Beyond Myanmar's Embattled Muslims, Christians Say They Face Their Own Persecution
by Mang Suan Kim
Christian Headlines
by Mang Suan Kim
Christian Headlines
Photo Courtesy Christian Headlines
Despite democratic reforms and international pressure that have pushed Myanmar to improve its human rights record in recent years, religious freedom remains heavily constrained across the country.
The persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority in this majority Buddhist country has attracted much international media and foreign policy attention. But in Chin State, along Myanmar’s northwest border, a predominantly Christian population faces its own challenges and restrictions.
“There is no improvement with regard to religious freedom in Chin State,” said Pu Zoe Ram, chairman of the Chin National Democratic Party. “Authorities destroyed crosses during the military regime and continue to do so.”
Teak and steel crosses atop clocktowers, hillsides and Chin State’s nearly 2,000 churches have long identified the local majority religion. Area Christians consider their destruction, at the behest of government agencies, a direct attack on their faith community...
The persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority in this majority Buddhist country has attracted much international media and foreign policy attention. But in Chin State, along Myanmar’s northwest border, a predominantly Christian population faces its own challenges and restrictions.
“There is no improvement with regard to religious freedom in Chin State,” said Pu Zoe Ram, chairman of the Chin National Democratic Party. “Authorities destroyed crosses during the military regime and continue to do so.”
Teak and steel crosses atop clocktowers, hillsides and Chin State’s nearly 2,000 churches have long identified the local majority religion. Area Christians consider their destruction, at the behest of government agencies, a direct attack on their faith community...
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