regardless of their religious beliefs. It’s what Jesus would do.

Watch Mervyn’s interview with Bishop Philip. Go to youtube.com/cswuk

On the frontlines: Religious minorities

Speaking up for religious minorities during the pandemic In April CSW published a statement on COVID-19, in which we warned that the pandemic could potentially put vulnerable religious communities at even greater risk. We called on governments around the world to ensure that their citizens’ right to freedom of religion or belief was upheld, despite the various restrictive measures that were necessary to prevent the disease from spreading. Unfortunately, our fears have been realised time and again, with marginalised faith groups across the globe being further victimised by the impact of the virus.

Distribution of aid As you have no doubt seen on your daily news feeds and in our local communities, vulnerable groups across the world have become even more reliant on aid. One of our main concerns was that minority faith groups received equal access to basic assistance, but sadly this hasn’t always been the case. Even prior to the pandemic, Cuba was experiencing chronic shortages of food, medicine and hygiene supplies. Churches which responded to their communities’ needs by distributing food and basic necessities, have had these confiscated. In India 16

– the world’s largest lockdown, where thousands are in desperate need of support – Christians who have delivered aid have been falsely accused of conversion (anticonversion laws are enforced in seven states), and some have even been detained by the police. Meanwhile, from Pakistan we’ve received reports of instances where food aid was denied to Hindus and Christians.

Religious groups vilified If this weren’t enough, religious minorities in many parts of the world have been blamed for spreading COVID-19. A religious leader from an unregistered Protestant church in

Cuba was placed in an overcrowded prison cell with ten other detainees on the grounds of ‘spreading disease’. In India, Muslims were accused of spreading the coronavirus after a religious gathering of approximately 8,000 people in Delhi, which triggered nationwide panic and provoked abuse against Muslims and the boycott of Muslim businesses. On Pakistani social media COVID-19 has been referred to as the ‘Shi’a’ virus’, in an attempt to apportion blame for the disease on the Hazara Shi’a community, a group which has long been stigmatised.

The most vulnerable left behind Back in April we stressed the importance of ensuring that those most vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 – those living in overcrowded conditions, with minimal or no access to healthcare – weren’t forgotten by the international community. Starvation looms in Eritrea, where the government has been forcibly collecting money from its citizens to fight the virus, but giving them no assistance. Moreover, the strictly enforced lockdown prevents people from taking food to family members in prison, even if they have food to spare. Eritrea has thousands of prisoners of conscience of all creeds. Many of you have already campaigned with us on behalf of religious minorities living in internally

NurPhoto / Getty Images

displaced persons camps in Burma, as well as the predominantly Muslim Uyghur population in Xinjiang, China, between one and three million of whom have been detained in ‘reeducation’ camps. Let’s continue to speak up for them, and for all whose faith puts them at even greater risk from the impact of COVID-19. The pandemic has changed many things, but one thing it will not change is our commitment to seek justice for marginalised faith groups around the world.

Act For more on how we’re

supporting vulnerable religious groups affected by the pandemic visit csw.org.uk/coronavirus

Get involved

Join us for IDOP this November Each year thousands of you pray individually and with your churches, to mark the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). It is a fantastic opportunity to build awareness of Christian persecution around the world, and inspire people to pray. IDOP 2020 will be celebrated on Sunday 15 November in the UK, and 1 November in other parts of the world.

Who will you remember this IDOP?

Our theme this year is The Real Lockdown. We’ve all missed gathering with our churches to worship during lockdown. But, as hard as that’s been, it has helped us appreciate the religious freedom we enjoy. What a challenge to think that countless people around the world have never known that same freedom.

I’m praying for Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Church, China, serving nine years in prison. Even though he knew he was likely to be arrested, he kept speaking out for freedom for the Church.’ Lisa, USA, CSW Global

In India, many can’t gather to pray in their homes, for fear of attack. In China, even Christians who join online services risk arrest. This is the Real Lockdown – and it’s not a temporary one.

‘Almost 10 years ago, in my first ever IDOP experience at a local church, I prayed for Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani in Iran. It began a life-changing journey that led me to work and pray for Iranian refugees until this very day! His story inspires me because despite enduring prison, when he was released he kept on campaigning against religious oppression.’ Ed, Malaysia, CSW Global ‘I’m remembering Angelina in Hidalgo State, Mexico. She refused to renounce her faith and as a result the local authorities cut off her water supply. In the midst of COVID-19 she’s really counting the cost.’ Pablo, Mexico

How you can take part

Join us on 15 November for a special online prayer event, in collaboration with the Evangelical Alliance, Open Doors and Release International – find details at csw.org.uk/events Get your church or small group involved in IDOP using the free resources at csw.org.uk/idop

New season, same vision

Introducing Scot Bower

New season, same vision This summer CSW announced changes to its executive leadership. In September Mervyn Thomas took on a new role as Founder President, and Scot Bower, formerly our Chief Operating Officer, became CSW’s new CEO.

As Scot prepared to step into his new role, we spent some time chatting with him about what’s ahead for CSW... Scot, how does it feel to have been invited to lead CSW as CEO? I’m thrilled to have been asked to lead CSW. In all honesty it’s both exciting and somewhat daunting! To be asked to build on the incredible forty-year legacy of CSW is a huge privilege and it’s certainly not a responsibility that I am taking lightly. Before I joined CSW five years ago as Communications & Fundraising Director, I’d followed the charity for a number of years and loved what they did. Back then I said to friends that there’s no more important cause in the world today: the root of so many global issues that we see in our news feeds and on our TV screens is the treatment of minority groups. That’s just as true now as it was then, and I remain committed to tackling those injustices.

Is there a moment or experience that planted your passion for justice? I think I first began to experience and understand the justice imperative in the place of prayer through the 24-7 Prayer movement. I owe a lot to them, as they shaped my understanding of an intertwined theology of prayer and justice – that as we spend time with the Father in prayer we glimpse something of His heart and are propelled towards acts of justice. Perhaps though, my time in (North) Macedonia did most to develop my passion for justice. I was spending a lot of time working with a tremendous Christian kindergarten for Roma children in a settlement on the edge of the capital Skopje. Little children, many of whom would otherwise be sent to the streets by their families to beg for money, would be fed, cared for and taught to read and write in that preschool. After the kids were sent home each day I would be taken by my friend Nebojsha to visit the homes of these children and I recall sitting with three generations of a family in their home 21

New season, same vision – half a shipping container – and simply sharing tea and listening to the stories of their lives. Through that experience, and many like it, God showed me the power of solidarity coupled with advocacy as a tool for justice. My days with Nebojsha showed me that there’s nothing more powerful than sitting in someone’s home, accepting hospitality and listening. And then doing something to be an advocate for them, retelling their stories and sharing their experiences with others to bring attention to injustices, and expecting long-term change.

Protesting for justice outside the Nigerian High Commission in London

What are you excited about in CSW’s next chapter? There’s a lot to be excited about! A new chapter is beginning, but the overarching story of CSW continues and I’m really looking forward to seeing what God does in and through us. If I had to pick three things that excite me most about what I see ahead, they would be:

• Our team! I have never worked with a team as gifted, talented and committed as CSW’s. It really is a privilege to work with them, lead them and help them outwork some of their calling. On assignment in Indonesia

• He and his wife Misty gave up their home, possessions, jobs and roles in church leadership 15 years ago and spent five years travelling with their two small children through Europe, working with and supporting churches and Christian NGOs. • He’s a ‘rather slow, but persistently enthusiastic, long distance runner’. So far he’s run nine marathons (including one running 2,000+ times up and down his garden path during lockdown) and three ultramarathons!

• Empowering more local communities: I remember being on assignment in Indonesia with Benedict Rogers, our Senior Analyst, East Asia, and talking with him about empowering local leadership and equipping activists, building local and regional offices and campaigning hubs to develop an authentic regional voice to talk about what’s happening. • Growing our global movement: We will continue to build a global movement of campaigners, activists and intercessors. Taking part in the protests and prayer vigils for Leah Sharibu (the 17-year-old Nigerian Christian schoolgirl being held by a faction of Boko Haram) has really inspired me – knowing that we’re joining our prayers with and protesting alongside the Nigerian diaspora around the world, as well as being led by our incredible team in Nigeria, is powerful. I can’t wait to see more of that!

Three things you might not know about Scot...

• He’s a published author – look out for ‘Saints’ published by Lion Hudson, which retells stories from the lives of early Christian heroes. Finally, Scot, is there anything you want to share with CSW’s supporters? Firstly I would simply say thank you for your support! Secondly I think I would remind us all that CSW is far more than a staff team and volunteers working in offices around the world; as a supporter you are just as much part of CSW as I am. I’m so incredibly grateful that you are part of this movement for justice, and I’m looking forward to getting to know those of you I don’t already know.

Pray For wisdom and

blessing for Scot as he takes on his new role, especially as he works alongside Mervyn Thomas.

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

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