Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) strongly condemns the destruction of another Christian cross in Chin State on the orders of Burma’s military regime.  CHRO has learned that the 23-foot high concrete Christian cross in the Mindat Township area, southern Chin State, was forcibly destroyed on 24 July by direct order of the authorities, including the District and Township level Peace and Development Council, the District Religious Affairs Department, and a Mindat abbot from the Hill Region Buddhist Mission. CHRO Executive Director Salai Bawi Lian Mang said, “This latest order for the forcible destruction of an important Christian symbol is yet another manifestation of the long-standing state policy of persecution and discrimination directed against ethnic Chin Christians.”

Since 1994, at least nine crosses have been destroyed or dismantled on the orders of the local authorities, in all of Chin State’s nine major Townships.

“The SPDC claims to respect religious freedom for all faiths in Burma and yet they are actively pursuing a policy to persecute religious minorities in contravention of their own constitution and other international human rights standards, which they claim to observe,” added Salai Bawi Lian Mang.

Originally built with wood, the cross was replaced with a concrete structure in 2008 with official permission from local authorities. The cross had been built on a 20-acre “Prayer Garden” that has traditionally carried spiritual significance for the local people.

Contact:

Salai Za Uk Ling, Program Director, zauk@chro.ca, Tel: +66.85.52.40.650 (Thailand Standard Time)
Rachel Fleming, Advocacy Director, rachel@chro.ca, Tel: +44.7970.671.758 (UK Standard Time)