Salai Za Uk Ling, executive director of the human rights group, the Chin Human Rights Organization, testified at the hearing that the situation for Christ followers in the country is dire. “Since the military coup in Burma (Myanmar) four years ago, we have witnessed a systematic campaign of religious persecution, particularly targeting the Christian population in Chin State,” Ling...
The sanctions also act as a deterrent to those civilians considering aligning themselves with the State Administration Council (SAC) in light of the planned elections announced by the junta. These elections are widely viewed as an attempt to legitimize the military’s rule, and there will be individuals willing to collaborate to secure personal or political gain. Sanctions like these...
The video transcript of the proceeding of "Burma in Transition: Next Steps to Advance Religious Freedom and Improve Conditions for Religious Victims" is now available on the USCIRF YouTube channel. The text of CHRO's written testimony is also available.
Over the past two months, the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) has garnered significant media coverage for its efforts in highlighting the escalating humanitarian and human rights crises in Myanmar’s Chin State. In addition to Burmese-language papers, international outlets such as CNN, Reuters, USA Today, Al Jazeera, The Diplomat, and The New Humanitarian have spotlighted CHRO's crucial role in...
CHRO's advocacy extends to high-level international platforms. CHRO has periodically testified before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights, as well as Canadian, UK, and Australian Parliaments. CHRO’s expertise in religious freedom issues has been widely sought after by global leaders. The organization has provided multiple briefings to the UK Prime...
Community-Based Health Workers are critical in delivering healthcare services in liberated areas where formal healthcare infrastructure is lacking, and their presence not only strengthens healthcare systems but also contributes to peacebuilding and transitional governance efforts. Their work is vital to building a resilient, inclusive healthcare system, while simultaneously fostering confidence in long-term peace and federal governance structures that many in...
THE DIPLOMAT | Myanmar is currently at a pivotal moment, and the U.S. has the opportunity to turn the country’s crisis into a foreign policy success story. Supporting the country’s pro-democracy movement is both a moral imperative and a strategic necessity for Washington, writes CHRO Executive Director Salai Za Uk Ling
CHRO remains deeply committed to addressing the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crises in Burma while laying the foundation for a more just, equitable, and democratic future. By protecting rights, empowering people, building resilience, and promoting democracy, CHRO ensures that even in the face of immense challenges, the fight for justice and dignity continues.
The U.S. Government could consider increasing support for the investigation and documentation of human rights abuses committed by the SAC toward religious minorities in Burma, including abuses targeting Christians, and support ongoing attempts to hold the SAC accountable under universal jurisdiction.
USCIRF Hearing | 27 February| Expert witnesses, including from the Chin Human Rights Organization will discuss the ongoing conflict’s disastrous impact on religious freedom, updates on refugee conditions, and U.S. foreign policy options to address this persistent and deeply challenging situation.