Written by Mizzima Published in Myanmar The Chin Human Rights Organization on January 28 urged the Chin State government to overturn an order to dismantle and remove the cross from Caarcaang hill in Hakha town by January 30. Photo: Chinland Post/CHRO A call to uphold freedom of religion has been made by NGOs following an order by the Chin State government to remove a 54-foot-high Christian cross the authorities claim is erected illegally on a hill in Hakha town. The Chin Human Rights Organization on January 28 urged the Chin State government to overturn an order to dismantle and remove the cross from Caarcaang hill by January 30, and to drop what they say are trumped-up charges against U Tial Cem, a Chin elder involved in erecting the cross. U Tial Cem, has been accused of cutting down pine trees without official permission, in breach of Article 42 (b) of the 1992 Forest Law. He was due in court on January 28, one of several summonses he has been subjected to. He could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison if found guilty, the NGO reports. Legal action could also be taken against U J.P. Biak Tin Sang, also involved in erecting the cross. Speaking in support of the Chin NGO’s call, Mr Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said:“The destruction of Christian crosses in Chin State has long been a policy of the Burmese authorities, often accompanied by forcing Chin Christian villagers to build Buddhist pagodas in their place. If Burma is to proceed down a genuine path of reform, it must protect the most basic human right of freedom of religion, and allow Christians in Chin State to construct symbols of their religion in appropriate ways.” Mr Thomas, commenting in a press release, said: “The order to destroy this cross, and the prosecution of the Chin elder, illustrate once again that freedom of religion continues to be violated in Burma. We call on the authorities in Chin State to rescind the order to destroy the cross and to drop the charges against Tial Cem.” U Tial Cem told CHRO that he and a nearby land owner U J.P. Biak Tin Sang did not seek official permission for the cross as they did not believe it would be granted. Chin Christian organisations face discriminatory restrictions which make it virtually impossible to secure such official permission for religious monuments and buildings. The Chin NGO has detailed the persecution in their 2012 report, “Threats to Our Existence: Persecution of Ethnic Chin Christians in Burma,” which outlines the restrictions in detail and documents the destruction of 13 Christian crosses in Chin State, four of which were destroyed under President U Thein Sein’s government. U Salai Bawi Lian Mang, executive director of CHRO, said the order to remove the cross continues a decades-long pattern of religious discrimination against Chin Christians. CHRO says local people in Hakha have received written permission from the Hakha Township police force to hold demonstrations protesting the government order to remove the cross on February 2 and 3. Protest organisers have been informed by Chin State Chief Minister U Hung Ngai that the cross was planted without seeking official permission from the government, and was therefore illegal, but that the matter would be discussed further at a meeting of the Chin State cabinet, which is likely to take place in the week beginning February 2, the NGO reports. It remains to be seen if the order for the removal of the cross will be enforced on January 30, according to the NGO. http://mizzima.com/mizzima-news/myanmar/item/17295-ngos-upset-over-chin-government-call-to-remove-cross

NGOs upset over Chin government call to remove cross

Written by Mizzima Published in Myanmar A call to uphold freedom of religion has been made by NGOs following an order by the Chin State government to remove a 54-foot-high Christian cross the authorities claim is erected illegally on a hill in Hakha town. The Chin Human Rights Organization on January 28 urged the Chin

January 30, 2015 at 5:46 pm read more

DVB Bulletin: 28 January 2015

On tonight’s bulletin: Army denies culpability in Kachin murder case110 Burmese migrant workers detained in ThailandHuman Rights Watch, Freedom House release yearly reportsOver 1,000 bird species at home in BurmaYou can watch DVB Bulletin every weeknight on DVB TV after the 7 o’clock news.

January 30, 2015 at 5:26 pm read more

US Rights Envoy Warns of ‘Dangerous Intolerance’

By FELIZ SOLOMON / THE IRRAWADDY| Friday, January 16, 2015 | RANGOON — A high-level delegation of US officials on Thursday concluded a two-day US-Myanmar Human Rights Dialogue, the second iteration of what could become a regular affair between the US State Department and the Burmese government in efforts to smooth the edges of a

January 19, 2015 at 3:33 pm read more

Chin Farmers Who Alleged Army Torture Return to Village

By NOBEL ZAW / THE IRRAWADDY| Wednesday, October 15, 2014 RANGOON — Six ethnic Chin farmers who fled after having been arrested and allegedly tortured by the Burma Army returned to their village in Chin State’s Palatwa Township last week, a local community leader said, adding that the villagers were now demanding that an army

December 12, 2014 at 5:05 pm read more

Amnesty International – Myanmar: Farmers at risk after beating by soldiers

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December 12, 2014 at 5:00 pm read more

Army Tortured 6 Chin Farmers, Rights Group Alleges

Chin activists and a farmer speak during a press conference in Rangoon on Wednesday, during which they accused the Burma Army of torturing six Chin farmers. (Photo: Yen Snaing / The Irrawaddy)Chin activists and a farmer speak during a press conference in Rangoon on Wednesday, during which they accused the Burma Army of torturing six

December 12, 2014 at 4:33 pm read more

Amnesty International-Myanmar: Activists facing jail for peaceful protest

UA: 179/14 Index: ASA 16/015/2014 Myanmar Date: 18 July 2014 URGENT ACTIONACTIVISTS FACING JAIL FOR PEACEFUL PROTEST Eight Chin human rights defenders in Myanmar are facing imprisonment for peacefully protesting against impunity for sexual violence in Chin State. If convicted and jailed, Amnesty International would consider them prisoners of conscience.The eight activists – six women,

December 12, 2014 at 4:19 pm read more

Protests calling for end to raping ethnic women

Wednesday, 25 June 2014 11:55 Written by Thawng Zel Thang Published in Chin News 25 June 2014 – Hundreds of people staged separate peaceful protests in Rezua and Matupi, Chin State on Monday and Tuesday, calling for an immediate end to sexual violence against ethnic women. About 400 protesters in Rezua and over 200 in Matupi

June 26, 2014 at 4:09 pm read more

Chin woman seriously injured during attempted rape by Burma Army soldier

Monday, 23 June 2014 13:16 Written by Chinland Guardian 23 June 2014 – A Chin woman was subjected to a brutal beating during an attempted rape by a Burma Army soldier from Light Infantry Battalion No. 269 in Rezua Sub-township, Chin State on 10 June. The alleged perpetrator Private Myo Thura Kyaw grabbed the woman

June 26, 2014 at 4:03 pm read more

RFA Chin Radio

RFA Chin Radio Section (1) News1) Chin Scholar, Dr. Bianca Son Suantak mual in liamsan2) Paletwa Peng, Yat Chaung Tlangkulh ah ALP in Paisa khong3) Kum 2015-16 sungah Hakha-Matupi-Paletwa lamzin theh ding4) Phun 10 All D ngah ve tu, Falam Peng, Bualkhua mi, Mai Marry ih thu tawi5) Mway Taung, Pha Tuang thuhla Chin State

June 19, 2014 at 1:04 pm read more