January 21, 2024
In its annual list detailing countries of concern when it comes to persecution against Christians, the organization Open Doors International highlighted outbreaks of violence against sub-Saharan African Christians, where 16.2 million were forced out of their homes at the end of 2022. The World Watch report, published at the beginning of every year, tracks discrimination and violence against Christians and ranks countries based on the severity of the threats faced by Christian communities there. Read more here.
Join the Campaign to Free Kachin Baptist Pastor Hkalam Samson
Former president of Kachin Baptist Convention, Dr. Hkalam Samson, speaks at a rally in Myanmar. Credit: Radio Free Asia
As he attempted to get on a flight to Bangkok to receive medical treatment, prominent Kachin Baptist pastor, Dr. Hkalam Samson, was seized by the Burmese military on December 4th, 2022. 21Wilberforce is calling on the Burmese military junta to put an end to violence against the people of Burma, to surrender the power they seized during the 2021 coup, and to release Dr. Samson. To that end, 21Wilberforce is campaigning for members of the United States Congress to champion Dr. Samson’s case as a chance to highlight the need for freedom for all Burma. Read more here.
Global Freedom Network Africa Calls for Investigation of Attacks on Christians in Nigeria
As Christians, the world over were rejoicing in the euphoria of ushering in the celebration of the day commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, Christian communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local governments of Plateau State Nigeria were unaware of the calamity that was about to befall them. Unfortunately, what ought to be a night and morning of glad tidings turned out to be that of horror. According to the police, twelve communities in Bokkos and three in Barkin Ladi were attacked at about 2200hrs and 2245hrs on Christmas Eve respectively. Read more here.
Burma Atrocities in Chin State the Focus of IRF Summit 2024 Advocacy Event
Sleeping conditions in the jungle, where villagers are forced to flee. Credit: Free Burma Rangers
21Wilberforce will join with the Chin Association of Maryland (CAM), the U.S. Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the American Baptist Churches USA, and the Burma Advocacy Group to co-sponsor an event on January 29, 2024 held in Washington, DC highlighting the impact of the attacks on Christian communities in Burma. This event will take place on what is designated as “Advocacy Day” for the International Religious Freedom Summit 2024. The day prior to the IRF Summit is dedicated to religious freedom advocacy and activism on Capitol Hill. Read more here.
The State Dept. Presents 2024 International Religious Freedom Awards
In recognition of 25 years since the International Religious Freedom Act was signed by President Clinton on October 27, 1998, the Secretary of State held a special event to acknowledge the Department’s 2024 International Religious Freedom Award recipients. Read more here.
HELPFUL LINKS
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Jan. 4 the State Department redesignated a dozen nations as Countries of Particular Concern—a category reserved for nations that engage in or tolerate “systemic, ongoing and egregious violations” of religious freedom. USCIRF calls for Congressional hearing to probe why India and Nigeria were not on the list.
The IRF Summit 2024 is a civil society gathering for international religious freedom. Join with other advocates and activists from around the world on January 30-31 as we strive to ensure religious freedom for everyone, everywhere, all the time. Learn more here.