3rd February, 2007

DAVID ADAMS speaks with Benedict Rogers, author of a recent Christian Solidarity Worldwide report, Carrying the Cross - The military regime's campaign of restriction, discrimination, and persecution against Christians in Burma...

Do you know how many Christians there are in Burma today?
“The regime claims six per cent of the population are Christians, but it typically underestimates the figures for non-Burmans and non-Buddhists. It is possible that up to ten per cent are Christians in a population of about 50 to 55 million.”

CARRYING THE CROSS: The report quotes a plea from six Christian organisations in 2006, who wrote a letter to the junta’s Senior General Than Shwe saying: “We simply cannot let things go on without doing anything. This is because Christian associations have been suffering, and we are feeling the pain deep in our hearts.”   "(Persecution) varies from subtle restrictions, discrimination and inconveniences, such as the denial of promotion for Christians in government service, the deliberate use of forced labour on Sundays and Christmas and Easter in Christian areas, to more violent forms such as destruction of churches, crosses, forced conversion, arrest, torture and even killings of pastors.”

Do they predominantly worship in underground churches or are they allowed to openly worship in publically-recognised buildings?
“They are generally able to worship on Sundays openly and there are recognised church buildings, but it is now almost impossible to build a new church or register or extend an existing church. Many unregistered ‘house’ churches have been formed.”

Your report - Carrying the Cross - says Christians in Burma are facing "vary degrees of discrimination, restrictions and in some places violent persecution". Can you describe some of the ways in which this persecution occurs?
“It varies from subtle restrictions, discrimination and inconveniences, such as the denial of promotion for Christians in government service, the deliberate use of forced labour on Sundays and Christmas and Easter in Christian areas, to more violent forms such as destruction of churches, crosses, forced conversion, arrest, torture and even killings of pastors.”

Why are Christians targeted in Burma?
“For a variety of reasons - partly because the regime views Christianity as a Western, colonial import, (but) also because Christians are often well educated and hold leadership positions in their communities and because the regime is influenced by a fascist mentality that is intolerant of other religions, races and political beliefs.

Is the persecution of Christians getting worse?
“It appears to be worsening, as are all human rights violations in Burma.”

What factors are influencing this trend?
“The regime is becoming more entrenched, more hard-line, more extreme.”

Is persecution of Christians in Burma also related to ethnicity?
“It is certainly related, in part, to ethnicity as the majority of Christians are found in the Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni and Naga ethnic groups.”

What were your sources for Carrying the Cross?
“First hand interviews with victims of persecution on the Thai-Burma border, the India-Burma border, the China-Burma border and inside Burma. In addition, information from other human rights organisations, media and church groups.”

Why has Christian Solidarity Worldwide published this report now?
“It follows the publication in recent years of reports on the persecution of Muslims and the imprisonment of Buddhist monks, and it is the first time the persecution of Christians has been highlighted in a comprehensive report.”

What should the international community do to stop the persecution of Christians in Burma?
“The UN Secretary-General should engage more fully in finding a political solution to Burma’s problems and the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief should conduct a full investigation into violations of religious freedom in Burma. The US State Department and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom should also increase their monitoring of the situation.”

What can Christians in countries like Australia, the UK and the US do to help ensure action is taken?
“Pray - especially on 11th March, the Global Day of Prayer for Burma (www.prayforburma.org). Protest - write to your political representatives and governments to urge them to raise these issues. Provide - by supporting the various organisations providing aid and advocacy.

On a personal note, where has your interest in Burma come from?
“I made my first visit in 2000 to the Thai-Burmese border after working a lot in East Timor. I fell in love with the beautiful, gentle, gracious and courageous people and determined to devote my life to working for their freedom and peace.”

Lastly, your report refers to the country - which is officially named Myanmar - as Burma. Can you explain why?
“The regime changed the name of the country, but the ethnic groups and pro democracy movement asks us to continue to use Burma because the regime had no mandate to change the name of the country.”

~ www.csw.org.uk