For the past 30 years, the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) has been at the forefront of promoting and defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Burma/Myanmar. Since its inception, CHRO has tirelessly worked to expose the religious persecution and systematic violations targeting minority communities, especially Christians in the Chin State and other parts of western Myanmar.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance – Article 18, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

CHRO’s achievements in advancing religious freedom are vast and far-reaching. Since 1999, CHRO’s work has been regularly cited and referenced in the U.S. Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report. This consistent contribution has played a crucial role in ensuring Burma’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for 25 consecutive years—an alarming testament to the ongoing religious persecution under successive Burmese regimes, including the current military junta.

Groundbreaking Reporting and International Advocacy

CHRO’s groundbreaking reports have shed light on the state-sponsored religious persecution in Myanmar. These include forced religious conversions, destruction of religious sites, and government policies that favor Buddhism while marginalizing non-Buddhist communities. CHRO’s work has directly contributed to thematic reports by UN Special Procedures, strengthening international understanding of the specific religious and ethnic discrimination faced by Chin and other minority groups.

The organization’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. These testimonies have helped shape international policies and sanctions targeting Myanmar’s military leaders responsible for human rights abuses, including religious repression.

Global Advocacy and Key Contributions to International Religious Freedom Efforts

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 Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief and other key policymakers involved in promoting religious freedom worldwide. These engagements have played a key role in shaping international responses to religious persecution in Burma, emphasizing the need for accountability and global action.

Moreover, CHRO’s leaders have made regular appearances in international media, raising awareness of the plight of persecuted communities in Myanmar. Through opinion pieces in regional and international publications, CHRO has amplified the voices of the marginalized, making religious freedom a global priority in Myanmar’s complex political landscape.

Continued Monitoring and Documentation of Violations Post-Coup

CHRO has been relentless in its monitoring and documentation of religious freedom violations in western Myanmar. As the military junta escalates its attacks on civilian areas, including religious sites, CHRO has exposed the devastating impacts of airstrikes and military campaigns that have deliberately targeted Christian churches and other places of worship. These atrocities have been widely condemned, adding further pressure on the international community to act.

Through its rigorous documentation of these violations, CHRO continues to uphold the principle that religious freedom is a fundamental human right that must be protected. The organization’s work is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and freedom in Myanmar.

A Proven Track Record of Religious Freedom and Rights Advocacy

For three decades, CHRO has been a champion for freedom of religion or belief in one of the world’s most repressive environments. By producing groundbreaking reports, testifying before international bodies, engaging with global policymakers, and documenting atrocities, CHRO has ensured that the religious persecution in Burma/Myanmar remains firmly on the international agenda.