Persecution Watch Weblog

Eritrea (MNN)– The U.S. State Department has released its annual report on human rights. It spotlights governments who are accused of human and religious rights abuses. Once again, Eritrea is among the top 10 violators. Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton says there are over 2,000 Christians imprisoned in inhumane conditions. All have been denied legal counsel or trial, with no written charges. And yet, “the body of Christ in Eritrea really has buckled down because of the pressure. They continue to minister, and they continue to work, although they continue to do it secretly. They have to do it very carefully, to avoid government pressure because of government watching.” But the harassment and persecution fails to stop evangelism and discipleship. Nettleton says that’s because “they understand that in order to continue following Christ, they will continue to pay a price. They’re ready to do that. They’re willing to do that. Because of that, even in these difficult circumstances, the church is growing.”

* Pray for strength and peace for those presently enduring persecution in Eritrea.

* Pray that freedom of religion will be allowed.

* Pray that the government will stop the campaign against evangelicals.

China’s Tibet response prompts ministry call to action

China (MNN) — Tibet protesters publicly embarrassed China by disrupting the Beijing Olympics flame-lighting ceremony. The recent crackdown on the minority group was swift and strong. It also raised the concerns of ministries like Open Doors. Dr. Carl Moeller with Open Doors notes that “China is very sensitive to its public relations image in the run up to the Olympics here. They are using the repression in Tibet as a means to send a signal to all groups that don’t approve of China’s policies on human rights records to settle down and be quiet.” Since China wants to present a unified face, dissenting voices could mean the persecution of Christians may get stronger. Although many ministries hope to use the event to share the hope of Christ, Moeller says, “We need to pray for China’s leaders, because as they make these decisions to crack down or not crack down, it’s going to take the result of people’s experience with persecution and either make it better or worse.”

* Pray for peace and strength for those who are enduring persecution for their faith.

* Pray for boldness for Christians in sharing the Gospel.

Russian saber-rattling concerns Christians

Russia/Ukraine (MNN) — We begin today in Russia where president-elect Dmitry Medvedev warned NATO not to grant membership to Ukraine or Georgia, or the region could be destabilized. Russian Ministries’ Sergey Rakhuba says Russia’s response only confirms the world’s suspicions that the Kremlin is moving away from democracy. He’s concerned about other announcements that will affect Christians. “They are already openly talking about liquidating about 500 NGOs this year, and many of those NGOs are Christian. Not all of the 500, but many are.” Expatriate Christian workers could be forced to leave Russia, or their visas will be allowed to expire. That’s why supporters are needed for Russian Ministries’ Schools Without Walls program. “That’s the training program designed to equip the national evangelical leaders–next-generation Christian leaders. That’s the key to success in Russia. So despite any political development there, the church will be successful in spreading the Gospel.”

* Pray that the Christian ministries in Russia will not be restricted or expelled.

* Pray for church leaders to be well-trained and to be strengthened in their resolve to disciple and evangelize.

Stances harden on North Korea’s nuclear hopes; ministry spotlights human rights

North Korea (MNN) — A Summit is underway this week with several countries working on North Korea’s nuclear riddle. Advocacy Coordinator for Open Doors USA, Lindsay Vessey, says it would be nice to think the talks would have impact on the rights issues. However, “The six-party talks are focusing on the nuclear issue and have basically ignored the bigger issue of the human rights abuses. If they would tackle the human rights abuses first, I think they would make more progress on the nuclear issue.” The North Korea Freedom Week is slated to begin April 26 in Washington D.C. Open Doors is one of the coalition members involved because of the severe persecution of Christians in the rogue state. Because of China’s influence over North Korea, “We’re hoping that by having the protests in front of the Chinese embassies and consulates, we will be able to draw attention to the human rights abuses, the religious rights abuses, and we hope that will apply pressure to the Chinese government.”

* Pray that God will blind the eyes of officials searching for Bibles to destroy.

* Pray for the believers currently imprisoned for their faith in North Korea.

North Korean college students arrested with Christian literature

North Korea (MNN) — The United Nations is voting on a resolution critical of human rights abuses in North Korea. Among those abuses is religious persecution targeting Christians and those involved in Christian work. It’s timely, considering the latest, says Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton. “Ten college students in one of the northern provinces of North Korea have been arrested by the National Security Agency. They apparently were caught reading the Bible and watching a Christian DVD. Because of that, they were all taken into custody. Their situation is very grim.” The man who reported the case has since escaped to China to avoid arrest. Nettleton urges prayer. “What we can do now is pray. That is really all we can do. The North Korean government is almost immune to international pressure. So our option, at this point, on behalf of these brothers and sisters who have been arrested, is simply to go to the Lord, to pray for their safety, to pray for justice for them, and pray that their lives would be spared.”

* Pray for the safety of these who have been arrested.

* Pray that God will strengthen the students and give them unexplainable peace.

* Ask God to turn this situation into a triumph for His Kingdom.

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North Korea (MNN)– The United Nations is voting on a resolution critical of human rights abuses in North Korea. Among those abuses is religious persecution targeting Christians and those involved in Christian work.

It’s timely, considering the latest from Ham Kyung Book Do Chung, says Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton. “Ten college students in one of the northern provinces of North Korea have been arrested by the National Security Agency. They apparently were caught reading the Bible and watching a Christian DVD. Because of that, they were all taken into custody. Their situation is very grim.”

The man who reported the case has since escaped to China to avoid arrest. Voice of the Martyrs issued a press release about the situation.

According to their contact, the GumRung Company of the Rodong Dang Labor Organization Department was actively involved in Bible smuggling (we’ve edited some of the information for security reasons).

“In March 2006, 200 Life Bibles and several hundred CDs were purchased in China and secretly placed in flour bags before being smuggled into North Korea. This huge Bible smuggling case was headed by GumRung Company employees who were influenced by Christianity in China and underground Christians. All the leaders have been arrested and are being severely tortured.”

The danger now is keeping this man out of North Korea. China has been repatriating asylum seekers, much to the dismay of the humanitarian community. If he is forced to return to North Korea, his life could be forfeited.

Yet, there is one bright spot in this story. The group of college students who were arrested evidently shared the Bible and video CD with their friends. They also reportedly distributed the Bibles and video CDs to the other college towns.

Nettleton urges prayer. “What we can do now is pray. That is really all we can do. The North Korean government is almost immune to international pressure. So our option, at this point, on behalf of these brothers and sisters who have been arrested, is simply to go to the Lord, to pray for their safety, to pray for justice for them, and pray that their lives would be spared.”

The Voice of the Martyrs stands with and supports Christians facing severe persecution in North Korea.
Click here if you can help.

“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.”
(Psalm 36:4-6)

AZERBAIJAN

UPDATE: Baptist Pastor Released from Prison ” VOM Sources

On March 19, Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev was released from prison in Azerbaijan, under a presidential
amnesty on Novruz Bairam, a holiday marking the beginning of spring. The Voice of the Martyrs contacts
reported Pastor Balaev was met by his son and Ilya Zenchenko, head of the Baptist Union. “When Balaev was
released, journalists asked whether he was feeling grateful to Azerbaijan’s president for his release.
Zaur answered that he always in everything feels grateful to Jesus only and no one else. Journalists
immediately quit shooting (footage) of him,” VOM contacts said. The Voice of the Martyrs rejoices with
Pastor Balaev and his family on his release. We encourage you to continue praying for their protection and
wisdom as he returns home to his family and congregation. Ask God to give him discernment and favor.
Isaiah 54:17

SRI LANKA

UPDATE: Wife of Martyred Pastor off Ventilator and Recovering ” National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka

The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) reports the wife of martyred Pastor
Edirisinghe is recovering from severe injuries sustained during an attack that killed her husband. “The NCEASL
chairman visited Shiromi yesterday. She is experiencing a great recovery, she speaks, breathes well and has
been transferred to Kandy General for surgery to remove [the] bullet,” NCEASL reported. Mrs. Edirisinghe was
critically injured on February 17 when two assailants gunned down her husband outside their home in Ampara,
Sri Lanka. She sustained critical injuries to her stomach and their two-year-old son was also injured in the
attack. Pray for her quick recovery from the remaining surgeries. Ask God to heal her emotions and to touch
their son with the love of Christ. Pray God will give them supernatural ability to forgive the assailants and
for their testimony to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ. Psalm 23

LAOS

Pastors and Believers Arrested by Police, Nine Church Leaders Sentenced to Prison ” VOM Sources/Compass Direct News.

* UDOM SAI PROVINCE ” Eight Khmu pastors from Udom Sai Province
in Laos who were arrested when entering Thailand to attend meetings,
are waiting for the police to escort them back home. According to
The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, ‘We are still waiting for the police
to arrive from Udom Sai to escort the prisoners to their home villages.
Their families have been told they will be tried once they get home
with a likely huge fine and imprisonment. We do not know what the
charges will be, but we do know that Udom Sai is a real hot spot as far
as persecution and has been increasing over the last 12 months.” The
pastors were arrested on March 18 when they entered Thailand and were
followed by the Laos police. They were searched and two of them had
Bibles. Everything the pastors had with them was confiscated, including
a cell phone. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for these
pastors and their families during this difficult time. Ask God to protect
and encourage them. Pray for their speedy release and that their
testimonies will draw their captors into fellowship with Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 1:7

* BOKEO PROVINCE ” On February 22, Laotian officials arrested 15
Hmong Christian families in Bokeo province, Laos. According to Compass Direct
News, the arrests occurred a day before a court sentenced nine Hmong church
leaders to 15 years in prison for ‘conducting Christian ministry and
meetings that had grown beyond acceptable levels for Communist officials.’
Compass reported, “The day before the sentencing, Laotian authorities arrived
in Bai Sai Janrern village in Bokeo district with six trucks in which they
hauled away eight Christian families. Authorities also arrested at least
seven families from Fai village three miles away.” The arrested families
make up a total of 58 Hmong Christians. According to the Compass report,
the nine Christian leaders, sentenced to 15 years in prison for Christian
ministry, were arrested in July 2007, during a police and military raid of
suspected rebels that left 13 innocent Christians dead. The Voice of the
Martyrs stands with believers in Laos and encourages you to pray for these
believers who have been arrested because of their faith in Jesus Christ, Ask
God to give them strength and courage to forgive their persecutors.
Hebrews 13:6

Once again our tiny nation deeply grieves to see the tragic loss of the innocent. This time the violence is directed at a Jewish family for their faith in Yeshua as Messiah!

“For thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter…” Psalm 44:22

The following is the painful, yet miraculous account of one courageous Messianic pastor and his family who have deeply suffered in the past days as a result of their faith in Yeshua as Messiah! Please take it to heart to stand with them in prayer to be strong and courageous… and see a true miracle!

David and Leah Ortiz have served as spiritual leaders of a small Messianic congregation in the picturesque, central Israeli West Bank community of Ariel, a controversial city slated to be returned to implement “The False Road Map for Peace” by demands from radical Hamas and Fatah Islamic leaders.

Amil, at 15, is the youngest of six born to David & Leah. To open the joyful festival of Purim (a Jewish holiday commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people of the ancient Persian Empire from Haman’s plot to annihilate them, as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther), an attractive gift basket of fruit and sweets was delivered to their home and left on their front porch. Seeking to sample the tasty morsels visible under the cellophane liner, Amil opened the basket only to be met by a violent explosion of fire and jagged shrapnel, which tore through the flesh of his head, limbs and young body.

Even though the Ortiz family had received previous threats by radical individuals from both the local Muslim and Jewish communities due to their outspoken faith in Yeshua as Messiah, they remained deeply respected by the mayor and city council for the many large contributions they generated from prominent international Christian leaders for the West Bank city of Ariel. Within hours, it was obvious to the Shin-Bet (equivalent to the CIA) that this horrific act of terror was an expression of religious hatred, intended to destroy the lives and witness of David, Leah and the entire Ortiz family!

Upon arriving at the hospital, David & Leah were in deep shock to see the extensive injuries their dear son had suffered. Through eight hours of critical life-and-death surgery, prominent Israeli doctors labored to save Amil’s life, in spite of the many deadly bomb fragments which had torn into his body. Because of the fiery blast, Amil’s face and chest were severely burned. His neck, throat and face were seriously injured by the many pieces of jagged metal; some still dangerously lodging in one of his eyes. Numerous nerves and tendons in his arms were severed; including many deep lacerations to his arms and legs, regretfully causing a few toes to be amputated. Many deadly pieces penetrated into his chest and abdomen causing severe injures to his organs and leaving doctors to struggle to save one of Amil’s collapsed lungs.

David and Leah bravely shared amid tears of grief and relief at the wonder of Amil’s spared life. Following the critical surgery, the doctors were amazed to see Amil regaining strength and alive. To survive such a powerful ‘point-blank’ blast of deadly shrapnel was clearly recognized as a true miracle by these doctors who have become more than familiar with the effects of terrorism!

Returning to his home for the first time since the blast, David was shocked to see the extensive damage to his apartment. Jagged fragments of metal penetrated the refrigerator and metal stairway. Even the stone table which had held the deadly gift was shattered along with their kitchen, living room and furniture. Their apartment is on the 3rd floor and the blast was so severe that the windows on a car parked on the street below were blown out as a result. David and Leah now remain deeply touched at the awesome miracle which shielded his dear son from certain death, knowing that such a blast would have fatally injured many of their family had they all been home at the time!

The Ortiz family remain sincerely appreciative for the encouragement and prayers they have been receiving from local and international believers on Amil’s behalf; including numerous Rabbis who have expressed deep sorrow for such an evil act toward this family due to their faith. Many Arabic friends who have become believers throughout the years as a result of David’s active involvement in their lives have also come along side to provide food, prayer and much-needed encouragement.

Outside of the intensive recovery room where Amil lay, our MERCY team was touched by the strong witness of faith that was so deeply expressed by David and Leah following such a costly attack upon their lives. We could not but help offer thanksgiving and praise to our L-RD for the great mercy He is extending to this battered yet courageous family! After a time of prayer, the years our friendship have spanned was strengthened from just being there during this difficult time. We were honored to offer words of courage and spiritual support in the face of such tremendous loss! So, please take time to lift up this dear family in prayer through these challenging days; standing with them in faith to see our L-RD’s mercy fulfilled through the complete healing of Amil!

Should you wish to personally contribute to this family or write a note of encouragement,
please contact us at: mercy777@netvision.net.il

For Israel’s Redemption…

Ye’shi Reinhardt — ‘Hands of Mercy’

PS: WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are launching a special Pre-Pesach Youth-Outreach Project called “Healing Thru Art.” Please see our website for details!

Phone: 02-622-2220 or 050-202-3040

97 Jaffa Street • Klal Bldg. #312B • Jerusalem 94340 • ISRAEL

P.O. Box 60 • Saranac, MI 48881 • USA

Please see our web-site for details about ways you can help

www.israel-handsofmercy.org

We have reports that he is in good health but cannot sleep at night due
to his fear of the guards and his cell mates in prison. Please continue
to pray for his health, safety and quick release so he can return to his
family. Remember in Acts 12 the angel of the Lord released Peter from
prison after many gathered together to pray. As we pray together let’s
believe for nothing less than complete freedom for our brother in China.

Please remember, as a partner with this ministry, you are very much a
part of the team. Join with us in praying for our team mate in China
and the many others we are working with to share the Gospel in closed
nations round the world.

You are a vital part of this ministry.

Thank you,

Jason Law

P.S. If you have not already had a chance to look at our new website,
please take a moment to click on the link below and browse through. Let us know what
you think.

www.worldcompassion.tv

From this page:

Azerbaijan ( MNN/Forum18 ) — There’s good news coming out of Azerbaijan concerning imprisoned Baptist Pastor Zuer Balaev.

Slavic Gospel Association’s Joel Griffith says, “He has indeed been released on an amnesty by the president of Azerbaijan. And it was in conjunction with a holiday. The government will traditionally do amnesty sometimes on holidays. So Zuer Balaev was one of several prisoners in Azerbaijan who was amnestied.”

Azerbaijan is located in Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range

After his release, Balaev made the six-hour journey back to his home village of Aliabad in Azerbaijan’s remote northwest. “We won! It’s a great joy to be free,” he said to Forum 18.

“We’re all waiting for him!” exclaimed one of his church members.

Ilya Zenchenko, head of the Baptist Union, welcomed the release. “We thank God and those who prayed and supported Zaur,” he said. “But there is a lot more work still to be done to defend religious freedom in Azerbaijan.”

Balaev’s amnesty came under a March 18 decree from President Ilham Aliev, published on the presidential website, which pardoned 58 prisoners and reduced the sentence of one other. Reports indicate former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was among those who appealed for Balaev’s release, writing to President Aliev on February 15.

Balaev was arrested in May 2007 and sentenced in August on charges of using violence against state representatives, an accusation church members denied. After his appeal failed in October, Balaev was transferred to a prison in the capital Baku.

While Christians are thanking God for Balaev’s releases, that doesn’t mean religious freedom is improving. Griffith says, “With any Baptist pastor, evangelical or non-Islamic religious group, they’re probably going to be watched very closely. We know from officials over there that other pastors have been threatened with the same kind of treatment if they were to pursue their ministries or plant other congregations.”

Griffith is hopeful, however. “Our hope is that the international outcry of the Balaev case will result somehow in the government loosening some of the strings.”

Despite their joy at Balaev’s release, Griffith says there are still some concerns. “He has indeed been amnestied, but his actual conviction remains in force.” The country’s Supreme Court has still not responded to Balaev’s latest appeal. They’re also considering whether or not to move forward with an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg over what they regard as an unjust sentence.

It has been difficult and next-to-impossible for evangelical groups to gain legal status from the government. Efforts to register or apply for legal status by Balaev’s church and others have been thwarted by local officials. Censorship of religious materials is also common.

Continue to pray for believers in Azerbaijan. Pray that they’ll be bold in their witness, strong in their faith and loving to those who persecute them.

From this page:

Eritrea (MNN) — The U.S. State Department has released its annual report on human rights. It spotlights governments who are accused of human and religious rights abuses. Once again, Eritrea is among the top 10 violators.

A flood of arrests over the last few years motivated the United States to designate Eritrea a “Country of Particular Concern,” a designation reserved for countries with the worst of human rights offenses.

The ten worst offender countries are listed as: North Korea, Myanmar, Iran, Syria, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Eritrea and Sudan.

The problem began as a government-led rejection of any non-Orthodox Christian communities.
Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton says there are over 2,000 Christians imprisoned in inhumane conditions. All have been denied legal counsel or trial, with no written charges.

Despite this open persecution, the government continues to support its statement issued in May 2003 that “no groups or persons are persecuted in Eritrea for their beliefs or religion.”

And yet, “the body of Christ in Eritrea really has buckled down because of the pressure. They continue to minister, and they continue to work, although they continue to do it secretly. They have to do it very carefully, to avoid government pressure because of government watching.”

But the harassment and persecution fails to stop evangelism and discipleship. Nettleton says that’s because “they understand that in order to continue following Christ, they will continue to pay a price. They’re ready to do that. They’re willing to do that. Because of that, even in these difficult circumstances, the church is growing.”

Pray that the government will stop the campaign against evangelicals and will allow freedom of religion for all.

An Urgent Cry From Nigeria’s Christians

Nigerian Christians have asked the world to pray for them on Good Friday as they face the
growing threat of Muslim violence.

The world’s attention is usually focused on Israel during the Easter holiday, when thousands of
holiday pilgrims visit the tomb where Jesus rose from the dead in Jerusalem. But in Nigeria, where the
spreading of the gospel has alarmed Muslims, Christians are asking the world to pray with them as they
seek justice for a senseless murder that occurred one year ago this Friday.

On March 21, 2007, in the Nigerian state of Gombe, a 32-year-old schoolteacher named Christiana
Oluwasesin collected books and school bags from her high school class and placed them in the front of
the room so she could administer a test. A Muslim girl accused the teacher of desecrating her copy of
the Quran, and all the students began to shout “Allahu Akbar!” (“God is great!”). They soon started a riot.

Some teachers came to Christiana’s aid and rushed her to the principal’s office for safety, but
by that time more students had joined the ruckus. The mob demanded that Christiana be released to
them. When she was, the teenagers hit her with an iron club, stripped her naked and beat her until
a 12-year-old boy slit her throat with a knife. The students then soaked her body with gasoline and
set her on fire.

Christiana was a Spirit-filled Christian who had been outspoken about her faith in Jesus. Her two young children—a 3-year-old girl and a 10-month-old boy—are now left in the care of her husband, Michael. His last memory of his wife was of her burnt remains, which had been taken to a morgue in Gombe.

Eyewitnesses of the incident said the Muslim students actually tried to kill Christiana’s baby as well, but an unidentified woman smuggled the child off school property by concealing him under her clothes.

No one ever found the copy of the Quran that was supposedly desecrated by Christiana.

The incident sparked outrage in Nigeria, at least among believers in the southern region of the country where Christianity is dominant. People were appalled that 12- and 13-year-olds could commit such a heinous act of violence against their own teacher. It soon became obvious, after independent investigations, that Christiana’s murder was totally motivated by religious prejudice. She joined the growing list of Nigerian Christians who have been martyred in the last several years by radical Muslims.

Leading the outcry against Christiana’s death is Ladi Thompson, a pastor in Lagos who says the Muslim-dominated government of Nigeria has not handled the incident with fairness. He says the police offered halfhearted protection to the teacher, the judge handling the case has not sought justice, and government officials have not stepped in to arrest the perpetrators.

Says Thompson: “We will give ourselves no rest until justice is done. We will fan the flames of conscience back to life at all levels of governance in this country.”

Thompson, also a Pentecostal, directs The Macedonian Initiative, an organization that offers legal support and other types of aid to Christian victims of religious violence in northern Nigeria—where hundreds of churches have been burned by Muslim mobs. Many pastors and church members also have been killed or maimed by Muslim fanatics in the region.

Four years ago, when I traveled with Thompson to the northern city of Kaduna, I interviewed many Christian victims of religious violence. When I saw Thompson this week in Lagos, he explained that he has issued an urgent appeal to Christians all over the world to pray for Nigeria on Good Friday, March 21. He’s asking that we all stand in solidarity with the Nigerian church, praying that God will defend believers from terror and that the Nigerian government will pursue justice.

“The Gombe case should be considered the bullet head that will open the way for a revaluation of human worth in Nigeria,” the pastor said.

I am linking arms with my Nigerian brothers, and I ask you to do the same this Friday. When one part of Christ’s body is suffering, we all suffer. If the radical Islamic agenda succeeds in Nigeria—where African Christianity is most vibrant—Islam could swallow a continent. We desperately need intervention from God.

I am also asking that you contact Nigeria’s acting ambassador to the United States, Usman A. Baraya. One of our own African sisters has been martyred, yet the Nigerian government is ignoring the tragedy, hoping that the international community will eventually forget it. We cannot ignore Christiana’s senseless death. Please cry out for justice.

J. Lee Grady is the editor of Charisma. He returns this week from Nigeria after hosting the African
Woman Arising conference in Lagos. You can send a letter to the Nigerian Embassy
(nigeriaembassyusa.org) at 3519 International
Court, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008. For more information about The Macedonian Initiative,
go to lifevalue.org or
seesin.org.

“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”
(2 Samuel 22:31)

LAOS 58 Christians Arrested, 9 Church Leaders Sent to Prison – Compass Direct News
On February 22, Laotian officials arrested 15 Hmong Christian families in Bokeo district, Laos. According
to Compass Direct News, the arrests occurred a day before a court sentenced nine Hmong church leaders to 15
years in prison for ‘conducting Christian ministry and meetings that had grown beyond acceptable levels for
Communist officials.’ Compass reported, “The day before the sentencing, Laotian authorities arrived in Bai
Sai Janrern village in Bokeo district with six trucks in which they hauled away eight Christian families.
Authorities also arrested at least seven families from Fai village three miles away.” The arrested families
make up a total of 58 Hmong Christians. A Christian source told Compass, “It seems they are rounding up all
Hmong Christians from Vietnam to send them back to Vietnam. What will happen to them is greatly feared and
unknown.” According to the Compass report, the nine Christian leaders sentenced to 15 years in prison for
Christian ministry were arrested in July 2007, during a police and military raid of suspected rebels that
left 13 innocent Christians dead. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with believers in Laos and encourages you
to pray for these believers who have been arrested because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Ask God to give
them strength and courage to forgive their persecutors. Isaiah 40:31

INDONESIA Islamic Extremists’ Protests Lead to Church Closures – Compass Direct News
Protests from Islamic extremists have stopped worship services at two churches in Sumatra and Java Island,
Indonesia. According to Compass Direct News, “Love Evangelical Bethel church, near Pekanbaru, Riau province on Sumatra Island ceased Sunday services after about 60 demonstrators from local mosques on February 15 demanded its closure.” The Compass report added the protesters, led by Harry Cahyono and Victor Ramaddan, said they were protesting the church because it did not have a permit for expansion. Compass said, “They (the protesters) wrote, ‘do not build without permit’ in red paint on the church wall.” Rev. Alex Ritonga told Compass his church was the only church in a village of 14 mosques, none of which have permits. He added his church was registered with local Religious Affairs authorities and had been told they were not required to have permits
to expand the building. These recent protests against churches in Indonesia are the latest in pressure against
believers to stop worshipping. Several churches were closed in 2007. Pray God protects Christians in Indonesia.
Ask God to give them creative ways to continue worshipping even though their churches have been closed.
Joshua 1:9

ETHIOPIA Christians Killed – VOM Sources/International Christian Concern
On March 3, Muslim militants killed at least two Christians and wounded dozens in Nensabo town southeast
of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts and reports from International
Christian Concern, militants attacked Christians, including women and children, while they were attending a
worship service. According to reports, “Eight of the wounded have been taken to the town of Awassa for
hospitalization, while others with serious injuries were taken to Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa. Among
the wounded were a police officer and a Christian whose hand was cut off by the attackers.” Reports indicated
that the attack was part of a plan by Muslim militants, influenced by the spread of Wahhabism, in the area to
wipe out Christians from the Muslim-dominated region. Pray for those mourning deceased believers. Ask God to
comfort them. Pray God will protect and guide believers in Ethiopia facing harsh conditions.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58

A simple email to your U.S. Representative can help stop the torture and execution of thousands of North
Korean refugees, many of whom are Christians. Will you spare a couple seconds
to send that email?

Our goal is to get as many Congressional signatures on this letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao as possible.
The letter is a plea to President Hu Jintao to stop repatriating North Korean refugees back to North Korea,
and ultimately, the prison camps that await them upon their return.

This egregious persecution is inhumane and completely unnecessary. Humanitarian agencies like the United Nations Refugee Agency are ready and willing to remove these refugees from China and relocate them to countries that have promised resettlement. But first we must get President Hu Jintao’s attention and encourage him to consider his alternatives. A letter bearing a long list of Congressional signatures could go a long way towards persuading him to do so.

Will you ask your U.S. Representative to sign this letter? It could literally save the lives of thousands of North Korean refugees.

Learn about more ways you can help North Koreans including joining us in Washington, D.C. for Lobby Day during North Korea Freedom Week.

Advocating with you,



Lindsay Vessey

Advocacy Program Manager