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Members of the House Human Rights Commission hosted a congressional hearing last week, shining a spotlight on how China is ignoring the plight of North Korean refugees living in the country. Lawmakers heard firsthand that ninety percent of the women who flee North Korea fall victims to traffickers and the Chinese government does nothing about it. In fact it is the Chinese government's ruthless policy of repatriating North Koreans that makes them so vulnerable to the traffickers. It is hoped that when President Obama meets with the leader of China later on this year he will raise this issue. The administration is silent on these issues and although nuclear issues are important, human rights for the North Korean people is important also. China also returns refugees to North Korea where they face imprisonment and death. Pray: for more activists to make a stand for the North Korean refugees in China. (Ps.9:18) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Lawmakers-Spotlight-NKorea-Sex-Trafficking/
The momentum behind a push to investigate Burma's (Myanmar’s) crimes against humanity is growing. Ten governments are now calling for the UN to set up a commission of inquiry over the junta regime's alleged use of rape as a weapon of war, forced recruitment of child soldiers, forced labour, torture and more. As more on these allegations came to light, Canada, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand added their support since the United States backed the move in August.They join Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. Mission agencies in the country report an open campaign targeting the Arakan, Chin and the Karen, many of whom are Christians. (See Prayer Alert 3110) Vision Beyond Borders' Wes Flint said in an earlier interview, ‘The Burmese army is not bashful about ‘their goal ‘ to exterminate the Karen people, to wipe them off the face of the earth. Pray: the world would no longer ignore the suffering in Burma, and for God to release the country into physical and spiritual freedom (2Sa.22:7)
Fighting erupted Sunday and thousands fled to Thailand as Myanmar's military government held its first election in two decades. (See Prayer Alert 4410 re Christian minorities in Myanmar). Myanmar's officials claim to have retaken control after the weekend’s clashes. On the strength of this report Thai authorities are sending home more than 10,000 people, but many are worried about further clashes. The coordinator of the Myanmar Partnership Coalition reported, ‘Many who fled the fighting do not feel safe to go back. I just wish that the Thai authorities didn't send them back yet It's too soon to be certain whether they will be safe or not.’ Some boats ferried people to Myanmar, and then came back to Thailand fully loaded with people. Thousands of men, women, and children are sheltering under blue tents erected on a soccer field next to a border patrol police station, while rocket grenades were still being fired near their homes. Pray: for the fighting to end, shops to re-open and people to feel it's safe enough to return. (Mt.7:7 & Ps.4:8) More: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Troops-Regaining-Control-in-Eastern-Burma-106945193.html
Myanmar’s (Burma's) first election in 20 years is on November 7th and Christians in ethnic minority states fear that afterwards the military regime will try to ‘cleanse’ the areas of Christianity. The Myanmar junta is showing restraint to woo voters but are expected to launch a military offensive on insurgents after the election that will not discriminate between insurgents and unarmed Christians. Two million Christians live along the border that falls under the military’s target zone bordering Thailand, China and India. Catholic parishes and Protestant Myanmar Council of Churches had a prayer vigil recently and ask us to pray now for - voters to make the correct decision; the election to be free, fair and valid; for leaders who will work and make sacrifices for their people and country; elected people to be skilful leaders and able to work with their heart and soul for the development of the country and steer the country onto the road to democracy. See: Pray: that there will be no conflicts between people groups after the election and for God to hear and answer the prayers of His people for the government. (2Ch.7:14) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/burma/27544/
It's a situation being ignored by the international media and governments around the world. In May 2012 violence broke out between Buddhists (Rakhine people) and Muslim (Rohingya people) Although the Myanmar government says the situation is normal, violence continues to occur and between 80,000 - 200,000 people have been displaced. The Rakhine people consider the Rohingya illegal immigrants living in their land, even though many of the Rohingya have lived there for many generations and have no other home. People have set up shelters along the road and the refugee population is swelling into a humanitarian crisis with small children and infants dying on a regular basis. A Christian organization called Partners Relief & Development (PRAD) reported that those needing care is growing every day and there is a need for more teams to go to Myanmar with aid and more world governments to speak loudly against what is happening.
Pray: for light in this very dark place, may the situation come to the attention of world governments and for relief to be released to the starving, dying and homeless. (Ps.4:1b)
More: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/17966
Over 600 villagers fled as soldiers shelled their village with mortar rounds before burning it to the ground on 23 July, (50 homes a school and a church were destroyed). Refugees joined 300 others from the neighbouring area in fear of attack, leaving possessions behind, escaping with what food they could carry as they sort refuge in the jungle. It is the rainy season and they need shelter, food, medicine and security. Lack of clean water and disease-carrying jungle insects are of particular concern. Hundreds more are fleeing towards the Thai-Burma border, some are seeking refuge in Thailand. The Burmese Army and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (allied to the dictatorship) are preparing a new offensive against ethnic Karen civilians in Eastern Burma in the run-up to the sham elections expected at the end of the year. Pray: for the Lord to show Christians how to pray to topple demonic forces over Myanmar. (Is.60:15,-6) More: http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=press&id=1017&search=
June 27th was the 1 year anniversary of Myanmar making a commitment to the UN to stop recruiting and using children as soldiers. The agreement acknowledged a longstanding problem and a willingness to correct the practice. However the Tatmadaw has continued to recruit and use children since it signed the action plan, although in lower numbers. It has only released 66 children from its ranks, a fraction of those recruited by troops since the UN started monitoring this issue. Myanmar continues to stall UN access to identify and release children from some of its military sites despite having signed an agreement to do so. The Border Guard Forces (BGFs), which are within the remit of the action plan and for whom the Myanmar military is responsible, have felt no pressure to initiate steps to verify, demobilise or rehabilitate children in their ranks.
Pray: that Myanmar will ensure that under-18s do not serve in the armed forces and immediately begin to honour their 2012 agreement with the UN. (Ps.72:4)
More: http://www.child-soldiers.org/news_reader.php?id=685
Last June the Burmese army broke a 17-year cease-fire with the Kachin Independence Organization. The military offensive was aimed at Kachin State which has approximately 90% Christians. Since that event soldiers have killed, raped, and tortured civilians, set houses and churches on fire and pillaged entire villages. Since the 16th of October when Churches were told that Christians must request permission at least 15 days in advance to conduct a range of simple activities, including reading the Bible, conducting a Bible study, holding Sunday school, prayer and fasting, Christians have been finding ways to meet in secret. Churches in Myanmar are already required to obtain permission for any events other than Sunday services, but the new regulations impinge on daily private actions of individual Christians. A pastor forced to flee said, ‘Soldiers took 18 motorbikes, one rice mill, and all the buffalo, pigs, chickens, everything. They are even living in our houses.’
Pray: for the Lord to do battle for our Christian brothers and sisters and for the salvation of members of the Myanmar military. (Ps.10:12;Jos.1:7)
More: http://win1040.com/reporter.php
Morocco expelled a teacher for allegedly attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity. According to the Spanish newspaper ‘El Pais’, authorities expelled Sara Domene of Spain for ‘threatening public order.’ It's a common phrase used to allege ‘proselytizing.’ Domene, also a member of an evangelical church, denies the charge, saying she was giving Spanish lessons. The 1992 constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all while designating Islam as the state religion. Any criticism of Islam is banned under the Penal Code and is punishable with up to five years in prison. The government is being especially vigilant this year in upholding the code. In March, King Mohammed VI expelled 20 foreign missionaries. Shortly afterward, about 7,000 Moroccan theologians publicly supported his decision. Several mission agencies note that this action set the stage for another wave of deportations and expulsions. The latest round reveals itself as a calculated effort to purge Morocco of all Christian elements. Pray: that many followers of Christ will be able to continue His work in Morocco. (Ps.5:11)
Advocates question the harsh measures of the Muslim state toward a man who dared speak openly about Jesus and was jailed for 15 years. Jamaa Ait Bakrim, 46, has been in Morocco’s largest prison for nearly 5 years because he was an outspoken Christian convert. It is believed the severity of his sentence in relation to his misdemeanour was because he persistently spoke about his faith. A fellow Moroccan Christian said, ‘He shared his faith with people around him. In Morocco if you become a Christian you keep it to yourself then no one will bother you.’ He added that people need to start speaking up on behalf of Bakrim, who has ‘zeal’ for his faith and speaks openly about it even in prison. ‘Our Moroccan brothers and sisters suffer, and we assume things will be OK and will somehow change later by themselves, They will never change if we don’t bring it to international attention.’ Pray: against the principalities and powers that would confine and contain the estimated 1,000 Moroccan Christian converts. (Is.61:1)