Christian faith healing mafia centre in Kerala secretly

cremated murdered christians.

If you think ‘COMA’ type stories are possible only in the Western world,
think again. In Kerala, the church is involved in murders of the
christian faithful, who come to their faith healing centre. Recently in
Tamil Nadu, four bishops stole Rs 40 crore meant for the Tsunami
victims and some of them are arrested under goondas act. Kidney
sale is a fact in Tamil Nadu and some 500 poor persons were forced to
sell their kidneys to the christian hospitals operating there.

On 10 March 2006, the Kerala High Court issued an order with an

ultimatum to the government to make a thorough investigation on
the public allegation against the Christian Divine Retreat Centre in
Muringoor in Kerala state, India. Justice Padmananbhan Nair has
ordered the government to make a thorough investigation about
sexual abuse, homicide, foreign exchange violation, forceful
conversion, abduction, intimidation and imprisonment of unwilling
residents at the center. The court decided to conduct the inquiry after
receiving a complaint from a former christian employee of the centre.
Some of the inmates had made two video CDs and sent a letter to the
court for necessary action against the christian faith racket that was
going on in Kerala with political and police protection. Divine Retreat
Centre, started in the eighties, is a christian mafia faith healing centre.
For several years, the general public and civic leaders have complained
against Muringoor Christian center about the foreign currency
violation, sex abuse, misdemeanor, felony, forceful conversion, murder,
rape and abduction and medical malpractice committed at the center.
The Kerala christian Churches are organized on the lines of Italian
mafia and have undue influence on the government and government
officials have turned a deaf year to the public plea against the anti
social activities at the Center. Reluctantly, government has appointed
IG Winson M Paul to investigate the Muringoor Divine center. The
Marxist communist government of Kerala ordered only a partial
investigation for fear of Christian backlash.

One of the Muringoor Divine Center Director George Panackal filed a

law suit demanding one crore rupees for the police investigation and
the High Court had dismissed the frivolous law suit. Pinaroy Vijayan,
General Secretary of the Marxist communist Party, who was recently
caught with live cartridges at Chennai airport, paid a visit to the Center
and praised and admired their activities in public thus endorsing their
illegal activities.
Many inmates were murdered for their wealth and the centre used to
secretly cremate murdered bodies at the corporation graveyard in
Kalamassery. Divine Retreat Centre is involved in illegal foreign
funding to criminal and other activities. Many inmates were gone
missing from this christian mafia centre over the years. It has been
stated that almost twenty bodies have been burnt in the last four
years alone. Dasan, the watchman of the corporation graveyard in
Kalamassery said that he used to get Rs 750 for burning each body
and that it was the same person who used to bring the bodies from the
divine centre always. A christian doctor, Dr Thankamma Francis of the
divine centre was the doctor who always used to issue death certificate
to all those bodies cremated secretly. It should be noted that
christians are not cremated in Kerala and are buried. The police
investigation was carried out in Divine Retreat Centre on 30
September and 1 October 2006.

Sonia Gandhi had put christians in many states as the Inspector

General of Police and Kerala is also a christian by name Winson M.
Paul. The Kerala government had put Winson M. Paul for enquiring the
illegal activities in the Divine faith healing centre and constituted a
police team under him based on the court directive. Several public
servants such as Inspectors General of Police and the wife of a State
Minister are closely associated with the functioning of the Divine
Centre. They are also members of the Advisory Body of the centre. A
group of senior IAS, IPS and other government officials of Kerala are
working behind this 'underworld' operations of the faith healing centre.
This centre receives huge funds from the Social Welfare Department of
Kerala government. Some 9000 people are on the voters list of the
christian faith healing centre.

The congress party in India is christian controlled. The Italian catholic christian,
Antonia Maino alias Sonia Gandhi is the president of the congress party of India.
The congress party of Kerala state is headed by a christian who is a front man of a
Dubai based audio video piracy firm that operates on a much bigger scale worldwide
than that of Dawood Ibrahim’s set up in Dubai. Christian politicians of Kerala
like Umman Chandi and K.M.Mani were funded by this centre. Congress
party members boycotted the Kerala assembly proceedings when police raided the
christian faith healing centre in Muringoor, Kerala. The christian leaders like
K M Mani tried to paint that police misbehaved towards christian
patients including women at the centre to divert the public attention
from the main issue of dozens of murders in the christian faith healing
centre. The christian K.M. Mani was a former law minister and claimed
that police violated norms in the Criminal Procedure Code and
harassed HIV/AIDS patients who were being cured at the Divine faith
healing centre. K. M. Mani, on 3 October 2006 at the Divine Retreat
Centre stated that the faith healing centre has become an oasis for the
poor, sick people abandoned by medical science and a home of refuge
for the mentally challenged people. He said that he always visited the
centre as he also felt mentally challenged at times.

After cornering the private education field in Kerala with the political
clout, the Kerala christians are now concentrating on medical field to
raise funds for the christian conversion work going on in India manned
by the Kerala christians. With the advent of AIDS the christian church
concentrated on faith healing to make money. The faith healing
centers are a method to extract the last drop of blood from AIDS
patients, drug addicts and the like. The christian priests and nuns, who
form the slave labor force of the church runs educational institutions
and medical centers. The christian priest Fr.Augustine Vallooran, a
Director of Divine Retreat Centre was arrested by the police.

A Christian fanatic has issued a death threat to Justice Padmanabhan

Nair for ordering the state government to probe the unlawful and anti
social activities of the Muringoor Christian Divine Center. The Marxist
endorsement reinforced the Center to continue illegal activities and
motivated the Christian extremist to issue death threat against Justice
Padmananbhan Nair. The death threat was sent to Justice
Padmanabhan Nair from an Ernakulum Telephone Booth. The death
threat was specifically made to Justice Padmanabhan Nair warning
him that he will be murdered for ordering investigation against the
illegal activities and forceful homicide at the Christian Divine Center.
The death threat against Justice Padmanabhan Nair shows the danger
to India from the radical Christianity of India and its unholy nexus
between the Marxist Party.

The Kerala christians, who call themselves as Syrian christians and

claim that they are decedents of Brahmin converts of St. Thomas, are
the typical example of the christian frauds. The history of Christianity
is crowded with crimes against humanity of the most horrendous kind.
As many as 23,000 blatant forgeries and foisting of pious frauds were
done by christians. Starting with Jesus Christ, the entire doctrinal and
institutional edifice of Christianity rests on a series of staggering
swindles and lies. The book ‘Native life of Travancore’ written by The
Rev. Samuel Mateer F L S and published in 1883 have a chapter called
Syrian Christians from page 158. Rev. Samuel Mateer while traveling
throughout Kerala had stayed in many places and had talked with
many of the Kerala Syrian christians. He found that none of the
converts have heard of Jesus Christ and does not know why a cross
was being worshiped. Kotarakara Syrian church doorway was
sketched in his book and it shows a cock engraved along with the cross
and armed figures. The book clearly indicates that the Syrian
Christians of Kerala are the untouchable Hindu caste called ‘Paraya
community’ converts. The marriageable ages of boys were 10 years,
and that of the girls were 7 years. The married couple can enter the
house only after ‘nellum niram’ and with the lamp in the hand of the
girl. The women make ‘kurava’ a shrill cry during this time. Fasting
for the dead are kept for a year by a relative in the family. Syrian
Christians consult sorcerers and offerings are made to the demons
(Hindu Gods). When the head of the untouchable Hindu Paraya
community is dead, as per the customary caste law of Parayas, they
bury the corpus of the deceased head Parayas or moopan in sitting
posture instead of the usual practice of keeping the dead body in lying
position. Primitive burial practices of Parayas are still being practiced
by the Syrian christians in Kerala. The Syrian Christians of Kerala bury
the corpse of their christian bishops in the same manner as the Hindu
Parayas who bury their head Parayas or Moopan. The historical
records and even the burial patterns show that Syrian christians of
Kerala are Paraya converts. Syrian Christians of Kerala maintained the
ritual of offering obsequies for the souls of the dead ancestors as that
of the practice of Parayas. The obsequies for the dead ancestors
contained blood, flesh and intoxicating drinks. These are all typical
local Kerala customs of Paraya community. Pope Benedict XVI in 2006
said that St Thomas had preached Christianity in "western" India and
did not visit Kerala. The Kerala Paraya christian converts created two
conflicting stories to show that they are of higher Hindu caste converts
to Christianity. One group of Paraya christians, created a story that
they were converts of Brahmins, by St. Thomas who had arrived in
Kerala in 52AD. This fake St. Thomas story is proved to be a fraud
after the present Nazi Pope Joseph Ratzinger, who was a Hitler Youth
and head of Opus Dei, told that St. Thomas visited the present
Pakistan and never went to Kerala. This crooked Paraya christians of
Kerala operating from Tamil Nadu even created martyrdom for St.
Thomas in Chennai, in a fake story in which st. Thomas was killed by a
Brahmin. They destroyed the Kapileswara temple near the seashore
with the help of Europeans and constructed a St. Thomas church using
some of the temple stones. These Paraya christians of Kerala created
a St. Thomas mount in Chennai from where they are now selling
sacred Thomas sand by the kilos, claiming that Thomas walked all over
that area. Another group of Paraya christian converts of Kerala claims
that they are refugees from Syria in AD 352, and created fake copper
agreements in Portuguese language from Kerala Kings to prove their
arrival etc. The Paraya christians of Kerala, and the terrorist muslims
of Kerala migrated to Tamil Nadu to further their activities. Christians
along with the British created and propagated the Aryan invasion
theory which convinced the black Tamils that they are an inferior
community different from the fair Brahmins. This propaganda has
created a Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu and created Tamil
Terrorists like E.V. Ramasami Naicker also known as Periyar or EVR. In
Tamil Nadu and Kerala many dirty criminal Christian frauds happened.
The International Institute of Tamil Studies, sponsored and funded by
the Government of Tamil Nadu, had published in 1985-86 a book titled
Viviliyam, Tirukkural, Shaiva Siddhantam Oppu Ayu. The writer of the
book was a Christian by name M. Deivanayakam. The University of
Madras had conferred a doctor’s degree on the author for writing this
dissertation. The thesis propounded by him was that the ancient Tamil
saint, Tiruvalluvar, had become a disciple of St. Thomas and converted
to Christianity. N. Krishnaswami Reddiar, a retired judge’ of the high
court denounced Deivanayakam’s book as “trash in the name of
research.” The visit of St. Thomas to India was a myth, and wondered
how a book like that by Deivanayakam could be published by an
institute set up by the Government and honored by the University of
Madras with a doctorate. Dr. R. Nagaswami, eminent archaeologist,
also censored the institute and the university for sponsoring a spurious
thesis, and said that the St. Thomas story “was a ruse to spread
Christianity in India which is now confirmed by the Pope himself.
Deivanayakam had collaborated with Dr. R. Arulappa, the Catholic
Archbishop of Madras, in writing another but similar book, Perinbu
Villakku, published in 1975. The Archbishop had also tried to prove
that Tiruvalluvar had come in contact with St. Thomas during the
latter’s travels in South India, and converted to Christianity. But he
had gone much further, and forged ‘evidence’ on palm-leaf scrolls in
support of his thesis. He had employed a Hindu scholar of Christianity,
Ganesh Iyer, for this purpose, and paid him to the tune of 15 lakh
rupees. The fraud had been exposed when someone put the police on
the trail of Ganesh Iyer. The case had dragged on in the Madras
metropolitan court from 1980 to 1986 when Ganesh Iyer was
sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment on various counts. But Dr.
Arulappa had got him acquitted by means of a civil suit for
compromise filed in the Madras High Court at the same time that the
criminal case was going on. Ganesh Iyer had spilled the beans soon
after.

Christian Slave traders of yesterday are the human rights activists of

today. Christianity a trillion dollar business built on fraud and Greatest
Cover Up in History. Christians are a fifth column community in India.
Kerala Paraya Christians moved in to Tamil Nadu to create fake
histories because they found that Tamilians left in Tamil Nadu have low
IQ or no IQ at all. Nehru’s illegitimate child was growing up in a
christian orphanage in Bangalore, and this enabled them to blackmail
Nehru to allow the missionaries to have conversion by gun, in the
North East states of India. Antonia Maino coming from the lowest
strata of Italy and an illiterate girl, working as a barmaid in UK was
presented by Opus Dei and KGB in front of Rajiv Gandhi to continue
the hold of christians in India. Christians who worked as the agents of
the British were en masse killed in Delhi, during the first war of
Independence in 1857. Recently christian members of Indian
Parliament elected from all states had attended a meeting of a
christian terrorist group of North Eastern states. This christian terrorist
group of North East calls for the creation of christian nations out of
North East India and the christian MPs promised them help. Recently
Manipur’s congress party chief minister Ibobi Singh donated Rs 1.5
Crore to christian separatists. US Senator Barbara Boxer and ex
President Jimmy Carter calls for Nagaland to secede from India. You
have to understand that the Christian missionaries and militants have
been working for years to bring most of the states of the northeast to
secede from India to become a separate Christian country, even if it
means by force and brutality. For example, few people seem to be
aware that in the small state of Tripura alone, over 10,000 people have
been killed in the past 20 years by Christian militants through what
you could call ethnic cleansing. The killing is done to instill fear in
those who are not Christian, or who do not want to separate from
India. And these militants are often supported by the Christian groups
who provide money and reasoning for what they do. Southern Baptist
Church forcing conversions at gun point. The Baptist Church in
southern USA and the Presbyterian Church of the UK fund the Baptist
Christian terrorists that are active in India's North-East. Ex-Chief
Election Commissioner, T.N. Seshan, told this in a discussion in 1993.
the terrorist groups like NLFT. The Christian Groups in America that
fund armed insurgents in north east India to carry out ethnic cleansing
and killing in India should be declared as terrorist organizations by the
Indian government. Billy Graham well known Baptist leader openly
praised the christian naga terrorists who had killed some 300,000 Hindus
in North East. The Nagas, The NLFT, The NDFB are all Baptists are
christian terrorists and interestingly they all share terrorist camps with
islamists of Al-Quaida. Christianity is the result of a huge conspiracy and is the
single most dangerous organization on earth that caused the death of half a billion
humans in the name of religion. Islam pales in to insignificance as a terror
organization in front of Christianity with only seventy five million human beheadings
to its credit.

http://www.kaumudi.com/news/101806/kerala.stm
http://www.haindava keralam.org/ PageModule. aspx?PageID=
2885&SKIN=C
http://www.malayalavedhi.com/wbboard/threadid.php?boardid=13&th
readid=4689
Pope pops St Thomas bubble in Kerala, November 24, 2006
http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&
subsection=inbombay&xfile=November2006_inbombay_standard1146
1
http://ia.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/22pope.htm
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid
=36118&PHPSESSID=f685d32742085c8c740ed937db04195e
Indians demand answers from Sonia Gandhi on her links
http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2005/08/29347_comment.php
mailto:
Terrorists in North-East India get support from America
http://www.freeindiamedia.com/current_affairs/21_july_current_affair
s.htm
http://tripurainfo.com/insurgency/sekhar3.shtml
church backing Tripura rebels
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/717775.stm
NOW A CHRISTIAN-HINDU DIVIDE IN TRIPURA VILLAGES
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_129174,0009.htm
Here is a Baptist website
http://www.srt.com/baptist/missions21.html
Exodus from Manipur continues
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess
=1&id=10546
Dutch support revealed for rebels",
www.tehelka.com/channels/investigations/2000/oct/9/in100900dutch.
htm .
Terror in Tripura etc
www.flonnet.com/fl1712/17120410.htm.
www.himalmag.com/december2001/essay.htm.
www.rediff.com/news/2001/aug/06naga.htm.
www.satp.org.
www.nenanews.com/OT%20Dec.22-%20Jan.6,%2001/oh4.htm.
www.rediff.com/news/2001/aug/08nscn.htm.
http://www.northeastvigil.com/newsarch/16042000i.htm#i01.
http://www.northeastvigil.com/newsarch/01072000i.htm#i24.
NSCN's dinner diplomacy with Christian MPs
http://www.keralanext.com/news/index.asp?id=142486

Christianity faith_healing Kerala

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

[India News]: Guwahati,From peace talks to dinner diplomacy, an influential tribal

separatist group in Nagaland is making an all out effort to end more than six
decades of violent insurgency in the region.

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) is meeting a group of Christian

parliamentarians from across India over dinner at a hotel in New Delhi Thursday to drum
up support for its demand for merger of tribal Naga inhabited areas in the northeast.

Announcement

Click Here for India - Pakistan Cricket Live Scores

"In all we have invited 30 Christian MPs from various parties as part of our mission to
interact with all lawmakers irrespective of political and religious affiliations," senior
NSCN leader V.S. Atem.

"We want the MPs to understand our problems in the right perspective and hence a
meeting that is to be followed by dinner. We have in the past met MPs for other parties
who were Hindus, Muslims or even atheists," Atem told IANS by telephone from New
Delhi.

The dinner meeting with the Christian lawmakers, to be hosted by NSCN general
secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, assumes significance with the rebel group believing in the
doctrine of 'Nagaland for Christ'.
The NSCN, the oldest and the most powerful of around 30 rebel armies in India's
northeast, wants the creation of a Greater Nagaland by slicing off parts of neighbouring
states of Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh that has sizeable Naga tribal
populations.

The NSCN is currently holding peace talks with New Delhi after the two sides entered
into a ceasefire in 1997.

"I think we all must attend the meeting and try and know what is the progress of the talks
and the demands of the NSCN for better understanding of the problem," said Wangyuh
Konyak, Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland, who is also one of the invitees.

"People should know what the real problems are so that we can reach a permanent
solution to our problems," Konyak told IANS by telephone from New Delhi.

A fresh round of talks between Indian negotiators and the NSCN leadership begins in
New Delhi Wednesday. "We are very hopeful to find a lasting solution. Dates for further
talks will be fixed at the end of Wednesday's meeting," Atem said.

]
comments

The most communalised poision in India are the christians. What is the role of
christianity has to do with the North East terrorism. It is clear from this meeting that
christians are crass communal entity. It is like all muslim MPs meeting Osama Bin Ladin
or the Kashmir terrorists in India.
How come there are 30 christian MPs whereas the christian population in India is just
2.3% and that too distiributed. It is clear that foolish Hindus gave votes for these
christians. It can also mean that christians are concentrated in specific pockets in India.
Yet not a single newspaper commented about this communal approach of christian MPs.
This shows that the christians have a firm control on our media.
The arrival of Sonia in India and the house to house conversion effort being done by the
chritian mafia is an indiacation that we are marked for elimination as a nation.
It is time Hindus wake up to the christian threat.

http://www.cswusa.com/Reports%20Pages/Reports.htm

REPORTS Return to HOME VIEW ALL

REGIONS
Regional reports are listed by country or region, and then chronologically, with the most
recent report listed first. To view that report, simply click on your topic of choice

Afghanistan
November 13, Aid Workers Moved to Kandahar as Taliban Retreats
2001
September 19, Detained Aid Workers Desperately Need Our Prayers!
2001
August 17, 2001Christian Aid Workers Arrested in Afghanistan

Armenia (see "Nagorno Karabakh")

Bangladesh
June 11, 2003 Bangladeshi Missionary Escapes From Terrorists
June 10, 2003 Please Pray and Protest for Christians in Bangladesh
December 13, Religious Minorities victimized after new party elected
2001

Belarus
November 13, Commissioner Shea to Address Religious Freedom at Belarus
2002 Conference

Bhutan
June 1, 2001 Christians forced to take oath affirming allegiance to
Buddhism

Burma
December 14, Regime carrying out genocide claims new report
2004
December 3, Three thousand displaced as army attacks Karen
2004 villages
July 7, 2004 Hundreds of Karenni displaced while Burma's junta
talks peace
June 16, 2004 Hundreds of birthday cards sent to Burmese Nobel
Laureate
May 27, 2004UK Parliamentarians support Burma's democracy groups
May 18, 2004 Send a birthday card and pray for Burma's democracy
leader
May 17, 2004 Burma's junta begins "sham" national convention
 April 23, 2004 BaronessCox and John Bercow MP to present fresh
evidence of ethnic cleansing
March 31, 2004 Christian Children Forced to Become Novice Buddhist
Monks by Burmese Regime
January 21, Thousands more civilians attacked in Burma as ceasefire talks
2004 start
November 7, CSW Welcomes BAT Decision to Pull Out of Burma
2003
May 6, 2003 Christian Political Prisoner, Dr. Salai Tun Than Released After
Hunger Strike
February 28, CSW calls on world to keep watch and pray for Burma
2003
February 11, Child Soldiers And Gang-Rape Survivors Give Testimonies
2003
August 21, 2002 Crackdown on NGOs and Burmese Political Groups in Thailand
July 18, 2002 CSW Calls for International Intervention for "Hunted" Ethnic
Minorities in Burma
July 5, 2002 Urgent Appeal for Burma
May 8, 2002 Internally Displaced Settlement Torched on Day of Daw Suu
Kyi's Release
May 13, 2002 Good News: Burmese Pastor Released
April 16, 2002 Petition for Chin Baptist Ministers
April 16, 2002 Two Baptist Ministers Detained in Insein Prison
April 10, 2002 Baptist Convention Banned
March 28, 2002 Thousands of civilians flee latest attack by Burmese army
March 4, 2002 James Mawdsley to speak at Burma Day of Prayer on March
9
January 11, Refugee Camp Destroyed as Part of Ongoing Persecution
2002
December 4, CSW calls on MPs to support Nobel winner Aung San Suu
2001 Kyi in Burma
September 28, Military regime in Burma enacts new law to stop church
2001 services
September 7, James Mawdsley to Call on International Community
2001
August 2001 Update on Burma from Andrew Walker
July 20, 2001 Female pastor sentenced to two years hard labor

China
December 13, Urgent Action for China 12-13-04
2004
August 20, Fresh arrests as China pursues religious crackdown
2004
August 18, News from China
2004
August 10, Aid worker released after serving sentence for helping
2004 North Koreans
August 9, 2004 More than 100 Christians arrested and three others
 sentenced for exposing persecution
August 5, 2004 Pray for three Christians facing trial in China
July 21, 2004 Urgent action for arrested house church leaders
July 21, 2004 House churches newly targeted as more than 100
leaders arrested
July 16, 2004 Chinareleases prisoners accused of helping North
Koreans - but others remain in prison
June 25, 2004 Prayer for Japanese aid worker
June 15, 2004 Urgent Action on behalf of over 100 arrested church
leaders
June 15, 2004Over 100 Chinese house church leaders arrested in new crackdown
April 21, 2004Tortured Chinese pastor pleads for prison transfer before he is killed
April 20, 2004 Urgent action for Pastor Gong
April 15, 2004 UN fails to criticize China's rights record despite
compelling testimony
February 20, Prayer request for China
2004
January 14, URGENT ACTION: China Arrests North Koreans and Aid
2004 Workers
June 11, 2003Urgent Appeal For Chinese Pastor Gong
October 10, Hasty Retrial of 17 Convicted
2002
June 20, 2002 Chinese Church Leaders Freed After Abduction
June 19, 2002 Good News: CGF Members Released
April 30, 2002Christian leaders feared abducted by cult in China
March 22, 2002 Backlash on North Koreans Because of Asylum-Seekers in
China
March 14, 2002 North Korean refugees seek protection in Spanish Embassy in
Beijing
February 12, Official Chinese documents provide evidence of Religious
2002 persecution
January 17, Two Founders of South China Church on Death Row
2002
August 2, 2001 Church leaders arrested in China in ongoing campaign against
unregistered church

Colombia
September 7, Addresses for letters of encouragement to Christians
2004 attacked in Colombia
September 6, Prayer after attack on Colombian church
2004
February 4, 2004 Thank you from Colombian human rights worker
January 16, Please help Ricardo Ballestas
2004
November 12, Institute Disturbed by Kidnapping of Latin American
2002 Roman Catholic Bishops
March 18, 2002 CSW calls on Colombian government to bring murderers of
 Archbishop to justice
September 25, Families Grieve After Three Missing Missionaries Are
2001 Declared Dead
August 15, 2002 17-Year-Old Killed in Attack on Peace Community

Cuba
December 2, Prayer for possible release of Dr. Biscet
2004
December 2, Prominent Christian human rights activist could be set
2004 for release
July 13, 2003 Urgent action for two mistreated prisoners of conscience
July 7, 2004 Cuban Christian prisoner of conscience denied food
April 29, 2004 Update on Juan Carlos
April 27, 2004 Blind Christian lawyer given four years for his stand for
human rights
April 23, 2004 CSW calls for international observers to attend trial of
blind Christian activist
March 9, 2004Cuban about to start 15th year in prison just for calling for ref orms
March 4, 2004CSW calls for the release of Blind Human Rights Activist in Cuba
January 15, Fears Rise for Cuban Christian Political Prisoner
2004
October 30, Hurry! Urgent Action for blind Cuban human rights activist
2003
April 16, 2003Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet of Cuba Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison
April 9, 2003Cuban Christian Faces 25 Years in Prison For Promoting Human
Rights
March 14, 2003CSW Presses For Release of Cuban Prisoner of Conscience
December 11, Letter campaign for human rights activist rearrested in
2002 Cuba
December 9, Human Rights Activist Rearrested After Peaceful Protest
2002
December 5, Blind Cuban Lawyer Continues Protest After Three Months on
2002 Hunger Strike
September 6, Activist Faces Up to Six Years in Prison for "Resisting Authority"
2002
June 6, 2002 Blind Human Rights Activist Says Thanks
May 7, 2002 Imprisoned Activist Demands Medical Attention
April 30, 2002 Urgent Action for Blind Cuban Human Rights Activist
March 19, 2002 Blind Christian Human Rights activist beaten and imprisoned
March 1, 2002 Christian prisoner too ill to carry out hunger strike
February 25, Political prisoner on hunger strike to draw attention to human
2002 rights abuses

East Timor
August 1, 2001 The girl who saw too much
August 1, 2001 Uneasy Road to Independence
Egypt
June 15, 2004 Justice again eludes victims of El Kosheh violence in
Egypt
April 14, 2004 CSW praises Egypt for preventing religious violence
December 8, Update: Tortured Christian Woman Released on Bail
2003
December 3, Christian Woman Tortured for Helping Converts Change their ID
2003 Cards
May 14, 2003Christian Teenager Abducted by Muslim Neighbor in Egypt Restored
to Her Family
February 28, EGYPT: Shock Acquittals at El Kosheh Retrial
2003
January 27, Families Of Murdered Egyptian Christians Still Await Justice For
2003 Millennium Murders
December 19, Christmas Day Declared a National Holiday For the First Time in
2002 Egypt
February 18, Christians and Muslims clash as church bells ring for the first
2002 time
August 8, 2001 Egyptian Christians celebrate news of retrial after Millennium
massacre
July 24, 2001 Young children threatened with permanent separation from
their mothers
April 1, 2001 Fears for Copts, after failure of justice

Eritrea
February 23, More than 100 Christian children detained by
2005 government forces
February 18, Eritrean task force aims to purge country of Christians
2005
January 26, Fresh arrests in Eritrea
2005
December 13, Urgent action for Eritrea 12-13-04
2004
November 29, Three orthodox priests arrested in ongoing religious
2004 persecution
April 2, 2004 Christian Families Jailed for Praying Together
August 20, 2003 Protestors for religious freedom outside Eritrean Embassy in
London
September 12, Church Closures Accompany New Wave of Intolerance
2002 in Eritrea

France
April 15, 2002 Commission Deplores Anti-Semitic Attacks
January 23, French legislation threatens religious freedom
2001
Greece
December 13, Court victory for Pentecostals after charges brought by
2001 Orthodox Church are dropped

Haiti
August 13, 2003 Religious Persecution Intensifies In Haiti

India
January 10, Indian priest attacked in church on Christmas Eve
2005
October 14, Indian Christians attacked in ongoing campaign of
2004 violence
September 15, Update on recent attacks upon Christians in India
2004
July 8, 2004 Urgent action to protect Indian Christians
May 20, 2004 Repeal of anti-conversion law promised after shock
Indian election result
April 21, 2004 Correction to Indian missionary killer contests Indian
election
April 20, 2004 Missionary killer Dara Singh contests Indian elections
February 25, Urgent Action India: Persecution Escalates
2004
September 23, Ringleader of missionary killers sentenced to death in Indian
2003 cou rt
January 17, American Missionary Attacked and Severely Injured in India
2003
December 9, Ian Stillman Finally Free!
2002
December 6, Police Obstruct Mass Conversions of Untouchables to Buddhism
2002 and Christianity
November 4, Dalits Protest Violence, Many Will Embrace Christianity
2002
October 28, You can protest new Indian state law
2002
October 22, Anti-Conversion Ordinance Blatantly Anti-Dalit, Says
2002 Christian Council
October 10, New Law in Indian State Threatens Christian
2002 Conversions
June 7, 2002 GFA Student Murdered In Kashmir
June 5, 2002 New Evidence on Mass Killings in India Prompts
Commission to Hold Hearing
April 26, 2002 AICC, CSW call for resignation of Gujarat chief minister over
failure to control riots
 April 4, 2002 Continue to Prayer for Ian Stillman, Jailed in India
November 5, Thousands gather in Delhi for mass conversion rally
2001
August 2001 New All-India Christian Council Website
August 21, Update on Ian Stillman
2001
August 10, Nun Shot in Face As Threats to Indian Christians Grow
2001

Indonesia
November 10, Unjustly imprisoned church leader released early
2004
September 29, Imprisoned minister could be released in November
2004
July 20, 2004 Protestant pastor shot dead during church service
April 30, 2004 Bishop pleads for help as death toll in Ambon rises
April 27, 2004 Urgent action for Indonesia as conflict erupts
April 26, 2004 Ambon in flames as demonstration leads to violence
April 19, 2004 Church attacked on Easter Saturday; church leader
shot in drive-by shooting
November 10, Imprisoned Indonesian Minister Thanks Supporters for Nearly
2003 15,000 Letters
September 19, Message of thanks from imprisoned Indonesian church leader
2003
September 15, Civil emergency status lifted from Maluku Islands of Indonesia
2003
September 11, Take action for imprisoned Indonesian church leader
2003
June 16, 2003 Church Leader Gets Three Years for Weapons Possession
December 26, Indonesian Pastor Poisoned While In Police Custody
2002
August 13, 2002 Poso A Sea of Fire
June 5, 2002 Violent conflict erupts again in the Moluccas Islands
June 5, 2002 Acts of Terrorism in Indonesia Overlooked by Foreign Press
April 29, 2002 Attack on Christian village in Moluccas Islands leaves 12
dead
April 8, 2002 Call
for Government Intervention in Rising Tensions After
Bomb Blast Kills Six
March 19, 2002 Indonesian Spice Islands' peace plan in danger of collapse
January 2, 2002 New Year Greeted with Bomb Blasts
December 20, Prayers Needed for Indonesia
2001
December 7, Indonesia - Sulawesi Island
2001
December 5, Encouraging News from Poso/ Tentena, Indonesia
2001
November 23, Catholic church compound under Jihad militant attack
2001
November 12, Update on Poso
2001
 August 1, 2001 Father dies shielding two-year-old daughter from bayonets
June 1, 2001 16-year-old victim of forced circumcision speaks out
April 1, 2001 Christians forced to convert and be circumcised

Iraq
August 2, 2004 CSW condemns attempt to create inter-religious conflict after
churches bombed

Jordan
October 8, 2004 Sunday court hearing in Qandah case
September 17, Siham Qandah Sunday court hearing
2004
September 1, New update on Jordanian widow
2004
June 22, 2004 June update on Siham Qandah
April 7, 2004 April Update on Siham Qandah
September 19, Jordanian Christian widow's fight to keep her children
2003
July 23, 2003Update on Siham Qandah
May 2, 2003Jordanian Christian Widow Given Time in Fight to Keep Her
Children
February 3, Desperate call for help for Siham Qandah of Jordan
2003
January 23, Jordanian Widow in Hiding Again After Court Orders Her to
2003 Surrender Her Children
October 10, URGENT Intervention Needed for Siham Qandah
2002
October 9, 2002Jordanian Christian Widow Given Five Days to Surrender Her
Children
October 8, 2002 Please Pray for Siham
April 10, 2002CORRECTION to: Jordanian Christian Widow
April 10, 2002Jordanian Christian Widow Ordered to Surrender Her Children to a
Muslim

Kazakhstan
January 29, Proposed Legislation Raises New Concern for Religious
2002 Freedom

Laos
August 20, Religious freedom in Laos: Persecution alongside
2004 progress
August 6, 2004 Improvement for Christians in Laos
March 10, 2004 Christians threatened with death unless they give up thei
r faith
 March 1, 2004Christians in Laos under threat of death
August 22, Twelve imprisoned Christians in Laos told to confess to trumped up
2003 charges
July 10, 2001 Seven Church leaders forced to renounce their faith at
gunpoint
April 1, 2001 Christians forced to drink blood and sign forms renouncing
their faith

Malaysia
October 20, Christian Human Rights Activist Found Guilty After Longest Trial in
2003 Malaysian History
November 7, Churches torched by Islamic extremists in Malaysia in
2001 reaction to war in Afghanistan

Mexico
February 18, Urgent Action for Mexico
2004
October 25, Call for Justice for Murdered Human Rights Lawyer
2002
November 12, Murder of lawyer leads to call for better protection for human
2001 rights workers

Nagorno Karabakh

Nepal
June 1, 2001 New bus means more pupils can get to school in Nepal

Nigeria
November 22, Message of reconciliation from former religious enemies
2004
October 22, Sharia court sentences Nigerian woman to death for
2004 adultery
September 28, CSW calls for prayer on October 9th for Nigerian Christians
2004 murdered by Islamic militants
August 5, 2004 Nigerian nurses reinstated after refusing to wear Islamic
dress
May 19, 2004 State of emergency in Nigerian state after hundreds of
lives lost
May 13, 2004Outbreak of religious violence in Nigeria
April 7, 2004Nigerian churches burned amid sectarian violence
March 8, 2004 Christians axed to death in Nigerian church
September 25, Nigerian mother's successful appeal against death by stoning
 2003
August 28, Decision on stoning of Nigerian woman postponed
2003
June 4, 2003Update on Amina Lawal, Sentenced to Death For Adultery in Nigeria
April 11, 2003Jihad Attacks on Non-Muslims in Nigeria Claim Thousands of Lives
November 22, Christians Killed, Churches Burned in Riots Sparked by Miss World
2002 Protests
November 15, Christian Woman Forcibly Married then Raped after
2002 Shar'ia Law Imposed
September 17, Bombing of Church in Nigeria on Anniversary of Twin
2002 Towers Attack
July 18, 2002 Christians Attacked and Killed by Islamic Fanatics
December 4, Two Christians killed, nine churches vandalized in protest
2001 against evangelist's visit

North Korea
August 10, CSW welcomes appointment of UN Special Rapporteur
2004 on human rights
April 20, 2004 Urgent action for North Korean in China
April 15, 2004 CSW welcomes establishment of UN Special
Rapporteur on North Korea
February 13, Fears for Safety of Man Who
Exposed Chemical Weapons
2004 Testing on Political Prisoners
September 19, House of Lords delegation returns from six-day visit to North Korea
2003
April 11, 2003 Resolution on Human Rights Abuses in North Korea Tabled
for first time at the UN
March 28, 2003Escapees Tell UN of Appalling Human Rights Abuses in Prison
Camps
December 10, Horror of North Korean Prison Camps Revealed in Report
2002
November 6, Legislation to Allow North Koreans to Apply for Refugee
2002 Status or Asylum
August 15, Urgent Concern for 12 High Profile North Koreans
2002 Facing Repatriation
August 15, Father in Anguish as Family Face Repatriation and
2002 Severe Penalties
June 20, 2002 Commission to Testify at Senate Hearing on North Korean
Refugees
May 31, 2002 South Korean Mother Weeps for Repatriated Son
May 31, 2002 URGENT: Appeal to Halt Execution of North Korean
Christian
March 2, 2002 Backlash on North Koreans
October 2001 Atrocities in North Korea: Speaker Shares Testimony

Pakistan
November 5, Pakistani religious minorities say blasphemy law reforms not
2004 enough
 September 6, Second Pakistani Christian tortured to death by police in
2004 four months
July 15, 2004 Pakistani government drafts bill to revise discriminatory
laws
July 8, 2004 Urgent: A call to prayer for Pakistan - Sunday, 18 July
June 1, 2004 Pakistani Christian dies - CSW urges supporters to pray
and campaign
May 28, 2004Pakistani Christian accused of blasphemy in critical condition after
attack
May 24, 2004 Urgent action requested for Pakistan
May 5, 2004 Pakistani Christian dies of torture at hands of Islamists
December 4, Human Rights Defender Has Travel Ban Lifted Thanks to YOU!
2003
November 4, Take action for human rights defender harassed in Pakistan
2003
July 16, 2003Pakistani Priest Gunned Down
June 11, 2003Pakistani Christian Set Free After Over Four Years in Prison For
Blasphemy
May 21, 2003Nine Year Old Christian Girl Sexually Assaulted as Punishment for
War in Iraq
May 12, 2003 Another Christian Child Raped in Pakistan
April 29, 2003Christian Found Guilty of Blasphemy After Trial Filled with Islamic
Extremists
April 8, 2003Christian-Falsely Accused, Tortured and Murdered
March 20, 2003 Saleem and Rasheed Masih of Pakistan Released!
March 19, 2003Extremists Incite Violence Against Christians at Anti-War Rallies in
Pakistan
November 18, Institute Disturbed by Changes in Pakistani Anti-Terror Law
2002
September 25, Christian Human Rights Workers Executed During Attack in
2002 Pakistan
September 16, Prominent Pakistani Christian Warns of "Reign of Terror"
2002 if Iraq Attacked by America
August 15, Supreme Court Acquits Ayub Masih
2002
August 15, Blasphemy Prisoner Acquitted After Six Years in Prison
2002
August 15, Good News - Ayub Masih Set Free After Six Years in Prison
2002
August 15, Pakistani Christian on Death Row Released After Appeal to
2002 Supreme Court!
August 12, Four Nurses Killed in Grenade Attack on Christian Hospital
2002
July 4, 2002 Rape of Christian Girl Ignored by Police
July 1, 2002 Christian Girl Raped by Muslim Landlord
June 20, 2002 Lawyers Defending Christians Receive Death Threats
June 13, 2002 Muslim Cleric, Convicted of Blasphemy, Shot Dead in Prison
June 7, 2002 GFA Student Murdered In Kashmir
April 11, 2002 Attack on Church by Youths with Machine Guns
March 18, 2002 Musharraf called to strengthen clampdown after attack on
church leaves five dead
 February 20, Man on death row for blasphemy given leave to appeal
2002
January 17, Religious minorities celebrate as Pakistan returns to single
2002 electoral system
October 29, Massacre in Church shows extent of threat to Christian
2001 minority
October 12, President Musharraf assures religious minorities of his
2001 protection
August 23, Urgent Plea for Ayub Masih
2001
August 17, Ayub Masih Death Penalty Verdict Upheld
2001
July 20, 2001 Christian blames Muslim extremists for robbery and rape of
his wife
June 21, 2001 Christians call on new President to honor pledge to reform
electoral system
January 26, Christians detained and charged for Evangelizing in Pakistan
2001

Peru
March 9, 2005 Mistaken identity leads to arrest of church leader for
terrorism
February 17, Urgent prayer for Peruvian human rights defender
2005
May 11, 2004 Prayer for Peruvian Christian
November 4, Human Rights Conference venue for book launch
2003
August 26, 2003 Innocent Christian prisoner released from prison in Peru after
seven years
October 16, 2002 Seventeen prisoners to be freed in Peru gives new
hope
September 20, Christians in Peru Still Awaiting Freedom
2002
July 4, 2002 Invitation to join the Peruvian Day of the Prisoner
June 6, 2002 Urgent Prayers and Action Needed for Peruvian
June 6, 2002 Falsely Accused Prisoner Has Further Wait for Justice
January 18, President Toledo apologizes to freed prisoners, offers
2002 compensation
December 20, Husband and wife freed after being wrongfully imprisoned
2001 for eight years
December 13, Three prisoners released but hundreds more still await
2001 justice
December 13, Petition for a Peruvian Couple
2001
November 30, Peruvian Prisoners End Hunger Strike
2001
November 22, Christian prisoners in Peru go on indefinite hunger strike
2001
 August 15, 2001 Peruvian Prisoner Released on Interim President's Last Day
July 24, 2001 Call for President to pledge support for newly formed truth
commission
January 25, 2001 Peru
prisoners released

Philippines
June 11, 2002 Update on Burnhams, Missionaries to the Philippines

Russia
May 16, 2002 PresidentBush Should Meet With Non-Orthodox Christians
During Trip to Russia
October 10, Revolutionary new foster care seeks social services support
2001
August 1, 2001 Brighter outlook for orphans in Russia as CSW pilots new
foster care
August 1, 2001 Moves against "Missionary threat"

Saudi Arabia
September 16, Indian Christian falsely accused
2004
September 15, Urgent Action for Brian O'Connor
2004
March 16, 2004 CSW Welcomes New Saudi Arabian Human Rights
Association
June 28, 2002 New ICC Petition to the President
May 20, 2002 Two Men Deported for Owning Bible and Christian CDs
January 30, Christian to be deported after months in prison
2002
December 31, 13 Christians to see in the New Year behind bars
2001
November 1, Petition for Saudi Arabia Detainees
2001
October 3, 2001 Crackdown on Christians intensifies in Bin Laden's homeland
August 23, 2001 Crackdown on Christians Worsens After Six More Arrests
August 13, 2001 Christian "Coma Victim" Deported

Sri Lanka
December 6, Churches attacked while extremists aim to make Buddhism state
2004 religion

November 11, Urgent prayer request for Sri Lanka

2004
September 30, Extremists attempt to make Buddhism Sri Lanka's state
2004 religion
August 23, 2004 Supreme Court rules parts of anti-conversion bill
unconstitutional
August 23, 2004 Update and prayer for Sri Lanka

July 22, 2004 Christianslaunch legal challenge to anti-conversion bill

as Sri Lankan parliament resumes
June 7, 2004 Sri Lanka's Christians to contest proposed anti-
conversion laws
May 12, 2004 Anti-Christian violence continues in Sri Lanka

March 1, 2004 Anti-Christian Violence Escalates in Sri Lanka

January 19, Sri Lankan president warns against anti-Christian violence

2004

Sudan
July 23, 2004CSW welcomes US Congress declaration that genocide is occurring
in Darfur
May 28, 2004Breakthrough in Sudan peace talks must pave way for end to Darfur
crisis
April 26, 2004 Sudan again escapes condemnation from UN for human
rights abuses
April 21, 2004 Please pray for Sudan
January 16, Student sentenced to 100 Lashes for adultery
2004
June 4, 2003 Christian leader burned to death with wife and four children
October 11, US Congress Hailed for Passing the Sudan Peace Act
2002
July 17, 2002 Commission Urges Senate to Appoint Conferees on Sudan
Peace Act
June 14, 2002 Baroness Cox Critical of UK Dialogues with Sudanese
Government
May 31, 2002 Commission Chair to Testify at House Hearing on Sudan
May 6, 2002 Report: AP: Bachus calls peace talks with Sudan "a deal with
the devil"
February 22, Government aircraft kills 17 civilians at WFP feeding site
2002
February 21, Pregnant woman accused of adultery, given 75 lashes
2002
February 12, Death sentence overturned for woman, but converts still under
2002 pressure
January 22, Baroness Cox accuses British Government of complacency
2002
January 11, Act on Behalf of Sudanese Woman
2002
November 15, Sudan to set up special tribunals to curb slavery
2001
 November 14, The Sudan Peace Act
2001
November 14, U.S. envoy to Sudan presents four-point peace plan
2001
November 8, Anti-Slavery Group Announces $1 Billion Class-Action
2001 Lawsuit
November 7, Kenyan health worker abducted by Government hit squad
2001
November 1, "THE HIDDEN GIFT" Goes Global
2001
November 2001 Midland to host IDOP
October 12, Sudanese government bombs its citizens as UN drops aid
2001
August 1, 2001 Starvation warning as air raids continue
June 1, 2001 When police run riot
June 1, 2001 More than 300 people stage protest in London for peace and
justice in Sudan

Turkey
August 4, 2004 Thank you from released prisoner
June 25, 2004 Innocent Turkish prisoner finally released
December 21, Urgent Action on Behalf of Turkish Christian
2001

Turkmenistan
December 9, Baptists Threatened as Harsh New Law Used to Bite
2003
April 17, 2003Human Rights Record of Turkmenistan Criticized in UNCHR
Resolution
November 22, Religious Freedom Petition Signed by More than 43,000!
2002
January 10, Baptist Pastor Freed from Prison After Sustained Campaign
2002
August 1, 2001 Secret police warned: Stop the meeting or face "big trouble"
April 1, 2001 Christian prisoner prepares to die

United Kingdom
October 13, Largest ever international Christian human rights conference to be
2003 held in London
March 3, 2003Demonstrators call upon China to recognize human rights of North
Korean refugees
November 18, Largest ever Christian human rights conference for the
2002 Persecuted Church
August 2, 2002 Christian agencies launch persecution forum
July 19, 2002 Persecution of Christians in Asia Enters House of Commons
Debate
 May 2002 Cross-Party Support for Parliamentary Motions on Human
Rights

United States
November 21, Pennsylvania Senate passes religious-freedom measure
2002
July 3, 2002 Commission Chair to Congratulate Abe Rosenthal on Receipt of
Presidential Medal

Vietnam
January 28, Vietnamese Christian leaders' final appeal set for February
2005 2nd amidst stories of brutal torture
August 25, 2004 Trial of activist pastor believed to be on fast track
March 18, 2003Vietnamese Church Under Severe Persecution
July 23, 2002 Powell Asked to Raise Religious Freedom Issues With Vietnam
at ASEAN Meeting
July 23, 2002 DetainedChurch Leader Released After Sit Down Protest by
Church Members
July 5, 2002 Christian Leaders Petition Government over Restrictions on
Religious Freedom
November 6, Pastor intimidated as part of Government clampdown on
2001 Christians
October 2, 2001 Vietnam: Pastor Quang

Zimbabwe
February 21, Christians arrested after taking part in peaceful prayer procession
2002

© Christian Solidarity Worldwide 2002

http://www.cswusa.com/Reports%20Pages/Reports-
Afghanistan.htm#Christian%20Aid%20Workers%20Arrested%20in%20Afghanistan
August 17, 2001 Christian Aid Workers Arrested in Afghanistan
Dear Friends
Please continue to pray for the 24 Christian aid workers arrested by the Taliban's religious police a fortnight ago on suspicion of
propagating Christianity. If found guilty, the 8 foreigners and 16 Afghan nations are likely to face public execution.

Prayer Points

Please pray in particular for:

· The safety and welfare of those arrested, in particular the women and the Afghan nationals. The Taliban is notorious for their brutal and
inhumane treatment of detainees.

· Divine intervention, as the Taliban is not easily swayed by international opinion

· The Taliban, to bring jurisdiction over the foreigners under the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than the extreme Ministry for
Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, and allow for deportation in place of execution.

· The Taliban, to pardon and release the 16 Afghan nations.

· Great wisdom for all those involved in negotiating with the Taliban through this present crisis and for religious freedom in general.

· Protection of other aid organizations in Afghanistan.

Please also write a brief polite letter to His Excellency, General Parvez Musharraf, President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Aiawan-e-Sadar,
Islamabad, Pakistan. (Fax : 92-51-811390 or Email: ce@pak.gov.pk , www.punjab.gov.pk), urging Pakistan to use her diplomatic
relationship with
Afghanistan to impress upon the Taliban that it would be a commendable act of mercy, in line with Islamic doctrines, to:

(a) allow the German, Australian and American diplomats currently in Kabul access to their nationals in detention.

(b) Bring the jurisdiction over the foreigners under the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and
Prevention of Vice, and to allow for deportation in place of execution.

(c) treat the detainees with humanity and to expedite the legal proceedings in accordance with international standards for due process and
fair trial.

(d) conduct the trials of both the foreigners and the Afghan nations in the presence of representatives from Germany, Australia and America
and international monitors.

Background

The series of arrests started on 3rd August 2001 when the Taliban's religious police detained Australian Diana Thomas and American
Heather Mercer, staff of SNI, for visiting and allegedly showing a Christian video on a lap top computer to Afghan national, Abdul Mateen, in
his home in the
capital Kabul. The Taliban authorities also seized Christian literature in local Dari language.

Two days later enforcement officers from the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice raided SNI's office in Kabul and
confiscated more computers, musical instruments, Christian literature and bibles in Dari language. The Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and
Prevention of Vice has also closed down all other SNI operations throughout Afghanistan.

SNI has been working amongst the destitute in Afghanistan since the 1980s. They provide emergency shelter, food programs, medical
supplies and other humanitarian aid to Afghans affected by drought and war. They also run bakeries, concrete factories, and other projects
to help rebuild the war-torn Afghanistan. Their work along the border and in areas not yet reached by other aid agencies are particularly
vital. Recently they have started several relief projects in Maslakh camp and have been supplying 100,000 liters of fresh water every day to
the internally displaced Afghan people.

The 24 SNI staff (8 expatriates and 16 Afghan nationals) were arrested altogether on charges of promoting Christianity, which is a capital
offence under the hard line Taliban regime. The eight foreign staff concerned are: Jorg Taubmann, the director of Shelter Now Germany, his
German co-workers Margit Stebner, Katy Jelinek, and Silke Duerrokopf, Australians Peter Bunch and Diana Thomas, and Americans
Heather Mercer and Dana Curry.

The Taliban is a fundamentalist Islamic militia noted for the ruthless implementation of their strict and literal interpretation of Islamic law.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are the only countries in the world who recognize the Taliban as a legitimate
government.

Under the Taliban's rule, proselytism is strictly prohibited. Indeed, in January this year, the Taliban Supreme Leader, Mullah Mohammad
Omar issued an edict prescribing the death penalty for any Afghan converting from Islam to another faith and for those responsible for
causing Muslims to convert.

It is against the law to possess musical instruments and computer discs. It is also illegal for foreigners to visit the homes of Afghan
nationals.

In June this year, however, a separate code of conduct for foreigners - Decree Number 14 - was released, giving jurisdiction over foreigners
to the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than the extreme Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The code of
conduct also allows for imprisonment of up to one month or expulsion in place of execution.

So far, the Taliban has made clear that pardons are out of the question. According to the head of the Taliban religious police, Mawlawi
Mohammad Wali, all detainees would be tried in Sharia courts in accordance with Islamic law.
This latest clampdown is by no means an isolated incident. In the past, the Taliban has accused various international aid organizations of
using humanitarian work as a front for spreading Christianity amongst the Afghans. The United Nations has also, on numerous occasions,
complained at the highest levels about the increasing incidents of harassment, intimidation and arrest of foreign and local aid workers.

Following the outbreak of the current incident, the Taliban has warned of closer scrutiny of all aid organizations operating in Afghanistan,
including the United Nations. CSW is concerned that the Taliban will continue to apply similar pressure to rid the country of Western-based
humanitarian aid NGOs who are carrying out invaluable work in the country.
http://www.cswusa.com/Reports%20Pages/Reports-
Bangladesh.htm#Bangladeshi%20Missionary%20Escapes%20From%20Terrorists
June 11, 2003 Bangladeshi Missionary Escapes From Terrorists
Since our posting yesterday, we have received great news that Moses has escaped on the night of June 9, after all eight men guarding him
fell asleep!

The missionary was kidnapped by terrorists on May 19. According to Gospel for Asia, Moses' brother who went to negotiate with the
terrorists before he escaped was severely beaten up. The kidnappers threatened to kill Moses if the ransom was not brought soon.

With his hands still tied behind his back, Moses reportedly ran through the jungle the entire night until he reached a town the following
afternoon. We give glory to God for this miracle! Please continue to pray for the protection of Moses. He is currently hiding in a safe place
waiting for leaders from the Gospel for Asia to reach him. The journey will take at least a day and it is uncertain how the terrorist group will
react to his escape. Pray also for his health. Moses is said to be suffering from a fever due to lack of food and being exposed to the
elements while in captivity. In spite of this, he is in good spirit and is joyous at what God has done.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 10, 2003 Please Pray and Protest for Christians in Bangladesh
A missionary working for the Gospel for Asia (GFA) has been kidnapped by terrorists in Bangladesh.

The indigenous missionary, known as Moses, was reportedly taken into the jungles by terrorists at the end of May.

The group, whose identity is not known, is said to have threatened to kill Moses unless they receive the requested ransom.

A GFA spokesman said: "Moses is in real danger and GFA is trying all means possible to secure his release. Do earnestly pray for the
Lord's intervention and protection of this dear and faithful brother. Pray also that God will grant wisdom to our leaders and staff as they deal
with this critical situation. This incident comes in the midst of God moving mightily in this country."

GFA has two bible schools and 82 missionaries working in Bangladesh.

This incident comes after the murder of a Christian as he returned home from a Christian film presentation in rural Bangladesh on April 24.

Hridoy Roy, a Bangladeshi evangelist who worked for a para-church organization, was reportedly stabbed to death by a mob of seven or
eight Islamic extremists after they forcibly entered his house and tied him to his bed in "crucifixion style".

According to local sources, Hridoy Roy had previously on several occasions received warnings from local extremists to stop showing the
'Jesus' film, a presentation of the life of Christ.

Pray:

* Please pray for the safety, protection and early release of Moses. Please ask God to intervene in the matter. Pray also that God will grant
wisdom to the leaders and staff of GFA as they deal with this critical situation.

* Please pray for comfort, love and support for Hridoy Roy's family at this devastating time.

* Praise God for His work in Bangladesh. Pray for protection and encouragement for Christian workers and believers, particularly in the
rural areas.

* Pray for those in authorities that they would continue to support secular politics, defend religious liberty and resist pressure from Islamic
extremist groups to create an Islamic state and to implement Shair'a law. Pray that the government will take a further step to implement
policies to protect non-Muslims' rights.

Protest:

* urge the American Government to take up the issue of religious intolerance at the highest policy levels and to lean on the government of
Bangladesh to:

bring to justice those inciting and committing sectarian violence; regulate the country's madrassahs and bring them into the mainstream
education system with a wide-ranging curriculum; oversee the disarming of Islamic militant organizations; augment security measures for
the non-Muslim communities.

Bangladesh Ambassador
to the U.S.
Ambassador Syed Hasan Ahmad
Bangladesh Embassy
3510 International Drive NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: (202) 244-0183
Fax: (202) 244-5366
Email:
info@bangladoot.org
Web:
www.bangladoot.org

Country Background

Bangladesh came into existence in December 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan gained independence from West Pakistan after a bloody
civil war. The initial promise of Bangladesh emerging as a secular democracy soon gave way to the rise of Islamic influences. Secularism
was dropped and Islam was made the state religion in the 8th amendment to the Constitution.

Islamization in the past years has reduced the non-Muslim population from 33% in 1941 to 17% in 2001. Now, around 83% of the 131
million populations are Muslims, 16% are Hindus, 0.6% are Buddhists and less than 1% are Christians.

There has been a marked escalation in sectarian violence committed against religious minorities since the Bangladesh National Party
(BNP) in coalition with various radical Islamic militant groups, including the Jama'at-e-Islami (JI), won a landslide victory in the
Parliamentary Elections in October 2001.

The scale of the post-elections attacks on minorities, particularly on the Hindu community, have also raised fears that the country could
follow the footsteps of Pakistan. Islamic fundamentalists affiliated to the pro-Islamic coalition government reportedly harassed minority
women and targeted Hindus and Christians for extortion. Christians in the Notore district of northern Bangladesh, for example, were
reportedly harassed by provincial officials of the BNP in December 2001.

Religious minorities in Bangladesh are concerned that the BNP-led hardline government will move to turn the country into an Islamic
republic and implement Shari'ah laws.

When the BNP was last in power between 1991-1996, there was considerable communal violence against the minorities. The JI also
attempted to table the Blasphemy Bill which was eventually shelved as a result of domestic and international opposition. Now that the JI
has gained a majority support in the Parliament, non-Muslims are concerned that they may succeed in reintroducing the Bill.

Bangladesh has been used as a springboard by many Islamic terrorist organizations into south and south-east Asia. Many Islamic
fundamentalist organizations linked with global terrorism, such as Pan Islamic, have a sizeable presence and training camps, particularly in
rural areas. Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), the largest and most militant of all, is based in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in southern
Bangladesh.

With over 15,000 members, HuJI claims it will turn the country into a second Afghanistan. According to the US State Department, HuJI runs
at least six terrorist training camps in the southern hill region.

Like Pakistan, the madrassah (religious seminary) education system plays a crucial role in providing free education, board and lodging to
the deprived grass root communities in Bangladesh. Many of the 64,000 madrassahs in the country, however, also offer an extremely
narrow curriculum and are used by hardline clerics to instill radical Islamic ideology and religious intolerance among the poor and
uneducated.

For more information on Bangladesh go to: www.cswusa.com/Countries/Bangladesh.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------------
December 13, 2001 Religious Minorities Victimized After New Party
Elected
Disturbing evidence of cases of sexual assaults and discrimination against religious minorities is emerging in Bangladesh since a new party
took power.

According to conservative estimates by the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities, ten people have been killed, more than
1,000 women have been raped and several thousand families across the country have lost their land since the new government took over.

Following victory in the elections last October for the coalition led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), thousands of members of
religious minorities have fled the country.

The pro-Islamic BNP formed a coalition with radical Islamic militant groups including the Jama'at-e-Islami (JI) which religious minorities
believe hold Taliban sympathies.

Up to 50 Christian families in Chatiangacha village in the western district of Natore, have been targeted for extortion.

Reports in the daily 'Janakantha' newspaper of Bangladesh suggest that Islamist fundamentalists are behind a series of incidents during
which men arrive on motorbikes and call out the family name of their victims.

The family is then usually given between a week and ten days to raise between $200 and $450 or the daughter is forced to sleep with the
men.

The residents of Chatiangacha have complained to Boraignam Jubodol, a right-wing Islamist group, but to no avail. Jimmy Koraiya who
lives in the village has been visited by the men on motorbikes calling for his high school-age daughter three times. He said: "What kind of
country is this? If I can't give money, I have to give them my daughter."
In Bonparha Market area, also in Natore district, religious minorities are forced to pay huge fines to be released from false charges. The
local BNP has also reportedly built a torture chamber to make victims confess to false charges.

Islamic fundamentalist groups have used false papers to drive thousands of Hindus and Christians off their land and in the south eastern
Chittagong division, 30 Hindu families have been evicted and one Hindu killed.

In other districts, minorities are forced to convert to Islam at knifepoint. Dr Deb Lal Dakua, a Hindu from Nazirpur in the southern Pirojpur
district, was forcibly circumcised on November 11 by a group of extremists. He was also told to pay over $1000 (INR 50,000) within seven
days or face death.

Minorities are concerned by the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh and when the BNP was last in power between 1991 and
1996, there was considerable violence against religious minorities.

During that time, the JI attempted to table a Blasphemy Bill which was discriminatory against religious minorities.

CSW is calling on the Bangladeshi Government to fully investigate these incidents as well as bringing those responsible to justice and
providing those affected with full compensation.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "We are deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence
against religious minorities in Bangladesh and the reluctance of the government to investigate the incidents or offer adequate protection.

"We are calling on them to sign and ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the two optional protocols as a sign of
their commitment to fundamental human rights.

"We urge the new government to implement legislation which will protect minorities and also to promote interfaith dialogue through
education and public awareness campaigns."

Bhutan
June 1, 2001 Christians Forced to Take Oath Affirming Allegiance to
Buddhism
The government of Bhutan has stepped up its persecution of Christians. Bhutanese authorities and police moved in to churches on Palm
Sunday to register the names of believers. Many pastors were detained, interrogated, and threatened with imprisonment.

The authorities want Christians to stop witnessing and have closed many churches. Forms have been circulated requiring Christians to
comply with ‘rules and regulations governing the practice of religion’.

Bhutan is the only Buddhist kingdom in the world. It has no written constitution or bill of rights and there is no legal guarantee of freedom of
religion.

Non-Buddhists suffer political and social discrimination and conversions to a faith other than Buddhism and Hinduism are illegal. All
government workers must take an oath affirming their allegiance to ‘one nation, one king and one religion’.

A Bhutanese Christian says there is: "Very harsh persecution. Christians are asked to abandon their religion or leave the country. They are
not allowed to gather. In some places, they are beaten very badly.

"Christians face termination from employment, cancellation of trade licenses, withdrawal of all state benefits and expulsion from the country.
Freedom of religion has been taken away."

In January, pastor ‘Yakub’ was arrested and beaten for leading people to Christ. During his 15 days in jail, he shared his faith with the other
prisoners, many of whom were serving life sentences. Several became Christians. Yakub has been told to renounce his religion or face
exile.

Bhutan joined the United Nations in 1971 and is morally bound by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, guaranteeing the "right to
freedom of thought, conscience and religion" including the "freedom to change religion or belief".

CSW is calling on Bhutan to bring her law and practice into line with international standards and to halt discrimination against Christians.

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Burma
December 14, 2004 Regime carrying out genocide claims new report
A joint delegation from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) has returned from a visit to
ethnic groups on the Thai-Burmese border with evidence of a campaign of genocide perpetrated by the ruling State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC).
The report includes first-hand testimonies of forced labour from new Karen and Karenni refugees, as well as details of the situation facing
IDPs. It concludes with a brief analysis of the case for genocide and crimes against humanity, and also covers the plight of the Shan.

Hundreds of thousands of Karen, Karenni and Shan continue to face a humanitarian crisis in eastern Burma . Internally Displaced People in
the jungles are denied access to adequate medical care, food and shelter, they face the threat of forced labour, forced relocation,
widespread rape, torture and the destruction of villages, crops, rice barns and livestock.

The delegation, which included members of CSW UK , Australia and New Zealand , visited Karen Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in two
sites inside Burma , as well as Karen and Karenni refugees in Thailand . IDPs in one village only had enough food for a few more days, and
were facing an uncertain future. "We want to see the heart of the Burmese government change so we can live in peace," the camp leader
told the team. "We hope to return to our villages but we don't know when. While we are together in this camp, we really need provision,
especially food and medicine."

Reports continue to emerge of fresh assaults on Karen and Karenni villages by the Burma Army. An estimated 4,781 Karen people have
been displaced in recent weeks in the Shwygn/Hsaw Htee area of Naunglybin District, Karen State , and are hiding in the jungle, unable to
move during the day.

There are an estimated one million people internally displaced in Burma . The Thailand-based Burma Border Consortium estimates at least
526,000 people have been displaced in Karen, Karenni and Shan areas, with 157,000 of these displaced in the past two years. Since 2002,
at least 240 villages have been completely destroyed, relocated or abandoned, and a total of 2,500 villages in eastern Burma have been
destroyed since 1996.

The delegation, which included Baroness Cox, Chief Executive of HART and Honorary President of CSW-UK, met leaders of the Shan,
Karen and Karenni resistance forces. The Shan people face a particularly severe crisis, with 300,000 internally displaced and at least
200,000 living illegally in Thailand . Unlike the Karen and Karenni, the Shan have been denied refugee camps in Thailand . Instead, those
who flee persecution find sanctuary either illegally in Thailand , or in IDP camps in Shan state, Burma .

"We are in need of material and moral help. We need to make our plight known to the rest of the world," one Shan leader said. "The
situation in Shan state is no different from Iraq with regards to the number of casualties, but the difference is that there are no reporters or
observers in Shan State . Battles erupt on a daily basis."

Baroness Cox, who has visited the region many times, called on the international community to investigate claims of genocide and crimes
against humanity, and to increase pressure on Burma 's ruling junta.

She said: "Every time we visit the Karen, Karenni and Shan, we find mounting evidence of gross violations of human rights which we
believe may amount to genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the Geneva Conventions. We urge the British Government, the
European Union and the United Nations to recognise the severity of the situation and take appropriate action. We also appeal to the
Association of South-East Asian Nations [ASEAN] to suspend Burma 's membership of the organisation until significant progress is made
towards a transition to a federal democracy and an improvement in human rights. We call for free and open access to all areas of Burma for
international humanitarian aid groups and human rights monitors."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Burma has been ruled by successive military regimes since Ne Win seized power in a coup in 1962. The current ruling junta, the State
Peace & Development Council (SPDC), held elections in 1990 which were overwhelmingly won by the National League for Democracy
(NLD), led by Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains under house arrest.

CSW is an international human rights advocacy organisation which has worked with the ethnic groups such as the Karen, Karenni, Shan,
Chin and Kachin on Burma 's borders for over a decade. For further information, see www.csw.org.uk

The Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) was established by Baroness Cox in 2003 to focus on providing humanitarian aid to people who
are suffering oppression and persecution, and who are neglected by other major aid organisations. For further information, see www.hart-
uk.org

------------------------------
December 3, 2004 Three thousand displaced as army attacks Karen
villages
Two Burma Army battalions attacked ten villages and displaced about 3,000 people in Toungoo District, Northern Karen State, Burma on
November 30.

The villages, along the Yaw Law river valley between Rangoon and Mandalay , each contained some 300-500 people. These people have
now fled and are hiding out in the jungle where they struggle for medical care, food, shelter and security. It is estimated that one million
people are living as Internally Displaced Persons inside Burma .

There were three clashes between the Burma Army battalions and the Karen National Liberation Army in this area from November 28-30.
According to reports, the KNLA suffered no casualties, but three Burma Army soldiers were wounded.

The two Burma Army battalions are now in Per Law and Klaw Mu Der villages and are continuing the offensive.

Whilst offensives by the Burma Army against ethnic groups continue, the regime has reportedly released some 9,000 prisoners. Among
them is Min Ko Naing, one of Burma 's longest standing political dissidents. However, there remain an estimated 1,300 political prisoners
inside Burmese prisons. The leader of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, has recently had her house arrest extended
for another year.

Most opposition groups claim the prisoner releases are a largely empty gesture aimed at gaining political ground at the ASEAN summit held
earlier this week in Laos .

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The two Burma Army Battalions, IB 52 (2 columns under command of Battalion Commander Aung Kyaw Nyint and Bn 2IC Nay Myo Win),
and IB 60 (Under command of Battalion Commander Sai Win Tin and 2IC Maung Mya Sa), are operating in the eastern Tantabin Township
area of Toungoo District, Northern Karen State . 3,000 villagers have displaced from the following villages; Bway Baw Der, Saw Mu Der,
Saw Day Der, Per Law, Law Bee Law, Maw They Der, Gwa Htoo Cho, Pwe Buh Der, Wa Mee Per and Klaw Mu Der.

-------------------------
July 7, 2004 Hundreds of Karenni displaced while Burma's junta talks
peace
Fresh attacks have been launched against Karenni villagers even while Burma's military regime talks peace.

During the past fortnight, Burma Army Light Infantry Brigade (LIB) 135 has launched several attacks on villages in Karenni State, according
to a relief team assisting those displaced by the offensives. In one incident, Burma Army troops decapitated Ler Moo, an elderly Karenni
man. They also murdered a 27-year-old school teacher in Western Karen State, Burma. Some 500 people were displaced after these
attacks and are terrified of returning to their land on the Karen/Karenni border.

Attacks on Karenni villages in the Buko area, near the Karen/Karenni border, are continuing. Burma Army LIB 428 has split into two
columns and is searching for villagers in hiding. On June 30, soldiers approached Gay Lo village, causing over 100 villagers to flee. "In this
area, 200 people are in hiding and over 800 more who were in the path of the operation are preparing to flee," according to CSW's source.

The attacks are the latest in a series of fresh offensives against the Karenni this year. In January, more than 5,000 Karen and Karenni
people were displaced in this area and there are reported to be an estimated 50,000 internally displaced people in Karenni state and a total
of at least one million in Burma. A further one to two million are refugees in neighboring Thailand, India and Bangladesh.

The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) is currently holding a National Convention to draft a new Constitution as well as holding
peace talks with the Karen.

CSW-UK's Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert, expressed growing concern about the developing situation in Karenni State: "The Karenni
people have suffered so much for so many years and have been ignored by the rest of the world. Burma's brutal military regime is guilty of
gross human rights violations, and is responsible for creating a humanitarian crisis in Karenni State. The international community should
respond to this crisis with emergency assistance for the thousands of internally displaced people on the run for their lives."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

On June 24, two Burma Army battalions began an operation designed to clear villages north-west and south-west of the Mawchi-Toungoo
road. Burma Army LIB 428, accompanied by a group from the Karenni Solidarity Organisation (KNSO), a militia sponsored by the junta,
launched an offensive around Buko Kwa village, north of the Mawchi-Toungoo road, on the Karenni side of the Karenni/Karen border.

On June 25, troops from Burma Army LIB 135 approached the village of Paho, and the 230 villagers fled and are now in hiding. Paho is
located five miles north of the Karenni-Karen border. The Burma Army has placed landmines extensively in the area.

Three days later, the same brigade returned to the area, and captured one villager. A total of at least 500 villagers from these two attacks
fled into the jungle, with nothing except the clothes on their backs. The Burma Army LIB 135 searched the area for seven days but did not
locate the main hiding places, and has now returned to its base in Mawchi. According to our source, "it is not clear whether or not the
Burma Army will launch another operation into this area and because of this the villagers are ready to flee at any time." Although food is
being taken to those in hiding by relief teams, unless international humanitarian assistance is provided, these displaced people will run out
of rice this month.

The SPDC initiated ceasefire talks with the Karen National Union (KNU) earlier this year, but these talks have so far failed to produce a
permanent agreement. Although an informal ceasefire was agreed, the Burma Army continues its operations against the Karen. CSW is
calling on the SPDC to initiate a nationwide ceasefire with all ethnic national groups, withdraw its troops from ethnic areas, and enter
tripartite talks with the ethnic groups and the NLD.

Most ethnic national groups have also refused to participate in the National Convention, which is regarded by international human rights
organizations as a sham. The SPDC failed to release democracy leaders Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin U from house arrest, or the
estimated 1,400 political prisoners held behind bars, and so the National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the 1990 elections but
has never been allowed to assume power, boycotted the event.

Burma's ruling junta stands accused of a catalogue of human rights violations in the ethnic areas, including ethnic cleansing, the
widespread, systematic use of rape, forced labor, forced relocation, human minesweepers, child soldiers, religious persecution and
destruction of villages and crops.

--------------------------
June 16, 2004 Hundreds of birthday cards sent to Burmese Nobel
Laureate
As Burma's democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, prepares to celebrate her 59th birthday under house arrest, support for freedom and
justice in Burma is pouring in from all over the world.

More than 200 birthday cards have been sent to the Nobel Laureate by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) supporters from around the
world for her birthday on June 19th. Events are also planned for that day by Burma activists in London, Frankfurt, the USA and elsewhere.

In addition, Malaysian MPs have now called for change in Burma. CSW UK's President Baroness Cox, who has traveled to the region many
times, said: "I warmly welcome the fact that these Malaysian MPs have had the courage of their convictions and spoken up for the
oppressed people of Burma. It shows that support for the democracy and ethnic national groups in Burma is not simply a 'Western'
phenomenon, but a universal cry for justice. It is time ASEAN, and Burma's regime itself, responded."

CSW supporters sent birthday cards to Daw Suu Kyi, whose latest period in detention began after she was attacked by pro-junta mobs in
Depayin on May 30 last year.

School children across Europe were among those who sent cards, and these included 10- and 11-year-olds from a school in Brussels. A
supporter who organized these said: "The children were full of suggestions for stopping the cruelties of the Burma Army. It would be good if
some adults would see as clearly." One child wrote: "Happy Birthday to you Aung San Suu Kyi. We offer you hope, support and all the love
from Belgium". Another said: "You are a wonderful lady and you are full of courage. In the end everything you have done will turn out to
make a difference. I hope you are soon freed." In another card, a child wrote: "Happy Birthday! For a lot of kids in my class, including
myself, you are our idol. Hope you spend the best birthday for the nicest, bravest person in the world. PS: If a Burmese soldier opens this,
[I] protest: 'Stop the War.'"

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD), will celebrate her 59th birthday on June 19, again
in detention. She has been in and out of house arrest for much of the past 16 years. In 1990, the NLD won 80 percent of the seats in
Parliament in the country's first elections in almost 30 years, but the ruling junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC),
ignored the results and imprisoned many of the victors. The SPDC has changed the name of the country from Burma to Myanmar, but Daw
Suu Kyi, the NLD and the ethnic national groups have asked international supporters to continue to use 'Burma', because the regime is
illegitimate and had no mandate to change the name of the country.

In May 2002, Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest, but on May 30, 2003 she and her supporters were attacked by mobs in
Depayin, orchestrated by the SPDC. Aung San Suu Kyi was detained and then placed under house arrest again, and at least 265 people
have been arrested, killed or disappeared during the attack and the ensuing crackdown.

The SPDC's 'roadmap to democracy' and the National Convention were announced on August 30, 2003 in response to international
pressure in the wake of the attacks on May 30.

On June 8 2004 the Pro-Democracy Myanmar MPs Caucus of the Malaysian Parliament issued a statement calling on the SPDC to
"restore the democratic rights of the Myanmar people" (see Press Statement below).

CSW has visited the Karen, Karenni and Shan ethnic nationals on both sides of the Thai-Burmese border many times in the past 15 years.
In April CSW-UK's Honorary President, Baroness (Caroline) Cox led a delegation to the Chin and Kachin people on the India-Burma border

Press Statement by the Pro-democracy Myanmar MPs' Caucus of the Malaysian Parliament at the Parliament House, Kuala
Lumpur on Tuesday June 8 2004:

We, the members of the Pro-democracy Myanmar MPs' Caucus of the Malaysian Parliament believe in the inalienable right of the Myanmar
people to self-determination and democratic expression through free and fair elections.

We hereby appeal to the Prime Minister and the Government of Myanmar to carry out the following measures to restore the democratic
rights of the Myanmar people:

1. To immediately and unconditionally release leader of National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. 2. To
immediately and unconditionally release all political detainees including all the Members of Parliament elected at the last General Elections.
3. To immediately and unconditionally allow the leaders of the NLD to participate in the Myanmar National Constitutional Convention so as
to ensure that legitimately elected leaders of Myanmar are not excluded from the deliberations and decisions of the Convention. 4. To
immediately convene Parliament and allow the Members of Parliament elected at the last elections to elect a new Prime Minister and
government according to prevailing constitutional and parliamentary norms. 5. To immediately begin the process of handing over authority
to the legitimately elected Parliament and the Prime Minister and government elected by Parliament. 6. To immediately allow the entry and
unimpeded functioning of observer groups from ASEAN and the UN who shall be tasked to ensure that constitutional and civil processes
are adhered to.

The Caucus also calls upon the Myanmar Government to respect ASEAN and international opinion and return to the mainstream of
responsible international norms and behavior.

We support the role play by UN Rapporteur to Myanmar, Tan Sri Razali Ismail to engage both military junta of Myanmar and NLD and
mediate the differences between them, and we will continue to give him the necessary support.

We urge the Malaysian government to continue to play its role to persuade the Myanmar government to face up to regional and
international aspirations for democratization and national reconciliation in Myanmar.
-------------------------
May 27, 2004 UK Parliamentarians support Burma's democracy groups on
anniversary of 1990 elections
Leading British Parliamentarians from all the major parties have today sent a strong message of support to the democracy movement in
Burma, and a signal to the regime that it should mend its ways.

In a letter signed by more than 25 members from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the Parliamentarians recognize the
Burmese Members of Parliament elected on May 27 1990 as the legitimate representatives of the Burmese people. They also express their
hope that those elected will be able to take their seats and form a government after 14 years of being denied that recognition by the ruling
military regime. Those who have signed include Michael Ancram, Shadow Foreign Secretary, on behalf of the Opposition and Oliver Letwin,
Shadow Chancellor, Sir Menzies Campbell, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Labor MP Glenda Jackson.

The letter, initiated by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, will be delivered to the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party led by Nobel
Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi which won over 80 per cent of the Parliamentary seats in 1990, in Rangoon today, the 14th anniversary of the
elections. It will also be read out at a protest outside the Burmese Embassy in Washington, DC organized by the US Campaign for Burma.

The Parliamentarians salute the "dignity, steadfastness and commitment to delivering democracy" of the Burmese democratic parties, and
pay tribute to those who died or disappeared in the attack on Aung San Suu Kyi on May 30 last year. "We stand with you in that struggle,"
they write.

In paragraphs directed at the junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), which disregarded the results of the 1990 elections
and imprisoned most of the victors, the British politicians urge the regime "to enter into tripartite dialogue with the NLD and the ethnic
national groups, including the Karen, Karenni, Shan, Mon, Chin, Kachin and Arakan, to pave the way for a transition to a democratic,
federal system of government." They also call for a nationwide ceasefire and an end to the "gross human rights abuses which amount to
crimes against humanity". They call on the regime to open all of Burma to international human rights monitors and humanitarian relief
agencies.

The full text of the letter can be found below.

In a related move, Baroness Cox introduced a debate in the House of Lords on Tuesday, focused on the persecution of the ethnic nationals.
Baroness Cox, Honorary President of CSW-UK, has visited the Karen, Karenni and Shan refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
on the Thai-Burmese border many times, most recently with Shadow International Development Secretary John Bercow MP last month. In
April, she visited the Chin and Kachin refugees on the India-Burma border.

In her speech in the House of Lords, Baroness Cox gave evidence of continuing and widespread human rights violations, including forced
labor, rape and religious persecution, and called on the UK Government to urge the European Union to impose tougher sanctions on the
regime. She also urged the UK to provide humanitarian relief to the over one million Internally Displaced Persons trapped in the jungles of
Burma, without adequate food, medicine or shelter, and called for a nationwide ceasefire in Burma.

Baroness Cox said: "We owe it to any people suffering such atrocities to do everything in our power to help them. However, ethnic national
groups such as the Karen, the Karenni, the Chin and the Kachin have a historic relationship with us - fighting alongside our soldiers and
sometimes giving their lives for them. Therefore, they hope that we will not forget their loyalty or let them down now in their hour of need. I
hope that this debate will reassure those people of our loyalty to them and our commitment now to do everything possible to ensure they
achieve the freedom, peace and justice that they desire so passionately and for which they are paying such a high price."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Burma (officially called Myanmar) has been ruled by a military regime which took power in a coup in 1962. Elections were held on May 27,
1990, and the National League for Democracy (NLD) won over 80 percent of the parliamentary seats. However, the military ignored the
results, imprisoned many of the victors and continued to rule, changing its name to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
More than 1,400 political prisoners remain behind bars.

The regime's actions have completely failed to match its rhetoric about democracy. On May 7, for example, five Burmese were sentenced
to long prison terms, accused of contact with unlawful associations in exile, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners
(Burma). The five, sentenced at a special court inside Insein Prison, included former political prisoner U Ne Min, who had already endured
several years in jail. U Ne Min was sentenced to 15 years, Maung Maung Latt and Paw Lwin to 12 years each, Ye Thiha to seven years and
Ne Lin Aung (aka Yan Naing) to 22 years. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) has appealed to the International
Committee of the Red Cross to take urgent action in the case of political prisoner Ne Lin Soe, serving a 14-year prison term in Mandalay
prison. Ne Lin Soe's health is believed to be seriously at risk, and he has been denied adequate health care.

Burma has been ranked by Reporters Without Borders 164th out of 166 countries for press freedom.

On May 30th, 2003 Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters were attacked by mobs in Depayin, orchestrated by the SPDC. She was
detained and then placed under house arrest again. At least 265 people were arrested, killed or disappeared during the attack and the
ensuing crackdown.

The SPDC's 'roadmap to democracy' and the National Convention were announced on August 30, 2003 in response to international
pressure in the wake of the attacks on May 30. The NLD and most ethnic groups have boycotted the National Convention because the
junta refused to release Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD vice-chairman U Tin U.

CSW has visited the Thai-Burmese border areas many times in the past 15 years. Last month, CSW took John Bercow MP, Shadow
International Development Secretary, to the Thai-Burmese border, and in April CSW visited the Chin and Kachin people on the India-Burma
border.

LETTER FROM UK PARLIAMENTARIANS

May 27, 2004

To the elected Members of Parliament of Burma, including those representing the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other pro-
democracy and ethnic national groups:

Dear Fellow Parliamentarians,

As Members of the UK Parliament, from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, we write to members from the National
League for Democracy

(NLD) and other political parties in Burma who were elected as Members of Parliament on May 27, 1990, to express our deep respect for
you. We recognise you as the legitimate representatives of the people, and we express our hope that it will not be long before you will be
able to take up your rightful positions in Parliament and Government. We salute you for your dignity, steadfastness and commitment to
delivering democracy to your country, and we stand with you in that struggle.

Furthermore, we pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives or have been detained or have disappeared in the events surrounding the
May 30, 2003 attack on Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. One year on from the terrible attack in Depayin, we urge the regime, the
State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), to release all those still in detention, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and all other
political prisoners still behind bars.

We also urge the SPDC to enter into tripartite dialogue with the NLD and the ethnic national groups, including the Karen, Karenni, Shan,
Mon, Chin, Kachin and Arakan, to pave the way for a transition to a democratic, federal system of government.

We urge the SPDC to declare a nationwide ceasefire, and to withdraw SPDC troops from the ethnic areas, and disarm affiliated militia
groups. It is time that the decades of conflict, and the catalogue of gross human rights abuses which amount to crimes against humanity,
including killings, widespread systematic rape, torture, forced relocation, forced labour, the use of child soldiers and human minesweepers,
and the destruction of villages and crops, be brought to an end.

We urge the SPDC to open all of Burma to international human rights monitors and humanitarian relief agencies, and in particular to enable
relief to be distributed to the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people.

As Members of Parliament, we offer our support to all efforts to bring democracy, freedom, the rule of law, peace and justice to Burma. If
the SPDC shows meaningful progress towards reform, we would encourage such efforts and offer whatever support we can for a peaceful
transition to democracy and reconciliation, and to welcome Burma back into the international fold. If, however, the SPDC continues to reject
reform, it can only expect further international pressure to come.

Yours respectfully,

HOUSE OF COMMONS

The Rt Hon Michael Ancram, MP - Conservative; Deputy Leader of the Opposition & Shadow Foreign Secretary (on behalf of the Shadow
Cabinet) David Atkinson MP - Conservative Vera Baird MP - Labour; Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Democracy in Burma Joe
Benton MP - Labour John Bercow MP - Conservative; Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Peter Bottomley MP -
Conservative The Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell MP - Liberal Democrat; Deputy Leader & Foreign Affairs Spokesman Hilton Dawson MP -
Labour David Drew MP - Labour Glenda Jackson MP - Labour Andy King MP - Labour The Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP - Conservative;
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ian Luke MP - Labour; Secretary, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Democracy in Burma The Rt Hon
Peter Lilley MP - Conservative; Former Deputy Leader of the Opposition Andrew MacKinlay MP - Labour Michael Moore MP - Liberal
Democrat John Pugh MP - Liberal Democrat; Vice-Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group for Democracy in Burma Rev. Martin Smyth MP -
Ulster Unionist Party Gary Streeter MP - Conservative; Foreign Affairs Spokesman Andrew Selous MP - Conservative Dr. Robert Spink MP
- Conservative; Vice-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Democracy in Burma Robert Walter MP - Conservative Steve Webb MP -
Liberal Democrat

HOUSE OF LORDS

The Lord Alton of Liverpool - Independent

The Lord Avebury - Liberal Democrat
The Lord Chan of Oxton - Independent
The Baroness Cox of Queensbury - Conservative
The Lord Faulkner of Worcester - Labour

------------------------------
May 18, 2004 Send a birthday card and pray for Burma's democracy
leader
Dear Friends,

Despite much speculation about her imminent release, Burma's democracy leader, Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, remains under
house arrest. Over 1,400 political prisoners remain behind bars. The killing, torture, rape, forced labor, forced relocation, use of human
minesweepers and child soldiers, and destruction of ethnic national villages and crops continues.

June 19 is Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday. We would like to ask you to send her a birthday card, with a message of encouragement. This will
not only be a blessing to her, but it will also send a signal to the regime that she, and the plight of the people of Burma, have not been
forgotten.

Please send birthday cards to the following address, in time to reach Burma by June 19:

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
54 University Avenue
Rangoon
Burma

As you may know, Burma's regime has convened a National Convention to discuss the drafting of a new constitution. Delegates
handpicked by the junta will be attending while key leaders such as Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin U have not been released to attend.
Consequently the ethnic groups and National League for Democracy (NLD) have boycotted the event. The international media has been
denied access, speeches are censored, and citizens have been warned not to discuss the constitution outside the confines of the National
Convention, with the threat of between seven and 20 years in jail if they do so. These restrictions clearly make a mockery of the whole
process.

Please pray for Burma this week. Unless all political prisoners are released, the gross violations of human rights end, and tripartite dialogue
between the regime, the NLD and the ethnic national groups begins, the regime's talk of a 'roadmap to democracy' cannot be taken
seriously. Pray for God's wisdom and guidance for the NLD leaders and the ethnic national groups. Pray that God will intervene to turn the
situation around and replace injustice with justice, oppression with freedom, war with peace, and fighting with dialogue.

-------------------------------
May 17, 2004 Burma's junta begins "sham" national convention
Burma's military junta has gone ahead with its National Convention, despite the decision of the major pro-democracy and ethnic national
groups to boycott the event.

The National Convention, which opens today, will draw up a new constitution for the country in the first stage of the junta's so-called
'roadmap to democracy'. But it has been widely derided by pro-democracy, ethnic national groups and human rights organizations as a
sham designed to fool the international community into believing the regime is making progress towards democracy.

The very absence of democratic principles in the National Convention is evidence of the regime's blatant deception. In addition, more than
1,400 political prisoners remain behind bars, gross violations of human rights continue and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is still under
house arrest.

The National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, announced on Friday its decision to boycott the National Convention
because the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) had rejected the NLD's conditions for participation. The conditions
included the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD Vice-Chairman, U Tin U, and the re-opening of all NLD offices closed on May 30 last
year.

The United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), comprising eight ethnic national parties, has also boycotted the National Convention. Their major
objection was the SPDC's insistence that the military retain key political roles in the country after any move to democracy. Other ethnic
national groups had either not been invited, or had previously announced their decision not to participate.

A CSW team visited the region just a few weeks ago, and found continuing evidence of widespread, systematic human rights violations.
They also met with pro-democracy and ethnic national groups, all of whom warned that the National Convention should not be taken
seriously.

CSW-UK's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, said: "The developments of the past few days confirm our view that the National Convention
is a total sham. The reality is that political prisoners remain behind bars, Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention and ethnic nationals
continue to be raped, killed and used for forced labor.

"The National Convention should not be given any credence whatsoever while the international media is barred from covering it, delegates
are handpicked by the regime, speeches are censored and NLD and ethnic national groups feel unable to participate. International
pressure, including a United Nations arms embargo and European Union sanctions, should be stepped up, and the Association of South
East Asian Nations should suspend Burma until it shows meaningful progress towards democracy."

In a debate in the House of Lords last week, CSW UK's President, Baroness Cox, who traveled to the Thai-Burmese border last month,
said: "I have seen the plight of many thousands of people from those ethnic national groups, such as the Karen, the Karenni, the Shan and
the Chin ... They are forced to hide in the jungle with no access to shelter, medical care or food, having been forced to flee from their
villages because of continuing atrocities by government soldiers, such as torture, rape, murder and forced labor."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Burma (officially called Myanmar) has been ruled by a military regime which took power in a coup in 1962. Elections were held in 1990, and
the National League for Democracy (NLD) won over 80 percent of the parliamentary seats. However, the military ignored the results,
imprisoned many of the victors and continued to rule, changing its name to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
The regime's actions have completely failed to match its rhetoric about democracy. On May 7, for example, five Burmese were sentenced
to long prison terms, accused of contact with unlawful associations in exile, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners
(Burma). The five, sentenced at a special court inside Insein Prison, included former political prisoner U Ne Min, who had already endured
several years in jail. U Ne Min was sentenced to 15 years, Maung Maung Latt and Paw Lwin to 12 years each, Ye Thiha to seven years and
Ne Lin Aung (aka Yan Naing) to 22 years. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) has appealed to the International
Committee of the Red Cross to take urgent action in the case of political prisoner Ne Lin Soe, serving a 14-year prison term in Mandalay
prison. Ne Lin Soe's health is believed to be seriously at risk, and he has been denied adequate health care.

Burma has been ranked by Reporters Without Borders 164th out of 166 countries for press freedom.

On May 30th, 2003 Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters were attacked by mobs in Depayin, orchestrated by the SPDC. She was
detained and then placed under house arrest again, and at least 265 people had been arrested, killed or disappeared during the attack and
the ensuing crackdown.

The SPDC's 'roadmap to democracy' and the National Convention were announced on August 30, 2003 in response to international
pressure in the wake of the attacks on May 30.

CSW has visited the Thai-Burmese border areas many times in the past 15 years. Last month, CSW took John Bercow MP, Shadow
International Development Secretary, to the Thai-Burmese border, and in April CSW visited the Chin and Kachin people on the India-Burma
border.

-----------------------------
April 23, 2004 Baroness Cox and John Bercow MP to present fresh
evidence of ethnic cleansing in Burma
BRIEFING AT 1.30PM
APRIL 27
1 ABBEY GARDENS
WESTMINSTER

Continuing military attacks on civilians, accompanied by killings, widespread rape, forced labor and the associated displacement of
thousands suggests that Burma's military regime's roadmap to democracy is a sham.

A delegation that included (Caroline) Baroness Cox, President of CSW UK, John Bercow MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International
Development, surgeon Anthony Peel FRCS, and Benedict Rogers, CSW human rights advocate, returned today from visiting ethnic
national groups - including Karen, Karenni and Shan people - on both sides of the Thai-Burmese border, where they obtained evidence of
the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)'s remorseless policy of ethnic cleansing. Some of the delegation has also recently
visited the Chin and Kachin people of north-western Burma where they found similar policies of attempted cultural genocide of these ethnic
national groups by the SPDC.

Atrocities reported include the rape of a Shan woman by SPDC soldiers on April 17, and military attacks by SPDC soldiers on Karenni
villages from December 25 to the present day. These attacks have forced over 3,000 more civilians to flee for their lives, and to live in
conditions of acute deprivation as Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs). Many are hiding in the jungle with no health care, education or
regular food supplied. They are in constant fear of being found and killed by SPDC soldiers. Cold at night, with no warm clothing or
blankets, they dare not light fires for fear of discovery and certain death. Others who have been forcibly driven from villages to relocation
camps are subject to forced labor from dawn until nightfall, carrying loads of 30 kilograms or more. Many are used as human
minesweepers. Others who have escaped are victims of landmine accidents, such as one 17-year old boy who lost a leg in a mine
explosion and had to be carried for 21 hours to safety and treatment.

These few examples demonstrate the SPDC's cynicism, continuing its genocidal policies against ethnic nationals while promoting its
"roadmap to democracy". The forthcoming National Convention can also be seen as a democratic farce - to be held in a military camp, the
participants are limited to those hand-picked by the regime, which is excluding many ethnic minority representatives.

Caroline Cox said: "This evidence of continuing atrocities amounts to a policy of protracted cultural and physical genocide of death by a
thousand cuts. Therefore, the SPDC's much-vaunted roadmap to democracy must be seen as a hypocritical propaganda exercise which
should be treated by the international community with the contempt it deserves."

John Bercow MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, observed that: "For far too long the wanton savagery of the
military regime in Burma has received all too little public attention. The testimonies we received suggest that these atrocities against
innocent citizens continue on a daily basis. In light of this, the notion that the regime is serious about planning for a democratic future is
beyond belief. It seems blindingly obvious that the junta is hell-bent on keeping power at all costs and bludgeoning its opponents into
submission. The British Government, the European Union and the United Nations owe it to the people of Burma to intensify pressure,
including sanctions, until the ruling militia comes to apply internationally accepted standards of behavior."

Detailed case studies, photographs and video footage will be available at the briefing at Abbey Gardens.

If you would like to attend the briefing on April 27 or arrange a separate interview with Baroness Cox or John Bercow MP, please contact
Richard Chilvers, Communications Manager, CSW-UK at richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk or ring 020 8329 0045 or Baroness Caroline Cox on
020 8204 7336 or fax 020 8204 5661 or email ccox@ertnet.demon.co.uk

--------------------------
March 31, 2004 Christian Children Forced to Become Novice Buddhist
Monks by Burmese Regime
Children from Christian families in Burma between the ages of five and ten have been lured from their homes and placed in Buddhist
monasteries. Once taken in, their heads have been shaved and they have been trained as novice monks, never to see their parents again.

In a visit to Chin and Kachin refugees in New Delhi and Mizoram State, India, earlier this month, CSW heard accounts of cultural genocide
and religious persecution and discrimination. The Burmese regime's forces offer incentives to impoverished villagers to convert from
Christianity to Buddhism in Chin state, an area which is 90 percent Christian.

Mountain top crosses have been destroyed and villagers forced to build Buddhist pagodas in their place, often having to contribute finances
and labor.

Christians are required to obtain permits for special events, and for any renovation or construction work. No permission for new church
buildings has been given since 1994. Christians in the civil service are discriminated against, and no Christian can rise beyond the rank of
Major in the regime's army.

In addition to overt religious persecution, the Burmese junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has adopted a deliberate
policy of introducing crude alcohol to Chin State. The Chin culture forbids alcohol, but the SPDC has brought in large quantities of
methylated spirits/industrial alcohol, which it sells cheaply on the streets to teenagers and young parents, especially on Sundays when
people go to church. The medical effects include addiction, jaundice, toxic liver failure and damage to brain cells, in some cases leading
ultimately to death. One Chin Christian told the CSW delegation, "It causes the breakdown of body, mind, spirit and society."

Forced labor, a serious human rights violation, occurs "on a daily basis", often disrupting church and community activities. CSW received a
copy of a recent letter from an SPDC commander to a village headman dated December 13, 2003, demanding 40 porters from one village
and 30 from another. In another area of Chin State, villagers were forced to porter from December 20, 2003, until January 19, 2004, and
were therefore unable to celebrate Christmas and New Year in their communities.

The visit was conducted jointly by CSW-UK and CSW-Australia. CSW is one of only a handful of international organizations to visit the Chin
and Kachin. One Chin refugee told the delegation: "Many foreigners go to Burma's eastern border in Thailand, but until now no one has
come to us. We used to pray for foreign NGOs to come to the western borders, and we used to weep when no one came." A Kachin
refugee said: "It is true that we feel we are known by no one." The Chairman of the Chin National Front said: "Your coming here is a
Godsend."

CSW is calling on the international community to respond to these reports of human rights violations in western Burma, which add to the
catalogue of evidence of atrocities perpetrated throughout the country by the junta.

"The forgotten Chin and Kachin peoples of Burma urgently need their voice to be heard," said Baroness Cox, a deputy speaker of the
British House of Lords and CSW-UK's Honorary President, who led the delegation to India. "We appeal to the international community to
increase pressure on the regime to stop its policies of ethnic cleansing, religious persecution, cultural genocide, forced labor and torture.
We also urge other international Non-Governmental Organizations currently providing humanitarian assistance on the Thai-Burmese border
to consider taking up the plight of the refugees and Internally Displaced People in the western regions of Burma too."

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The Chin population numbers approximately 1.5 million. There are believed to be 600,000 Chins in Chin State, and over 50,000 in India.

Torture is used regularly against political detainees. One former school teacher was detained for a week for teaching the Chin language and
culture to students. His interrogators rubbed a wooden pole up and down his shins until the skin came off, and placed a plastic bag of water
over his head. In another case, a village headman was forced to dig a hole and stay in it, chained, for four days and nights with no food and
no access to toilet facilities. He was then hanged from a tree with ropes tied tightly round his wrists, suspended above the ground for a day.

CSW has been working with the Karen, Karenni and Shan internally displaced peoples (IDPs) in eastern Burma, and refugees on the Thai-
Burmese border, for over a decade. More recently, CSW has become increasingly concerned about the situation in western Burma, and in
the past year has developed relations with Chin and Kachin communities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

CSW's visit to India was facilitated by the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO). In New Delhi, the delegation met Chin and Kachin
refugees, as well as the British Deputy High Commissioner and the Chief of Mission of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees
(UNHCR). In Mizoram, the group met Chin refugees, pastors, community development workers, backpack health workers, leaders of the
Chin National Front (CNF) and the Chief Minister of Mizoram State.

Benedict Rogers, CSW Advocacy Officer for Burma, has just written a new book entitled A Land Without Evil: Stopping the Genocide of
Burma's Karen People. Please contact CSW for a review copy

-------------------------------
January 21, 2004 Thousands more civilians attacked in Burma as ceasefire
talks start
While Burma's largest armed ethnic resistance group, the Karen National Union (KNU), arrived in Rangoon last week to negotiate a
ceasefire agreement with the ruling military junta, CSW received reports that an estimated 3,500 Karen and Karenni people have been
newly displaced by the Burma Army.
Troops of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) have burned rice barns and laid landmines around the villages they have
overrun, in a campaign to clear all Karenni people from southern Karenni state. This is in addition to the estimated one million people
already displaced in the jungles of eastern Burma.

In Karen State near the Karenni border, villagers from at least four villages have been forced to flee by the SPDC troops. Karenni National
Progressive Party (KNPP) Deputy Commander, Major-General Aung Mya, told news agency Agence France-Presse that SPDC forces have
"burned down six villages and 40 rice barns, and seized several hundred cattle". Evidence of forced labor continues to emerge, and several
of the new Internally Displaced People (IDPs) have already died of starvation. A 17-year-old boy stepped on a landmine outside of Ka Lae
Lo village and lost his leg from the knee down.

In a sign that the SPDC is not approaching the ceasefire negotiations with the Karen in good faith, the Karenni have reported that 1,000
new SPDC soldiers have been brought into Karenni State from Karen areas. The Karenni claim the SPDC is taking advantage of the
unofficial ceasefire with the Karen, which was agreed to verbally in early December, to concentrate their forces against the Karenni.

In a report, a CSW source concluded: "This is a humanitarian crisis. These people urgently need food, shelter and protection. They would
also like to be able to return home and not face the oppression of the Burma Army."

CSW remains extremely concerned about the critical situation in Burma. CSW urges the SPDC to ensure that any ceasefire agreement
reached results in the complete withdrawal of SPDC forces from Karen, Karenni and other ethnic areas and for the Burma Army to end its
widespread human rights abuses including rape, forced labor and using people as human minesweepers. CSW also urges the SPDC to
demonstrate it is serious about reform by releasing Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, and all prisoners of conscience
from prison, and by lifting all restrictions on the activities of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other political parties. CSW has
urged its supporters to contact their representatives in Congress to raise urgent concern about the ongoing situation in Burma.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW-UK, said: "While we cautiously welcome ceasefire discussions between the SPDC and the KNU,
the test of that ceasefire will be in the daily reality for the Karen and others. If there is simply an end to armed conflict, but SPDC troops
remain on the ground terrorising civilians, a ceasefire is meaningless.

"The international community should respond to the current humanitarian crisis of the internally displaced people and make a concerted
effort to put pressure on the SPDC to stop its current offensives in Karen, Karenni and other ethnic nationality areas."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The past year has seen a deterioration in the human rights situation in Burma.

On May 30, 2003, mobs orchestrated by the SPDC launched an assassination attempt against Nobel Laureate, democracy leader Aung
San Suu Kyi. While she survived, hundreds of her supporters were beaten, arrested, imprisoned and scores were killed. She was detained,
initially in an undisclosed location and now under house arrest in her home in Rangoon. Amnesty International recently made their second
ever visit to Burma, and reported that the situation has deteriorated significantly since their visit in early 2003. Over 1,000 political prisoners
remain behind bars, and systematic rape, forced labor, extrajudicial killings, use of human minesweepers, burning of villagers, looting,
pillaging, extortion, destruction of crops and food supplies, and the use of child soldiers continues to be perpetrated by SPDC forces,
particularly in Karen, Karenni and Shan areas of eastern Burma.

The Karenni have reported that the Burma Army is constructing a new road from Mawchi south east to Htee Lay Kee, to serve the new
Wolfram mine. Villagers from township 2 and township 3 in District 2 of Karenni State were forcibly relocated along the Mawchi-Toungoo
road on December 10, and are being used as porters for the SPDC soldiers. At least 80 Karenni women and 40 Karenni men have been
forced to carry supplies for the SPDC to the Karen-Karenni border.

On December 26, 2003, SPDC forces ordered all Karenni villagers north and south of the Mawchi-Toungoo road to relocate to Mahntahlayn
near Pasaung, on the west bank of the Salween river, or be shot on sight. Three days later, SPDC soldiers forced the villagers out of their
homes.

In Muthraw district, 995 Karenni IDPs and 678 Karen IDPs are hiding together. A CSW source reported on January 11, 2004 that: "rice is
running out and although there is a relief team providing emergency medical assistance, medicine will run out in two weeks if there is no
resupply."

On January 17 and 18, according to the CSW source, three SPDC battalions attacked Karen villagers with mortars, RPG-7s, M-79 grenade
launchers and light (5.56) machine guns. There were also new clashes between SPDC and KNU forces. Over 500 villagers from Kolay and
two other nearby villages are now in hiding.

While the SPDC has announced it would reconvene the National Convention to draft a new constitution and transition to democracy, and
would conduct the transition in an "all-inclusive manner" involving all groups, rhetoric has so far not been matched by reality.

The release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners is an essential precursor to a meaningful National Convention and transition to
democracy.

--------------------------------
November 7, 2003 CSW Welcomes BAT Decision to Pull Out of Burma
(United Kingdom) CSW welcomes the British American Tobacco (BAT) decision to pull out of its investment in Burma. BAT was the largest
single British investor in Burma and pressure had been put on the company by the UK government and a coalition of groups to get it to pull
out.

The Burma Campaign UK and the Federation of Trade Unions (Burma) led a strong campaign to persuade the company to abandon its
investment in the country which CSW supported.
BAT's investment generated an estimated £250,000 in profit per year for the Burmese military regime and at least 40 percent of this money
is believed to have been spent on arms. BAT has today announced the sale of its share of the cigarette making operation to a partner
based in Singapore.

Prime Minister Tony Blair had criticized BAT for continuing to work with the military junta which continues to keep Aung San Suu Kyi under
house arrest. The UK government formally asked BAT to leave Burma in July this year.

In the next issue of Response magazine, CSW will be urging supporters to write to their MP and MEPs in a bid to strengthen the EU
Common Position on Burma, which is due for review in April 2004.

CSW will continue to urge Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to push for investment sanctions to be included in the EU Common Position and if
agreement cannot be reached at an EU level, is calling for the UK to take the lead to implement economic sanctions unilaterally.

CSW is also requesting that the military regime of Burma be brought before the UN Security Council, that the UN Secretary General fully
implements the resolutions on Burma passed by successive sessions of the UN General Assembly and works towards the implementation
of resolutions passed by the International Labor Organization at its 2000 conference.

Thank you for your support - advocacy works!

------------------------------------
May 6, 2003 Christian Political Prisoner, Dr. Salai Tun Than Released After
Hunger Strike in Burmese Jail
A prominent Christian political prisoner has been released from prison in Burma after staging a hunger strike to draw international attention
to inhumane prison conditions and the persistent violations of fundamental human rights, including the lack of religious freedom.

Dr Salai Tun Than, 75, started a week long hunger strike from his bed in Insein Prison Hospital, Rangoon, on Sunday April 27, to protest
against the conditions at Insein and other prisons in Burma which persistently fail to meet the UN's Standard Minimum Rules for the
Treatment of Prisoners.

According to sources close to Dr Salai Tun Than, the professor maintained that he and a handful of political prisoners who had been
allowed by the Burmese military junta to meet with delegations from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nation
Special Rapporteur on Human Rights were interrogated by prison guards and Military Intelligence personnel, contrary to international
norms, after each of these meetings.

The professor also claimed that prison guards and Military Intelligence personnel monitored and recorded all conversations made during
the brief periods of family visits.

In addition, he complained that the medical care and facilities in the prison hospital failed to meet even the minimum standard for health,
safety and hygiene.

Dr Salai Tun Than also claimed that his freedom to practise his Christian faith was severely curtailed. The prison authorities reportedly
denied him access to a Bible and refused to grant him permission to take Holy Communion inside the prison.

The professor's action has set off a new wave of protests in the US and in Europe. Bowing to mounting international pressure, the military
dictatorship released the professor and 17 other political prisoners on Sunday May 4.

In a government statement, the military junta claimed "the releases are the latest in a series of efforts by the government to move Myanmar
closer to multiparty democracy and national reconciliation."

However, Christian Solidarity Worldwide understands that the release of Dr Salai Tun Than and the others was strictly on condition that they
refrain from engaging in future political activities.

The family of Dr Salai Tun Than is thrilled at his release. The professor's youngest daughter Mai Theinggi Tun Than told Christian Solidarity
Worldwide: "We won one step now...He is now at home. I have already talked to him. Although he is weak because of his seven-day hunger
strike and his illness, his mentality is still very strong...We have to go on to other steps - to release all political prisoners, and to free
Burma."

On hearing of the professor's hunger strike, CSW has raised his case with European foreign ministries, Embassies in Rangoon, The
European Commission, the Council of Europe, the United Nations Rapporteurs on Torture, Religious Intolerance, Human Rights in Burma
and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

On the anniversary of the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest (May 6 2002), Christian Solidarity Worldwide reiterated its call on
the military regime to take genuine steps towards national reconciliation by engaging Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of the non-
Burman ethnic nationalities in transparent and meaningful political dialogues and setting down a broad framework and timescale for the
return of civilian rule.

A spokesman for CSW said: "We welcome the release of Dr Salai Tun Than and unreservedly commend him for his courageous stand for
human rights and religious freedom.

"The release of Dr Salai Tun Than and 17 other political prisoners, and indeed the release of Aung San Suu Kyi a year ago, are clear
examples that the military regime of Burma responds well to concerted international pressure. For the sake of the thousands of prisoners in
Burma's prisons and the hundred of thousands of internally displaced ethnic people struggling to survive in Burma's jungles, the
international community must continue to apply diplomatic and economic pressures until there are real and sustained changes in the
country."
NOTES TO EDITORS:

Dr Salai Tun Than was arrested outside Rangoon City Hall on November 29 2001 for staging a solo protest and distributing a petition
calling for a multi-party general election to be held. At a secret trial in February 2002, he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment under
section 5(j) of the Emergency Provisions Act 1950.

Since his incarceration in Insein Prison, the professor has reportedly been suffering from eye problems, bone disease and other ailments.

The release of Dr Salai Tun Than and 17 others is the first significant wave of release of political prisoners in six months. According to
Amnesty International, over 1,200 political prisoners are believed to be behind bars in Burma.

Prison conditions in Burma are harsh and prisoners are often deprived of proper sanitation, adequate medical care, food and water.
Prisoners are often hooded whenever they are taken out of their cells. Political prisoners at prison hospitals, in particular, are strictly
forbidden to speak with ordinary prisoners. Trials of prisoners repeatedly fail to meet international standards for fair trial procedures.

According to a recent list published by the Asian Tribune, at least 189 political prisoners in various prisons in Burma are suffering acute
illnesses and are in urgent need of medical attention.

The non-Burma ethnic nationalities constitute at least 40 percent of the country's population and occupy over two-thirds of the land. The
constitution, particularly the issue of ethnic rights, has been at the root of much of Burma's problems today. Ethnic participation in political
dialogues is a vital requisite and the best means of promoting national reconciliation.

_____________________________________________________________________________

February 28, 2003 CSW Calls on Christians and Churches Around the
World to Keep Watch and Pray for Burma
DAY OF PRAYER FOR BURMA ON MARCH 8

In support of the Global Day of Prayer for Burma on 9th March, Christian Solidarity Worldwide together with Release International, Karen
Aid, Friends of Burma, Karen Action Group, Committee for the Internally Displaced Karen People, Tear Fund and others are co-hosting a
Day of Prayer for Burma.

Date: Saturday, 8th March 2003

Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Venue: St. John's Church
Waterloo Road, London SW1
Admission: Free

CSW is also calling on Christians and churches around the world to devote the first week of March to keep watch and pray for Burma.

Burma is under the rule of one of the most brutal regimes in the world. Since taking power in a coup in 1962, the military junta (currently
known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)) has gone to terrifying lengths to subdue and annihilate the democratic
opposition and the country's numerous ethnic groups.

Civilians are regularly used by the military as human minesweepers, bullet shields and forced labourers. Children are abducted and sent to
the frontline. Villagers are shot on sight, villages are burnt down, paddy and livestock are destroyed. As one Shan woman recently told
CSW, 'The SPDC troops came, they took whatever they wanted, burnt, killed and destroyed whatever they did not want. They captured our
women, used us as porters during day and raped us at night."

The SPDC regularly attacks civilian villages in the ethnic areas. Most of these attacks take place in the middle of the night and are most
intense during planting and harvest seasons. Close to a million people are living in the jungles deep inside Burma. In the words of a recent
human rights report, 'they are constantly hunted, shelled and driven like animals' by the Burmese troops.

Despite the release of pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 6th May last year, the military junta has so far failed to take any
genuine step towards national reconciliation.

"Our theme for this year is 'Hope and Healing'. We hope to look towards the future of Burma and consider ways in which we can support
the restoration of Burma in prayers and in action," said Benedict Rogers, a journalist and a speaker for the Day. "The Scriptures promise us
that when we ask of God, He will make the nations our inheritance, and the ends of the earth our possession (Ps. 2:8). We believe that as
Christians around the world stand with those suffering in Burma, the Kingdom of God will impact that nation, bringing justice, freedom, and
an end to the gross violations of human rights."

--------------------------------
February 11, 2003 Child Soldiers And Gang-Rape Survivors In Burma Give
Testimonies In New CSW Report
A 14-year-old boy has told CSW of his experiences as one of an estimated 70,000 child soldiers forced to fight for the Burmese regime.

Kyow*, who fled his frontline army unit, told a CSW fact-finding team to the Thai-Burmese border in late November 2002, that he was just
11 when he was abducted by uniformed soldiers while waiting at a bus stop. He was not allowed to contact his parents and has been
unable to locate them for the past three years.

Kyow, a Buddhist, has begged the world to tell the Burmese regime not to force children to fight. He said there were many children of a
similar age in the military camp, and it is estimated that 20 percent of the total number of Burmese Army soldiers are under 18.

After eight months in the Ta Kyin Koe First Battalion Camp in Danyigorn District, Kyow was sent to a training camp for regular soldiers in
the Fifth Battalion, where he underwent five months of military training before being sent to the frontline in Pa-pun district, Karen State.

The boy said 15 soldiers in his unit of 30 were about his age. The children were forced to undertake regular military activities, and were
beaten by officers. Over the course of eight months, Kyow witnessed ethnic Karen villages being attacked and the villagers rounded up and
forced to work as porters for the army.

Kyow told CSW that Burmese Army soldiers were under orders to burn, rape and kill when they entered a Karen village.

"With the Burmese Army it was like hell," Kyow said. "It is not good for a child to be a soldier. Tell the international community to speak to
the regime, to tell them not to grab children and force them to be soldiers."

In a report released last week, Christian Solidarity Worldwide revealed further evidence that children are forced to undertake military
activities and that women are gang-raped by troops from the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Burma's ruling military junta.

The report also provides fresh evidence of the serious human rights abuses perpetrated by the SPDC, chiefly against the non-Burman
ethnic civilian populations. These campaigns include mass scale forced labor, the use of humans as mine sweepers, military offensives
against civilians, forced relocation programs, extensive and indiscriminate use of landmines, rape, mass killing, shooting on sight, the
destruction of villages and crops, extortion, and generally denying ethnic populations their basic means of subsistence.

In addition to visiting Karen and Karenni areas, CSW also went inside Shan State. The team interviewed 12 Shan women who had recently
arrived at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) site. All of them recounted how they had been gang-raped by SPDC soldiers on more
than one occasion in the past two years. They said women in Shan State are used as army porters by day and gang-raped by SPDC troops
by night.

22-year-old Nan* from Southern Shan State told CSW that she was gang-raped by SPDC troops on more than five occasions in the past
two years. To escape from the Burmese army, Nan had to flee from village to village but wherever she fled, the same thing happened. "The
troops came, they took whatever they wanted, burnt, killed and destroyed whatever they did not want. They captured the women and used
us as porters."

Another woman, Baiyoke*, recalled how she and her two teenage daughters were gang-raped by over 50 SPDC soldiers two years ago.
Both her daughters were subsequently murdered by the troops - one suffocated, the other shot in the waist and forehead. "I still have vivid
image of the bodies of my daughters wrapped in plastic sheets," Baiyoke said.

Testimonies given by over 30 individuals who had personally suffered at the hands of the Burmese Army further add to the evidence that
these campaigns are systematic and are designed to subdue, integrate and annihilate targeted non-Burmans and to eliminate resistance
groups. As such, the SPDC's policies can be described as genocide or ethnic cleansing.

Referring to these campaigns in a debate in the House of Lords in December, Baroness Caroline Cox, CSW UK's President, said: "Many
Karen and Karenni people regard Britain with respect and affection. They remember with appreciation the dignity that they were afforded by
the British administration, and they recall how many of them died fighting alongside British forces and, sometimes, for British soldiers. The
international community in general and Britain in particular, have a moral imperative to help to save the lives of thousands of innocent
civilians who are suffering and dying in Burma today at the hands of a brutal regime."

* To protect the identity of the witnesses, full names are not used

August 21, 2002 Crackdown on NGOs and Burmese Political Groups in

Thailand

The Arrest of Burmese Dissidents in Thailand

On August 20, 2002, the Thai police and local authorities reportedly arrested more than 30 Burmese democratic activists in the border
district of Sangkhlaburi, Kachanaburi Province, opposite the Three Pagodas Pass.

Most of those arrested are members of the National League for Democracy (Liberated Area), the All Burmese Students’ Democratic Front,
the Democratic Party for a New Society, the People’s Democratic Front, the Karen National Union and the Mon Youth Progressive
Organization. They had fled Burma in fear of political persecution.

Latest reports suggested that they have been charged with illegal entry and now face imminent deportation to Burma, where they will
almost certainly be imprisoned and tortured by the military regime.

Thai Government’s Plans to Tighten Restrictions on Democratic and Human Rights Activities along the Border

Credible sources also report that the Prime Minister of Thailand, the Deputy Minister, the Minister of Defense and the Secretary General of
the Thai National Security Council co-signed a 50-page directive on July 18, 2002 instructing the Thai security agencies to impede the
activities of ethnic and Burmese democratic and human rights organizations operating on Thai soil.

The document includes specific orders not to issue border passes, not to provide travel documents or help local travel in any way and not to
allow meetings or conferences to be held in Thailand. It also warns that all international NGOs operating along the border would be under
scrutiny and would be instructed to abide by the activities listed in their registration documents filed with the Thai authorities.

At present, there is no hard evidence to suggest that the directive has been implemented. It is not clear whether yesterday’s arrest was
linked with the new policies.

CSW, however, received information that some unregistered human rights NGOs and political groups in Chiang Mai and other areas have
temporarily closed their offices and are keeping a low profile for fear of further raids by the authorities.

Thai-Burma Relations

It is widely believed that the Thai government is under increased pressure from Burma to curb democratic and human rights activities
along the border. Rangoon has made it clear that it would not reopen the border until Thailand announced a clearer stance on its
relationship with ethnic minorities openly opposing the ruling junta, particularly the Karen National Union and Shan State Army.

Other Concerns

While the Thai government is to be commended for providing a safe haven for those fleeing gross human rights violations, CSW remains
deeply concerned that:

- the Thai authorities have been consolidating the number of camps, reducing them from over 30 to less than 12 in the past 8 years.
Karenni Camp 3 is the latest to be consolidated (please refer to CSW Briefing dated July 11, 2002 for details). Meanwhile, the number of
refugees crossing the border has almost doubled.

- since the end of last year, the Thai authorities have stopped registering new arrivals and have ordered refugee camp leaders to stop
taking in people. Meanwhile, the situation inside Burma continues to deteriorate and the SPDC army has been targeting the civilian
population throughout the wet season. An estimated 60,000 – 70,000 people have been internally displaced within Burma this year alone.
Over 5,000 people fled into Thailand in the months of May and June.

- in March of this year, the Burma Border Consortium (BBC) which provides food to all the refugee camps along the Thai border received
instructions from the Thai National Security Council that they should only give food and supplies to registered cases. The discrepancies
between the Thai registered case load and BBC workload is close to 20,000 people, almost 15% of the total refugee population.

- it is widely believed that the Thai authorities have plans to categorize NGOs and personnel operating along the border with the aim of
increasing monitoring of their activities.

The Thai government is sensitive to international pressure. CSW strongly urges the US government and our European
counterparts to express concern to the Thai authorities regarding the recent crackdown and wider policy concerns.

Recommendations:

CSW strongly urges the Thai government to:

- Observe the international principle of non-refoulement and refrain from deporting the 31 Burmese back to Burma where they are likely to
face torture and imprisonment
- Review its existing policies on human rights defenders and pursue a more tolerant approach towards political groups and human rights
NGOs operating along the Thai-Burma border
- Refrain from relocating Camp 3 and other refugee camps closer to the border, which will put civilians at risk of attacks from SPDC troops
- Augment border security to protect refugees taking shelter on Thai soil
- Extend the Thai tradition and virtue of hospitality and provide refuge to the Shan who are also fleeing gross human rights abuses from the
SPDC
- Take a stronger stance against the human rights abuses committed by the Burmese military

CSW also urges the US government to:

- Articulate the above concerns to the Thai government

- Augment pressure on the SPDC regime to immediately cease all human rights abuses against the Karen, Karenni, Shan and other ethnic
groups; to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally and permanently; to engage in a tri-part dialogue with the ethnic
minorities and the NLD
- Impress upon the ASEAN nations that gross violation on human rights is not an internal matter and encourage the ASEAN nations to take
a stronger stand against the SPDC regime until there is significant and lasting change in its human rights records
- Put pressure on China to use its influence on Burma to bring about peaceful democratic change, and to stop supplying arms to the SPDC
- Provide logistical support, financial assistance, development and human rights training to countries like Thailand, Bangladesh and India,
who are currently hosting refugees from Burma
- Channel more resources to the 2 million internally displaced population inside Burma and to the Karen, Karenni and Shan refugees
seeking shelter in Thailand

------------------------------------------
July 18, 2002 CSW Calls for International Intervention as Ethnic Minorities
in Burma are "Hunted Like Animals"
The Karen people of Burma are 'hunted, shelled and driven like animals' according to a report from CSW's latest fact-finding visit.

The ethnic minorities in Burma are suffering the worst year of persecution since 1997, despite the release of Burmese democracy leader
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi over two months ago.

While the report welcomes positive developments, it also observes that in areas along the Eastern border, the persecution has intensified.
In a visit earlier this month to Karen and Karenni areas on the Thai-Burmese border, CSW heard reports of continuing attacks on villages by
the Burmese military. From April until June this year, according to the Free Burma Rangers (FBR) in their report A Brutal Reign of Terror, 28
Karen villages were attacked and looted and the people were forced to relocate. At least six villages were burned, five churches destroyed,
three pastors captured and tortured for five days, and 15 villagers murdered, including children aged just two years old. Over 5,000 people
have been displaced and the "feeling of fear and hopelessness was palpable", according to the FBR report.

The report quotes a Burma Army Column Commander, Khin Mau Kyi, who led many of the attacks on villages, speaking as he urinated on
the head of a Buddhist monk: "I don't respect any religion. My religion is the trigger of my gun."

CSW UK Board Member Benedict Rogers, who returned from the Thai-Burmese border last week, is calling on the international community
to intervene in Burma to restore peace, democracy and justice: "The international community should insist that Burma's illegal ruling military
junta make meaningful progress towards the transfer of power to the democratically elected government.

"The international community should be prepared to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the junta complies with these
demands and ceases its brutal suppression of the citizens of Burma. The human rights violations which occur daily in Burma under the
junta are as horrific as those in Afghanistan under the Taliban. If the world could act in Afghanistan, then it can act in Burma."

CSW is also calling for greater pressure on China, to stop arming the Burmese junta and to use its close relationship with Burma to
influence the regime to stop its persecution of the minorities.

Karen National Union (KNU) General Secretary Mahn Sha told CSW that he had hoped the release of Aung San Suu Kyi would bring about
three developments: the release of all political prisoners, an end to the reign of terror against the minorities, and the start of meaningful
dialogue on political reform. So far, the junta has failed on all counts.

Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) commander Nerdah Mya said: "The Burmese always say that the ethnic minority problem is an
internal matter. But how can genocide, the killing of innocent civilians, continuing human rights abuses, rape, looting and destruction be an
'internal matter'? It is an international matter." Nerdah Mya said sanctions were helpful, but were not enough to force the regime to change.
"We need to find a quicker way. The more time it takes, the more lives are lost."

James Mawdsley, an International Representative for CSW and former prisoner in Burma after being arrested for pro-democracy
demonstrations, said: "Daw Suu Kyi's release is having a wonderful effect on millions of people in central Burma, but so long as the junta
believes the international community is not monitoring the border areas, then the vicious and terrifying assaults on communities there will
continue."

-----------------------------------------------

July 5, 2002 URGENT APPEAL FOR BURMA

Dear friends,

Thai authorities have been ordered to arrest the leaders of any “anti-Rangoon minority groups” found in Thailand. Thai Defense Minister
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said, “Leaders and core members of ethnic minority rebels often sneak into the towns and hold meetings here and
there in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. We are keeping a look out for them. We will not let any group use Thailand as a
sanctuary or operational base.” (The Nation)

This creates added pressure to the ethnic minorities, already facing severe persecution from the Burmese junta. To make matters worse,
Burma has asked Thailand to relax its rules against Burmese troops entering Thai territory in pursuit of ethnic minorities.

Please Pray

- That Thailand will block Burmese military intrusions into Thailand. Pray that Thailand would take seriously its obligation under international
law to protect those fleeing human rights abuse.

- That leaders of ethnic minorities from inside Burma would be able to meet together, support their people and plan for the future without
fear of intimidation or arrest by Thai authorities.

“The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of
his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:10-11

Please Give

CSW seeks to help the most forgotten. Those who assist in the evacuation of refugees fleeing cruel attacks from the Burmese military are
themselves desperately in need of supplies. These brave young men, many of whom are Christians, also provide security for fact-finding,
medical and relief teams entering Burma. They often sleep on the wet jungle floor and are therefore more susceptible to malarial infection.

- $1155 US will purchase 100 hammocks, mosquito repellant, candles and coffee (the latter would mean a lot to those who need to manage
on very little sleep for days on end).

- Two video cameras will assist Karen fact-finding teams to document attacks of the Burmese military on civilians.

As Aung Saan Suu Kyi stated in her recent interview with Burma Campaign, speed is of the essence in bringing change to Burma. Help us
help the local people expose the truth of what is happening inside Burma. Truth really does set people free, in more ways than one!

(Donations can be made by check, or video cameras delivered to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, who will send them to our partner, CSW-
UK, residing near the Burmese border)

Thank you for your prayers and gifts.

--------------------------------------------
May 13, 2002 Good News: Burmese Pastor Released
Dear Friends,

We would like to share several items of good news with you and take this opportunity to thank you for all your prayers and support.

We have recently received encouraging news from Burma, Indonesia, Cuba and the UK Parliament.

As you probably know, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from house arrest which is a very encouraging sign for the people of
Burma and the progress of democracy there. As leader of the National League for Democracy, she plays a key part in national
reconciliation and bringing an end to human rights abuses.

Further to this development, a Burmese pastor, Rev Lian Za Dal, has been released from prison after being arrested on April 5. He had not
reported having guests to stay at his Rangoon house for ministerial training courses and held worship services, both of which are illegal
without prior permission. When he refused to sign a document saying he would not have any further worship services or meetings at his
home, he was arrested. Such is his faith, that while he was in prison, some of his fellow-prisoners were converted. Elders from the 1,100-
strong church met with the authorities and he was released on April 30 on the condition that he would not hold any worship services at his
church during the next six months. It is at least in part due to your prompt prayers and action that he has been freed so quickly by the
authorities.

In Indonesia, ever since the peace agreement was signed relating to the Moluccas, we have been asking supporters to urge the Indonesian
authorities to back their words with action over security. The good news is that they have arrested Jafar Umar Thalib, the leader of Laskar
Jihad, the militant Islamist organization responsible for stirring up a lot of the trouble in those islands. The authorities have also vowed to
come down hard on others who cause sectarian or inter-religious trouble. This is excellent news and a real breakthrough, thanks to your
prayers and intervention.

In Cuba, while we are concerned that blind human rights activist Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva is still in prison, we are encouraged that
Glenys Kinnock MEP has intervened on his behalf. We asked supporters to write to her and other MEPs to take up his case and she has
written to the Cuban Ambassador to the European Union raising concerns about his treatment. Juan Carlos, a blind Christian, was beaten
and imprisoned on March 4 and pressured to renounce his work with the Cuban Foundation for Human Rights.

Finally, more than 100 MPs have signed four separate Early Day Motions (EDMs) calling on the UK government to speak up for human
rights in China, Sudan, North Korea and Pakistan. Andy King, Labor MP for Rugby and Kenilworth, worked with CSW's Parliamentary
Officer to produce three out of the four EDMs. Although they are rarely debated, they are tabled by MPs to raise awareness of issues and to
show the level of concern for the matters raised. We know that many of you have contributed to this broad demonstration of concern by
asking your MP to add his or her name to the EDMs.

Thank you from all of us for all your prayers, protests and provision on behalf of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-10

------------------------------------------------------------

May 8, 2002 Internally Displaced Settlements Torched on the Day of Daw

Suu Kyi's Release
While the world welcomed the release of pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 6th May, the Burmese military were attacking
villages in Eu Tu Klo, Karen State.

According to the Committee for the Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP), the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) troops
burnt down a hospital, a workshop for the handicapped, a school and seven houses.

Around 500 people from Pau Kar Der internally displaced persons (IDP) village and Kho Kay village were forced to flee to Thailand.

The contrast of the day's events were captured in Daw Suu Kyi's statement on her release: "My release should not be looked at as a major
breakthrough for democracy. For all people in Burma to enjoy basic freedom - that would be the major breakthrough."

CSW rejoices with the people of Burma over Daw Suu Kyi's release but remains gravely concerned about ongoing human rights abuses,
particularly the escalating attacks on the internally displaced population.

Last month, the UN Commission on Human Rights adopted a resolution sponsored by the European Union, calling on the military junta to
immediately end all institutionalized human rights abuses. Among the violations cited are the practice of forced relocation of civilians, the
use of forced labor, extra judicial killing, torture, military offensives against the ethnic minorities in Shan, Karen and Karenni States,
violations of all civil and political rights, including religious freedom and equality for all.

According to a fact-finding visit undertaken by CSW Hong Kong and CSW Australia in April, there has been little overall change in the
human rights situation in Karen and Karenni States near the Thai-Burma border.

The 1 to 2 million IDPs, who are eking out a fragile and uncertain existence in the jungles and mountains of Burma, remain in critical need
of food, medical care and education.

In the month of March alone, over 30 settlements were reportedly attacked and torched.
Saw Day Law, the Secretary of the Karen Refugee Committee, described one of the attacks, "On 2nd March, the SPDC troops came to my
home village in Karen State, just a few hours walk from the Thai border. The villagers tried to escape to the forest, taking with them what
they could.

"When the troops arrived, they caught the chicken, killed the pigs and burned down some houses. They also destroyed the rice stocks.

"One villager was killed and two others maimed by the landmines planted by the soldiers. Three other villagers were forced to work as army
porters, to walk ahead of the troops in the front line."

The military has stepped up cross-border security, making it increasingly dangerous for the ethnic minorities to flee to Thailand. Those
caught trying to escape are often summarily executed or tortured and then executed.

Doh Say Bani of the Karenni Refugee Committee said, "Our people are still being killed. Our people are still being forced to work. All our
people in Burma are living in fear."

The team was also told that, in March, the SPDC troops buried an eight-year old Karenni girl alive as a human sacrifice for a river bridge
they were constructing. The troops had encountered great difficulties in building the bridge in the Tongu district of Karenni State.

With currency at an all time low, inflation at over 25% and the country's infrastructure close to collapsing, many divisional commanders are
now paid in drugs, rather than in cash.

CSW welcomes the release of the Nobel Prize Laureate as a gesture of goodwill but urges the regime to further demonstrate its
commitment to democratic reforms and human rights by fully implementing the recommendations made by the UN Commission on Human
Rights.

CSW reiterates its calls on the SPDC to engage in a transparent and meaningful triparte dialogue with the NLD and the ethnic minorities,
which constitute a third of the country's population, and to set down a broad framework and time scale for the return of civilian rule.

The release of Daw Suu Kyi is a clear sign that external pressure is effective. CSW calls on the international community to remain vigilant
and to augment the pressure until there is significant and lasting improvement in Burma.

CSW's James Mawdsley, who endured 14 months of solitary confinement in Burma as a prisoner of conscience, commented, "It is a joy to
see Daw Suu Kyi walking free, so calm, and directed, surrounded by people who support her. If Europe and America can match her clarity
of vision and constancy of purpose then positive change really could sweep across Burma.

"As for the SPDC, they are still arresting innocent people, such as Pastor That Ci, Pastor Lian Za Dal and Dr Salai Tun Than, for expressing
their beliefs and are still detaining elected MPs. They have no new regard for the people of Burma. To believe otherwise prolongs the
suffering.

"The SPDC has released Daw Suu Kyi in Rangoon because the world is watching Rangoon. Yet in the border areas their savage attacks on
the ethnic groups continue. The more light we throw on this the sooner it will stop."

-----------------------------------------
April 16, 2002 Burma: Petition for Chin Baptist Ministers Detained in
Insein Prison
Summary

Two prominent Chin Baptist ministers, Rev. That Ci, and Rev. Lian Za Dal, from Dagon North Township, outside Rangoon city, were
arrested by the military junta on 5th April. They are currently detained in Burma's notorious Insein prison.

Full Story

Rev. That Ci, his son-in-law Rev. Lian Za Dal, and eight family members were arrested by the Township and District authorities during a
midnight raid at Rev. Ci's residence in Dagon North Township, outside Rangoon city.

The authorities accused Rev. That Ci of failing to register houseguests when his daughter and son-in-law, Rev. Lian Za Dal, the minister of
Pin Long Church in Dagon North Township, came to spend the night at his house. Under the military dictatorship, citizens of Burma are
required to register houseguests, including members of their extended family. According to credible sources, Rev. That Ci attempted to file a
guest registration at the Block Peace and Development Council office that afternoon but his application was turned down on the basis that it
needed to be reviewed by the Township authority.

Local Christians believe the arrest is a renewed effort to curb Christian activities in Rangoon. Both Rev. That Ci and Rev. Lian Za Dal are
prominent Christian leaders in Dagon North area. The Township and District authorities had on numerous occasions warned both of them to
stop proselytizing. On the afternoon of 5 April, a military unit visited Pin Long Church to pressurize Rev. Lian Za Dal to pledge, in writing, to
stop holding church services. Rev. Lian Za Dal refused to sign the undertaking on the basis that he has done nothing against the regime.
The authorities had also previously warned the minister not to construct a church building in the local area.

According to the Chin Human Rights Organization, both Rev. Lian Za Dal and Rev. That Ci were transferred to Insein Prison on 8th April
2002. The whereabouts of the other family members remained unclear.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide said, "CSW is concerned for the safety and well-being of all those
arrested on April 5. It is vital that past discrimination against these individuals is not used to prejudice the authorities on what is already a
dubious accusation."

CSW has called on the State Peace and Development Council to immediately and unconditionally release Rev. Lian Za Dal, Rev. That Ci
and their family members.

Background
For the past three years, the United States Department of State has designated Burma as a 'Country of Particular Concern' for violating
religious freedom. Although there is no specific legislation against proselytism, civil, political, social and economical rights are severely
restricted. Gatherings of five or more people are illegal unless prior permission from the authorities is obtained. Religious publications are
subject to tight state censorship. The Christian community continues to experience extreme difficulties in obtaining permission to construct
or repair places or worship. Most old church buildings are dilapidated and in urgent need of repair. Last summer, the regime closed down
over 80 churches in and around Rangoon. Most of these churches have not reopened although some have relocated. Prison conditions in
Burma are harsh and prisoners are often denied proper sanitation, adequate medical care, food and water. Trials of prisoners repeatedly
fail to meet international standards for fair trial procedures.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

PRAY

* For the immediate and unconditional release of Rev. That Ci, Rev. Lian Za Dal and the eight others who were arrested

* Pray also for their protection and well-being.

* For the comfort and protection of the rest of the family.

* For Pin Long Church to flourish even under oppression. Pin Long Church has been effective amongst Burman Buddhists. Many Buddists
have converted to Christianity through the ministries of Rev. That Ci and Rev. Lian Za Dal.

PROTEST

Please compile your own individual letter(s) to raise the case with:

1. Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Secretary 1

State Peace and Development Council
C/o Director of Defense Services Intelligence (DDSI)
Ministry of Defence
Signal Pagoda Road
Dagon Post Office
Yangon, Union of Myanmar

Faxes: + 95 1 222 950

Salutation: Your Excellency

2. Department of International Affairs

Colonel Hla Min
Office of Strategic Studies
Department of International Affairs
c/o Ministry of Defense, Signal Pagoda Road
Dagon Post Office
Yangon, Union of Myanmar

Faxes: + 95 1 222 950

(Salutation: Dear Colonel)

3. Your Congressperson. You can find out the name of your Congressperson by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Suggested points you can raise:

* Express your concern about the safety and well-being of the ministers and their family members.

* Request the authorities to disclose the present whereabouts of the eight family members arrested on the same night;

* Urge the authorities to ensure that Rev. Lian Za Dal, Rev. That Ci and the others will not be tortured or ill-treated;

* Ask the authorities to disclose further information about the charges brought against them, including the legislation used;

* Request the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the family;

* Stress that the authorities must adhere to international standards for fair trial procedures, to guarantee the prisoners fair and impartial
hearing, proper access to legal representation, and to allow them adequate time and resources to prepare a defense.

PROVIDE

Please send messages of support and encouragement to Rev. Lian Za Dal and Rev. That Ci in Insein Prison.

You can address your letters and cards to: Insein Prison, Insein, Yangon, Union of Myanmar.

------------------------------------------
April 16, 2002 Burma: Two Baptist Ministers Detained in Insein Prison
Two well-known Baptist ministers from Dagon North Township were arrested by the military junta on 5th April. They are currently detained in
Burma's notorious Insein prison. Rev. That Ci, his son-in-law Rev. Lian Za Dal, and eight family members were arrested by the Township
and District authorities during a midnight raid at Rev. Ci's residence in Dagon North Township, outside Rangoon city.

The authorities accused Rev. That Ci of failing to register houseguests when his daughter and son-in-law, Rev. Lian Za Dal, the minister of
Pin Long Church in Dagon North Township, came to spend the night at his house. Under the military dictatorship, citizens of Burma are
required to register houseguests, including members of their extended family. According to credible sources, Rev. That Ci attempted to file a
guest registration at the Block Peace and Development Council office that afternoon but his application was turned down on the basis that it
needed to be reviewed by the Township authority.

Local Christians believe the arrest is a renewed effort to curb Christian activities in Rangoon. Both Rev. That Ci and Rev. Lian Za Dal are
prominent Christian leaders in Dagon North area. The Township and District authorities had on numerous occasions warned both of them to
stop proselytizing. On the afternoon of 5 April, a military unit visited Pin Long Church to pressurize Rev. Lian Za Dal to pledge, in writing, to
stop holding church services. Rev. Lian Za Dal refused to sign the undertaking on the basis that he had done nothing against the regime.
The authorities had also previously warned the minister not to construct a church building in the local area. For the past three years, the
United States Department of State has designated Burma as a 'Country of Particular Concern' for violating religious freedom. Although
there is no specific legislation against proselytism, civil, political, social and economic rights are severely restricted. Gatherings of five or
more people are illegal unless prior permission from the authorities is obtained. Religious publications are subject to tight state censorship.
The Christian community continues to experience extreme difficulties in obtaining permission to construct or repair places or worship. Most
old church buildings are dilapidated and in urgent need of repair. Last summer, the regime closed down over 80 churches in and around
Rangoon. Most of these churches have not reopened, although some have relocated. According to the Chin Human Rights Organization,
both Rev. Lian Za Dal and Rev. That Ci were transferred to Insein Prison on 8th April 2002. The whereabouts of the other family members
remained unclear.

Prison conditions in Burma are harsh and prisoners are often denied proper sanitation, adequate medical care, food and water. Trials of
prisoners repeatedly fail to meet international standards for fair trial procedures.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK said, "Christian Solidarity Worldwide is concerned for the safety and well-being of all those
arrested on 5 April. It is vital that past discrimination against these individuals is not used to prejudice the authorities on what is already a
dubious accusation."

CSW has called on the State Peace and Development Council to immediately and unconditionally release Rev. Lian Za Dal, Rev. That Ci
and their family members.

---------------------------------------

April 10, 2002 Burmese Baptist Convention Banned on Orders of Junta

A three-day Baptist convention for 100,000 people, which was due to be held in Burma, has been cancelled on the orders of the junta.

General Maung Aye, Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese army, ordered the Kachin Baptist Church (KBC) to cancel its 34th convention
during which they would have elected their leaders.

This is the third time the regime has cancelled the event since seizing power in 1962.

The Christian community of the north eastern Kachin State had planned to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the arrival of the first
Christian missionary to Burma, Ola Hansen, and the 75th anniversary of the translation of the Bible into the Kachin language.

The convention, held every three years, was due to start on April 4 in the Muse township in Shan State, in the north east of Burma.
Christians from all over the country were expected to attend.

Permission to hold the event had been granted by both the northern Shan State regional commander and the head of the Military
Intelligence Service, First Secretary Lt. General Khin Nyunt.

Local sources suspect that the sudden change in policy is part of an ongoing power struggle between the junta's top leaders, General
Maung Aye and Lt. General Khin Nyunt.

At least 80 percent of the population in the Kachin state in north eastern Burma are Christians. They suffer religious persecution and
oppression from the military regime.

The authorities monitor all Christian activities, ban the construction of new churches and prohibit the printing of Christian materials.
Christians are also periodically forced to 'donate' money to Buddhist festivals.

For the past two years, the United States' Department of State has designated Burma as a 'Country of Particular Concern' for violating
religious freedom.

The 1974 Constitution of Burma stipulates that the 'national race shall enjoy the freedom to profess their religion provided that the
enjoyment of any such freedom does not offend the laws or the public interest'.

In practice, however, the Burmese junta closely monitors and restricts the organization and expression of all religions, including Buddhism.

This is partly because Buddhist clergy and religious minorities have in the past been politically active and partly because the regime views
religious freedom in the context of threats to national unity.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: "The ban on the Kachin Baptist convention highlights the ongoing restrictions on religious
freedom.

"The junta, in order to hold onto power, cracks down on different religious groups in its bid to enforce its own single Burmese culture. By
restricting the freedom of worship and making its citizens conform to the predominantly Buddhist Burmese culture, the regime is
systematically destroying the cultural identity of many ethnic groups, most of them Christians or Muslims."

-----------------------------------
March 28, 2002 Thousands of Civilians Flee Latest Attack by Burmese
Army
Over 4,000 people have fled following attacks by the Burmese army on internally displaced settlements in Karen State this month. The
attacks have taken place in Papun and Nyaunglebin, two northern districts of the state.

Six light infantry battalions and one regular infantry battalion attacked the area from three directions. They burned 11 villages, destroyed
numerous paddy fields and rice barns, looted properties, killed two villagers and planted landmines extensively throughout the area.

The 4,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have now fled deep into the jungle inside Burma. As this new offensive has stopped the
planting of new crops and destroyed most of the remaining harvest, they are in desperate need of food and medicines. Many are living in
daily fear of attack from the Burmese army. Some have been in hiding from the junta for almost six years.

This is the second offensive this year. Many of the villages under fire had just been rebuilt after they were destroyed by the military between
November 2001 and January this year. A total of 30 villages have been torched in the past four months.

During the first wave of attacks, the military looted and burnt 18 villages. In the process six people were killed, three were tortured and
3,000 were left homeless. In one village, the entire population of 703 people was forcibly relocated. Others were forced to act as army
porters and human minesweepers.

News of these recent attacks comes at the same time as a decision by the Thai government to repatriate 6,778 refugees, from Mae La
camp on the Thai border to Myawidy Welcome Camp inside Burma, at the beginning of April 2002.

The Thai authorities claim that the refugees had entered the camp illegally, without proper registration with the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Thailand has been a safe haven for over 120,000 Burmese refugees and close to 400,000 illegal immigrants from Burma. Most of them are
from the ethnic minorities, pre-dominantly the Karen, Shan and Karenni.

Last October, the Thai government disregarded the recommendations of the UNHCR and forcibly returned 63 Karen refugees across the
border. Within a month, the settlement these refugees took shelter in was raided by the Burmese army. Fifteen Karen villagers were
arrested, some were interrogated and others were forced to act as porters in extremely harsh conditions.

International human rights groups denounced the incident as a clear case of refoulement by the Thai authorities.

Mary On, a former Chairman of the Karen Refugee Committee, has been a refugee since 1984. She believes that in seeking better
economic relations with Burma, the Thai government will be keen to repatriate all Karen refugees to Burma.

"This should not be allowed to happen until there is a real peace in Burma. If there is genuine peace today, we will go back tonight, we will
not wait until tomorrow," she said. "But for the time being there is no security."

Burma's government regularly denounces these refugees as family members of anti-Rangoon insurgent groups and is reluctant to accept
them back to Burma. Thus, many refugees believe that the junta will only make an insincere offer of peace.

CSW's Stuart Windsor said, "We are extremely concerned that forced repatriation may lead to persecution of those who return. Thailand
has shown tremendous compassion in giving shelter to hundreds of thousands who have fled for their lives across the border. We hope she
will continue to show mercy and allow the refugees to remain on Thai soil in accordance with international laws until there is permanent and
guaranteed security for them in Burma."

"The already precarious conditions of the 400,000 - 500,000 IDPs trapped in the jungle of Burma are deteriorating by the day. They are
constantly hunted down and slaughtered like animals by the junta. One wonders how many more lives have to be sacrificed before the
international community will speak out against these injustice?"

------------------------------------
March 4, 2002 James Mawdsley, Now Working for CSW, to Speak at Burma
Day of Prayer
Saturday March 9: 10am to 4pm, Emmanuel Center, 9-23 Marsham Street, London SW1

James Mawdsley, who spent more than a year in prison in Burma, will be speaking at a Burma Day of Prayer as one of his first tasks as
International Representative for CSW.
James’ role will include researching human rights abuses abroad, fact-finding trips and lobbying of the EU, UN and UK government. He will
also play an active part in presenting CSW’s work in schools, churches and conferences in the UK and abroad.

James, 29, said: "It is a blessing for me to be able to work with CSW. I have got to know them over the past two years and I think it is
wonderful that they so actively pursue the hardest cases - where oppression is worst, where the need for solidarity is greatest. God is kind
when he gives us a job which is our own passion anyway and I know full well from my own experience that CSW’s work is effective.

“People are not apathetic. There is a huge and growing desire from people in the UK to support peace and freedom in places of terrible
suffering. CSW is one channel to do exactly that, and I feel fortunate indeed to be so closely involved."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: “I am delighted that James has joined Christian Solidarity Worldwide. As a young man he
has already achieved so much in the field of human rights. His high profile protest and subsequent imprisonment served to put the plight of
our suffering family in Burma high on the political agenda. James joins an already strong advocacy team here at CSW and his humility and
strong Christian testimony together with his already proven drive and tenacity will be of great benefit in our work of being a voice for the
voiceless in the world.”

At the Burma Day of Prayer, James will be speaking alongside representatives of a number of the sponsoring agencies, including Dr Phil
Amber who will highlight the current medical needs. Other presentations will feature the Internally Displaced Peoples, the church and the
rise of HIV/AIDS.

Over the past few decades, approximately two million people have been expelled from their homes and villages by the Burmese military
regime. It is estimated that Burmese troops murder some 10,000 civilians a year. Over the past ten years the military junta has conscripted
more than three million people including women and children for slave labor. Villagers are forced to be porters for the army or work on
construction projects such as building roads and oil pipelines.

Thousands have fled either their homes or the brutal conditions of relocation sites. The majority of the displaced population is from ethnic
areas such as the Karen, Karenni and Shan states and many are living a fragile existence in the jungles along the Thai-Burma border. They
are in desperate need of shelter, medical care, food, clothing, school supplies, encouragement and spiritual support. Malaria, typhoid,
dysentery, and malnutrition are widespread.

The needs of the internally displaced are huge but there are relatively few individuals or groups seeking to address them, partly because of
the physical dangers. The agencies co-hosting the Burma Day of Prayer are all actively involved in bringing change in Burma whether it be
through international advocacy or humanitarian projects. They also believe that devoting a day to pray for these issues is an integral part of
a Christian response to the suffering of the peoples of Burma.

The agencies co-hosting the Burma Day of Prayer include CSW, Tearfund, Jubilee Campaign, Burmese Christian Fellowship (Friends of
Burma), Karen Action Group, Karen Aid, Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People and Christians Aware. Admission to the Burma
Day of Prayer is free.

------------------------------------

January 11, 2002 Refugee Camp Destroyed as Part of Ongoing

Persecution of Ethnic Minorities in Burma
A refugee camp on the Thailand/Burma border has been overrun by troops sent by the Burmese military junta.

Heavy shellfire preceded the attack on the Ler Per Hur camp just inside the Burma border which was later torched by the soldiers on
December 29.

Some 300 refugees fled across the border to a temporary camp, but will be returned to Burma when the Thai government deems the
situation more stable.

At the invitation of Karen and Karenni leaders, a recent Christian Solidarity Worldwide fact-finding mission uncovered fresh evidence that
forced labor and human rights violations continue unabated in Burma.

During a seven-day visit to the Thai-Burmese border, the CSW team, including Baroness Caroline Cox and released prisoner of conscience
James Mawdsley, interviewed scores of survivors who had been forced to work for the army in very harsh conditions.

The treatment of those forced into labor is so severe that the two Shan convict porters interviewed by the team stated that they would far
prefer prison to portering for the junta.

There is also a substantial increase in the planting of landmines in Karen occupied territory in Southeast Burma such that it is now unsafe
for civilians to work in their rice paddies.

A refugee from the township of Htee Moo Hta, 20km southwest of Myawaddy, told the CSW team that on November 8 2001 his wife
stepped on a landmine freshly laid that morning. She died after having her left leg and arm blown off.

In an attempt to cut all resources to guerrilla resistance groups, the military dictatorship of Burma (currently known as the State and Peace
Development Council (SPDC)) adopts a systematic scorched earth policy against the country's one third minority population. Villagers are
driven from their homes and then prevented from returning to their villages by extensive and indiscriminate planting of landmines. Many
civilians are tortured and executed at will or used as human minesweepers and bullet shields.

Over the past ten years the military junta has conscripted more than three million people, including women and children, for slave labor.
Villagers are press-ganged into portering for the army or into working on construction projects, including roads and oil pipelines, where they
are treated as little more than human mules.

Karenni Prime Minister General Aung Than Ley told the CSW team that recently over 4,000 Karenni civilians had been forced to build a 30
km road which runs from Maw Chi to Toungoo. One person from each household had to work every day. Construction work is virtually all
carried out by hand or using very rudimentary tools. However, on the day an International Labor Organization delegation visited the area, all
forced labor was suspended. Workers were instructed to tell the delegation that there was no forced labor in Burma, or they would be
imprisoned or shot.

The extent and frequency of conscription is such that farmers no longer have time to attend their rice paddies. Famine is creeping into what
should be a fertile part of the country. Almost all the 50 families who lived in one all-Christian village in Toungoo district have fled to avoid
starvation.

According to conservative estimates Burmese troops slaughter some 10,000 civilians each year. Most are peasants from the ethnic
minorities such as the Buddhist Shan and Mon and the predominantly Christian Karen and Karenni.

A 43-year-old refugee witnessed the murder of 18 villagers, including her two cousins. The 18 were buried up to their necks in the ground
and then had their throats cut open. The soldiers also burnt the villagers' homes. Out of 100, only 30 were left standing.

Another Karen woman told of the horrific death of her husband after he was captured and tortured by the Burmese soldiers. They stabbed
him in the throat and ripped open his chest. When his body was found, he was still bound and his internal abdominal organs were visible.

"Whenever I think of my husband I want to cry. They did what they wanted to us villagers. If they had any resistance from the Karen
National Union soldiers (the Karen resistance) they would come to us and demand payment for the weapons they had used or lost."

She finished by saying, "Prayer is the most important thing. I pray that one day I will see my children again and we can meet happily in our
village. Please pray for the Karen people, that we can live safely and peacefully. Thank you for helping us. I wish I had something to give
you but I have nothing."

Tens of thousands of minorities have been driven into the jungles with little food or medical care. They often go hungry and are constantly
hunted like animals as they continue to eke out a fragile and precarious existence in the jungle.

Meanwhile, the international community raises few voices in protest. Western nations continue to trade with the illegitimate military regime
and China provides most of Burma's military hardware supplies. Companies and multinationals like Premier Oil, Total and Triumph
International continue to invest in Burma.

CSW calls on the international community firstly to refuse to accept the legitimacy of the SPDC and secondly to broker negotiations in a
neutral third country between the country's one third ethnic minorities, particularly the newly constituted Ethnic Nationalities Solidarity and
Cooperation Committee, and representatives of the SPDC.

CSW is also calling for Premier Oil to pull out of the gas pipeline project. The British company is holding a 27 per cent share in a gas
pipeline project which has been the scene of gross human rights violations. Villagers 20 miles north and south of the pipeline have been
forced to leave their homes and to labor on the project. Many are beaten and often left on the roadside to die.

James Mawdsley who spent more than a year in solitary confinement in Burma after speaking out for democracy, visited three camps on
the border and children's projects which CSW helps fund.

He said: "It is terrible to look at children in the camps who you know could not possibly be a threat to anybody, and yet be aware that the
military regime in Burma regards them as enemies. Whatsoever the SPDC cannot control it wishes to destroy, and that includes the culture,
communities and lives of these Karen and Karenni children. It is impossible to understand."

He will be speaking at the Prayer Day for Burma 2002 on Saturday March 9 2002 at Westminster Chapel, Buckingham Gate, London SW1
6BS. The event is co-hosted by CSW in conjunction with Tear Fund, Karen Aid, Karen Action Group, Burmese Fellowship (Friends of
Burma), the Committee of Internally Displaced Karen People, Christian Aware and various other Christian Non-Government Organizations,
to raise awareness and to pray for the people in Burma.

----------------------------------
December 4, 2001 CSW Calls on MPs to Support Nobel Peace Prize
Winner Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma
Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK is calling on MPs to demonstrate their support for pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi who is still
under house arrest.

This month is the tenth anniversary of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD).

On Saturday December 8, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, other Nobel Peace Laureates, the Nobel Institute, the Nobel Peace Laureate
Campaign for Aung San Suu Kyi and the People of Burma are holding a special ceremony in Oslo.

A total of 34 living Peace Laureates, who will be in Oslo celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize, have already accepted
an invitation to take part in a special tribute to her struggle.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD party won more than 80 percent of the vote in the Parliamentary elections in 1990, but has not been able to
represent the people.

To this day she remains under house arrest while in excess of 1,500 political prisoners are still incarcerated in Burma’s notorious jails.

CSW is calling on MPs to ask the UK Government what it has done to ensure the military junta in Burma is holding meaningful dialogue
with both the NLD and the ethnic minorities, which make up a third of the population.

MPs are also being requested to find out what the UK Government’s response is to the International Labor Organization (ILO) request to
report on any measures they have taken to implement the ILO resolution on Burma.

Of particular concern is the need for measures to ensure the junta ends all human rights abuses including forced relocation and the use of
forced labor.

CSW concurs with the ILO recommendation that the only way to ensure the elimination of forced labor is to establish a permanent
monitoring presence inside Burma and to prosecute those responsible for these abuses.

Over the last ten years, the military junta has routinely conscripted more than three million people including women and children.

They have been forced to work as unpaid slaves on road- and bridge-building projects and to act as porters for the army for months at a
time, in appalling conditions.

If people are forced to work on these sorts of infrastructure projects it often means they are completely unable to provide for their families.

Due to incessant military offensives and the hardships of forced labor, there are currently nearly two million internally displaced people in
the jungles of Burma with little food and virtually no medical care.

As a gesture of support for the suffering people of Burma, Christian Solidarity Worldwide is asking MPs to wear a yellow flower on Saturday.

These flowers were handmade by ethnic minorities on the Burmese border and supplied by Euro-Burma, a human rights NGO based in
Brussels.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said: “This event offers an opportunity for all who care about democracy and human rights in
Burma to demonstrate their support in a practical gesture of solidarity.

“CSW supports the worldwide call for real political change in Burma to bring to an end this cycle of suffering and abuse.”

-----------------------------------------
September 28, 2001 Military Regime in Burma Enacts New Law to Stop
Church Services
The military dictatorship in Burma has banned Christians from meeting in buildings less than a century old.

An order, known as the Higher Policy of the State Peace and Development Council, was issued in early July and is having a significant and
wide-ranging impact on Christian communities across the country.

More than 80 church buildings have already been closed in the capital Rangoon since June and a further 20 have been shut in Shwe Pyi
Tar, a township north of the capital.

All church buildings have been forced to close in the southern township of Hlaing Tai Yar, with Christians there allowed to meet in private
homes, but ordered not to sing.

The authorities were using recent violent clashes between Buddhists and Muslims to close churches, but the new law puts even more
pressure on believers.

The regime has warned church leaders, including those from Rangoon, Mandalay Division, Shan State, Rakhin State and Sagaing Division,
that if they defied the order, all places of worship would be closed down.

Many churches meet in residential apartments or schools as it is virtually impossible to obtain official permission to construct or repair
church buildings, many of which are very run-down.

The Higher Policy also forces churches more than a hundred years old to silence their church bells on Sundays and forbids the placing of
crosses on the buildings.

Two Christian children's homes, Agape Orphanage House and Agape Orphanage Ministry, both near Rangoon, have also been closed
down.

At least 17 Christian ministers have gone into hiding and five missionaries are known to have been ordered to leave the country. One
minister was arrested and is still missing.

The military regime already closely monitors all religious activities and gatherings of any kind with five or more people are officially illegal.

The recent crackdowns not only violate international standards on the right to freedom of religion, they also infringe on the freedom of
expression, conscience and assembly.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) continues to call on the Burmese government to immediately end the pervasive and systematic
human rights violations against religious and ethnic minorities.

CSW calls on the regime to open the country to human rights monitors and humanitarian organizations and to allow aid to reach the
internally displaced population without conditions.

CSW also calls on the international community to support the Committee Representing the People's Parliament established under Aung
San Suu Kyi's leadership.
------------------------------------
September 7 2001 James Mawdsley to Call on International Community to
Step Up Support for Democracy Struggle in Burma
At Int'l Christian Human Rights Conference on October 6, 2001
A MAN who spent over a year in solitary confinement in a Burmese prison is to call on the international community to step up its support for
Burmese democracy.

James Mawdsley will be the keynote speaker at the annual International Christian Human Rights Conference hosted by Christian Solidarity
Worldwide and Premier Christian Radio.

James, 28, returned to the UK just under a year ago, after serving 415 days for distributing leaflets critical of the country’s military regime.

He was initially sentenced to 17 years after visiting the country for the third time with the explicit intention of being jailed to draw attention to
the suffering of the Burmese people.

He said: "The oppression of millions of people in Burma and the appalling violations of their most basic human rights, continues today.

"Sick and elderly people have been burned alive, villagers are used as human minesweepers, children are removed from their families and
women raped and murdered.

"The military junta forces people off their land which they have farmed for generations and will do anything to stay in power.

"I hope the international community acts resolutely to restrain the excesses of this brutal regime and increase dramatically all its efforts to
support those in Burma who are struggling for democracy."

He added: “I’ve been looking forward to the conference for many months. It is a great opportunity to meet people who believe that action
must complement prayer.

“The more I learn about the work Christian Solidarity Worldwide does, the more I want to support them. There can be no charity without
courage – CSW have courage.

“I hope to see as many people as possible at the CSW conference because I want to assure them of the message that lobbying and letter
writing on behalf of political prisoners really does work – I have felt the power of such support and it is immeasurable.”

Steven T McFarland, executive director of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, will be giving a US perspective on
religious intolerance around the world. The commission has just nominated Burma, China, Iran, Iraq, Laos, North Korea, Saudi Arabia,
Sudan and Turkmenistan as “countries of particular concern”, and Mr. McFarland will be giving delegates a detailed insight into the abuses
in these countries.

There will also be special guests from the persecuted church around the world including a former prisoner from Peru and a former prisoner
in North Korea’s political prison camps.

Baroness Caroline Cox, who has just returned from Indonesia, will be speaking about the ongoing violent religious conflict there.

-------------------------------------

August 2001 Update on Burma from Andrew Walker

As was previously noted Andrew Walker spent an extra week teaching English at the village school in Ba Rai Nua while staying with Pastor
Winai at the hostel that he runs, where he taught in the evenings and provided adult conversation support.

The hostel is becoming too large for the present site. However the village Headman recently informed Pr Winai of a vacant piece of land
which was going on sale that would be perfect for the needs of the hostel. Further upriver, it has good access to clean water – essential for
washing and bathing, and space to plant crops. It is valued at 130,000 Thai Baht.

The second aspect of the stay comprised a visit to Ler Per Her refugee camp on the Burma side. The camp was raided by the SPDC on
July 17th, only 10 days before our arrival.

July 27th: Interview with Way Htoo, Pastor of the Church at Ler Per Her IDP Camp, Burma

Way Htoo left his village, Noh Wae Ta, due to problems with the SLORC (the Burmese military regime, now renamed SPDC). Forced
portering was commonplace as was the use of villagers as mine clearance. He has been at this camp for 7 years. The people are reluctant
to cross the border into Thailand and the relative safety of the refugee camps as Burma is their native country and they are afraid of
overloading the camps, which may result in deportation of large numbers of refugees. The camp consists of 71 families (390 people) from
various villages, of which 27 families are Christian. He has been a Christian for 42 years and a pastor for the last ten.

Two days before the attack a system of Morse code forewarned the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) and they fled to the Thai side. On
July 17th 2001, 70 to 80 Burmese soldiers arrived and proceeded to burn the camp, fortunately it was raining which quenched the fires and
so they turned their attention to the most important buildings, such as the village office, hospital etc which were identified by signs. The
church sustained the worst damage, with all but the bare structure destroyed. When asked about the possibility of spies that plagued the
refugee camps precipitating the attack, he replied that the community was too small.
The medical centre informed us that the most common complaints were malaria, A.R.I. (Airway Respiratory Infection) complicated by
influenza and diarrhoea.

We visited and encouraged the children at the school, where they told us that they had teachers but no books or resources.

We met two journalists in the camp who offered to pass on information, and commented on the irony of the raid coming just three days
before the ASEAN meeting in which the Burmese government promised the international community a return to peace in Burma.

Pastor Winai shared his testimony and described the complete change of attitude he experienced when he became a Christian. In his youth
both his parents were killed in the first revolution and he joined the army in order to avenge their deaths – he felt an intense desire to kill
any and all Burmese whenever he saw them. But when he came to faith he discovered a new love for his enemies. He hasn’t seen or heard
from his brothers or sisters in over 11 years. He feels it is important to pray that the Karen will increase in faith and rely on God, as only he
can comfort, protect and free them.

On the Thai side of the border, we met with the village Headman who scouted the presence of the army and their return on 20th July while
remaining unseen. He emphasized the fact that the IDPs don’t receive regular support as the refugees do. Every now and then they receive
money/food but mostly live by faith finding vegetables and bamboo shoots in the jungle and fishing. However, there is a danger in going too
far into the forest due to mines laid by the Karen National Union (KNU).

Recommendations
As can be seen here, the persecution and oppression of the Karen people has in no way abated, despite the propaganda of the Burmese
government. The military continues to single out the indigenous tribes people for brutality and abuse in a barbaric and base fashion,
highlighting the hypocrisy within the country’s leadership, a state of affairs which should not be tolerated by the international community.

Further to those recommendations already outlined (giving special regard to those involving the needs of the IDP’s), I recommend that
CSW consider informing Christian youth in Hong Kong and elsewhere of the opportunity to serve by teaching English to the Karen in
schools on the Thai-Burma border.

Andrew Walker
August 2001

-----------------------------------------------------

July 20, 2001 Female Pastor Sentenced to Two Years Hard Labor
A FEMALE pastor from central Chinland in Burma has been sentenced to two years with hard labor for harboring Chin separatists.

Pastor Gracy, 27, of Rinpi Baptist Church was arrested by Burmese soldiers on February 13 and sentenced on July 6 at Chin State Court.
Chin Christians who know her say the charges are baseless and that she is being persecuted for her faith. She has been detained at the
army camp in Haka, the Chin State capital, since February and conditions are said to be extremely harsh.

She is due to be sent to Kalaywa hard labor camp in neighboring Sagaing District where her elder brother, Pu Hoi Mang, is currently
serving two years with hard labor for the same offence.

The ruling Burmese military regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), has publicly declared Christian pastors in this
northwest state to be their number one enemy.

Christians in Burma experience difficulties in obtaining permission to build places of worship and getting hold of Christian literature. For the
past two years, the United States Department of State has designated Burma a country of particular concern in its violations of religious
freedom. More than 90 percent of the two million Chin people are Christians and many have suffered at the hands of the repressive regime.
Last Christmas, the SPDC prohibited Chin Christians from holding any celebrations or prayer meetings and threatened to arrest any who
disobeyed.

CSW is joining with the Chin Human Rights Organization in calling for Pastor Gracy’s immediate release and an end to the persecution of
Chin Christians. Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "Fundamental human rights such as the freedom
of assembly, religious freedom and freedom of speech, are routinely violated in Burma. The international community has a moral duty to
raise these issues and stand with those who suffer in Burma."

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

China
December 13, 2004 Urgent Action for China 12-13-04
Dear Friends,

We are writing with very disturbing news of the arrest of one of the most prominent Protestant house church leaders in China . Pastor
Zhang Rongliang, aged 53, was arrested on Wednesday 1st December in Xuzhai village, in Zhengzhou in Henan Province . It is
believed that he is being held incommunicado in the Jinshui area in Zhengzhou . We are deeply concerned for his welfare and safety,
especially as he suffers from severe diabetes and may be unable to withstand the mistreatment that can be expected at this time.

We would be very grateful if you would pray for him, his family and the church at this time and if you would contact the Chinese
authorities as a matter of urgency to raise concern about him.

Pastor Zhang is the leader of the China for Christ Church , which is estimated to have about 10 million members, and is also the leader of
the Fangcheng Mother Church . He is featured in the book ‘The Heavenly Man’, to which he writes a Foreword.

He has been wanted for many years and has already spent twelve years in prison for his faith, during five separate detentions. There is
concern he may be less able to withstand such conditions in his current state of health.

Around lunchtime on 1st December, a white Volkswagen car, with a Zhengzhou registration plate with the number 0191, was seen parked by
Pastor Zhang’s flat. Shortly afterwards, Pastor Zhang was arrested and there has been no communication with him since that time.

Pastor Zhang’s wife and immediate family are all in hiding following the arrest. On 1st and 2nd December the authorities raided every home
in Xuzhai, where the arrest took place, apparently searching for the Zhang family.

There is also concern for Gao Shunping, who had helped in the provision of ID for Pastor Zhang, who has been missing since 2nd
December.

The police have conducted a number of follow up raids in Zhengzhou and elsewhere, including raiding at least three house churches in
Fangcheng city.

Pastor Zhang’s arrest comes in the midst of a serious crackdown on the house churches and increased arrests and other incidents this
year.

CSW is calling for international attention to be drawn to Pastor Zhang’s case and for the Chinese authorities to disclose Pastor Zhang’s
precise whereabouts, provide medical care and release him as a matter of urgency.

We will be deeply grateful for your help in raising this situation. Addresses follow.

Thank you so much for your care and action in standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are suffering for Christ.

Addresses

The following are useful addresses for lobbying purposes. You do not need to write to all and you can cc your original letter to other
addresses rather than writing a number of letters.

President of the People's Republic of China

HU Jintao
The State Council General Office
Yongneixijie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Telegram: President Hu Jintao, Beijing , China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

LI Zhaoxing
Waijiaobu
2 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Beijingshi 100701
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1114
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 1109 / 2660
E-mail: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn
Telegram: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beijing , China
Salutation: Your Excellency

(Fax is likely to be more effective than e-mail)

---------------------------------
August 20, 2004 Fresh arrests as China pursues religious crackdown
Further evidence of the crackdown on religious believers in China has emerged with news of fresh arrests.

Arrests of Catholics in Hebei Province

On August 6th, at around 6 pm, eight underground Roman Catholic priests and two underground Roman Catholic seminarians were
arrested during a religious retreat in Sujiazhuang Village in Quyang County in Hebei Province . The Cardinal Kung Foundation, which
reported the arrests, stated that nine of the ten arrested belong to the Baoding Diocese. Amongst those detained are Father Huo Junlong,
the administrator of the Baoding Diocese in Hebei , Father Zhang Zhenquian of Baoding and Father Huang of Sujiazhuang. Around twenty
police vehicles and a large number of security policemen surrounded Sujiazhuang Village and conducted house-to-house searches to carry
out the arrests. The detainees are now being held in the Baoding Security Bureau.

Notices of Criminal Detention and Further Arrests Following Mass Arrest in Henan
The arrests occurred the same day as a number of other incidents targeting religious believers. These included the arrest of over a hundred
Protestant house church leaders meeting for a retreat in Tongxu County in Kaifeng City in Henan Province . China Aid Association has
reported that the families of six of those arrested have now been given formal notice of the "criminal detention" of their family members.
Contrary to principles of justice, Chinese law allows for administrative detention of up to three years. Family members of those arrested
were also targeted in the following days. Ms Ru Xi Feng and Ms Ma Na, the wife of arrested Pastor Han Quan Shui, were arrested on
August 7th. Ms Xue Ying, the wife of arrested Pastor Zheng Wan Shun, was also detained and interrogated in the follow up.

Individuals Singled out for Detention after Mass Arrest in Xinjiang Province
The mass arrest in Henan was the third known arrest of over a hundred house church leaders to take place in the last three months. Less
than one month earlier over a hundred leaders were arrested at a retreat in Xinjiang Autonomous Region on July 12. Most of those arrested
have now been released, but five are still detained in A Ke Su prefecture near the provincial capital of Urumqi . It is feared that they could
face long prison sentences. The detainees are Mr Zhao Xinlan, 50, Ms Li Cuiling, 44, Mr Wang Chaoyi, 39, Mr Yang Tian Lu, 39, and Ms
Gao Rui'er, 28.

Transfer of Anhui Church Leader to Prison

The retreat in Xinjiang was organized by the estimated five-million-strong Anhui-based house church network, Ying Shang Church . One of
the leaders of the group, businessman Luo Bing Yin, has been transferred from the local detention centre to Funan Prison in Anhui
Province . Sources report that no court hearing has taken place and that charges against him are not known. His wife, Huang Xiu Lan, and
their two children, a 17-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son are under intense pressure from the police. It is reported that his DVD
duplication business was raided and equipment confiscated, including computers believed to hold details of other house church Christians.
There is grave concern for Luo Bing Yin. He has twice been imprisoned before, once in 1978 and then in 2001, when his case was handled
by the National Security Bureau, demonstrating that the Chinese authorities consider him to be an important figure in the house church.

Crackdown on Unregistered Religious Activity

These measures occur in the context of a renewed assault on unregistered Christian activity in China . A number of reports have emerged
of a new campaign directed by central authorities to clampdown on unregistered Protestants. An inside source disclosed that the Politburo
convened a secret meeting which called on the Party and every level of government to crackdown on illegal religious activities and directed
the Department of Propaganda to carry out a campaign to promote atheism.

CSW is calling for the immediate release of all those imprisoned for their faith and is urging China to bring its policies and practice into line
with international standards. CSW is also encouraging those concerned to raise these issues with the Chinese authorities and with their
political representatives.

-----------------------------
August 18, 2004 News from China
We have received fresh news from China of a number of new religious arrests and various developments following earlier mass arrests.
We would be most grateful for your prayers and action in support of those who have been targeted.

Arrests of Catholics in Hebei Province

On 6th August, at around 6 pm, eight underground Roman Catholic priests and two underground Roman Catholic seminarians were
arrested in Sujiazhuang Village in Quyang County , Hebei Province, during a religious retreat. The Cardinal Kung Foundation, which
reported the arrests, states that nine of the ten arrested belong to the Baoding Diocese. Amongst those detained are father Huo Junlong,
the administrator of the Baoding Diocese in Hebei , Father Zhang Zhenquian of Baoding and Father Huang of Sujiazhuang. Around twenty
police vehicles and a large number of security policemen surrounded Sujiazhuang Village and conducted house-to-house searches to carry
out the arrests. The detainees are now being held in the Baoding Security Bureau.

Follow-up Arrests after Mass Arrest in Henan Province

The arrests occurred the same day as a number of other incidents targeting religious believers. These included the arrest of over a hundred
leaders meeting for a retreat in Henan Province . China Aid Association reports that the mass arrest has been followed by further arrests of
family members in subsequent days. Ms Ma Na, the wife of arrested Pastor Han Quan Shui, was arrested on 7th August. Ms Ru Xi Feng
was also arrested on the same day. Ms Xue Ying, the wife of arrested Pastor Zheng Wan Shun, was also detained and interrogated.

Notice of Criminal Detention of Six Arrested in Henan Mass Arrest

The families of six of those arrested in Henan on 6th August have now been given formal notice of the "criminal detention" of their family
members. Chinese law allows for administrative detention of up to three years.

Individuals Singled out for Detention after Mass Arrest in Xinjiang Province

The mass arrest in Henan was the third known arrest of over a hundred house church leaders to take place in the last three months. Less
than one month earlier, over a hundred leaders were arrested at a retreat in Xinjiang Autonomous Region on 12th July. This incident also
involved follow-up arrests. Most of those arrested in the context of the retreat have now been released following international pressure.
However five of those arrested are still being detained in A Ke Su prefecture near the provincial capital of Urumqi . Their names are Mr
Zhao Xinlan, 50, Ms Li Cuiling, 44, Mr Wang Chaoyi, 39, Mr Yang Tian Lu, 39, and Ms Gao Rui'er, 28. It is feared that they could face long
prison sentences.

Transfer of Anhui Church Leader to Prison

The retreat in Xinjiang was organised by the estimated five-million-strong Anhui-based house church network, Ying Shang Church . One of
the leaders of the group, businessman Luo Bing Yin, has been transferred from the local detention centre to Funan Prison in Anhui
Province . Sources report that no court hearing has taken place and that charges against him are not known. His wife, Huang Xiu Lan, and
their two children, a 17-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son are under intense pressure from the police. Sources report that his DVD
duplication business was raided and equipment confiscated, including computers believed to hold details of other house church Christians.
There is grave concern for Luo Bing Yin. He has twice been imprisoned before, once in 1978 and then in 2001, when his case was handled
by the National Security Bureau, demonstrating that the Chinese authorities consider him to be an important figure in the house church.

These measures occur in the context of a crackdown on unregistered Christian activity in China . We are anxious that concern about the
increasing pressure on religious believers should be raised with the Chinese authorities. We would therefore be most grateful if you would
write to the Chinese authorities and your parliamentarians to express concern about these issues and individuals, including:

¨ The ten Catholics arrested in Hebei Province on August 6th

¨ Those detained in the mass arrest in Henan Province on August 6th and those subsequently arrested, including:
Ms Ma Na, the wife of arrested Pastor Han Quan Shui
Ms Xue Ying, the wife of arrested Pastor Zheng Wan Shun
Ms Ru Xi Feng
¨ The six arrested in Henan on August 6th who have now been given formal notices of 'criminal detention'
¨ The five who are detained in A Ke Su prefecture following the mass arrest in Xinjiang Autonomous Region on July 12th,
namely:
Mr Zhao Xinlan
Ms Li Cuiling
Mr Wang Chaoyi
Mr Yang Tian Lu
Ms Gao Rui'er
¨ Luo Bing Yin, who has been transferred from the local detention centre to Funan Prison in Anhui Province .

Thank you so much for taking the time to write on behalf of these individuals and to maintain them in your prayers. May God bless you as
you stand in solidarity with them and 'remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners'.

Addresses

The following are useful addresses for lobbying purposes. You do not need to write to all and you can cc your original letter to other
addresses rather than writing a number of letters.

President of the People's Republic of China

HU Jintao
The State Council General Office
Yongneixijie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Telegram: President Hu Jintao, Beijing , China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom

Mr. ZHA Peixin, Ambassador,
Chinese Embassy to the United Kingdom ,
49- 51 Portland Place , London WIN 4JL
Fax: 020 7636 2981 / 5578
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Director of the State Council Bureau of Religious Affairs

YE Xiaowen Juzhang
Guowuyuan Zongjiao Shiwuju
Guowuyuan
22 Xianmen Dajie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Telegram: Director of the State Council Bureau of Religious Affairs, Beijing , China
(Salutation: Dear Director)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

LI Zhaoxing
Waijiaobu
2 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Beijingshi 100701
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1114
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 1109 / 2660
E-mail: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn
Telegram: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beijing , China
Salutation: Your Excellency
(Fax is likely to be more effective than e-mail)

Political representatives:
Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name).

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

------------------------------
August 10, 2004 Aid worker released after serving sentence for helping
North Koreans
Japanese aid worker Takayuki Noguchi has been released by China after serving an 8-month prison sentence for attempting to assist two
Japanese-born North Korean refugees.

At about 9pm on August 9, he arrived in Japan to be greeted by family members, friends and dozens of reporters. Looking thinner, but
smiling, Noguchi had an emotional reunion with family members before holding an impromptu press conference.

His mood sobered as he spoke with sorrow of the fate of the North Koreans he had been arrested with. He described how he is haunted by
the male refugee's desperate groan of "I'm already dead" when the Chinese police entered their hotel room.

The man was in his 50s and was born in West Japan, but moved to North Korea in the early 1960s. The other refugee was a woman in her
40s who was born in Japan , but was taken to North Korea as a child by her mother who believed the propaganda that North Korea was 'a
paradise on earth'.

Tragically, both refugees were repatriated. The man's prediction is sadly realistic, as those returned to North Korea regularly face
mistreatment, imprisonment, torture and even execution. Those found to have come into contact with foreigners and aid workers or who
have sought to leave the country are treated with particular brutality, with reports of executions in such cases.

Noguchi had been pleading for intervention to secure the protection of the two refugees from repatriation. His sentence arose from his
refusal to cooperate with the authorities to secure his own release unless given assurance of their safety.

His case has highlighted, once again, China 's abysmal record regarding North Korean refugees. Although a party to the 1951 UN
Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, China refuses to allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees access to North
Koreans who have escaped into China . Denied the channels to exercise the right to claim asylum, North Koreans live in precarious
conditions in China , or are forced to take the dangerous route of seeking to escape to a safe third country. Many are forcibly repatriated to
face harsh punishment at the hands of the brutal North Korean regime.

At the press conference, Noguchi reiterated his commitment to helping North Koreans deprived of their human rights, stating: "I was
deprived of my freedom, and I feel that I have experienced a small part of what they live through."

There are a number of other aid workers still detained in China for similar activities. Japanese citizens have fared better than others in
similar situations. In May 2003 a court in Yantai sentenced five individuals up to five years in relation to an attempted escape by North
Koreans by boat.

CSW had hosted Mr. Kato, the Secretary General of Life Funds for North Korean Refugees, the NGO Noguchi works for, on a UK advocacy
visit on Noguchi's behalf. The February visit included a number of official meetings, media interviews and a press conference in Parliament
at which Mr. Kato pleaded for Noguchi's release.

Noguchi had been arrested on human rights day, December 10, 2003, in Nanning in Guangxi. He was tried on June 28th and sentenced to
eight months imprisonment. As time served already counted, he was released on August 9th and immediately deported.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

More information on Life Funds for North Korean Refugees is available at www.northkoreanrefugees.com, or through contacting the
organization at nkkikin@hotmail.com or on (phone and fax) 81 3 3815 8127.
---------------------------
August 9, 2004 More than 100 Christians arrested and three others
sentenced for exposing persecution
More than 100 house church leaders were arrested in Tongxu County , Kaifeng City , Henan Province on August 6.

The group was beginning a two week retreat when more than 200 military police, Public Security Bureau (PSB) and other officers
surrounded the venue. No arrest warrants or official identification papers were shown during the arrest.

In a separate development, three Christians were sentenced to between one and three years for giving information on a public court case
against a fellow Christian to a foreign magazine, also on August 6.

The raided meeting of the 100 house church leaders was held at the home of Mrs. Xiang Zi, the wife of one of the retreat organizers. She
was arrested along with their three children, aged between eight and eleven years. According to an eyewitness cited by the reporting
organization, China Aid Association, the children were crying and greatly distressed as they were dragged away.

The retreat was sponsored by the non-denominational house church network, Henan House Church . Those arrested came from various
provinces, including Heilongjiang and Liaoning , as well as different areas throughout Henan in central eastern China . Among those
arrested are the leaders Zhang Wanshun of Sanmenxia City , Mr. Zhang Tianyun of Nanyang City and Mr. Yu Guoying of Tongxu County .

A church leader from Yima County , Sanmenxia City in Henan was also arrested on his way to the retreat. He was expected to bring copies
of Christian literature, including the Christian Life Quarterly Magazine, to the retreat participants. His house was raided and significant
amounts of Christian literature were confiscated.

This is the most recent in a series of mass arrests of unregistered Protestant Christians in China and is yet further proof of the increased
crackdown on the house churches.

On the same day as this mass arrest, three Chinese Christians were sentenced to terms of between one and three years imprisonment by
the Intermediate People's Court of Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province . Liu Fenggang, Dr. Xu Yonghai and Zhang Shengqi were
sentenced to terms of imprisonment of three years, two years and one year respectively.

The three were convicted under Article 111 of the Chinese Criminal Law. According to China Aid Association, who publicized the verdict,
their crime was given as "illegally soliciting and providing national intelligence to overseas organizations". They are alleged to have
committed the crime by providing public court information about the trial of a house church Christian, Ms Li Baozhi, to an overseas
magazine, Christian Life Quarterly.

The court verdict papers also refer to Liu Fenggang writing about reports on the demolition of house churches in Zhejiang Province in 2003.

Defense attorneys and some family members were present in the court when the chief judge announced the verdict at about 10 am on
Friday. All three men plan to appeal.

Liu Fenggang, who is a leader of a house church, was arrested in October 2003 while based in Beijing , when researching a Christian
crackdown in Hangzhou 's Xiaoshan district. Liu's wife only received official notification of his arrest in mid-February.

Dr Xu Yonghai, a psychiatrist, and Zhang Shengqi, an internet writer, were active members of Liu's house church when they were arrested
in November 2003 in Beijing and Jilin respectively.

An eyewitness in the court reported that the three men appeared to be in good health.

The three men had been tried at a secret three-hour hearing on the morning of March 16 2004 at the court in Hangzhou . Family members
were prohibited from attending the trial. Ms Li Mingzhi and Ms Ye Jifei arrived at the courthouse on Tuesday to support their respective son
and fiancé. However, instead of being granted admittance, the two were detained for three hours and sent back to the train station to return
to their homes thousands of miles away. In addition, Ms. Li Shanna, wife of Dr. Xu Yonghai, was denied admittance to the court hearing
and taken on a forced 'tour' all day.

CSW is urging those concerned to raise these cases and the broader crackdown against unregistered Christians with the Chinese
authorities. The injustice against the three sentenced at Hangzhou is particularly apparent as the information they are convicted of reporting
came from a public trial. S

----------------------------
August 5, 2004 Pray for three Christians facing trial in China
Dear Friends,

We would be most grateful if you would pray for Liu Fenngang, Dr. Xu Yonghai, and Zhang Shengqi who are due to be sentenced
this Friday August 6.

The three men were tried at a secret three-hour hearing on the morning of Tuesday 16th March 2004 at The People's Intermediate Court in
Hangzhou , the provincial capital of Zhejiang Province . The men are charged with leaking public court information about the 2000 trial of
house church Christian Ms Li Baozhi to an overseas magazine, Christian Life Quarterly. Prosecutors referred to the magazine as an 'evil
cult' magazine, although it is well known and internationally recognised as an evangelical Christian magazine. Mr Liu was also reported to
have been charged regarding reports on the demolition of house churches in Zhejiang Province in 2003.

The three men have been waiting for a verdict to be given. While there is no way to be sure of the likely sentence, it is deeply concerning
that one report expressed the concern that they could face up to ten years or even life in prison if convicted. Please pray that God will
intervene in the sentencing.

Family members were prohibited from attending the trial. Ms Li Mingzhi and Ms Ye Jifei arrived at the courthouse on Tuesday to support
their respective son and fiancé. However, instead of being granted admittance, the two were detained for three hours and sent back to the
train station to return to their homes thousands of miles away. In addition, Ms Li Shanna, wife of Dr Xu Yonghai, was denied admittance to
the court hearing and taken on a forced 'tour' all day.
Liu Fenngang is a leader of a house church, and was arrested in October 2003 while based in Beijing , when researching a Christian
crackdown in Hangzhou 's Xiaoshan district. Liu's wife only received official notification of his arrest in mid-February.

Dr Xu Yonghai, a psychiatrist, and Zhang Shengqi, an internet writer, were active members of Lui's house church when they were arrested
in November 2003 in Beijing and Jilin respectively. All three of the arrested men were charged with "providing intelligence to overseas
organizations".

We greatly appreciate your prayers for these three men who have taken such bold risks to make known the situation of the persecuted
church in China .

Thank you so much for standing with them.

Yours in Christ,

--------------------------
July 21, 2004 Urgent action for arrested house church leaders
Dear Friends,

We would be most grateful if you could pray and intervene on behalf of over a hundred house church leaders who have been arrested in
Xinjiang Autonomous Region in North West China. The believers were arrested on 12th July as they met for a retreat at the Retreat Centre
for Railroad Workers in Section 5 of Liu Gong Town, Chang Ji Zhou District in Xinjiang. Over two hundred military police, Public Security
Bureau (PSB) and other officers converged on the scene in 46 military and police vehicles and surrounded the group. No warrants or other
official documents were shown during the arrest.

The report of the incident, which comes from China Aid Association (CAA), an organization closely linked to the Chinese house church,
states that thirty believers remain under PSB detention near the place of arrest. Most have been transferred back to their home areas
where they are being detained by local PSB. Several are held in the 'Transformation and Study Center' where they are being interrogated
and pressured to renounce their faith, on penalty of being formally charged and tried if they refuse to do so.

Those believers who had travelled from outside the province are subject to specific investigation due to it being illegal to cross a provincial
border to hold religious meetings without the approval of the official Religious Affairs Bureau and state-controlled Three Self Patriotic
Movement (TSPM). The PSB has already contacted home villages to obtain further information on the religious activities of those arrested.

The meeting was sponsored by the large Anhui-based house church network, Ying Shang Church . Wang Yu Lian, a leader in the church
for over twenty years, was arrested and is currently being held in Xinjiang. Jin Da, the 34 year old General Secretary of the TSPM of
Ningbo City in Zhejiang province, is also amongst those arrested. He is responsible for 46 TSPM churches, but is also reported to be
supportive of the house churches.

This incident is the latest in a pattern of increased persecution and arrests targeting the unregistered house churches of China . A number
of reports have emerged of a new campaign directed by central authorities to crackdown on unregistered Protestants. A report last month
from an inside source disclosed that the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party had convened a secret meeting which called on the
Party and every level of government to crackdown on illegal religious activities. It also directed the Department of Propaganda to carry out a
campaign to promote atheism.

Further arrests occurred last week at a training seminar in Cheng Du City in Sichuan Province . Forty house church leaders and a
Taiwanese couple who were leading the seminar were arrested. The forty have been released but the whereabouts of the Taiwanese
couple is not known.

These mass arrests follow the arrest in Wuhan City in Hubei Province on June 11th of about a hundred members of the China Gospel
Fellowship (CGF). CAA reports that the remaining detainee from the arrest, 39-year-old Pastor Xing Jinfu, a senior CGF leader, has been
transferred from Hubei to an undisclosed location in Henan Province . CAA quotes a reliable source as stating that Pastor Xing has been
tortured by his interrogators to force him to disclose information about CGF's activities. Sadly, this account is consistent with the frequent
reports of torture of detained Christians.

Earlier this year, on 27th April, Gu Xianggao, a 28 year old teacher in the Three Grades Servants house church, was beaten to death in
custody in Heilongjiang Province . He had been arrested only a day earlier during a series of major raids targeting the group. His parents
were given significant compensation (230,000 RMB) and ordered not to speak about his death.

The release of the other members of the CGF, and those of other house church leaders, have been clearly attributed to international
pressure.

In light of the increased persecution, the policy directives and the impact of international attention, we would be most grateful if you could
raise concern on behalf of the detained individuals. We would also be grateful if you could encourage strong representations to be made to
the Chinese authorities about the crackdown on unregistered Protestants.

May God bless you as you use your voice to speak out for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

In Him,
CSW Advocacy Team

Addresses

The following are useful addresses for lobbying purposes. You do not need to write to all and you can cc your original letter to other
addresses rather than writing a number of letters.

President of the People's Republic of China

HU Jintao
The State Council General Office
Yongneixijie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Telegram: President Hu Jintao, Beijing , China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Ambassador Yang Jiechi

Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: (202) 328-2500
Fax: (202) 588-0032
Email: chinaembassy_us
@fmprc.gov.cn
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Director of the State Council Bureau of Religious Affairs

YE Xiaowen Juzhang
Guowuyuan Zongjiao Shiwuju
Guowuyuan
22 Xianmen Dajie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Telegram: Director of the State Council Bureau of Religious Affairs, Beijing , China
(Salutation: Dear Director)

Premier of the People's Republic of China

WEN Jiabao
Guowuyuan,
9 Xihuangchenggenbeijie, Beijingshi 100032,
People's Republic of China
Telexes: 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN
Telegram: Premier Wen Jiabao, Beijing , China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

LI Zhaoxing
Waijiaobu
2 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Beijingshi 100701
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1114
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 1109 / 2660
E-mail: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn
Telegram: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beijing , China
Salutation: Your Excellency
(Fax is likely to be more effective than e-mail)

Minister of Public Security of the People's Republic of China

ZHOU Yongkang
Gong'anbu
14 Dongchanganjie
Beijingshi 100741
People's Republic of China
Telexes: 210070 FMPRC CN
Telegram: Minister of Public Security, Beijing , China
Salutation: Your Excellency

Political representatives:

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name).

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

You could copy your letter to the International Olympic Committee at the following address:

International Olympic Committee

Mr. Jacques Rogge, President,
Chateau de Vidy, 1007 Lausanne , Switzerland

--------------------------------
July 21, 2004 House churches newly targeted as more than 100 leaders
arrested
More than 100 house church leaders were arrested in Xinjiang Autonomous Region in North West China on July 12. More than 200 military
police, Public Security Bureau (PSB) and other officers arrived in 46 military and police vehicles. They surrounded the group as they were
meeting for a retreat at the Retreat Centre for Railroad Workers in Section 5 of Liu Gong Town, Chang Ji Zhou District in Xinjiang. No
warrants or other official documents were shown in making the arrests.

The report of the incident, which comes from China Aid Association (CAA), an organization closely linked to the Chinese house church,
states that 30 believers remain under PSB detention near the place of arrest. Most have been transferred back to their home areas where
they are being detained by local PSB. Several are held in the 'Transformation and Study Center' where they are being interrogated and
pressured to renounce their faith, on penalty of being formally charged and tried if they refuse to do so.

Those believers who had traveled from outside the province are subject to specific investigation due to it being illegal to cross a provincial
border to hold religious meetings without the approval of the official Religious Affairs Bureau and state-controlled Three Self Patriotic
Movement (TSPM). The PSB has already contacted home villages to obtain further information on the religious activities of those arrested.

The meeting was sponsored by the large Anhui-based house church network, Ying Shang Church . Wang Yu Lian, a leader in the church
for over 20 years, is among those arrested and currently being held in Xinjiang. Jin Da is the 34-year-old General Secretary of the TSPM of
Ningbo City in Zhejiang province and is responsible for 46 TSPM churches. He is also reported to be sympathetic to the house churches
and is among those arrested.

This incident is the latest in a pattern of increased persecution and arrests targeting the unregistered house churches of China . A number
of reports have emerged of a new campaign directed by central authorities to crackdown on unregistered Protestants. A report last month
from an inside source disclosed that the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party had convened a secret meeting which called on the
Party and every level of government to crackdown on illegal religious activities. It also directed the Department of Propaganda to carry out a
campaign to promote atheism.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Further arrests took place last week in Cheng Du City in Sichuan Province at a training seminar when 40 house church leaders and a
Taiwanese couple who were leading the seminar were arrested. The 40 have been released, but the whereabouts of the Taiwanese couple
is not known.

These mass arrests follow the arrest in Wuhan City in Hubei Province on 11th June of about 100 members of the China Gospel Fellowship
(CGF). China Aid Association reports that the remaining detainee from the arrest, 39-year-old Pastor Xing Jinfu, a senior CGF leader, has
been transferred from Hubei to an undisclosed location in Henan Province . CAA quotes a reliable source as stating that Pastor Xing has
been tortured by his interrogators to force him to disclose information about CGF's activities. Sadly, this account is consistent with the
frequent reports of torture of detained Christians.

On April 27 2004, Gu Xianggao, a 28-year-old teacher in the Three Grades Servants house church, was beaten to death in custody in
Heilongjiang Province . He had been arrested only a day earlier during a series of major raids targeting the group. His parents were given
230,000 RMB ($28,000) and ordered not to speak about the situation.

----------------------------------
July 16, 2004 China releases prisoners accused of helping North Koreans -
but others remain in prison
An aid worker detained since August 2002 for his work with North Korean refugees has arrived home in South Korea today after his release
from detention in China .

Kim Hee-tae, 33, was in good spirits and health and thanked all those who had advocated on his behalf and prayed for him during his 22
months and 15 days of detention. He committed himself to work with greater determination and effort for the cause of human rights and for
North Koreans in particular.

Mr. Kim was captured in Jilin Province (on the border with North Korea ) as he was guiding a group of North Korean defectors on their way
to Beijing to submit official documents for refugee status. He was charged under Article 318 of the Chinese Criminal Code, relating to
crimes involving illegal border crossing. After almost two years, the verdict on his case was finally given yesterday, recognizing that
assisting travel across the country could not infringe laws on illegal border crossing. After his release yesterday he was able to travel to
Seoul this afternoon.

Another detainee arrested in relation to the North Korean refugee issue was also released this month. O Yong-pil had been arrested in
March 2003 when he was planning to cover stories about a group of North Korean defectors attempting to enter foreign missions in
Kwangzou. He was found innocent by a district court in Kwangzou, also unable to convict him of charges related to illegal border crossing
for activities within the country.

However these cases are only a couple of many relating to activities to help the plight of desperate North Koreans in hiding in China . Only
last month, on June 28, the Chong Zuo Intermediate People's Court in Nanning , Guangxi, sentenced Mr. Takayuki Noguchi, 33, a member
of the Japanese NGO Life Funds for North Korean Refugees, to eight months in prison and a fine of $2400. Mr. Noguchi was charged with
one count of illegally transporting people with the intent of crossing the border (Article 321 of the Chinese Domestic Criminal Code) and an
additional count of attempting to assist in illegal border crossing (Article 61). In addition to his fine, all his personal goods, including 340,000
yen in cash (about $3100), a video camera and a cellular phone were confiscated.

Mr. Noguchi was arrested with two North Koreans. One, a woman in her 40s who was born in Japan , was taken to North Korea as a child
by her mother who believed that " North Korea was a paradise on earth". The other is a man in his 50s who was born in West Japan and
moved to North Korea in the early 1960s.

Mr. Noguchi has been anxiously pleading for intervention to secure the protection of the two refugees from repatriation. He has
courageously refused to co-operate with the authorities to secure his own release unless given assurance of their safety. There is still
ongoing concern for their safety.

The 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees states that individuals must not be returned to their home country if they
have a well-founded fear of persecution. China's ongoing policy of repatriating North Koreans to face harsh treatment, including torture and
execution in some cases, and her detention of aid workers for providing the protection she is obligated to ensure, is a grave breach of
respect for human rights.

A number of other aid workers are still in prison. On 22 May 2003 a court in Yantai, Shantung Province , completely ignored pleas from the
international community and its own country's pledge to uphold the Convention on Refugees when it sentenced five individuals who had
been arrested in relation to an attempted boat escape by North Koreans. Amongst those involved were Mr. Choi Yong-hun, a South Korean,
who was sentenced to five years imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 RMB ($3500). Mr. Choi Yong-hun suffers from high blood pressure,
diabetes and asthma, but has been denied medication, resulting in deterioration in his health. He did not even recognize his wife when she
was finally allowed to visit him.

There is particular concern for the welfare of a North Korean man sentenced on the same occasion. Mr. Park Yong-chol was given a term of
two years imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 RMB ($600). However, he is afraid of being released from prison in China on the expiry of his
sentence, as he faces deportation, followed by likely execution in North Korea .

CSW is asking supporters to convey their concerns about these injustices to their political representatives and the Chinese Embassy;

Ambassador Yang Jiechi

Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington DC 20008

Phone: (202) 328-2500

Fax: (202) 588-0032

Email: chinaembassy_us
@fmprc.gov.cn

------------------------
June 25, 2004 Prayer for Japanese aid worker
Dear Friends,

The Japanese aid worker Mr Noguchi, who is detained in China for helping North Koreans, is due to appear in court in Nanning on Monday
28th June. We would be very grateful if you could pray for him. Other aid workers have been sentenced to years of imprisonment for similar
activities and we would be grateful if you could pray that he will not suffer a similar punishment.

Please also pray for the two North Koreans who were arrested with him. One is a woman in her 40s who was born in Japan and taken to
North Korea by her mother. The other is a man in his 50s who was born in West Japan and moved to North Korea in the early 1960s. Mr
Noguchi initially refused to be released over fear of their welfare and we continue to be concerned over their fate.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

-----------------------------------
June 15, 2004 Urgent Action on behalf of over 100 arrested church leaders
Dear Friends,
We have just heard from the China Aid Association of a massive arrest of house church leaders in China READ THE STORY BELOW. We
would be grateful if you would write to the Chinese authorities to protest against these arrests. In your letter we suggest you do not link the
arrests to the secret directive to crack down on 'illegal religious activities' as we are unable to confirm whether or not they are connected.

Thank you

ADDRESSES TO WRITE TO:

The following are useful addresses for lobbying purposes. You do not need to write to all of them and you can copy your original letter to
other addresses rather than writing a number of letters.

President of the People's Republic of China

HU Jintao
The State Council General Office
Yongneixijie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Telegram: President Hu Jintao, Beijing, China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Chinese Ambassador to the United States

Mr. Yang Jiechi
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: (202) 328-2500
Fax: (202) 588-0032
Email: chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

LI Zhaoxing
Waijiaobu
2 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Beijingshi 100701
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1114
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 1109 / 2660
E-mail: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn
Telegram: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beijing, China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)
(Fax is likely to be more effective than e-mail)

Minister of Justice of the People's Republic of China

ZHANG Fusen
Sifabu
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6520 5114
(Please forward to the Minister of Justice)
Telegram: Minister of Justice, Beijing, China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

You could also write to your political representatives:

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name).

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

----------------------------------
June 15, 2004 Over 100 Chinese house church leaders arrested in new
crackdown
The China Aid Association has learned that more than 100 leaders of the China Gospel Fellowship (CGF) were arrested on June 11, 2004.
The arrests took place at Wuhan city, Hubei province (mid east China) while these church leaders were meeting together.
According to a senior house church leader and an eyewitness of the arrests, about 50 police, believed to be from the Public Security
Bureau (PSB) of Wuhan City, raided the church meeting at around 2pm and arrested all of the participants, including one of the senior CGF
leaders, Mr. Xing Jinfu.

Mr. Xing, 39, has been arrested at least three times before for his church activities. He was sentenced to three years reeducation through
labor in 1996 for his 'illegal preaching'. The whereabouts of those arrested are still unknown. On the same day, according to a reliable
source known to the China Aid Association, the well-known leader of the CGF, Pastor Shen Xianfeng, was put under house arrest in a
residential area of Wuhan city after the PSB thoroughly searched the house where Mr. Shen was recovering from leg injuries. The CGF was
established in the mid-1980s and is one of the five major Chinese house church groups with an estimated membership of at least five
million. The China Aid Association also learned from an internal source in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that its Politburo had
recently convened a special secret meeting discussing 'How to deal with religious affairs in China'. According to the source, a secret
directive was issued after the meeting, calling on every level of the Chinese government and the Party to crack down on 'illegal religious
activities'. The directive also urged the CCP's Department of Propaganda to carry out a special media campaign to promote atheism. Bob
Fu, president of the China Aid Association, said: "Given the recent massive arrests of unregistered religious leaders in different areas in
China, the international community should be alarmed and take concrete actions to urge the Chinese government to fulfill her signed
pledge to protect her citizens' religious freedom mandated by relevant international human rights covenants." Christian Solidarity Worldwide
joins with the China Aid Association in urging the Chinese authorities to release these arrested church leaders immediately. CSW is also
asking its supporters to write to the Chinese authorities to petition for their release. For more information, please visit the China Aid
Association website at www.chinaaid.org , email bobfu@chinaaid.org or call (267) 205 5210.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Chinese authorities consistently persecute those with religious beliefs such as the Falun Gong, Buddhists, Christian house churches,
and all those who do not belong to state-sponsored churches.

----------------------------------
April 21, 2004 Tortured Chinese pastor pleads for prison transfer before
he is killed
Chinese Pastor Gong Shengliang of the South China Church has begged to be transferred from his current prison, telling his sisters "If you
are able in any way, please transfer me to another prison - otherwise just come and pick up my corpse."

He made this plea during his sisters' ten minute visit to Hongshan Prison, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, where he is currently being held.

The report has emerged through China Aid Association, whose sources said Gong was unable to walk into the visiting hall and had to be
carried in by four other inmates. One of the sisters asked the guard for an explanation and was told that he fell washing windows. The
guard said he was washing windows inside the prison, but that he fell outside the building.

When Gong was asked about the injury he looked at the guard and then replied reluctantly "Yes, I fell". He is accompanied everywhere he
goes by two guards, making the account of his falling from a window even less credible.

When one of the sisters complained to the prison director, Sun Wenquan, about Gong's injuries, the director told her that Gong is a model
prisoner in all ways but one, namely that he refuses to denounce his Christian faith and will not stop praying and preaching.

His sisters, who could only speak to him via a telephone as they were separated by two layers of glass, also asked why he did not write
letters anymore. He replied "I don't have the strength to write. When I pick up my pen there are lots of troubles."

CSW has asked supporters to urgently write to and fax the Chinese authorities in order to urge his transfer and improved treatment. CSW
has also been lobbying at the UN Commission on Human Rights on his case.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Pastor Gong, leader of the South China Church, was sentenced to death at the end of 2001. However, following an international outcry, his
case was reviewed and he is now serving a sentence of 'life in prison'. He has been held in Jingzhou Prison in Hubei Province, central
China, since December 2002. Many of his fellow church leaders are also serving lengthy sentences.

Torture and sexual abuse were used by officers to extract confessions and evidence. In June 2003 Pastor Gong was beaten into a coma in
Jingzhou Prison, China. He suffered severe internal injuries and was bed bound for weeks.

His family and fellow church leaders issued a message which said: "The prison authority brainwashes him every day, forcing him to give up
his faith and plead guilty...In addition, the prison authority keeps pressing Pastor Gong both psychologically and spiritually. No one is
allowed to contact him and talk to him...By this they attempt to destroy Pastor Gong's faith and will...For almost two years since he was
arrested, his mind and body have suffered serious hurt. We feel regrettable over what the prison authority has done to him and deeply
worried about the mistreatment Pastor Gong has gone through."

The Chinese authorities consistently persecute religious groups which do not belong to state-sponsored religious organizations.

---------------------------------
April 20, 2004 Urgent action for Pastor Gong
Dear Friends,

We are sad to report that we have received very disturbing news from China. Pastor Gong has been imprisoned for his faith since 2001 and
has now begged to be transferred from his prison, with the words 'otherwise just come and pick up my corpse'. We would be most grateful if
you could use your voice to speak out about this dire situation. Below are details of individuals, followed by their addresses, to whom you
can write letters to voice your concern. There is also an address to write directly to Pastor Gong in prison.

Thank you so much for your time and concern in responding to these appeals.

Best wishes in Christ

---------------------

CHINESE PASTOR GONG: SECURE MY TRANSFER OR 'JUST COME AND PICK UP MY CORPSE'

Chinese Pastor Gong Shengliang of the South China Church has begged to be transferred from his current prison, telling his sisters 'If you
are able in any way, please transfer me to another prison - otherwise just come and pick up my corpse.'

The exchange occurred during a ten minute visit to Hongshan Prison, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, where he is currently being held.

The report has emerged through the China Aid Association, whose sources said that Gong was unable to walk into the visiting hall and had
to be carried in by four other inmates. One of the sisters asked the guard for an explanation and was told that he fell washing windows. The
guard said he was washing windows inside the prison, but that he fell outside the building. When Gong was asked about the injury he
looked at the guard and then replied reluctantly 'Yes, I fell'. He is accompanied everywhere he goes by two guards, making the account of
his falling from a window even less credible.

When one of the sisters complained to the prison director, Sun Wenquan, about Gong's injuries, the director told her that Gong is a model
prisoner in all ways but one, namely that he refuses to denounce his Christian faith and will not stop praying and preaching. She said 'he
has lost touch with reality'.

His sisters, who could only speak to him via a telephone as they were separated by two layers of glass, also asked why he did not write
letters anymore. He replied 'I don't have the strength to write. When I pick up my pen there are lots of troubles.'

We would be very grateful if you could raise concern for Pastor Gong as a matter of grave urgency, seeking proper treatment for him and
immediate transfer to another prison.

ADDRESSES

The following are useful addresses for lobbying purposes. You do not need to write to all of them and you can cc your original letter to other
addresses rather than writing a number of letters.

President of the People's Republic of China

HU Jintao
The State Council General Office
Yongneixijie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Telegram: President Hu Jintao, Beijing, China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Chinese Ambassador to the United STates

Mr. Yang Jiechi
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: (202) 328-2500
Fax: (202) 588-0032
Email: chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

LI Zhaoxing
Waijiaobu
2 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Beijingshi 100701
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1114
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 1109 / 2660
E-mail: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn
Telegram: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beijing, China
Salutation: Your Excellency
(Fax is likely to be more effective than e-mail)

Minister of Justice of the People's Republic of China

ZHANG Fusen
Sifabu
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6520 5114
Telexes: 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN
(Please forward to the Minister of Justice)
Telegram: Minister of Justice, Beijing, China
Salutation: Your Excellency

Director of the State Council Bureau of Religious Affairs

YE Xiaowen Juzhang
Guowuyuan Zongjiao Shiwuju
Guowuyuan
22 Xianmen Dajie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Telegram: Director of the State Council Bureau of Religious Affairs, Beijing, China
(Salutation: Dear Director)

Premier of the People's Republic of China

WEN Jiabao
Guowuyuan,
9 Xihuangchenggenbeijie, Beijingshi 100032,
People's Republic of China
Telexes: 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN
Telegram: Premier Wen Jiabao, Beijing, China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

You could also write to your political representatives:

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name). Ask your Congressperson to raise
your concerns with both the Congress and Secretary of State Colin Powell, and to additionally raise this in appropriate international forums.

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

(Salutation: Dear Mr / Ms / Mrs)

In addition you could write a letter of encouragement to Pastor Gong:

Pastor Gong Shengliang
Prison Section, Four Te Yi Hao
Hongshan Prison
Miaoshan Development Zone
Jiangxia District
Wuhan City
Hubei Province
People's Republic of China 430223

If you are able to get your letter translated into Chinese, please do so. However, even letters from overseas in English will be an
encouragement and may positively affect his conditions.

-----------------------------------
April 15, 2004 UN fails to criticize China's rights record despite compelling
testimony
The United Nations today failed to censure China for its grave human rights record. Despite clear evidence of serious violations, the 53
state member body failed to pass a US-proposed resolution on China. Instead China used its political weight to bring a 'no action motion' to
block consideration of the resolution. This is despite compelling evidence presented at the Commission by human rights activists and
survivors of abuse.

CSW's International Advocate facilitated a meeting to enable representatives of the persecuted church in China to draw attention to the very
serious abuses suffered by Christian believers.

Amongst the speakers was Peter Xu Yongze, who is referred to as the Billy Graham of China and is the founder of one of the largest
Christian groups in China, numbering many millions. Recounting some of his own experiences from his seven years in detention, on five
separate occasions, he painted a vivid picture of the cruelty that can be meted out to Christians simply for following and sharing their faith.
Amongst the tortures he experienced, he described how he had been forced to hang in a crucifix position for hours in excruciating agony.
Despite the severity of the mistreatment, he expressed the attitude of the church towards the Chinese authorities as one of forgiveness.
When he was taken down and brought back into the interrogation room to confess, his only response to their torture and interrogation was
to say 'Thank you'. While hanging there, he expressed his gratitude to God. His thoughts were that he might die and would have the
unspeakable joy of being united with Jesus. He also expressed how he felt the closeness of God's love as he felt something of the agony of
the cross and realized more clearly the love of Jesus that led him to willingly suffer such agony for mankind.

He concluded that: 'Christians in China desire to live respectful and law-abiding lives. Christians have been recognized as being a force for
social stability and respect for the law. Yet they continue to be persecuted for simply adhering to their faith according to their consciences.
We do not seek confrontation and we are patriotic to our nation. All we ask is to be able to practice our faith freely.'

His compelling presentation was complemented by detailed accounts of the situation of Christians currently in detention, presented by Bob
Fu, a former Beijing pastor who is now President of the China Aid Association. Amongst the many concerns he highlighted was the situation
of the South China Church. He stated that in the last ten years, 8,903 believers have been arrested and detained and at least three have
been tortured to death. He went on to present video testimony of women who had been tortured and sexually abused to force them to give
evidence against Pastor Gong Shengliang of the South China Church. He also showed footage of the destruction of churches in China.

In addition, he presented new documentary evidence of an official strategy to repress the unregistered Church. The document was issued
in November 2003 by the Religious Affairs Bureau of Qingdao City, Shandong Province and provides evidence of an intensified campaign
against unregistered Christian believers and churches. It speaks of brainwashing and states: 'Those who are deeply affected by self-
proclaimed preachers, oppose patriotic religious bodies and defy the government's administration shall be 'educated' and 'transformed'
through compulsory study of the government's religious policy and regulations.'

Ben Rogers of Christian Solidarity Worldwide presented a speech on the harsh repression of the underground Catholic Roman Church, on
behalf of Joseph Kung of the Cardinal Kung Foundation.

Alongside these presentations, Harry Wu, veteran human rights campaigner and former prisoner of 19 years, who is denounced as China's
'No. 1 troublemaker', presented further evidence of repression and state policy towards Catholics and other religious believers.

------------------------------------
February 20, 2004 Prayer request for China
RESTRICTED - May be circulated to other prayer networks /supporters and can be mentioned in larger church meetings.

We would be grateful if you could pray for a very difficult situation in China. The Chinese authorities have arrested 50 house church leaders
in a new crackdown.

The crackdown began during China's national Religious Working Conference at which top leaders of the Religious Affairs Bureau and
United Front Work Department met together. A four hour digital video was screened during the meeting entitled 'The Cross: Jesus in China'
and a briefing was given about the book 'Jesus in Beijing' by former TIME journalist David Aikman. The video and book document the
phenomenal growth of China's house churches. The film has been classified as political matter.

It has been reported that the crackdown will pursue those mentioned in the film and the book and that the repression could be very brutal,
along the lines of the repression of the Falun Gong.

In January police arrested three prominent house church leaders Deborah Xu Yongling, 58, Qiao Chunling, 41, and Zeng Guangbo, 35.
Guangbo managed to escape and is in hiding.

The Chinese Christians have made the following prayer requests

- Please continue to pray for the arrested Chinese Christian leaders, that they will receive strength and encouragement from the Lord in
these circumstances and will be bold witnesses of the love of Jesus Christ.

- Pray for protection for those Christians who are hiding from the authorities, that they will be safe in the hands of God, whatever happens.

- Pray for the Chinese authorities, as they have not realized who they are dealing with, the Creator of heaven and earth, the risen Saviour
and the head of His church. Pray that God will be merciful on them and forgive their sins, as He has forgiven ours. We join in with the
Chinese church who pray for the salvation of their government.

Thank you so much for your support.

God bless you as you stand in the gap for our persecuted brothers and sisters in China.

-------------------------
January 15, 2004 URGENT ACTION: China Arrests North Koreans and Aid
Workers

Dear Friends,

We are disappointed to have to report a number of serious fresh concerns regarding the situation of North Koreans and those helping them
in China.
On 13th January the Japanese humanitarian organization Life Funds for North Korean Refugees revealed that one of its members, Mr.
Takayuki Noguchi, is being held in Nanning Prison in Guangxi in China. He was taken into custody on December 13th, but discreet
negotiations to secure his release over the last month have proved fruitless.

Two North Koreans were arrested with Mr. Noguchi. One is a woman in her 40s who was born in Tokai Region, Japan and taken to North
Korea by her mother. The other is a man in his 50s who was born in West Japan and moved to North Korea in the early 1960s. Mr. Noguchi
has been anxiously pleading for intervention to secure the protection of the two refugees from repatriation. It was confirmed that they were
indeed still in China on 12th January. This unusual situation provides encouragement that they could be deported to a safe third country
rather than repatriated to face severe penalties in North Korea.

Immediately after the press conference a spokesman for the Chinese Government publicly stated that the investigation is ongoing and that
Mr. Noguchi could be subject to a sentence of up to ten years imprisonment.

The severity of this potential sentence is supported by recent disturbing developments.

You may be aware from our earlier appeals that China has been holding two aid workers without sentence for over a year. We are sad to
report that in December both men were given harsh sentences, even exceeding the sentences given to those involved with the boat
escapees.

Rev Choi Bong-il was sentenced to nine years imprisonment and Mr. Kim Hee-tae to seven years. These sentences are both shocking and
deeply unjust as both men were simply trying to help meet the humanitarian needs of North Koreans.

We would be most grateful if you could take up these concerns with the Chinese authorities, urging that all those held for providing
humanitarian assistance be released and that the North Koreans be given safe passage to a third country and not repatriated.

A draft letter is provided below. Where possible it would be appreciated if you could adapt the language to make the letter individual.

Thank you for your support and help. We greatly appreciate your solidarity and compassion for those who are treated so unjustly.
_____________________

SAMPLE LETTER

Your Excellency

I am writing to express my concern about the news of fresh activities targeting North Koreans and those seeking to help them in China.

I have recently learnt of the arrest of Mr. Takayuki Noguchi, aged 32, a member of the Japanese humanitarian organization Life Funds for
North Korean Refugees (LFNKR) and two North Koreans on December13, 2003. I understand that Mr. Noguchi is being held at Nanning
Prison in Guangxi.

I am particularly concerned regarding the two North Koreans. As you are aware there is widespread concern over the fate of those
repatriated to North Korea, especially those who have been caught attempting to leave China. There is consistent and convincing evidence
of systematic persecution of such persons and it is clear that they should under no circumstances be repatriated. You will of course be
aware that international law, including the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its protocol, to which China is a party,
strictly forbids returning those outside their country to face persecution. I welcome the positive steps that China has taken in specific high-
profile cases to avoid such repatriation and allow refugees to travel to safe third countries. I would strongly urge and encourage you to
ensure such protection in this case, in order to avoid unwanted suffering to the individuals and discredit to China.

I am disturbed that a spokesman for the Chinese Government responded to a press conference held by Life Funds for North Korean
Refugees with the statement that Mr. Noguchi could be sentenced to as much as ten years imprisonment. This is highly disturbing as Mr.
Noguchi has done nothing wrong, but has rather been seeking to secure the basic humanitarian protection to North Koreans which China is
internationally bound to provide. It seems ironic that those meeting the requirements of international law are being sentenced by the party
that has voluntarily bound itself to such obligations.

In this context I must raise my deepest concern about the recent sentences passed on two other innocent aid workers. I am shocked to
learn that Rev Choi Bong-il has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment and Mr. Kim Hee-tae to seven years imprisonment. Again I am
deeply concerned about these sentences in the context of China's obligations under international law. It must be stressed that respect for
international agreements is the only foundation upon which relations between states can move forward. Such striking breaches of both law
and humanitarian principle can only prejudice the respect and co-operation which China can expect from the international community.

Nevertheless, I do hope to see relations improve between our nations and I trust that a satisfactory outcome can be achieved in these
cases, which will
satisfy international justice and ensure the safety and release of all those mentioned.

I appreciate your attention to these concerns and I look forward to receiving your response regarding these matters.

Yours respectfully and sincerely,

_____________________

ADDRESSES

* Please address your letters / telegrams / telexes to the President and Justice Minister

Mr. HU Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China
The State Council General Office
Yongneixijie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Telegram: President Hu Jintao, Beijing, China

Mr. ZHANG Fusen

Minister of Justice of the People's Republic of China
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020
People's Republic of China
Telexes: 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN
(Please forward to the Minister of Justice)
Telegram: Minister of Justice, Beijing, China

* If you are able to e-mail, call or fax, please use the following details:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

E-mail: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1114
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 1109 / 2660

* In addition you could write or copy letters to:

China Ambassador to the U.S.

Ambassador Yang Jiechi
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: (202) 328-2500
Fax: (202) 588-0032
Email: chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn

(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Member of US Congress
For Senators and Representatives: Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202.224.3121 to find out your Congressperson's name
Senators: Write to your Senator at US Senate, Washington, DC 20510
Representatives: Write to your Representative at US House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515

(Salutation: Dear Mr. / Mrs.)

------------------------------------
June 11, 2003 Urgent Appeal For Chinese Pastor Gong
We ask you to urgently pray and advocate on behalf of Chinese Pastor Gong Shengliang, who is reported to be dying in Jingzhou Prison.
As you may remember, Pastor Gong, the leader of the South China Church, was sentenced to death at the end of December 2001.
However, following an international outcry his sentence was reviewed and he is now under sentence of "life in prison". Many of his fellow
church leaders are also serving lengthy sentences. Pastor Gong has now been beaten and severely wounded by the prison officers. He
has serious internal injuries and is passing blood in both his stools and urine. He has been severely ill and bed-bound for the last two
weeks and slipped into a coma for several days. The family was last allowed to visit on April 14, and have not been allowed to visit
subsequently on the pretext of the anti-SARS campaign. The family and South China Church leaders have issued a message reporting the
severe deterioration and abuse that Pastor Gong is experiencing. They quote an official who says that if they expect to see Pastor Gong
alive they had better do something immediately. The message from the family and church members is provided below, as it was received
today. We would be very grateful if you could pray for Pastor Gong and make an urgent intervention on his behalf. Addresses are given
below.

The following is the message signed by family members and church leaders:
It is learned recently from a very reliable source in Jingzhou Prison of Hubei Province that Pastor Gong Shengliang, the founder of the
evangelical South China Church was beaten and seriously wounded by the prison police. His innards are gravely hurt. Blood can be found
in both his stool and urine. And one of his ears loses acute hearing. For over half a month, Pastor Gong has kept the bed and been at his
last breath. He was even in a coma several days. However, nobody pays attention to him and makes any inquiry. The well-informed
sources are quoted as saying, if you expect Mr. Gong to be alive, you shall do something immediately. Otherwise, the sequent is hard to
imagine. Since Pastor Gong was put into Jingzhou Prison in December 2002, he has been under close surveillance.

Each day there are over three people who watch his words and deeds, including getting up, eating, and using restroom and conversations.
Everything concerning him will be recorded. The prison authority brainwashes him everyday, forcing him to give up his faith and plead
guilty. He is ordered to report his thought and confession on daily basis. Whereas Pastor Gong adheres to his faith, the prison authority
consistently reports to the upper level authority that Pastor Gong refuses to admit his 'wrongdoings' and wants to appeal to the superior
court. Therefore, even the Communist Party Committee of Hubei Province sends cadres to brainwash him. In addition, the prison authority
keeps pressing Pastor Gong both psychologically and spiritually. No one is allowed to contact him and talk to him. The violator is subject to
severe punishment. By this they attempt to destroy Pastor Gong's faith and will. Pastor Gong used to have stomach disease. He can no
longer endure any outside stimulation. For almost two years since he was arrested, his mind and body have suffered serious hurt. His
eyebrow, beard and hair are all hoary. And his complexion turns blue. The news astonishes us. We feel regrettable over what the prison
authority has done to Brother Gong and deeply worried about the mistreatment that Pastor Gong has gone through.

SHUQIN GONG, SHUZHEN GONG AND 32 NAMES OF GONG'S

FAMILY MEMBERS, RELATIVES AND CHURCH LEADERS
China Ambassador to the U.S.
Ambassador Yang Jiechi
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: (202) 328-2500
Fax: (202) 588-0032
Email: chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn

President of the Peoples Republic of China

HU Jintao
The State Council General Office
Yongneixijie
Beijingshi 100017
Peoples Republic of China
Telegram: President Hu Jintao, Beijing, China
Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

LI Zhaoxing
Waijiaobu
2 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Beijingshi 100701
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1114
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 1109 / 2660
E-mail: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn <mailto:webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn>
Telegram: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beijing, China
Salutation: Your Excellency
(Fax is likely to be more effective than e-mail)

Minister of Justice of the People's Republic of China

ZHANG Fusen
Sifabu
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6520 5114
Telexes: 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN
(Please forward to the Minister of Justice)
Telegram: Minister of Justice, Beijing, China
Salutation: Your Excellency

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
October 9, 2002 Hasty Retrial of 17 Convicted
*** SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST ***

This news has just come through.

"A Chinese court has thrown out the criminal conviction of 17 members of the unregistered South China Church. The Supreme Court of
Hubei Province has ordered a new trial for the Christians, including Pastor Gong Shengliang and journalist Li Ying. Both are among five
SCC members sentenced to death for their involvement in illegal church activities. Twelve others received sentences ranging from two
years to life. The court said the procedures in the civil trial that led to convictions were illegal. The court has sent the case back to the
Jingmen City intermediate People's Court for retrial on October 9th, 2002."

The defense has had only one day to prepare.

Please pray for justice.

Courtesy of: Korean Peninsular Peace Project

----------------------------------
June 20, 2002 CHINESE CHURCH LEADERS FREED AFTER BEING
ABDUCTED
Leaders from a mainstream house church in China have been released after being abducted.

The 34 senior leaders from the China Gospel Fellowship were abducted on April 16 by a group called Eastern Lightning (EL), which uses
violence against church members.

A spokesperson from the China Gospel Fellowship (CGF) commented: "All of the kidnapped coworkers have been gradually released.
However a few of them are not doing well physically because of the drugs given to them.

"Although they were tempted, enticed and threatened in every way, they have been able to hold onto their faith in the Lord, to overcome the
temptations and to refuse the heresies of the female Christ.

"In spite of such an attack on us, the church as a whole has not suffered any loss, with God's sustaining and the work of all coworkers.

"We want to express our thankfulness to God that with His sustaining, with many overseas brothers' and sisters' fervent prayers and
intercessions and tears before God."

EL was founded in 1989 by Zhao Wei Shan in Heilongjiang Province and claims that Jesus has already returned to earth as a Chinese
woman called Deng from Henan Province.

The group teaches its followers to abandon their families and jobs. It exerts control over its followers by using drugs and sexual entrapment.
Absolute obedience is demanded and those who oppose the group are punished with beatings, bribery, kidnap and murder.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "We praise God for the fantastic news of these leaders' release.
Given the past experiences of those kidnapped by the Eastern Lightning, it is amazing that they have all been released and are safe.

"We continue to uphold them in our prayers as they are reunited with their families and recover from their terrifying ordeal."

View the reports from the China Gospel Fellowship at www.chinaforjesus.com

-----------------------------------
June 19 2002 Good News: CGF Members Released
We are delighted to tell you that we have received a report today that all the leaders from the China Gospel Fellowship who were
kidnapped in April by Eastern Lightning have been released. Praise God. Given the past treatment of Christians kidnapped by the group, it
is a miracle that all have been released and are safe. They are very thankful for the prayers of all the Christians around the world who have
prayed for them. Thank you for your compassionate and committed response to this situation. We praise God that he has heard our prayers
and moved so powerfully.

We would be grateful if you could continue to uphold the members in your prayers. The ordeal was obviously very harrowing for them and
they are now recovering physically, emotionally and spiritually.

We would also be grateful if you could pray for Chun Ki Won in China. You may remember that he was arrested with three others for
helping North Koreans reach safety. He has been detained for five and a half months in China and his case is due to come before the
Chinese courts in the next day or so. It is very much hoped that he will not be sentenced, but rather deported. We do covet your prayers for
a good outcome for him and his co-defendant, Mr Kim Qi Lyung. Mr Kim is a Chinese citizen so may face other difficulties. We praise God
that the two men arrested with them, Mr Oh and Mr Jung have already been able to reach freedom and are back in South Korea.

We deeply appreciate your concern and your prayerful support for our brothers and sisters facing these trials. It is a great encouragement
to know that we can immediately raise the prayer support that they so desperately seek.

-------------------------------------------
April 30, 2002 Christian Leaders Feared Abducted By Cult in China
Leaders from one of the main evangelical groups in China, the China Gospel Fellowship (CGF), are missing, feared kidnapped by a cult.

The CGF leaders appear to have been abducted on April 19 by a group called Lightning from the East, which has a history of violence
against members of house churches. Around 30 leaders are believed to have been kidnapped, although there are reports of a further 70
missing.

It is believed that Lightning from the East tricked the CGF leaders by posing as members of a Bible institute from Singapore offering
intensive Bible training. However, it is reported that when the leaders arrived at the six scheduled locations they were forced to give up their
mobile phones and were held captive.

One girl managed to escape, when she asked to go to the toilet. According to one report, Lightning from the East then went to her home
and beat up her parents.

The girl had not gone home, but had headed for a place of safety where she managed to relay the story, contradicting earlier assessments
that the leaders had been arrested by the police.

Among those captured are Shen Yiping and his nephew Shen Xianfeng who walks with crutches. Both have been targeted in the past by
the police, and Shen Xianfeng has even been beaten by the police with his own crutches.

The Public Security Bureau has recently been cracking down on groups that it deems to be cults. Documents recently smuggled out of
China show the government’s planned intimidation against unregistered religious bodies.

Lightning from the East poses a serious threat to Christianity in China. The cult claims that Jesus has already returned to earth as a
Chinese woman called Lightning.

If people do not believe voluntarily, the cult uses various methods to coerce them, including bullying tactics, violence, bribes and extortion.
Believers have had limbs broken, been drugged and placed in positions of compromise and offered large sums of money in efforts to make
them leave the Church.

CSW is encouraging prayer and concern to be raised for the missing church members.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “This is an extremely worrying development and we have real
fears for those who have disappeared.

“We do hope that this case will be speedily resolved and the CGF members quickly freed. Our prayers are with them and their families.”

---------------------------------
March 14, 2002 North Korean Refugees Seek Protection in Spanish
Embassy in Beijing and Threaten Suicide if Deported
UPDATE 3/2002: The refugees are now in South Korea

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is calling for help on behalf of 25 terrified North Koreans who entered the Spanish Embassy in Beijing this
morning claiming asylum.

The group pushed their way past the Chinese guards outside the embassy at 9.50am (01.50 GMT) and issued a statement expressing their
desperation and certainty of terrible punishment if returned to North Korea.

This statement, addressed ‘To Any and All Who Will Listen’, reads: “Today we stand before you, 25 North Korean refugees, driven together
by danger and desperation. We are six families and two orphan girls, 8 of which are children.

“All 25 of us seek, above all else, to apply for refugee status. However, the current practice of the Chinese local authorities to carry out
unconditional and forced repatriation of North Korean defectors and the subsequent persecution by the state in North Korea has forced us
to seek help from the international community. For this purpose, we have entered your office for your protection until refugee status is
granted to all of us.

“Many of us find it necessary to conceal our identities for fear of dangerous repercussions to our loved ones who remain in North Korea...

“At separate times in 2001 we defected from North Korea in search of food and freedom from oppression. Most of us were caught by
Chinese security officials and were then subjected to forced deportation to North Korea. After repatriation, we endured months of detention
in North Korea that can only be described as atrocious. As time went on, each of us seized the first opportunity to escape to China again. At
present we have come from several different locations in China with the help of foreigners. We wholeheartedly thank them for their vital
humanitarian help to our plight.

“If we are to be forcefully repatriated to North Korea by the Chinese government yet again, without doubt, our lives will be in the greatest
possible jeopardy. Moreover, there is no doubt in our minds that our freedoms in North Korea will be denied in the light of the record of our
earlier defections and this current attempt to go to South Korea. Yet we believe we are fully within our rights under universally accepted
international law...

“We are now at the point of such desperation and live in such fear of persecution within North Korea that we have come to the decision to
risk our lives for freedom rather than passively await our doom. Some of us carry poison on our person to commit suicide if the Chinese
authorities should chose once again to send us back to North Korea.

“The only power we have left is to appeal to you on our knees and with tears.”

This case highlights the terrible plight of North Koreans who face hunger and repression in their home country or fear and abuse in China,
where the state refuses to recognize them as refugees.

CSW is deeply disturbed by China’s refusal to allow the UNHCR to access asylum seekers and its policy of repatriating North Koreans.
CSW has received numerous first-hand accounts of North Koreans who have been repatriated and faced terrible penalties for the simple
act of leaving their country.

CSW is calling for the protection of the asylum seekers, for their safe passage to South Korea and for a change in the policy towards North
Koreans. CSW is urging China, the UNHCR and Spain to ensure that the 25 are not repatriated to North Korea and that they reach safety
quickly.

CSW-UK’s National Director Stuart Windsor said: “It is terrible that those who have endured such horrific suffering in one of the most closed
and oppressive countries in the world, should not even find refuge when they risk their lives to escape.

“This terrible situation has been going on unchecked for far too long. The international community has a duty to protect these immensely
vulnerable people and ensure a refuge for those who are desperate enough to risk death for their freedom. If we continue to turn a blind
eye to the horrors of North Korea and the deprivations of those who try to escape, history will condemn us for our appalling inhumanity to
our fellow man.”

------------------------------
February 12, 2002 Official Chinese Documents Provide Evidence of
Religious Persecution
(contact CSW for full document)
Important official documents revealing centralized coordinated plans to crack down on and eliminate specific religious groups have been
disclosed.

The documents were obtained at considerable risk and come from a number of officials from both the Ministry of State Security and various
public security organizations. The sources of the documentation were all aggrieved by the duplicity of the government's simultaneous
assertions of legal protection of religious freedom and secret orders to persecute religious groups.

The Committee for Investigation on Persecution of Religion in China, which obtained the documents, reports how sources were disturbed
by their superiors' knowledge that the orders resulted in serious physical and psychological abuses.

One of the documents issued by the Ministry of Public Security, entitled 'Notice on Various Issues Regarding Identifying and Banning of
Cultic Organizations' lists 14 groups identified as cults. Some of the doctrines condemned as heresies in the document are beliefs widely
held by Christians around the world, such as praying for healing. The Shouters and the All Sphere Church (founded by Xu Yongze) are
listed as cults, with reference also made to the South China Church. The head of the South China Church, Gong Sheng Liang has been
sentenced to death, along with four other leaders of the group.

The South China Church is the focus of a top secret 'Document for the General Squad of Domestic Security and Defense of Beijing Bureau
of Public Security', which requires all efforts to be taken to arrest Gong and track down information on the group. A list of ten key wanted
members of the group is given.

Throughout the documents there is a failure to recognize the distinction which Christians make between the spiritual and temporal. This is
reminiscent of the way in which the authorities of the day treated Jesus. In the document on the South China Church, Gong is given as
having 'advocated "the evangelization of whole nation, the Christianization of culture, and the kingdomization of the church." He also cried
out to the believers to "put on the armor given by the Lord, fight a bloody battle with the devil (referring to the government) till the end,
destroy Satan's (referring to the Communist Party) kingdom, and establish the everlasting Kingdom of God. (Bracketed text inserted by
government.)'

A further document, written by a Christian, reports the investigation of the case of Ms Li Bao-zhi and other members of a Christian group
who were tortured and sent to re-education through labor for holding a Christian meeting. During the hearing in the Intermediate People's
Court in Liao Ning Province, it was stated that it was not possible to produce the relevant legal documentation because the case had been
dealt with in accordance with the classified document issued from the Ministry of the State Public Security. The court heard from a witness:
'After we were arrested we were locked in different rooms on the 8th floor, the Religious Section of the Public Security Bureau. They
tortured us. We can constantly hear loud cries from those rooms'. Under questioning, the witness specified that the cries were 'Howls under
torture'.

Li Bao-zhi herself describes, in an interview, how she and her fellow believers were beaten and threatened. 'On November 11, 2001, I was
arrested in the middle of a gathering, and locked in the Religious Section on the 8th floor. Five persons were put in different rooms. On that
night I heard Hou Rong-shan, Sun De-xiang crying loud, accompanied with the electric buzz of the baton. Another two sisters were beaten
badly, one of them, sister Zhang Ya-ru had been delivered to hospital for emergency treatment, after that she was brought back to the
Public Security Bureau again. And sister Niu Zhong-fang ... They cuffed her hands to the heating tube, and bound her feet together. More
horrible thing is, those police sat on her, hitting her above the waist and her sole with electric baton. They tortured her far into the night,
then they tied up her shoulder and hands tight with thin rope, beat her till blood gushed from her mouth. They forced her to confess that she
had said something like 'the big church cannot be saved', and we cried and danced in the gatherings. Sister Niu refused to confess, that's
why she was tortured so!'

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW-UK, comments: 'These documents give concrete proof of the intense campaign against religious
movements in China. That individuals should be singled out for brutal treatment for their religious beliefs is a disgrace in this age. The
classification of groups as cults, with the immensely aggravated penalties accompanied by such a categorization, is a grossly misused and
misguided strategy, resulting in great travesties of justice. The state, especially an atheist state, is not qualified to make theological
judgments on orthodoxy of doctrine. The activities revealed in this documentation show China in serious breach of international law. In
addition to breaches of freedom from torture and freedom of religion, China's action is contrary to the UN's specific direction that national
security is not a ground for limiting the right to religious freedom. If China wishes to be regarded as a respectable international player, she
must urgently reform her laws and policies in accordance with her voluntarily accepted international obligations. Until this is done, the
international community has both practical and moral reason not to trust China as a credible and reliable international partner.'

-------------------------------------------
Mar 22, 2002 Backlash on North Koreans Because of Asylum-Seekers'
Bid for Freedom
Dear Friends,

We are sorry to have to let you know that there has been a disappointing backlash on the North Koreans hiding in China as a result of the
freedom bid of the 25 North Koreans who sought asylum in the Spanish Embassy in Beijing.

The Chinese and North Korean authorities have now begun an intense crackdown in the border area, targeting North Koreans, South
Korean NGOs and Christian groups. Local officials have said that this is in defiance of the international community.

We have been asked by a number of contacts to raise this with the Chinese authorities. We would be grateful if you could add your voice to
express concern about this situation.

We would be very grateful if you could write to your Congressperson, by fax or e-mail, and urge him or her to raise this with the American
and Chinese authorities. You can find out the name of your Congressperson by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A
suggested letter to the Chinese authorities is attached. You could provide your Congressperson with the following addresses and you may
also wish to write directly to the Chinese authorities yourself.

Chinese Foreign Ministry

Tang Jiaxuan
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Chaoyangmenneidajie
Dongsi,
Beijing 100701
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1109/14
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 2660
Email: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn

Suggested letter:

Your Excellency,

May I commend you for the good outcome of the case of the twenty five North Koreans who sought asylum in the Spanish Embassy in
Beijing. I am glad that their expressions of terror at being returned to North Korea were taken seriously and that they could reach freedom
and safety. This is particularly welcome in light of the protection that the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees provides for such
people who are afraid to return to their country due to a well founded fear of persecution.

I am deeply troubled to hear that there has been a backlash as a result of this case, with a severe crackdown on North Koreans and groups
working with them in China. I am concerned about the welfare both of the missing NGO workers and the targeting of North Koreans. It is
also surprising that actions have been taken against South Korean and Christian groups when these were not the groups involved in the
embassy case. The actions against the North Koreans are highly disturbing in light of the well-documented terrible persecution of North
Koreans who have been repatriated to North Korea. Punishments include execution, imprisonment and torture, clearly amounting to severe
persecution and grave breaches of international standards.

I am concerned that China's position that North Koreans are not genuine refugees is untenable while China denies continues to deny
access by the UNHCR. I would urge you to re-consider China's stance on this issue, and to allow access by the UNHCR, to accept
applications for refugee status and process them in accordance with China's obligations under the refugee convention.

I am aware that China has stated that she resists such expressions of concern by the international community. However, as you will be
aware, these are issues that lie at the core of international relations. Whilst I am keen to see the greater integration of China in international
affairs, the strength of feeling that such issues engenders poses a very serious obstacle to greater engagement.

As you will be aware there is considerable public opinion that China should not be granted privileges, including those such as hosting the
Olympic Games, while she continues to disrespect international rules, including those she has voluntarily committed herself to. I hope that
you will bear this in mind in considering how to proceed in dealing with this situation, which is set to attract increasing attention across the
world.

Yours respectfully and sincerely,

-------------------------------

January 17 2002 Two Founders of South China Church on Death Row for
Church Activities
Two founding members of the South China Church have been sentenced to death following a secret trial.

Gong Sheng Liang, 46, and his niece Li Ying, 36, were sentenced after a secret trial held on December 18 2001 at the Jing Men Court in
Hubei Province.

Gong was sentenced to death for 'using an evil cult to undermine law enforcement', causing bodily harm with intent, and rape, according to
reports from the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy (ICHRD).

Li Ying was also given a death sentence, suspended for two years, for 'using an evil cult to undermine law enforcement' and causing bodily
harm with intent.

A further 15 members of the group were also sentenced, including another founding member, Ms Sun Ming Hua, who was sentenced to
indefinite imprisonment.

According to reports, Gong's female co-workers were arrested and mutilated by the Public Security Bureau to make it look like they had
been raped, then forced to make false confessions.

The rape charge follows a pattern which has been used against other alleged cult leaders who have been sentenced to death, including
Supreme Spirit Sect leader Liu Jia Guo and leader of the Established King Sect, Wu Yung Ming, sentenced to death in 1999 and 1995
respectively.

The difference in Gong's case is that the South China Church is more widely regarded as a mainstream Christian group and that details of
the allegations have not been given in public.

The South China Church was founded in 1991 when Gong, who was imprisoned between 1983 and 1986, left the Born Again Movement.
The church is estimated to have some 50,000 members.

CSW is also concerned for three men arrested in connection with Bible transportation. Lai Kwong Keung, 38, a businessman from Hong
Kong, was arrested on May 31 2001. He and two other Chinese men, Yu Zhudi and Lin Xifu, both 42, were allegedly taking 16,280 Bibles to
Fuqing city in Fujian Province.
According to the ICHRD the men face charges of 'using an evil cult to undermine law enforcement', the same charge which resulted in
Gong's death sentence.

The ICHRD reports that the men were due to stand trial on the weekend of January 12 at Fuqing Intermediate Court, but this has been
postponed. According to another source, the case has been referred back to Fuzhou, possibly for review.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: "China's policy of designating groups as cults simply on
grounds of organization and refusal to register is causing untold damage and is a serious violation of human rights and international
standards.

"CSW continues to urge China to allow true religious freedom as guaranteed under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights.

"China needs to adhere to the international commitments she has undertaken before being given credence as a reliable member of the
international community. With entry into the World Trade Organization and the granting of the 2008 Olympics, the international community is
justified in requiring respect for the most basic international standards of respect for human life and fundamental freedoms."

--------------------------------------------------------------

August 2, 2001 Church Leaders Arrested in China as Part of Ongoing

Campaign Against Unregistered Church
Police in China are holding Chinese Christian Ah Kong at Huadu Detention Center in Guangdong, Southeast China, following his arrest for
hosting an unregistered Christian meeting in his home.

According to a source close to Ah Kong, police are seeking to extract a large fine as a penalty and are thus refusing to release him.

Ah Kong was arrested alongside Pastor Li Dexian and six others last Thursday, 26th July. The police arrived at 1.30 pm, carried out arrests
And returned to Ah Kong's home at 3.00 pm when they closed the meeting and dispersed attendees.

Li was released after three days, but not before police had severely reprimanded him and warned him sternly to refrain from his religious
activities.

Both Ah Kong, who is in his early 40s and Li, who is 49, have been subject to repeated arrests and harassment in the last year and a half.
Li was arrested fifteen times between October 1999 and May 2000.

During one period of detention in April, Li was bound with his wrists chained to his ankles for five days, leaving him in excruciating pain,
unable to straighten his back.

The incident in Huadu is part of a broader current campaign against the unregistered church. The strike hard policy against the Falun Gong
has had serious consequences for the church in China.

According to a source in China, the treatment of Christians has taken a downward turn in the last two weeks across China. Allen Yuan, the
Beijing pastor who spent over twenty years in prison for his faith, had his house church raided during a meeting two weeks ago.

Samuel Lamb, who runs a church near Li Dexian's home and who also spent twenty years incarcerated for his faith, has also faced fresh
pressure in recent days with the government closure of the printing service he uses for his publications.

CSW's President Baroness Caroline Cox said: “As someone who has had the great privilege of worshipping in Pastor Samuel Lamb's
church and witnessing firsthand the authenticity of the worship and doctrine in the house churches, I would urge the Chinese authorities to
grant full freedom of religious practice and worship.

"It is disturbing to see these oppressive measures being taken in the wake of the decision to grant China the 2008 Olympics. If China really
wants to be viewed as a legitimate world player she must learn to play by the rules. Harassing believers for their peaceful religious activities
places China in breach of international standards and, once again, brings her into disrepute in the world arena."

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Colombia
September 7, 2004 Addresses for letters of encouragement to Christians
attacked in Colombia
Dear Friends,

Yesterday you received the tragic news that armed groups murdered three people and seriously wounded 14 more in a church in southern
Colombia after raking the congregation with gunfire. Last night we were told by the Commission for Restoration Life and Peace, a ministry
of the Colombian Council of Evangelical Churches, that letters of solidarity and condolences would be welcomed by the church. If you
would like to send a card or a letter to the church please address it as follows:

Pastor Francisco Sevillano

Iglesia Alianza Cristiana y Misionera
Barrio Obrero 1
Puerto Asis, Putumayo
Colombia

Restrictions: Please DO NOT mention any of the armed groups in your letter or write anything that could be interpreted as a
political statement as this could further endanger the church. However, you may make references to faith/God freely.

Some sample phrases:

Les queremos mucho - We care for you deeply

Mis hermanos/hermanas en Cristo - My brothers/sisters in Christ
Estamos orando para su iglesia - We are praying for your church
Estamos pensando en ustedes - We are thinking of you.
Cristo y tu familia en Cristo te aman mucho - Christ and your family in Christ loves you very much.
Que Dios les bendiga - May God bless you all

-----------------------------------
September 6, 2004 Prayer after attack on Colombian church
Urgent Prayer Alert

Dear Friends,

CSW received reports today that at least three people were killed and 14 seriously injured on Saturday night (September 4) when masked
men opened fire on a Christian and Missionary Alliance church in southern Colombia during a prayer service. Please lift up the members of
the church - particularly the pastor, Francisco Sevillano.

We would ask to you pray for the families of those killed and those who are still in hospital. Their names are listed below. Two children,
aged 7 and 11 were among the casualties. About 45 people were in attendance at the service which took place in an impoverished area
Puerto Asis. The area was in almost total darkness as there is no electricity in the community.

News reports offer conflicting information on who was responsible or why they attacked the church. Some indicate that right-wing
paramilitaries were likely to have been responsible as this is an area with heavy paramilitary presence. Others say that pamphlets from the
left-wing guerrilla group, FARC, were left outside and declared a new offensive in the region. The reason behind the attack is also unclear
with one report suggesting that Jorge Arnulfo Santamaria Montoya, a retired policeman and a local council member, was the target. He
suffered multiple bullet wounds and was transferred to hospital in a larger city because of the gravity of his injuries. He had survived two
previous assassination attempts.

Regardless of where the responsibility lies, CSW emphatically denounces the attack on the church at a time when people were gathered
together to pray and worship. Alexa Papadouris, CSW-UK's Advocacy Director, stated "This demonstrates the total lack of respect that all
the armed groups show towards the sanctity of a place of worship and of the innocent civilians, particularly children, that gather there. If the
armed groups want to be taken seriously by the world as legitimate players in the political process they must begin by respecting the
neutrality of civilians and their basic right to life."

Please join us in praying for the families of those who were killed and for those who are still struggling for life in hospitals across the
country.

Killed:

Adalberto Benavides
Heraldo Guevara
María Lidia Martínez de Zambrano

Seriously Wounded:

Guadalupe Quijano
Yeni Cabrera
Elvia Cabrera
Leonel Raigosa
Sandra Barco
Oscar Luis Martínez
Andrés Ortega
Gerson Chaves
Giovanny Ramos Hernández
Pablo Campo Hernández
Jorge Arnulfo Santamaria Montoya
An unidentified woman of 22 years of age
Two minors, aged 7 and 11, whose names have not been released.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Some 25,000 to 30,000 people are killed each year in the violence which affects Colombia . This equates to a murder due to political
violence approximately every 20 minutes of every day.

Christians, both Roman Catholics and Protestants, and especially those involved with peace initiatives or helping those who would flee the
violence, are particularly at risk. More than 40 evangelical leaders were assassinated in 2003.

Armed groups have shut down more than 400 churches, burned Bibles, forbidden Christians from meeting and have driven church leaders
from their homes. Some 120 or more Christian leaders have been assassinated in the last few years.

It is estimated that up to four million people have been displaced from their home areas by the violence

--------------------------------
February 4, 2004 Thank you from Colombian human rights worker
Further to our Urgent Action request on January 16, we are writing to give you an update on the case of Ricardo Esquivia. Ricardo is a
Colombian church leader and human rights worker, against whom the Colombian authorities appear to be falsifying evidence, in order to
accuse and arrest him for being a terrorist guerrilla.

We have received letters of thanks from friends at Justapaz and from the Mennonite Central Committee in Colombia. According to them,
many of the Colombia government figures targeted by the campaign have turned off their fax machines because of the number of letters
they had received. In addition, an official from the US State Department opened a meeting with the NGOs by stating "Mr. Esquivia you have
many friends!" Please find a letter from Mr. Esquivia below:

Dear sisters and brothers,

In these difficult moments, your fraternal outpouring of support has become a kind of refuge for me. Your expressions of solidarity are signs
of life, hope and freedom.

Thank you for your trust and your intentional support.

The Colombian government is highly sensitive to the opinion of the international community and the global family of faith. Meanwhile, it's
very difficult for voices that don't praise and support all that the President says and does to be heard within Colombia.

Human rights often do not exist for those who have fallen out of favor with the Colombian authorities or the armed forces. Therefore, you
understand my concern given these reported plans of detention and prosecution. Thank you for coming to my assistance.

I pray that God will grant you strength and energy so that you will not grow weary in doing good. It's only through calls to justice that this
injustice can be detained and freedom prevail.

Sincerely and with gratitude,

Ricardo Esquivia

We would like to thank you for your continued efforts and your consistent prayers on Ricardo Esquivia's behalf. Because of your support, he
remains free and able to carry out the work of peace building, human rights activism, and advocacy on behalf of the persecuted church in
Colombia.

It is clear however, that a key reason why he has not been arrested is the extraordinary level of international attention that descended on
the Colombian government as a result of the campaign. Your letters are essential to this.

We would ask you to continue to pray for Ricardo, his family and the rest of the staff at Justapaz and at the Commission for Restoration,
Life and Peace. Please also consider asking your friends and churches to join the campaign, writing letters to the Colombian government
as well as to your own governments asking for the continued protection of Ricardo Esquivia. Our friends at Justapaz have asked that if you
do choose to send a fax that you also send a hard copy of your letter through the post to the addresses below.

ALVARO URIBE VELEZ

President of Colombia
Cra. 8 N. 7-26, Palacio de Narino
Bogota, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 337-5890 or +57 1 342-0592

SABAS PRETELT DE LA VEGA

Minister of the Interior
Av. Jimenez no. 8-89
Bogota, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 560-4630

Admiral GUILLERMO ENRIQUE BARRERA HURTADO

Comandante Fuerza Naval del Atlantico
Bocagrande Av San Martin
Base Naval Arc Bolivar
Cartagena, Bolivar
Colombia
Tel: +57 5 665-0205
Fax: +57 5 665-5917

JORGE NOGUERA COTES

Director of the Department of Security Administration (DAS)
Cra. 28 no. 17A-00 Paloquemao
Bogota, Colombia
Telefax: +57 1 408-8460 (request fax line)

CARLOS FRANCO ECHAVARRIA

Director of Presidential Program for Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law
Cra 8A no. 7-57
Bogota, Colombia
Tel: +57 1 336-0311, +57 1 444-2120
Fax: +57 1 342-9355, +57 1 566-2387

----------------------------------
January 16, 2004 Please help Ricardo Esquivia Ballestas
Dear Friends,

We are writing to request that you take urgent action in prayer and letter-writing on behalf of Ricardo Esquivia Ballestas.

Ricardo is the vice-president of the Colombian Council of Evangelical Churches (Cedecol) and the director of the Commission for
Restoration, Life and Peace, which is part of Cedecol. The Commission works with churches across Colombia and is involved in a variety of
different advocacy and support initiatives including documenting attacks on and assassinations of church leaders and other Christians
committed by members of all the armed groups. For the past 12 years, he has also been the director of Justapaz, a Christian centre for
justice, peace and non-violent action, a ministry of the Mennonite Church of Colombia.

CSW has received news from Colombia that there appears to be a plan by the Colombian government to arrest Ricardo and accuse him of
being a member of FARC, a guerrilla terrorist group. Information from reliable sources suggests that they are building a case based on
fabricated and false evidence which will include the use of paid informants. This same strategy has been used to imprison labor union
leaders, as well as leaders in other human rights NGO's and various other social organizations.

Colombia has been torn apart by internal violence for a number of decades as leftist guerrilla groups and right-wing paramilitary groups vie
for power. The current president, Alvaro Uribe, was elected on a hardline platform and has vowed to stamp out all terrorist activity. In the
process, however, he has implemented severe restrictions on human rights and has even stated publicly that human rights workers and
organizations are terrorist collaborators.

At the same time the Evangelical (Protestant) Church in Colombia, with Ricardo's guidance, has been at the forefront in working towards
sustainable peace, seeking ways to meet the needs of those adversely affected by the conflict, and upholding basic standards of human
rights. As part of this work, they have been openly involved in mediation and humanitarian dialogues with the various armed groups
operating in the country in an effort to persuade them to respect the right of Christians to meet and worship freely in the areas under their
control. In an example of what they are up against, more than 40 pastors and church leaders were assassinated by the same armed groups
in 2003.

Ricardo is a well-known and internationally respected church leader and human rights defender. CSW has been able to observe firsthand
the work of his organization and can confirm that it is absolutely vital, not only for the protection of Christians in areas of armed conflict, but
also for the peace of the nation.

Please pray for Ricardo and for all of those working at Justapaz, Cedecol, and for the Commission for Restoration, Life and Peace. The
Colombian government is extremely sensitive to international opinion so please also consider urgently writing to the men and women listed
below expressing your concern. Please find a sample letter and addresses below.

Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of the persecuted Church.

(Country code included for all numbers. )

ALVARO URIBE VALEZ
President of Colombia
Cra. 8 N. 7-26, Palacio de Nariño
Santa Fe de Bogotá
Fax: 00 (571) 342-0592

LUIS CARLOS RESTREPO

High Commissioner for Peace
Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia.
Fax: 00 (571) 565-7688

SABAS PRETEL DE LA VEGA

Minister of the Interior
Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: 00 (571) 560-4630
CARLOS ALBERTO OSPINA
Commander General of the Armed Forces
Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia
Tel: 00 (571) 315-0111
Fax: 00 (571) 266-0298

LUIS CAMILO OSORIO

Attorney General
Diagonal 22B N. 52-01
Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia
Telefax: 00 (571) 570-2000 (request fax line)

CARLOS FRANCO ECHAVARRIA

Director of Presidential Program for Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law
Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia
Tel: 00 (571) 336-0311, 011 (571) 444-2120
Fax: 342-9355, 571 566-2387

JORGE NOGERA COTES

Director of the Department of Security Administration (DAS)
Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia
Telefax: 00 (571) 408-8460 (request fax line)

If possible, our friends in Colombia have asked if you could send a copy of your letter by e-mail to justapaz@colnodo.apc.org
justapaz@colnodo.apc so that they can gauge the force of the campaign.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear

I write with grave concern for the freedom and human rights of Ricardo Esquivia Ballestas, a Christian leader and veteran peacemaker. I
understand that there may be an effort from certain members of the Colombian government to arrest Ricardo Esquivia Ballestas on the
false pretext that he is a member of FARC by using persons who have defected from armed groups to provide false testimony against him.

Ricardo Esquivia Ballestas is well-known and internationally respected both within the human rights and the Christian community. There is
no question as to his Christian commitment and his work towards a non-violent resolution to the conflict in Colombia. His arrest would
completely contradict the commitments that the Colombian government has made nationally and internationally regarding the defence of
human rights.

I am also concerned that Ricardo Esquivia Ballestas's arrest would be in violation of the constitutional guarantee of freedom of worship. I
am aware of the presence of the Evangelical (Protestant) churches of Colombia and of their work at a national level in fostering a network
for holistic human development and sustainable peace. They have never attempted to hide their commitment to engage in mediation and
humanitarian dialogues with the various armed groups that operate in the country. You may not be aware that over forty evangelical pastors
and leaders of these churches have been assassinated in 2003 alone by these illegal groups.

I support the work of the Commission for Restoration, Life and Peace (formerly Commission on Human Rights and Peace) of the
Evangelical Council of Churches of Colombia, Cedecol, (Comisión de Restauración, Vida y Paz del Consejo Evangélico de Colombia,
Cedecol), coordinated by Ricardo Esquivia
Ballestas, a member of the Mennonite Church of Colombia and vice-president of Cedecol. I also support the work of Justapaz, the Christian
Center for Justice, Peace and Non-violent Action of the Mennonite Church in Colombia, of which he has been director during the past
twelve years.

I urge your government to respect and guarantee the right of Evangelical (Protestant) churches to participate in the peace processes in
Colombia.

I request your protection of the lives and liberty of all members of churches, and in particular the rights of my brother and friend, Ricardo
Esquicia Ballestas.

Yours sincerely

(Your name and position)

-------------------------------------
Courtesy of Institute on Religion and Public Policy
November 12, 2002 Institute Disturbed by Kidnapping of Latin American
Roman Catholic Bishops
Washington, D.C. – The Institute on Religion and Public Policy is deeply disturbed and concerned by the kidnapping of Bishop Jorge
Enrique Jimenez of Colombia, president of the Latin American Episcopal Conference, an organization of Roman Catholic bishops that
determines church policy in the region. The conference's mandate covers the 22 nations of Latin America, which hold almost half the
world's Catholics.
Jimenez was abducted along with the Rev. Desiderio Orejuela as the men headed to the town of Pacho, 35 miles north of the capital
Bogotá, for a religious ceremony. No group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, but the abduction took place in a part of central
Colombia where the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, are active. The FARC has kidnapped a number of high-profile
Colombians to push its political agenda.

“This heinous act is yet another demonstration of the total disregard for human dignity and freedom on the part of Colombian guerillas,”
commented Institute President Joseph K. Grieboski. “The Bush Administration – and the entire international community – must bring
pressure to bear on groups such as FARC. The international community can not and must not stand for such appalling acts.”

General Carlos Alberto Ospina, commander of the Colombian army, called on Colombians to help rescue Jimenez. The army offered a
reward of about $37,000 for help in finding him.

Earlier this year, the archbishop of Cali was shot and killed after performing a mass wedding in a poor neighborhood. Archbishop Isaias
Duarte was an outspoken critic of all sides in Colombia's conflict. Authorities are still investigating the motive for his murder. In 1999, the
smaller leftist National Liberation Army abducted dozens of worshippers from a church in Cali, angering Colombians and church leaders.

Colombia has the highest kidnapping rate in the world, with more than 3,000 people taken hostage last year. Colombians currently being
held by the FARC include former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, Antioquia state governor Guillermo Gaviria and former defense
minister Gilberto Echeverry.

Roughly 3,500 people are killed every year in Colombia's 38-year civil war, which pits the FARC and a smaller rebel group against
government forces and an illegal right-wing paramilitary force.

“The voice of freedom and faith cannot and will not be silenced by kidnapping,” Mr. Grieboski stated. “Wherever injustice is prevalent, there
will be more prophetic voices speaking out clearly and strongly for the causes of justice, peace, and freedom.”

--------------------------------
March 18, 2002 CSW Calls on Colombian Government to Bring Murderers
of Archbishop to Justice
The Archbishop of Cali, a Colombian churchman known and respected for his outspoken condemnation of human rights abuses, has been
assassinated by two gunmen.

Monsignor Isaias Duarte Cancino was shot on March 16 just after presiding over a mass wedding in one of the poorest districts of Cali.

No one has yet taken responsibility for the murder, but Monsignor Duarte was an outspoken defender of human rights in Colombia and it is
thought that his murderers may have come from one of the guerrilla or paramilitary groups that he so often condemned for their violent
attacks and kidnappings. He also had political enemies some of which were made when he publicly denounced financial ties between
unnamed parliamentary candidates in the March 10 elections and narco-traffickers.

The Archbishop came from the region of Santander, Colombia and was ordained in Rome in 1963. Pope John Paul II appointed him
Archbishop of Cali on August 19, 1995. In a statement released shortly after the Archbishop’s murder, Monsignor Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo,
the Archbishop of Medellin said that Monsignor Duarte lived out the very words of Christ in the Gospel of John, “…the good shepherd lays
down his life for his sheep.”

Colombia has been torn apart by a 30 year civil war between left-wing guerrilla groups Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
and the National Liberation Army (ELN), the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) a right-wing paramilitary group and the
government. The violence has been exacerbated by the drug trade – Colombia is the world’s biggest cocaine producer. Both the guerrilla
and paramilitary groups gain much of their profits from the illicit drug trade. The Colombian government is also riddled with corruption –
much of it linked to narco-trafficking.

Cali, the diocese over which Monsignor Duarte presided, was particularly hard hit by the violence. It was the capitol of a major Colombian
drug cartel, whose leaders were imprisoned in the mid 1990s. Most experts, however, believe that the cartel leaders continue to run the
drug operations from their prison cells and Cali continues to suffer from violence and corruption stemming from the drug trade.

CSW is calling on the Colombian government to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.

Reverend Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Colombian church at this difficult time. It
is imperative that the international community supports measures to achieve a true and lasting peace alongside the rooting out of the
endemic corruption in Colombia. Monsignor Duarte’s death must not be in vain.”

---------------------------------
September 25, 2001 Families Grieve after Three Missing Missionaries Are
Declared Dead
THREE American missionaries captured in Panama by Colombian guerillas in 1993 have been declared dead.

Rick Tenenoff, Mark Rich and David Mankins were kidnapped by the the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) at the village of
Pucuro in the jungles of eastern Panama near the border with Colombia. Tenenoff, then 36, Rich, then 23, and Mankins, then 43, were
helping plant a church among the Kuna Indians when armed guerillas burst into their homes.

The guerillas held the men at gunpoint while their wives who were with them, packed a few belongings and had to watch them being led
into the jungle with their hands bound behind their backs. That was the last they ever saw of them and they later returned to America with
their young families.

The mission organization they worked for, New Tribes Mission (NTM) in Florida, received demands from the guerillas, but this stopped
abruptly in 1994. Contact was renewed briefly in 1996, but then ceased and NTM believes the men were killed when the guerillas decided
the men were a liability after a military attack that year.

Rick Tenenoff is survived by his wife Patti, and daughters Dora, 17, Connie, 12 and son Lee, 10.

Mark Rich is survived by his wife Tania and daughters Tamra, 11 and Jessica, 9 and David Mankins by his wife Nancy, two married children,
Sarah and Chad, and granddaughter Ellie.

Dan Germann, field chairman of NTM Colombia when the men were taken and vice chairman of NTM’s executive committee, said: “I sat in
a Colombian prison in early September with a guerilla who once guarded Rick, Mark and Dave. His words, “They are dead”, were final and
emphatic, confirming what we had heard from several other insurgents.

“The years of tears and anxiety for our dear brothers have ended. They have gone to a far better place. They rejoice in the presence of the
God they served so faithfully. Colombian authorities and the FBI will continue to search for those responsible, but we now have the answer
we need.”

A memorial service for the three men will be held at 10am on October 6 at Northland Community Church, 530 Dog Track Road, Longwood,
Florida.

The three wives spoke at the International Christian Human Rights Conferences hosted by CSW in 1997 and 2000, and CSW joins with
many others in assuring the men’s families of their ongoing support.

This year’s International Christian Human Rights Conference, held on the same day, will observe a period of silence and prayer at the time
of the memorial service.

Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s chief executive, said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families at this difficult time. We will continue to
stand with them and want to assure them of our ongoing support.

“We continue to call on all parties in Colombia to commit themselves to the peace process and to renounce the use of kidnapping and
extortion which brings such terrible suffering to the victims and their families.”

--------------------------------------
August 15, 2001 17-Year-Old Killed in Attack on Peace Community in
Colombia
CSW has learned that on July 30th a group of suspected paramilitaries surrounded and entered the settlement of La Union in the Peace
Community of San Jose de Apartado in Colombia and murdered 17 year old Alexander Guzman.

According to representatives from the Colombia Support Network (CSN) about 300 men dressed in military fatigues and boots surrounded
the settlement of about 1300 inhabitants. Fifteen of the men entered the village, carrying heavy weaponry including AK-47s. Residents
recognized members of the Colombia military among them.

The group rounded up the villagers and forced them to come to the town square for a "meeting," where they announced that they were the
same group that perpetrated the July 8th massacre of six community leaders one year ago. In the July 8th attack they also physically
assaulted some of the nuns that are permanent residents in the community. The armed men told the villagers, who have renounced
violence and established a "no weapon" policy in the Peace Community, that they planned to construct a paramilitary base in La Union. The
armed men also repeatedly demanded the names of the community leader and the person who operates the telephone, as the telephone is
the community's only means of communication with the outside world.

Many of the frightened residents hid in their homes or tried to escape. However, the armed men announced that anyone who did so must
be a "guerrilla." When Alexander Guzman was dragged out of his house by the paramilitaries he attempted to run away. The paramilitaries
shot at him as he ran into the forest. His body was found by community members the next day, riddled with bullets.

CSW is especially concerned as, according to CSN representatives, Peace Community leaders met with the local authorities two days prior
to the attack to express their concern regarding a highly increased military presence in the area and movements toward their community by
the 11th and 17th Brigades of the Colombian Army. It appears that their concern went unheeded.

As the paramilitary group left they took livestock and money that they had stolen from community members. About 55 families from La
Union have since fled to the larger village of San Jose leaving their homes, the rest of their livestock and crops abandoned. San Jose, 40
minutes away from La Union, is also part of the same Peace Community.

CSW calls upon President Pastrana to offer real and concrete support to the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado and other
communities like it. Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, says, "The government of Colombia must be at the vanguard in protecting
and supporting these pockets of peace in the war-torn country of Colombia. There must be an end to impunity for paramilitary groups and
their supporters in the Colombian military."

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Cuba
December 2, 2004 Prayer for possible release of Dr. Biscet
Dear Friends,

I am writing to request your continued prayers for Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, a Christian human rights and democracy activist who has been
imprisoned in Cuba for almost 2 years. CSW learned today that he was among 18 other political prisoners who were transferred to a
hospital in the Combinando del Este prison in Havana .

In the past few days, a number of other political prisoners were transferred to the hospital in Havana before being released from prison
altogether. There are hopes that Dr. Biscet will also be released to join his wife Elsa Morejón.

As many of you who have followed the case know, Dr. Biscet was detained almost 2 years ago, on December 6th, 2002. He was later
sentenced to 25 years in prison along with scores of other human rights and democracy activists in a major crackdown on dissidents in
March 2003.

He has been confined in a punishment cell for long periods of time over the past two years, has been denied food at times, and his health
has suffered enormously. His detention came just one month after he had finished serving a three-year sentence for his human rights
activities.

I would also like to ask that you pray for European leaders who must decide in the next few weeks how to react to the recent releases of
political prisoners in Cuba . On December 14th, leaders from each of the European countries will meet to work out a common EU policy
towards Cuba . There have been efforts from some countries, particularly Spain , but also the United Kingdom and Germany to mend
relations with Fidel Castro's government which have been virtually non-existent since the March 2003 crackdown. One of the most
contentious decisions that will be brought to the table is whether the EU countries should continue inviting dissidents and families of political
prisoners to their embassies for national celebrations. This is a policy that has been strongly supported by leaders from EU countries that
suffered under communist governments, most notably former political prisoner, Vaclav Havel from the Czech Republic . It has also been of
enormous encouragement to the families of political prisoners and dissidents, many of whom are Christians.

While CSW would welcome the release of Dr. Biscet, we remain concerned that hundreds more men and women remain in prison under
horrendous conditions. One of them, Jorge Luis Garcia Perez or "Antúnez", who is also supported by CSW, has now been in prison since
1990, and like many others has very serious health problems. In terms of religious freedom, the information CSW has received seems to
indicate that the situation is deteriorating significantly and pastors do not expect it to improve. We are concerned that the release of a few
prominent prisoners may be a political ploy on the part of Cuba to improve relations with the European Union while arrests and
mistreatment of scores of other, less well-known, dissidents continue under the cloak of obscurity.

Please pray for Dr. Biscet and his wife Elsa - while remembering the hundred of other political prisoners who remain in captivity. Please
also pray for the leaders of EU, that their actions and decisions on December 14th would be inspired by a sincere desire for justice and
respect for human rights in Cuba . Please also pray for church leaders in Cuba who continue to work in a state of uncertainty.

-----------------------------
December 2, 2004 Prominent Christian human rights activist could be set
for release
Dr Oscar Elias Biscet was among 18 other political prisoners who were transferred on the night of November 30 to a hospital in the
Combinando del Este prison in Havana .

In the past few days, a number of other political prisoners have been transferred to the hospital in Havana before being released from
prison altogether. There are hopes that Dr Biscet will also be released to join his wife Elsa Morejón.

Dr Biscet is a prominent Cuban Christian human rights and democracy activist who has been imprisoned in Cuba for almost two years.

Dr Biscet's transfer to Havana comes at a time when European leaders must decide in the next few weeks how to react to the recent
releases of political prisoners in Cuba . On December 14, leaders from each of the European countries will meet to work out a common EU
policy towards Cuba . There have been efforts from some countries, particularly Spain , but also the United Kingdom and Germany to
mend relations with Fidel Castro's government which have been virtually non-existent since the March 2003 crackdown.

One of the most contentious decisions that will be brought to the table is whether the EU countries should continue inviting dissidents and
families of political prisoners to their embassies for national celebrations. This is a policy that has been strongly supported by leaders from
EU countries that suffered under communist governments, most notably former political prisoner, Vaclav Havel from the Czech Republic . It
has also been of enormous encouragement to the families of political prisoners and dissidents, many of whom are Christians.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Dr Biscet was detained on December 6, 2002 for organizing informal discussion meetings for the 'Friends of Human Rights' groups he was
trying to establish. He was later sentenced to 25 years in prison along with scores of other human rights and democracy activists in a major
crackdown on dissidents in March 2003.

He has been confined in a punishment cell for long periods of time over the past two years, has been denied food at times, and his health
has suffered enormously. His detention came just one month after he had finished serving a three-year sentence for his human rights
activities.
Many more dissidents remain in prison, including Jorge Luis Garcia Perez or 'Antúnez', who is another prisoner supported by CSW. He has
been in prison since 1990, and like many others, has very serious health problems.

--------------------------
July 13, 2004 Urgent action for two mistreated prisoners of conscience
Dear Friends,

Two disturbing stories have come out of Cuba in the past week, both about CSW-supported prisoners on whose behalf many of you have
prayed and campaigned.

We would like to request your urgent prayer for Jorge Luis Garcia Perez (also called Antúnez), who was savagely beaten and tortured last
week, and for Dr Oscar Elias Biscet, from whom prison officials are reportedly withholding food rations.

We would also like to ask that you consider writing to your Member of Congress, asking them to raise these cases urgently with Secretary
of State Colin Powell, and the Cuban authorities. Please find the case and contact details below.

CASE DETAILS:

Antúnez: Jorge Luis Garcia Perez was savagely beaten and tortured by prison guards last week after requesting to see letters and cards of
solidarity that had been sent to him from around the world.

After being thrown to the floor of the prison, kicked and beaten, Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, also called Antúnez, who has been in prison for 14
years and is recognized by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience, had both of his arms shackled and then pulled in opposite
directions, resulting in bleeding from the neck and sustained difficulties in breathing.

The attack took place during a visit by relatives, including his sister, Berta Antúnez Pernet, who said that she was also beaten on the back
and neck as she tried to intervene physically to stop the beating. Two children aged two and nine were also present and the older child was
struck on the back by a prison guard.

Jorge Luis had requested that the prison officials give letters and cards that he had received from around the world to his sister. At the end
of the visit the official in charge stated that he would not give her the letters and cards. According to Berta Antúnez, the attack began when
Jorge Luis questioned the official's actions and said he would not remain silent about such an injustice.

"The world should not think that because this government released some political prisoners there exists any desire on its part to change.
The threats and beatings continue in the prisons, as does the jailing of more activists. Our family and our lives are in serious danger," said
Bertha Antúnez.

Dr Biscet: Dr Biscet, a Cuban Christian prisoner of conscience, has been denied food rations by prison authorities for nearly three weeks.
They are preventing other prisoners from bringing daily food rations to him, according to a statement smuggled out of the prison by his
wife.

In the letter Dr Biscet says, "Since June 17, I haven't had any food brought to me, practically forcing me to be on a hunger strike. No one
has given me an explanation for this, not even the prison director."

Dr Biscet and the prison director made an agreement when he was first transferred from an isolation cell to a cell with common prisoners,
that he would not be forced to eat in the prison dining hall, where according to him, "there is inadequate hygiene, fights amongst prisoners
and violations exist regarding the quality, quantity and cleanliness of the food."

Even taking this into account, Dr Biscet is still clearly being targeted. He explains: "This new reprisal is directed only against me since there
are other prisoners who refuse to eat at the prison dining hall and their food rations are presently brought to them."

The prison officials have not responded to requests by Dr Biscet's family to bring him food from outside the prison. According to his wife,
Elsa Morejon Hernandez, Dr Biscet has lost about 60 pounds since being moved to the Kilo 8 prison and his teeth have completely
deteriorated because of a lack of proper medical attention.

Elsa also states that Dr Biscet, who will turn 43 on July 20, has only been allowed two family visits since January and is not permitted to
contact them by telephone. He is being kept in a windowless cell together with 12 common prisoners, some of whom are serving up to 65
years for violent crimes. There is no ventilation and they are not provided with mattresses or adequate water for washing.

Thank you for your support and prayers on behalf of Dr. Biscet and Antúnez along with their families,

CSW Advocacy Team

ADDRESSES:

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name).

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

------------------------------
July 7, 2004 Cuban Christian prisoner of conscience denied food
Dr Oscar Elias Biscet, a Cuban Christian prisoner of conscience, has been denied food rations by prison authorities for nearly three weeks.
They are even preventing other prisoners from bringing daily food rations to him, according to a statement smuggled out of the prison by his
wife.

In the letter Dr Biscet says, "Since June 17, I haven't had any food brought to me, practically forcing me to be on a hunger strike. No one
has given me an explanation for this, not even the prison director."

Dr Biscet and the prison director made an agreement when he was first transferred from an isolation cell to a cell with common prisoners,
that he would not be forced to eat in the prison dining hall, where according to him, "there is inadequate hygiene, fights amongst prisoners
and violations exist regarding the quality, quantity and cleanliness of the food."

Even taking this into account, Dr Biscet is still clearly being targeted. He explains: "This new reprisal is directed only against me since there
are other prisoners who refuse to eat at the prison dining hall and their food rations are presently brought to them."

The prison officials have not responded to requests by Dr Biscet's family to bring him food from outside the prison. According to his wife,
Elsa Morejon Hernandez, Dr Biscet has lost about 60 pounds since being moved to the Kilo 8 prison and his teeth have completely
deteriorated because of a lack of proper medical attention.

Morejon Hernandez also states that Dr Biscet, who will turn 43 on July 20, has only been allowed two family visits since January and is not
permitted to contact them by telephone. He is being kept in a windowless cell together with 12 common prisoners, some of whom are
serving up to 65 years for violent crimes. There is no ventilation and they are not provided with mattresses or adequate water for washing.

CSW is calling on the UK government and the European Union to urge the Cuban authorities to ensure that Dr Biscet is given proper and
adequate nutrition as well as any necessary medical treatment in line with the UN's Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of
Prisoners.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Dr Biscet was sentenced to 25 years in prison, under Article 91 of the Cuban Constitution, on 7 April 2003, following a massive crackdown
on human rights activists across the island. His detention was one of many seemingly designed to cripple a quickly growing grassroots pro-
democracy and human rights movement that had gained international attention and support.

After the sentencing he was held in Kilo 5 1/2 Prison until November 2003 when he was transferred to Kilo 8 Prison in Pinar del Rio, a day's
journey from his family home in Havana. He was held in solitary confinement in a cell with no natural light for most of the first year of his
imprisonment.

The Cuban State Security's practice of confining political prisoners together with common prisoners, many of whom have been convicted of
violent crimes, has been condemned repeatedly by human rights groups within and outside of Cuba. Numerous testimonies suggest that
the common prisoners are often encouraged by the State Security officials to harass and abuse the political prisoners with whom they are
being held.

----------------------------
April 29, 2004 Update on Juan Carlos
Dear Friends,

Thank you for your rapid response in the past two weeks to urgent action in Cuba. We wanted to let you know the outcome of Juan Carlos
Gonzalez Leiva's trial in Cuba.

At the last minute the Cuban government changed the date of Juan Carlos' trial to Monday, April 26 at 9am. This move, typical of the Cuban
authorities, made it difficult for international groups to mobilize any kind of presence at the trial.

The court in Ciego de Avila sentenced Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva to four years in prison. This means that Juan Carlos will only serve two
more years as he has already spent two years in prison. While CSW firmly believes that Juan Carlos should never have been arrested in
the first place, much less convicted, we are somewhat encouraged that the court announced that he should serve these two years under
house arrest.

Juan Carlos has vowed to continue to fight for the respect of human rights. CSW will go on monitoring his situation and his treatment by the
Cuban government. We plan on being in regular contact with him and his family and will send out an alert if action is needed. Please
continue to pray for Juan Carlos and his wife Maritza.

If you would like to send a letter of encouragement to Juan Carlos contact CSW at information@cswusa.com.
--------------------------
April 27 2004 Blind Christian lawyer given four years for his stand for
human rights
Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, a blind Christian human rights lawyer, was given a four year sentence yesterday for his stand for human rights
in Cuba.

He was tried in his home town of Ciego de Avila and no international observers were allowed at the trial, only relatives of the defendants.
He was convicted of 'disrespect against the Head of State' along with other charges of 'public disorder, disobedience, and resisting
authority'. The authorities have not yet specified whether the two years he has already spent in prison will count towards the four year
sentence. Juan Carlos acted as his own lawyer and he was tried along with nine others, one of which, according to family members at the
trial, was revealed as a state agent. He is currently being held under house arrest.

Juan Carlos was arrested in March 2002 with nine others who had gathered at a local hospital in an attempt to draw attention to the plight
of a journalist who had been admitted there after being attacked by Cuban police. The group entered the hospital where they prayed for the
hospitalized reporter and shouted slogans like "Up with human rights" and "Christ the King lives". They then sat down in a side hallway in
silent protest. An hour later the group was surrounded by the rapid response unit of the local security forces who beat them before taking
them into custody. Juan Carlos was severely beaten by government security agents and suffered a blow to the head, which required four
stitches.

Juan Carlos has carried out a number of lengthy hunger strikes to protest his arrest and his health has suffered greatly as a result. He has
reported ongoing mistreatment at the hands of the prison authorities.

Juan Carlos has been active in the Cuban democracy movement and the Varela Project (a petition of those calling for a national
referendum on whether people favor civil liberties such as freedom of speech and the right to free assembly).

CSW met with him three weeks before his arrest. At the time he spoke of his hope for the future of human rights and democracy in Cuba.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Earlier this month the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning Cuba's treatment of dissidents and the continued repression
and imprisonment of men and women dedicated to respect for basic human rights and democracy. A week later the United Nations
Commission on Human Rights passed a similarly critical resolution on Cuba's record on human rights.

A CSW delegation met with his wife, Maritza Calderín Columbié earlier this year. She told CSW that she was forced to make frequent
journeys to the prison, which is located approximately one day's journey from their home in Ciego de Avila, in order to provide him with
enough food to survive.

--------------------------
April 23, 2004 CSW calls for international observers to attend trial of blind
Christian activist
A blind Christian human rights activist will be put on trial in Cuba after spending more than two years in prison. CSW calls on the Cuban
government to permit the presence of international and impartial observers at the trial.

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva will go to trial on Tuesday, April 27, along with nine other dissidents
and human rights activists. The Cuban government has requested that he be sentenced to six years in prison.

The announcement came on the same day as the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning Cuba's treatment of dissidents
and the continued repression and imprisonment of men and women dedicated to respect for basic human rights and democracy and only
one week after the United Nations Commission on Human Rights passed a similarly critical resolution on Cuba's record on human rights.
Juan Carlos is a lawyer and has been active in the Cuban democracy movement and the Varela Project. CSW met with him three weeks
before his arrest. At the time he spoke of his hope for the future of human rights and democracy in Cuba.

CSW has launched an urgent action campaign to encourage supporters to write to the Cuban authorities with a view to getting permission
to have an international observer at the trial.

Alexa Papadouris, CSW-UK's Advocacy Director, said: "CSW calls on the UN and the EU, along with other members of the international
community, to follow through on their words and resolutions with firm action on behalf of this brave defender of human rights. We
encourage them to demand the presence of impartial international observers at his trial."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, who was arrested on March 4, 2002, along with a number of human rights activists, has reported continued ill-
health and mistreatment at the hands of the prison authorities. A CSW delegation met with his wife, Maritza Calderín Columbié earlier this
year. She told CSW that she was forced to make frequent journeys to the prison, which is located approximately one day's journey from
their home in Ciego de Avila, in order to provide him with enough food to survive.

Juan Carlos was formally charged with 'public disorder, disobedience, resisting authority and acts of disrespect' late in summer 2002 but
has not been given a trial until now. The Cuban government never gave a reason for the delay but observers believe the government has
been concerned due to the high level of international attention his case has received. Last October the Cuban government reportedly told
his wife that he would be tried within days, but this never took place.

During his arrest Juan Carlos was severely beaten by government security agents and suffered a blow to the head, which required four
stitches. He and a number of other human rights activists had gathered at a local hospital in an attempt to draw attention to the plight of a
journalist who had been admitted there after being attacked by Cuban police. The group entered the hospital where they proceeded to pray
for the hospitalized reporter and shouted slogans like "Up with human rights" and "Christ the King Lives". They then sat down in a side
hallway in silent protest. An hour later the group was surrounded by the rapid response unit of the local security forces who beat them
before taking them into custody. Juan Carlos has carried out a number of lengthy hunger strikes to protest his arrest and his health has
suffered greatly as a result.

The Varela project is a petition of those calling for a national referendum on whether people favor such civil liberties as freedom of speech
and the right to free assembly. The petition exploits a provision in the Cuban constitution which says that Cuba should hold a referendum if
more than 10,000 of the population ask for one.

According to HRW, the other defendants include dissidents, Lázaro Iglesias Estrada, Enrique García Morejón, Antonio Marcelino García
Morejón, Delio Laureano Requejo Rodríguez, Virgilio Mantilla Arango, Odalmis Hernández Márquez, and Ana Peláez García and at least
two independent journalists Léxter Téllez Castro and Carlos Brizuela Year.

SAMPLE LETTER

Please use the following letter as a guide. Please try to personalize when sending as a fax.

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name).

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

Dear Mr./ Mrs. _________

I am writing in regard to the case of Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, a blind human rights activist who has been held in prison for the two
years. It has come to my attention that the Cuban government has announced that he, along with the other nine men and women with
whom he was arrested, will be put on trial on Tuesday, April 27th.

I am sure many members of our government have been watching this case and appreciate all the efforts made on Mr. Gonzalez Leiva's
behalf. I would like to ask you to maintain these efforts by requesting permission to send an observer to Mr. Gonzalez Leiva's trial to ensure
that it is fair. Please emphasize the importance of an open and fair trial to the Cuban government officials.

Thank you again for your continued efforts to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba and in particular for your efforts on behalf of
Mr. Gonzalez Leiva.

Yours sincerely,

----------------------------------------
March 9, 2004 Cuban about to start 15th year in prison just for calling for
reforms
Christian Solidarity Worldwide calls on the international community to push for the release of Cuban prisoner of conscience, Jorge Luís
García Perez, who has now spent 14 years in abysmal conditions inside Cuban prisons.

He was arrested and imprisoned on March 15, 1990 and charged with 'verbal enemy propaganda' for shouting: "We don't want
communism, we need reforms!" in a public square during the live broadcast of the inauguration of the Fourth Congress of the Cuban
Communist Party. He is now 39 and sometimes also known as Antúnez.

He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the Alambradas de Manacas Prison. Inside prison he suffered repeated beatings by the
prison guards for his refusals to participate in mandatory Marxist 'reeducation'.

In autumn 1992 he was transferred to a labor camp. While there he requested permission to visit his mother who was on her deathbed in a
hospital only 5 km from the camp. This permission was denied and, in his desperation, he escaped to see her. Security agents caught him
the following day at the home of a friend and, as a punishment, set police dogs on him while he was handcuffed. In May 1993 he was
sentenced to ten more years on top of the original five for 'enemy propaganda' and 'intent to inflict damage on government property'.

During the years he has spent in prison, he has consistently denounced the torture and other inhumane treatment which prisoners are
forced to endure at the hands of the guards. He, along with two other prisoners, founded the Pedro Luis Boitel National Movement for Civil
Resistance, which seeks to record and denounce maltreatment of political prisoners and to promote passive resistance among the
prisoners. In retaliation, the authorities have repeatedly confiscated his Bible and denied him water, medical attention and clothes. Antúnez
has often gone on hunger strikes to draw attention to the prisoners' plight. As a result his health has suffered enormously.
During the Papal visit to Cuba in 1998, the Pope included Antúnez's name on the list of political prisoners for whose freedom he was
petitioning. However Antúnez remains in prison and is now held in the Convenedor del Este in Havana.

CSW representatives met with Antúnez's sister, Bertha Antunez Pernet, in early 2002. At the time she expressed her appreciation for
continued efforts by the international community on her brother's behalf. In a letter to CSW, Antúnez said: "I write to you in hope and faith in
the highest of high...The love of God, the homeland, the family and freedom is in the heart of every Cuban, and it is these feelings that will
help us recover freedom sooner rather than later."

CSW continues to raise Antunez's case with the Cuban authorities and asks its supporters to write letters to their representatives in
Congress to lobby for his release.

Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director of CSW-UK said: "While last year's mass arrest and detention of dozens of human rights and democracy
activists received international attention there are other prisoners, like Antunez, who have now spent a considerable portion of their life
behind bars.

"Antunez's continued activism from within the prison walls on behalf of other prisoners suffering abuse should be a challenge to us all. The
international community must be diligent in raising these cases with the Cuban authorities."

See our letter-writing guide for instructions on writing to your Senator or Representative

-----------------------------
March 4, 2004 CSW calls for the release of Blind Human Rights Activist in
Cuba
Dear Friends,

Many of you have been following the case of blind human rights activist, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, who was arrested and imprisoned in
Cuba in March 2002. Today marks the second anniversary of his imprisonment without trial.

It has been clear from the approach of the Cuban government to this case that they are hoping that the world will forget about Juan Carlos
with the passage of time. We would like to ask for your support in order to demonstrate that this will not happen until he is made a free man

We would like to request that you write to your representatives in Congress, as well as our Secretary of State, requesting that they continue
to pressure the Cuban government for his release and that they support a UN Human Rights Commission resolution condemning Cuba's
human rights record at the forthcoming Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.

BACKGROUND
Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, who was arrested on the 4th of March 2002 along with a number of human rights activists, has reported
continued ill-health and mistreatment at the hands of the prison authorities. Over the two years of his imprisonment he has suffered
physical and psychological abuse at the hands of the authorities. His wife and other member of his family have also consistently reported
harassment at the hands of the Cuban government.

Despite the repressive circumstances in which he finds himself, in December 2003 Gonzalez Leiva managed to write a seven page report
on human rights in Cuba, with a focus on the treatment of prisoners, and to smuggle the document out of the prison. The document was
originally written in Braille on corrugated cardboard and gives a unique picture of the horrific conditions and treatment endured by men and
women inside Cuban prisons. Copies of this report are available from CSW, on request.

Although Gonzalez Leiva was formally charged with "public disorder, disobedience, resisting authority and acts of disrespect" late in the
Summer of 2002, he has yet to be brought to trial. The Cuban government has given no reason for this delay however, many observers
believe that they are in a quandary because of the high level of international attention his case has received.

Two years ago, Juan Carlos was severely beaten by government security agents and suffered a blow to the head, which required four
stitches. He and a number of other human rights activists had gathered at a local hospital in an attempt to draw attention to the plight of a
journalist who had been admitted there after being attacked by Cuban police. The group entered the hospital where they proceeded to pray
for the hospitalized reporter and shouted slogans like "Up with human rights" and "Long live Christ the King". They then sat down in a side
hallway in silent protest. An hour later the group was surrounded by the rapid response unit of the local security forces, who beat them
before taking them into custody. Juan Carlos has carried out a number of lengthy hunger strikes to protest his arrest and his health has
suffered greatly as a result.

CSW met with Juan Carlos, who is also a lawyer and has been active in the Cuban democracy movement and the Varela Project, three
weeks before his arrest. At the time he spoke of his hope for the future of human rights and democracy in Cuba.

Please write to:

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative

at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515. (Call the Capitol Hill
Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name).

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

---------------------------------
January 15, 2004 Fears Rise for Cuban Christian Political Prisoner
Dear Friends,

CSW has recently received worrying news regarding Christian political prisoner Dr. Oscar Biscet and his wife Elsa Morejon in Cuba. Please
read the press release (edited by CSW) included below, issued on January 3rd by the Lawton Foundation, the human rights organization
founded by Dr. Biscet. We ask you to continue to lift up both Dr. Biscet and Elsa Morejon in your prayers.

INCARCERATED CUBAN PHYSICIAN DR. OSCAR E. BISCET's LIFE IN DANGER

Confined in a "dungeon" since November 2003
January 3, 2004

"My husband is unrecognizable since I last saw him four months ago; he is so thin, pale and ill looking", declared Elsa Morejon, wife of the
Cuban civic leader, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet Gonzalez, " these punishments are destroying him and if he continues where he is he will die."

Cuban prisoner of conscience, Dr. Oscar E. Biscet Gonzalez, who is serving a 25 year prison sentence, continues to be confined with a
common criminal in a cell with no windows or light which he described as a "dungeon", for refusing to stand up to acknowledge the
presence of prison guards and officials during the recount of prisoners. His punishment prohibits family visits, food supplies, toiletries,
clothing, receiving or sending any correspondence, and going out in the sun.

Dr. Biscet informed his wife that all he asks is that his status as a political prisoner be respected by prison authorities who force him to
follow disciplinary measures imposed upon common prisoners. He reiterated to his family that "the punishments imposed upon me are of a
psychological nature and I am doing all in my power to endure them."

The Prison Director at Prison Kilo 8 informed Elsa Morejon that her husband "has no manners" since when he was forced by guards to
stand during the prisoners' recount he cried out loud "down with the dictatorship".

Elsa Morejon, her brother and mother-in-law Hilda Gonzalez, traveled 80 kilometers from Havana to Kilo 8 Prison in the province of Pinar
del Río and were able to see Dr. Biscet for 15 minutes after a long argument with high ranking prison officials, who reminded them Dr.
Biscet is being punished and cannot receive any visits. This Cuban physician has only been permitted one family visit during the eight
months he's been imprisoned in the province of Pinar del Rio.

Dr. Biscet previously served 3 years in prison and was released on October 31st, 2002, only to be re-arrested on December 6th, 2002, as
he was to meet with human rights activists. On April 7th, 2003 he was tried summarily during a Cuban government crackdown, along with
75 other activists and independent journalists and was sentenced to 25 years for "serving as a mercenary to a foreign state."

Dr. Biscet, a 42-year-old black physician, follower of Ghandi and Martin Luther King, has been wearing only his underwear as he deems it
unacceptable to wear a common prisoner's uniform because he considers himself innocent of the charges for which he was sentenced. He
suffers from severe hypertension and gum infection.

Elsa Morejon holds the Cuban government responsible for the physical and mental well-being of her husband and urgently appeals to
heads of state, leaders of political, civic, religious and professional organizations, the press, and all men and women of good will worldwide
to demand before the Cuban government the unconditional and immediate freedom of Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and all those prisoners whose
only crime is to honor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in their own country.
------------------------------------
Elsa Morejon Hernandez . Testimony by Elsa Morejon provided via telephone from Cuba. Recorded, transcribed and translated. Coalition of
Cuban-American Women/ LAIDA CARRO Email: Joseito76@aol.com

Prayer Points:
* Please pray for Dr. Biscet's emotional, physical and spiritual stamina and strength in the midst of these difficult circumstances.
* Ask God to send His Spirit to be a light and comfort to Dr. Biscet in the darkness of the Cuban dungeon.
* Pray that God would send encouragement and reassurance to Elsa during her separation from her husband.
* Pray for physical protection for both Dr. Biscet and Elsa.
* Pray for divine healing for Dr. Biscet's current medical ailments.
* Pray that God would comfort and encourage their children, both of whom live in the United States.
* Please continue to pray for a change of heart in the Cuban government. Pray for a commitment to the human rights of all Cubans and for
the release of political prisoners.

Thank you for your continued commitment in praying for our brothers and sisters suffering in Cuba.

------------------------------
October 30, 2003 Hurry! Urgent Action for blind Cuban human rights
activist
Dear Friends,

CSW has learned that Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, a blind Christian human rights activist in Cuba who has now spent 1 1/2 years in prison
will be put on trial sometime next week. We would appreciate it if you would consider faxing the Congress to ask them to press the Cuban
government for the right to send an observer to the trial.

Sources in Cuba have told us that the Cuban government informed Juan Carlos' wife, Maritza, that he would be tried on the first day of
November along with the other nine men and women with whom he was originally arrested. The Cuban government has requested that he
be sentenced to six years in prison.

Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, who was arrested on the 4th of March, 2002, along with a number of human rights activists, has reported
continued ill-health and mistreatment at the hands of the prison authorities. In a letter dated September 16th, 2003 he stated that he was
feeling "very ill with bronchial congestion, head and eye pain, burning sensation in my nasal passages, as well as an itching and tingling
sensation all over my skin that prevents me from getting any sleep."

Throughout his ordeal he has maintained an unbreakable faith in God - please pray that his faith will continue to be strengthened and will
be a testimony to all those at his trial and those following his case both in Cuba and abroad.

BACKGROUND
Gonzalez Leiva was formally charged with 'public disorder, disobedience, resisting authority and acts of disrespect' late in the Summer of
2002. However, he has not been given a trial until now. The Cuban government never gave a reason for the delay. Many observers believe
that they have been in a quandary because of the high level of international attention his case has received.

During his arrest, Juan Carlos was severely beaten by government security agents and suffered a blow to the head, which required four
stitches. He and a number of other human rights activists had gathered at a local hospital in an attempt to draw attention to the plight of a
journalist who had been admitted there after being attacked by Cuban police. The group entered the hospital where they proceeded to pray
for the hospitalized reporter and shouted slogans like "Up with human rights" and "Long live Christ the King". They then sat down in a side
hallway in silent protest. An hour later the group was surrounded by the rapid response unit of the local security forces, who beat them
before taking them into custody. Juan Carlos has carried out a number of lengthy hunger strikes to protest his arrest and his health has
suffered greatly as a result.

Juan Carlos is also a lawyer and has been active in the Cuban democracy movement and the Varela Project. CSW met with him three
weeks before his arrest. At the time he spoke of his hope for the future of human rights and democracy in Cuba.

----------------------------------
April 16, 2003 Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet of Cuba Sentenced to 25 Years in
Prison
We are deeply saddened to report that Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the Cuban authorities. He, along with
over 80 other human rights activists and political dissidents, underwent summary trials, lasting no more than one day, last week. It was the
largest such crackdown by the Cuban government in over a decade.

Dr. Biscet, however, was able to send a positive message through his wife, Elsa. "These are very good moments," he told her, referring to
the overall situation in Cuba. Many analysts and the dissidents inside Cuba believe that the crackdown is a direct result of the Cuban
government's fear of the growth of a grassroots democracy movement on the island.

Please continue to pray for Dr. Biscet and for Elsa as both face very difficult days ahead.

Prayer Points:
Please pray that God will continue to strengthen and inspire Dr. Biscet as he begins to serve his sentence. Pray that he will experience
God's love in a constant and very real way inside the prison. Ask for his physical and emotional protection from abusive guards, abysmal
prison conditions, and other prisoners.

Please pray that God will comfort and provide for Elsa. Pray that she will receive real support from her church and Christians inside Cuba
and around the world. Ask God to show her what He would have her do now.

Please pray for all of the imprisoned dissidents and their families.

Please pray for the nation of Cuba - ask God to move the hearts of those in authority to make a real commitment to and respect for human
rights for all Cubans.

---------------------------------------------

April 9, 2003 Cuban Christian Faces 25 Years in Prison For Promoting

Human Rights
A prominent Cuban human rights activist faces 25 years in prison as part of a massive crackdown by the government on pro-democracy
and human rights activists. Dr Oscar Elias Biscet was rearrested on December 6 2002 and charged with 'disorderly conduct', part of the
arrest of some 80 men and women in the last two weeks of March. During his month of freedom he had involved himself in promoting a
grassroots project called the Friends of Human Rights, a forum through which small groups of individuals could meet in homes to learn
about human rights and ways to defend and demand them peacefully. He was arrested when Cuban security forces attempted to forcibly
prevent Dr Biscet and other human rights activists from entering one of these homes where a Friends of Human Rights meeting was to take
place. According to his wife, Elsa Morejón Hernandez, the authorities have asked that he be handed a 25 year sentence.

Dr Biscet was released from prison last October 31, after serving a three-year sentence for hanging the Cuban flag upside down in protest
at the lack of freedom in the country. His trial comes at the end of a massive crackdown on human rights and pro-democracy activists
across the island. International observers were not allowed entry to his trial.
Some men and women, many of them active Christians, have already been sentenced to between 20 and 27 years in prison.

In addition, CSW has learnt that last week Cuban authorities raided the home where his wife is staying and confiscated personal photos, a
fax machine, and a personal computer among other items. This will severely restrict her ability to communicate with the outside world. Dr
Oscar Elias Biscet, 41, and a devout Christian, is the founder of the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights, which promotes the defence of
all human rights through non-violent means. He has modelled his own work and that of the organisation on the civil rights movement led by
Martin Luther King Jr. In 1994 he was officially accused of 'dangerousness' by the Cuban government and thereafter became a target of
state security forces. While in prison, his Bible has been confiscated a number of times as a punishment and he has consistently been
denied the right to pastoral visits. He has also been denied family visits, access to the prison library, and medical treatment, which led him
to lose all of his molars after chronic problems with his gums. He is now in danger of losing all his teeth as treatment continues to be
withheld.

CSW has worked with MPs to produce an Early Day Motion for MPs to sign as well as mobilising its supporters to write to and fax Foreign
Secretary Jack Straw and MEPs. Mervyn Thomas, CSW's Chief Executive, said: "Dr Biscet is one of dozens of human rights activists that
has been appallingly treated by the Cuban government. "He is charged with 'disorderly conduct' and the authorities want to sentence him
to 25 years behind bars. The government is requesting that others charged with similar offences be sentenced to life or even the death
penalty. "The international community should not stand aside and watch this happen, but pressure the Cuban government to reconsider its
treatment of human rights activists."

March 14, 2003 CSW Calls on International Community to Press For

Release of Cuban Prisoner of Conscience
Christian Solidarity Worldwide calls on the international community to push for the release of Cuban prisoner of conscience, Jorge Luís
García Perez, also known as "Antúnez", who has now spent 13 years in abysmal conditions inside Cuban prisons.

Antúnez, now 38, was arrested and imprisoned on March 15, 1990 and charged with 'verbal enemy propaganda' for shouting: "We don't
want communism, we need reforms!" in a public square during the live broadcast of the inauguration of the Fourth Congress of the Cuban
Communist Party. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the Alambradas de Manacas Prison. Inside prison he suffered repeated
beatings by the prison guards for his refusals to participate in mandatory Marxist 're-education'.

In autumn of 1992 he was transferred to a labor camp. While there he requested permission to visit his mother who was on her deathbed in
a hospital only 5 km from the camp. This permission was denied and in his desperation he escaped to see her. Security agents
apprehended him the following day at the home of a friend and as a punishment, set police dogs on him while he was handcuffed. In May
1993 he was sentenced to ten more years on top of the original five for 'enemy propaganda' and 'intent to inflict damage on government
property'.

During the ten years he has spent in prison, he has consistently denounced the torture and other inhumane treatment which prisoners are
forced to endure at the hands of the guards. He, along with two other prisoners, founded the Pedro Luis Boitel National Movement for Civil
Resistance, which seeks to record and denounce maltreatment of political prisoners and to promote passive resistance among the
prisoners to the abuse. In retaliation, the authorities have repeatedly confiscated his Bible and denied him water, medical attention and
clothes. He has also been confined in solitary confinement in a 'tapiada' - a tiny, sealed cell with no light or bedding, typically overflowing
with excrement and infested with rats and insects. Antúnez has repeatedly gone on hunger strikes to draw attention to the prisoners' plight,
and his health has suffered enormously.

During the Papal visit to Cuba in 1998, the Pope included Antúnez's name on the list of political prisoners for whose freedom he was
petitioning. He remains in prison, however, and is now held in the Convenedor del Este in Havana. There continue to be serious concerns
for his health.

CSW representatives met with Antúnez's sister, Bertha Antunez Pernet, in early 2002. At the time she expressed her appreciation for
continued efforts by the international community on her brother's behalf. Antúnez himself has also expressed his constant faith from inside
prison. In a letter to CSW he said: "I write to you in hope and faith in the highest of high...The love of God, the homeland, the family and
freedom is in the heart of every Cuban, and it is these feelings that will help us recover freedom sooner rather than later."

Mervyn Thomas, Executive Director of CSW-UK said: "The Cuban government has taken away 13 years of Antúnez's life simply because
he has the courage to stand up for rights which we in the UK take for granted. The international community has stood by for too long while
he and other prisoners have spent years of their life in jail for offences which have really been protests on behalf of human rights. CSW
calls on the international community to speak up on their behalf.

"The fact that rather than becoming discouraged, he has used these 13 years to continue to fight for others' rights, is a challenge to us all."

-----------------------------------
December 11, 2002 Letter campaign for human rights activist rearrested
in Cuba
Below are details of Dr Oscar Biscet who was rearrested just a few weeks after serving a three year sentence in prison in Cuba. He was
originally imprisoned for organizing a peaceful march and has now been rearrested for promoting human rights awareness.

We would ask you to consider writing letters on his behalf

Thank you
Dr Oscar Biscet, a human rights activist who was released from prison in Cuba on October 31, after serving a three year sentence has
been rearrested.

He was detained by police on December 6, at a home in the Lawton district of Havana.

According to the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights, since his release Dr Biscet has been promoting a grassroots project for the
promotion of human rights called 'Friends of Human Rights'.

The project attempts to provide a forum in which ordinary Cuban citizens who want to learn more about human rights can meet in small
groups at homes for this purpose. The project is directed at educating Cuban citizens on their basic human rights and how to claim them.

Dr Biscet was arriving at one such meeting on December 6, when state security agents blocked the entrance and prevented him and 11
other individuals from entering. At that point the 12 Cubans, in an act of non-violent civil disobedience, lay down on the ground and shouted
"Long live human rights!" and "Freedom for Cuban political prisoners!" They were arrested and are being held at the 10th Unit of National
Revolutionary Police on Acosta Avenue in Havana.

Dr Biscet, aged 41, and a devout Christian, is the founder of the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights, which promotes the defense of all
human rights through non-violent means. He has modeled his own work and that of the organization on the civil rights movement led by
Martin Luther King Jr. He has been detained 26 times and was only recently released from Cuban prison after serving a three year
sentence for 'dishonoring public symbols', 'public disorder' and 'inciting delinquent behavior' after he organized a peaceful silent march in
support of human rights and freedom for political prisoners in his neighborhood.

While in prison, Dr Biscet's Bible was confiscated a number of times as a punishment and he was consistently denied the right to pastoral
visits. He was also frequently denied medical treatment, family visits and access to the prison library. He was repeatedly forced to share a
cell with mentally ill inmates as a form of punishment. Cuba is one of the only countries in the world that bars the International Red Cross
and other humanitarian agencies from visiting its prisons.

ACTION:
Please write to the following person expressing your concern and asking them to take immediate action.

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

---------------------------------------------------------------------
December 9, 2002 Human Rights Activist Rearrested After Peaceful
Protest
A human rights activist who was released from prison in Cuba on October 31 after serving a three- year sentence has been rearrested.

Dr Oscar Elias Biscet was detained by police on December 6 at a home in the Lawton district of Havana.

According to the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights, since his release Dr Biscet has been promoting a grassroots project for the
promotion of human rights called 'Friends of Human Rights'.

The project attempts to provide a forum in which ordinary Cuban citizens who want to learn more about human rights can meet in small
groups at homes for this purpose. The project is directed at educating Cuban citizens as to their basic human rights and how to claim them.

Dr Biscet was arriving at one such meeting on December 6 when state security agents blocked the entrance and prevented him and 11
other individuals from entering. At that point the 12 Cubans, in an act of non-violent civil disobedience, lay down on the ground and shouted
"Long live human rights!" and "Freedom for Cuban political prisoners!"

They were arrested and are being held at the 10th Unit of National Revolutionary Police on Acosta Avenue in Havana.

Dr Biscet, 41,and a devout Christian, is the founder of the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights, which promotes the defense of all human
rights through non-violent means. He has modeled his own work and that of the organization on the civil rights movement led by Martin
Luther King Jr. He has been detained 26 times and was only recently released from Cuban prison after serving a three- year sentence for
'dishonoring public symbols', 'public disorder' and 'inciting delinquent behavior' after he organized a peaceful silent march in support of
human rights and freedom for political prisoners in his neighborhood.

While in prison, Dr Biscet's Bible was confiscated a number of times as a punishment and he was consistently denied the right to pastoral
visits. He was also frequently denied medical treatment, family visits and access to the prison library. He was repeatedly forced to share a
cell with mentally ill inmates as a form of punishment. Cuba is one of the only countries in the world that bars the International Red Cross
and other humanitarian agencies from visiting its prisons. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has made representations to the European Union,
the UK Foreign Office and Cuban Embassy in London and has asked supporters to do the same.

---------------------------------------
December 5 2002 Blind Cuban Lawyer Continues Protest After Three
Months on Hunger Strike
A blind Christian lawyer who has been held in a Cuban prison for nine months has just completed three months of an ongoing liquid-only
fast. Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva has been held on charges of "acts of disrespect towards Fidel Castro, public disorder, resisting authority
and disobedience" since March 5.

He now weighs just over 98 lbs, and as part of his protest against the regime, dresses all in black, has shaved his head and has not bathed
since November 1.

In a letter smuggled out of Holguin Prison by his wife Maritza, he said: "I wish to inform the international community, all churches and
human rights defenders, that the Cuban State Security forces are torturing me physically and psychologically.

"Recently I fell and received a blow on my head that left me stunned. I was accompanying a guard who did not advise me the stairway had
a step sticking out. Official Saguo took me to an interrogation chamber, held me there for four hours and ended by threatening to take my
life. "So often they do not take my blindness into consideration. This same official called me a 'counter-revolutionary' and said that if they
had to kill 'counter-revolutionaries', they would do so. I am only a peaceful human rights defender and will be until I die.

"A world of horror hides behind these walls. If I perish attempting to bring them down, others will carry on."

Juan Carlos, President of both the Cuban Human Rights Foundation and the Brotherhood of the Independent Blind People of Cuba, was
arrested along with several other human rights activists on March 5 in Ciego de Avila.

His trial, scheduled for mid-September, never took place. Now his wife says prison officials have told her they have no idea when his trial
will take place as his case documents have been sent to Havana to be 'analyzed'.

At his arrest he was severely beaten by government security agents and suffered a blow to the head, which required four stitches. He and a
number of other human rights activists had gathered at a local hospital in an attempt to draw attention to the plight of a journalist who had
been admitted there after being attacked by Cuban police.

Juan Carlos was transferred to the State Security Facility in Holguin Province, making it extremely difficult and expensive for his family and
lawyer to visit him. He has repeatedly charged the Cuban government with psychological torture and the withholding of medical treatment.

He has been denied the right to keep his cane, glasses and a Braille Bible. His wife has also received threats for relaying his declarations
to the international community.

CSW met with this active member of the Baptist Church last February in Havana. At the time he spoke of his hope for the future of human
rights and democracy in Cuba.

Juan Carlos and other human right's workers believe that the Cuban government is unsure of what to do with him because of the high level
of international attention his case has received. He states in his open letter, "Those who hold me prisoner have said on many occasions
that international opinion does not worry them. But many times when they are carrying out their evil deeds against me as a prisoner and
blind man, I notice sudden changes in their attitude which prove later to be evidence that letters were sent; public actions and statements
were carried out on my behalf. As a result, at least for a while, they stop their evil abuses."
-----------------------------------------------------
September 6, 2002 Blind Cuban Human Rights Activist Faces Up to Six
Years in Prison for "Resisting Authority"
Juan Carlos, a blind Christian human rights activist imprisoned since March 2002 has learned that he could face up to six years in prison.

His wife Maritza has been told that he will be charged with 'acts of disrespect towards Fidel Castro, public disorder, resisting authority, and
disobedience', according to the Coalition of Cuban American Women. The prosecutor's office in Ciego de Avila is recommending that he be
given a six-year prison sentence.

Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, President of both the Cuban Human Rights Foundation and the Brotherhood of the Independent Blind People
of Cuba, was arrested along with several other human rights activists on March 5 in Ciego de Avila. He was severely beaten by government
security agents and suffered a blow to the head, which required four stitches. Juan Carlos and a number of other human rights activists had
gathered at a local hospital in an attempt to draw attention to the plight of a journalist who had been admitted there after being attacked by
Cuban police.

Juan Carlos, 27, was transferred to the State Security Facility in Holguin Province, making it extremely difficult and expensive for his family
and lawyer to visit him. He has been held there for over five months without being charged and he has repeatedly accused the Cuban
government of psychological torture and withholding of medical treatment.

He has been denied the right to keep his cane, glasses and a Braille Bible. According to written declarations by Gonzalez, his health has
suffered drastically and he fears for his life. His wife has also received threats for relaying his declarations to the international community.

CSW met with the 27-year-old Gonzalez, who is also a lawyer and an active member of the Baptist Church, last February in Havana. At the
time Gonzalez spoke of his hope for the future of human rights and democracy in Cuba.

CSW continues to call for the immediate release of Gonzalez and his fellow human rights activists. The other imprisoned men include five
human rights defenders, Delio Laureano Requejo, Lázaro Iglesias Estrada, Virgilio Mantilla Arango, Enrique García Morejón, and Antonio
García Morejón, and two independent journalists, Léxter Téllez Castro and Carlos Brizuela Yera.

In a letter from Gonzalez dated July 23, he said: "Politics are not my concern, I only obey orders given to me by God, that is, raise my
voice, my arms and give all my heart to defend the indispensable human rights. I do not know what will become of me but I have placed
myself in the Hands of God, prepared to die with love this very instant."

CSW calls on the US government to continue to press for Juan Carlos's release."
The English translation of the text of Juan Carlos's July 23rd letter follows.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The full text of Juan Carlos' July 23 follows:

I have been incarcerated along with seven other fellow human rights activists since last March 4 for staging a peaceful protest in Ciego de
Avila. We are all accused of "public disorder" and "contempt towards Fidel Castro".

In a recent visit to our country, ex-president Carter reminded president Fidel Castro in a conference at the University of Havana, that Cuba
has signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Every signatory state is obliged to include these principles in their own internal laws
and respect them. A few months ago, the Cuban president himself said he would publish a million copies in the Granma newspaper. The
honorable ex-president Carter spoke to the Cuban people in a wise and respectful manner. But the answer given by the Cuban ruler was: "
socialism is untouchable."

Thus, who can give me an explanation why eight human rights activists including myself have been imprisoned for almost 5 months for
peacefully protesting the injustice and aggression perpetrated against another activist? We remain in prison as millions around the world
stand up for themselves in their countries - a custom and a right they possess. Take note of recent events that took place in Argentina.

We just made use of our right of freedom of expression. None of us touched or harmed anyone. We just cried out:" Hail Christ the King!
Long Live Human Rights! Down with Fidel!" In exchange we received a beating - I often think some of my bones were dislocated. I have
suffered terribly, both mentally and physically, since this event took place. The State Security is trying to bring us before a tribunal that
would sentence us from 2 - 6 years in prison.

I wish to denounce that, presently, State Security placed a dangerous watchman who follows me daily like a shadow. This is the same man
who shared my prison cell and threatened to kill me - a thief who steals my food, among other things. He is a prisoner condemned to 10
years for stealing pigs on a large scale, who also cut off the arms of several people with a sort of short machete. This mentally disturbed
prisoner moves slyly like a venomous snake to get close to me, aware that I am blind. He ignores how acutely the rest of our senses are
developed. His name is Julio Rodríguez González, age 38, and a resident of a place called Mella in the province of Santiago de Cuba. The
head of the State Security Unit is responsible for all this. I am not afraid since I trust in God. My only wish is that this be known.

I continue to suffer awful chest pains, which run down my arms and hands, as well as claustrophobia caused by my imprisonment. I still
have problems with my blood pressure and, very often, feel pain in my right eye. At times, I hear ringing in my ears and I have pain in the
area of the liver, as well as chronic gastritis.

Nonetheless, my worst ailment is my love for the Everlasting Living God, for Cuba, and for all those individuals in the world who perform
good deeds so that God's plans are carried out. This sickness has no cure.

Politics are not my concern, I only obey orders given to me by God, that is, raise my voice, my arms and give all my heart to defend the
indispensable human rights. I do not know what will become of me but I have placed myself in the Hands of God, prepared to die with love
this very instant.

God bless the world. I reiterate my gratitude to all men and women of good will, governments, important institutions, and all those who
struggle for our freedom.

JUAN CARLOS GONZALEZ LEIVA

Testimony provided via telephone from Cuba by Maritza Calderin, wife of Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva.

-------------------------------------
June 6, 2002 Blind Human Rights Activist Says Thanks
Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, a blind human rights activist in Cuba who was imprisoned on March 4 has written to thank all those who have
taken up his case.

The press release relating to his case can be found on the CSW website (www.csw.org.uk) or by copying and pasting the web address
which follows onto your address bar: http://www.csw.org.uk/Latestnews.asp?Item=288

On the website under the protest icon at the top of the story are links to sites which enable you to fax your MP and/or email/write to your
MEP which would help raise awareness of his case.

He writes from prison in Holguin, Cuba and his letter is dated May 27 2002:

"I would like to send an embrace to all of my brothers and sisters across the sea and here in our own country who have been fighting for my
liberty.

"But I would particularly like to give thanks to our Lord who is here with me each hour, strengthening me in my moments of weakness. He is
always at my side.

"I want to denounce the way that the State Security has isolated me - not allowing me to send letters or to have any communication with my
family. For example, when I sent a letter to my oldest sister explaining about my illness, the pain in my chest, and my delicate state of
health they didn't allow it to get to her. I dictated to my brother a letter for my wife in front of them [state security agents]. They allowed me
to do this but when my brother left they took it away from him. Later, I wrote to my lawyer and they confiscated this - telling me that I didn't
need to talk about my problems to a stranger and that my vocabulary had been too strong, that I needed to change some of the words.
Finally I wrote my declaration for the tribunal. They were bothered by this and worried that some Americans or other foreigners would
publish it. But despite this, I was able to give it to my wife. I know that releasing this document to the public will cause problems for my wife,
my family, and me. But no one, no man will change my opinion regarding freedom, human rights and the other beautiful things that God
gives us when we believe.

"In these moments, I have problems with my nerves, with my blood pressure, and I have a very strong pain in my chest. I am not saying
that the State Security is giving me chemical substances, but there are times when I have thought this. They have every opportunity to do
this and I don't have eyes with which to see what they are giving me to drink or to eat. I was a healthy man and now I am a sick man, with a
tendency to get worse. I am worried but God strengthens me.

"The public should know that here there are many tiny cells with cement beds - they resemble tombs. They put men in these cells for two or
three months, until they go mad. I have heard two or three of them crying at night - begging for help and for psychotropic drugs. The answer
they receive is "why do you go looking for trouble?"

"Regarding my family - they give them misinformation - they tell them that I am fine when I have had health problems. Last week I was
vomiting and had pain in my chest. They told my wife, who generally calls two times a day to find out how I am, that I was fine.

"I said this in an earlier letter, but today I want to repeat it. I will never make any attempt on my own life. I will never do it. I would prefer to
become ashes, thrown over the city, as was done with [the patriot] Agramonte, before renouncing my principles."

Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva

He also managed to get out a letter which he submitted to the Municipal Tribunal which accused him of Public Disorder and Disrespect to
Fidel Castro. The letter follows:

Holguin, Cuba 27 May 2002, 10:00 PM

To the Municipal Tribunal of Ciego de Avila

I come before this judicial body accused of the crimes of "Public Disorder" and "Disrespect to Fidel Castro". This accusation puts your
ethics under suspicion and goes against the Constitution and the laws in force as this entity is charged with looking after the interests of
legality. I have made complaints through letters about the brutal beatings and the assault on my person five years ago at the hands of the
State Security and I have never received even one answer.

The violent aggression by the police against the independent reporter Jesus Alvarez Castillo, which left him with a cervical lesion, serious
headaches and vomiting, was what directed me to go to the Provincial Hospital of Ciego de Avila last March 4th. I was very worried to find
Alvarez Castillo in a wheelchair, groaning incessantly with pain and anguish, and we, various friends and I, cried out for medical assistance.
Faced with the indignation and the pain caused by this serious injustice we lifted our voices, crying out: "Christ the King lives!" "Long live
human rights!" "Down with Fidel!" Certain people, I suppose they were hospital staff, asked us to leave the area and we moved into a
nearby hall, doing our utmost so that we wouldn't obstruct the normal functioning of the hospital at any time. There was not one act against
the property or against the functioning of the hospital. However, we also did not want to leave the place without some kind of guarantee for
the life of Alvarez Castillo. For this reason, we remained there, seated around the edge of the hallway. However, in a surprising and violent
manner, the State Security forces entered the hallway and began to hit and kick us. They dragged us out to their cars. Once I had been
arrested and immobilized, an official sat on my chest - he wrapped my head in my sweater and asked me if I knew him, with the obvious
objective of avoiding punishment for his crime. When I replied, no, he immediately hit me in the front of my head with an object leaving me
with a wound that required five stitches. Witnesses present at the time say that the official was Amaury Gomez, who is well-known for his
criminal aggressiveness against peaceful dissidents. For this reason, many people speak of him with contempt.

Since March 4th until this day I have been kept in isolation, without any way of communicating with international and national channels of
information. For more than 40 days I was kept in a cell where the heat, the mosquitoes, the noise, etc. caused serious damage to my
nervous system. The prescription I received from the MININT psychiatrist who attended me was that I should cooperate with the State
Security, and she also recommended that I take lebopromacina with amitrictilina; medication, the first of which, practically killed me.

I tried to send a letter to my lawyer, clarifying my point of view, but this was stopped and taken by the officials of the State Security. They
transferred me to Holguin, which has made it totally impossible for me to have normal contact with the counselors for my defense. I don't
have adequate economic resources to pay their travel costs. Finally, I want to express how strange it seems to me that my friends and I are
accused of common crimes and that we remain under the most severe control of the State Security.

I consider that this tribunal should also take into account the way the State Security broke into my home a few days after my arrest, without
my presence or my consent and taking advantage of the fact that my wife was taking extremely strong medicine prescribed to her by her
psychiatrist. They came into my home and declared various insignificant items to be "subversive" - like a portable radio that had been
bought in the shop and a machine for writing in Braille. I was told that they took away between 10 and 20 boxes of my personal
possessions.

Recently I was interrogated: a new trap to change the crime. The State Security wants to get rid of the charge of "Disrespect to Fidel
Castro" of which I was accused before, and now, they are trying to accuse me of solely "Disrespect" so that they can change my status to
that of a common criminal.

I want to repeat to the public, both national and international, to my family members and my friends, and to all of Cuba - that I have not
done anything. I am only a defender of human rights and I trust in my Lord Jesus Christ, my friends, and in the Truth which remains forever.
In my case I did not look for a confrontation with the government, and we did not aspire to power like a political party. It should remain clear
that under whatever name, I will protest with whatever means I have in my power against any injustice or violence that is committed in the
world.

With all respect,

Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva

Please pray for Juan Carlos as he takes part in this brave stand for human rights in Cuba. Please also consider writing to your MP and/or
MEP raising his case.
------------------------------------

May 7, 2002 CUBA: IMPRISONED HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST DEMANDS

MEDICAL ATTENTION
Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, a blind human rights activist who was arrested and imprisoned on March 4th, is demanding proper medical
attention.

According to a letter smuggled out of the State Security Prison in Holguin Province where Gonzalez is being held, the 27 year old man
fears for his life.

Gonzalez describes how he has been heavily pressured to renounce and dissolve the Cuban Foundation for Human Rights, the
organization that he heads. He and his wife fear that the authorities are withholding vital medical treatment that may cost him his life.

In the letter Gonzalez says that he will never renounce the fight for human rights nor will he cave in under the pressure and take his own
life. "If something happens to me, never believe that I took any action against my own life. I love it too much for that. If anything happens to
me, they [the Cuban Security Forces] will be the only ones responsible."

On March 4th Gonzalez was severely beaten by government security agents and suffered a blow to the head, which required four
stitches. Gonzalez and a number of other human rights activists had gathered at a local hospital in an attempt to draw attention to the plight
of a journalist who had been admitted there after being attacked by Cuban police.

The group entered the hospital where they proceeded to pray for the hospitalized reporter and shouted slogans like "Up with human rights".
When the hospital staff asked them to refrain from shouting they complied - sitting silently in the hospital hall.

An hour later the group was surrounded by the rapid response unit of the local security forces, who beat them before taking them into
custody.

Juan Carlos carried out a 31-day hunger strike to protest his arrest. The government has charged him with public disorder and contempt,
crimes that carry a possible prison sentence of one to three years.

According to Gonzalez's wife, Maritza, he has lost a great deal of weight due to his hunger strike. In addition she is worried that he is being
psychologically tortured, as after her last visit she found him mentally disoriented.

The Cuban government confiscated his cane and Braille Bible and is refusing to give him medical treatment. Maritza said she could see
that his knees were red and raw from praying.

CSW met with Gonzalez, who is also a lawyer and has been active in the Cuban democracy movement and the Varela Project, three weeks
before his arrest. At the time Gonzalez spoke of his hope for the future of human rights and democracy in Cuba.

CSW is calling for the immediate release of Gonzalez and his fellow human rights activists as well. The other imprisoned men include five
human rights defenders, Delio Laureano Requejo, Lázaro Iglesias Estrada, Virgilio Mantilla Arango, Enrique García Morejón and Antonio
García Morejón, and two independent journalists, Léxter Téllez Castro and Carlos Brizuela Yera.

The translated letter from Juan Carlos can be read below:

Statement by Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva - 30 April 2002

State Security Detention Center in Holguin, Cuba 30 April 2002

Testimony of Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva as given to me, his wife, Maritza Calderin Columbie, in the second marital visit we have been
allowed since his imprisonment,(4 March 2002), directed at all defenders of human rights.

Thank you to all the human rights defenders, particularly Laida Carro. From this small message, I would like to inform you all about the
situation in which I find myself.

My nervous system has deteriorated considerably. Two months ago, I was a healthy man aside from my blindness. At this moment, I am a
sick man. They, the State Security, have destroyed my nervous system and it is because of them that I have problems with my blood
pressure, I have never suffered from hypertension. But now, I am in danger of dying. Although I have requested it, they do not give me the
required medical attention. Here, we never see doctors, only a nurse lacking in both experience and in knowledge.

After one month of asking for specialized treatment, preferably that of a psychologist, they brought me a psychiatrist who told me that what I
had was due to the harsh system to which I have been subjected but that if I cooperated with them, I would get better. I told him that
principles are non-negotiable. As a result, he gave me a prescription for "lebopromacina". I began on Thursday, April 25 at 8:30 PM. A little
while after taking the pill I fell asleep. Three hours later I woke up to the sensation of drowning and got up to go to the bathroom. I felt as if
my chest was being crushed and I told my cellmate not to be frightened and then I lost all awareness of what was happening. Later he told
me that he carried me out of the cell, shortly afterwards I let out two loud screams, and then I came to. I didn't know where I was. The nurse
told me that I had low blood pressure and wanted me to drink some coffee but I refused to take it. God guided me in this decision, as
always, as at that moment I actually had extremely high blood pressure. I wanted them to take me to the doctor because the pain in my
chest was unbearable, but they told me that there was no vehicle. Two hours later they took me to a consultant but the doctor said nothing
was wrong with me. I told him that I felt very bad, and asked if he would make me an electrocardiogram but he didn't want to and I was
taken back to the State Prison again, to my cell. I protested but no one paid any attention to me. I cried out to God and He helped me. Only
He could have done this, in this closed place in the state that I was in. The pain in my breastbone lasted for three days. They would not give
me an electrocardiogram or any other tests.
With all of these medical errors I felt that I was in danger of death, brain damage, or irreversible insanity. This is what I, by way of a letter,
told the head of the unit in the State Security Detention Center in Holguin where they have kept me imprisoned for almost two months. He
proposed three things to me: go to the jail, go back to where I was, or that they would take me to the convicts' section of the hospital. I
opted for the last - as at least there, I would see doctors and nurses. I told him that if he took me to the jail they would be backing me into a
corner and he would be responsible for whatever happened to me there. But, his final decision, his personal decision, was to lock me back
up in the cell. As they did this, I was protesting and shouting "Up with human rights" and I clung to God.

They are trying to force me, under torment, to collaborate with them - this includes an instance when the official Urgelles, the instructor,
wanted me to write a letter. He brought me a pencil, paper and pick for this - so that I would write a letter renouncing and dissolving the
Cuban Foundation for Human Rights, an organization that we have established with considerable love and sacrifice. Nine more of our
members, five of them directly elected in the Congress that we held last February are also imprisoned, like me. I will never do this. I will
never abandon the defense of human rights. If I have to die in this undertaking: SO BE IT.

I would also like to denounce the fact that in my cell there are cords, the pick that I mentioned earlier made from a huge nail, metal spoons,
and medicine. I say this because no prisoners are allowed to have these things. If something happens to me, never believe that I took any
action against my own life. I love it too much for that. If anything happens to me, they will be the only ones responsible.

I thank God, who is my Helper and my Captain because He maintains my faith, my principles and my clarity of mind. I would rather be
insane or dead before abandoning my fight as a defender of human rights.

Thank you again to all and may God bless you.

[Note: Juan Carlos finished writing this with his own hand the following words from the Bible, concluding with his signature.]

Now loved ones, Like the Apostle Paul

Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva

------------------------------------
April 30, 2002 Urgent Action for Blind Cuban Human Rights Activist
Dear Friends,

CSW is deeply concerned about the continuing imprisonment of Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva in Cuba. Please continue to pray and write
letters to the Cuban government and to your representatives in government on behalf of this blind Christian human rights activist who has
been beaten and imprisoned in Cuba and is now being denied vital medical attention in an attempt to force him to renounce his human
rights work.

Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, a blind human rights activist who was arrested and imprisoned on March 4th, is demanding proper medical
attention. According to a letter smuggled out of the State Security Prison in Holguin Province where Gonzalez is being held, the 27 year old
man fears for his life.

According to Gonzalez, he has been heavily pressured to renounce and dissolve the Cuban Foundation for Human Rights, the organization
that he heads. As a part of this pressure the authorities are withholding vital medical treatment that he and his wife fear may cost him his
life. In the letter Gonzalez says that he will never renounce the fight for human rights nor will he cave in under the pressure and take his
own life. "If something happens to me, never believe that I took any action against my own life. I love it too much for that. If anything
happens to me, they [the Cuban Security Forces] will be the only ones responsible."

On March 4th Gonzalez was severely beaten by government security agents and suffered a blow to the head, which required four stitches.
Gonzalez and a number of other human rights activists had gathered at a local hospital in an attempt to draw attention to the plight of a
journalist who had been admitted there after being attacked by Cuban police. The group entered the hospital where they proceeded to pray
for the hospitalized reporter and shouted slogans like "Up with human rights". When the hospital staff asked them to refrain from shouting
they complied - sitting silently in the hospital hall.

An hour later the group was surrounded by the rapid response unit of the local security forces, who beat them before taking them into
custody. Juan Carlos carried out a 31-day hunger strike to protest his arrest. The government has charged him with public disorder and
contempt, crimes that carry a possible prison sentence of one to three years.

According to Gonzalez's wife, Maritza, he has lost a great deal of weight due to his hunger strike. In addition she is worried that he is being
psychologically tortured, as after her last visit she found him mentally disoriented. The Cuban government confiscated his cane and Braille
Bible and is refusing to give him medical treatment. Maritza said she could see that his knees were red and raw from praying.

CSW met with Gonzalez, who is also a lawyer and has been active in the Cuban democracy movement and the Varela Project, three weeks
before his arrest. At the time Gonzalez spoke of his hope for the future of human rights and democracy in Cuba. According to his letter his
faith in Christ continues to be strong as he states, "I thank God, who is my Helper and my Captain because He maintains my faith, my
principles and my clarity of mind. I would rather be insane or dead before abandoning my fight as a defender of human rights."

CSW is calling for the immediate release of Gonzalez and his fellow human rights activists as well. The other imprisoned men include five
human rights defenders, Delio Laureano Requejo, Lázaro Iglesias Estrada, Virgilio Mantilla Arango, Enrique García Morejón and Antonio
García Morejón, and two independent journalists, Léxter Téllez Castro and Carlos Brizuela Yera. The case has also been taken up by
Human Rights Watch.

The translated letter from Juan Carlos can be read below. Addresses to write to are at the end of the message.

Statement by Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva - April 30, 2002

State Security Detention Center in Holguin, Cuba
April 30, 2002

Testimony of Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva as given to me, his wife, Maritza Calderin Columbie, in the second marital visit we have been
allowed since his imprisonment,(4 March 2002), directed at all defenders of human rights.

Thank you to all the human rights defenders, particularly Laida Carro. From this small message, I would like to inform you all about the
situation in which I find myself.

My nervous system has deteriorated considerably. Two months ago, I was a healthy man aside from my blindness. At this moment, I am a
sick man. They, the State Security, have destroyed my nervous system and it is because of them that I have problems with my blood
pressure, I have never suffered from hypertension. But now, I am in danger of dying. Although I have requested it, they do not give me the
required medical attention. Here, we never see doctors, only a nurse lacking in both experience and in knowledge.

After one month of asking for specialized treatment, preferably that of a psychologist, they brought me a psychiatrist who told me that what I
had was due to the harsh system to which I have been subjected but that if I cooperated with them, I would get better. I told him that
principles are non-negotiable. As a result, he gave me a prescription for "lebopromacina". I began on Thursday, April 25 at 8:30 PM. A little
while after taking the pill I fell asleep. Three hours later I woke up to the sensation of drowning and got up to go to the bathroom. I felt as if
my chest was being crushed and I told my cellmate not to be frightened and then I lost all awareness of what was happening. Later he told
me that he carried me out of the cell, shortly afterwards I let out two loud screams, and then I came to. I didn't know where I was. The nurse
told me that I had low blood pressure and wanted me to drink some coffee but I refused to take it. God guided me in this decision, as
always, as at that moment I actually had extremely high blood pressure. I wanted them to take me to the doctor because the pain in my
chest was unbearable, but they told me that there was no vehicle. Two hours later they took me to a consultant but the doctor said nothing
was wrong with me. I told him that I felt very bad, and asked if he would make me an electrocardiogram but he didn't want to and I was
taken back to the State Prison again, to my cell. I protested but no one paid any attention to me. I cried out to God and He helped me. Only
He could have done this, in this closed place in the state that I was in. The pain in my breastbone lasted for three days. They would not give
me an electrocardiogram or any other tests.

With all of these medical errors I felt that I was in danger of death, brain damage, or irreversible insanity. This is what I, by way of a letter,
told the head of the unit in the State Security Detention Center in Holguin where they have kept me imprisoned for almost two months. He
proposed three things to me: go to the jail, go back to where I was, or that they would take me to the convicts' section of the hospital. I
opted for the last - as at least there, I would see doctors and nurses. I told him that if he took me to the jail they would be backing me into a
corner and he would be responsible for whatever happened to me there. But, his final decision, his personal decision, was to lock me back
up in the cell. As they did this, I was protesting and shouting "Up with human rights" and I clung to God.

They are trying to force me, under torment, to collaborate with them - this includes an instance when the official Urgelles, the instructor,
wanted me to write a letter. He brought me a pencil, paper and pick for this - so that I would write a letter renouncing and dissolving the
Cuban Foundation for Human Rights, an organization that we have established with considerable love and sacrifice. Nine more of our
members, five of them directly elected in the Congress that we held last February are also imprisoned, like me. I will never do this. I will
never abandon the defense of human rights. If I have to die in this undertaking: SO BE IT.

I would also like to denounce the fact that in my cell there are cords, the pick that I mentioned earlier made from a huge nail, metal spoons,
and medicine. I say this because no prisoners are allowed to have these things. If something happens to me, never believe that I took any
action against my own life. I love it too much for that. If anything happens to me, they will be the only ones responsible.

I thank God, who is my Helper and my Captain because He maintains my faith, my principles and my clarity of mind. I would rather be
insane or dead before abandoning my fight as a defender of human rights.

Thank you again to all and may God bless you.

[Note: Juan Carlos finished writing this with his own hand the following words from the Bible, concluding with his signature.]

Now loved ones, Like the Apostle Paul

Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva

CSW is calling on the Cuban government to release Juan Carlos and his compatriots immediately and to ensure that they all receive proper
medical attention. In addition, a European Union - Latin American summit will take place in Madrid in less than two weeks. It would be
helpful if you could write to EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten, to the Spanish Presidency, and to Glenys Kinnock, co-vice
president of the EU-ACP joint parliamentary assembly, preferably by fax or e-mail and ask them to use this forum to pressure the Cuban
government to see that these things are achieved.

Commissioner Chris Patten

European Commission - DG External Relations
Rue de la Loi 200
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: 0032 2 298 1200/ 0032 2 298 1201
Fax: 0032 2 298 1299
e-mail: christopher.patten@cec.eu.int

Glenys Kinnock, President, Members from the European Parliament to the Joint
Assembly of the Agreement between the African, Caribbean, and Pacific States
and the European Union (ACP-EU)
European Parliament
Rue Wiertz
B-1047 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: 0032 2 284 5402/0033 388 17 5402
Fax: 0032 284 9402/0033 388 17 9402
gkinnock@europarl.eu.int

John Alexander Corrie, Vice-President, Members from the European Parliament

to the Joint Assembly of the Agreement between the African, Caribbean, and
Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU)
European Parliament
Rue Wiertz
B-1047 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: 0032 2 284 5286/ 0033 388 17 7286
Fax: 0032 2 284 9286/ 0033 388 17 9286
e-mail: jcorrie@europarl.eu.int

Spanish Foreign Ministry

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr Josep Piqué i Camps
Plaza Marqués de Salamanca, 8
Madrid, Spain
Tel: 00 34 91 366 68 09 / 91 379 95 03
Fax: 00 34 91 435 24 25 / 91 366 7076

Spanish Embassy to UK
His Excellency The Marqués de Tamarón
39 Chesham Place
London SW1X 8SB
Tel: 020 7235 5555
Fax: 020 7235 9905

-----------------------------------------------------------

March 19, 2002 Blind Christian Human Rights Activist Beaten and
Imprisoned in Cuba
A blind Christian human rights activist has been beaten and imprisoned in Cuba following a crackdown on pro-democracy and human rights
workers.

Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, President of both the Cuban Human Rights Foundation and the Brotherhood of the Independent Blind People
of Cuba, was arrested along with several other human rights activists on March 5 in Ciego de Avila.

He was severely beaten by government security agents and suffered a blow to the head, which required four stitches. Gonzalez and a
number of other human rights activists had gathered at a local hospital in an attempt to draw attention to the plight of a journalist who had
been admitted there after being attacked by Cuban police.

The group was immediately surrounded by the rapid response unit of the local security forces, who beat them before taking them into
custody. The group has been on hunger strike since their arrest.

On March 10, security forces raided the Ignacio Agramonte Independent Evangelical Library, set up in Ciego de Avila by Gonzalez. They
confiscated a number of books including materials written in Braille. Gonzalez was also attacked and beaten by police on Christmas Day,
2001, at the inauguration of the library.

According to Gonzalez’s wife, Maritza, he is being charged with public disorder and is currently being held in a cell with a violent criminal –
a common form of punishment in Cuba. She was able to visit him on March 12 and said his cellmate seemed extremely aggressive. She
also said that Gonzalez had lost a great deal of weight due to his hunger strike.

CSW met with the 27-year-old Gonzalez, who is also a lawyer and an active member of the Baptist Church, last February in Havana. At the
time Gonzalez spoke of his hope for the future of human rights and democracy in Cuba.

There has been a general crackdown on all human rights activists since a large number of Cubans sought asylum in the Mexican Embassy
in Havana in late February.

CSW is calling for the immediate release of Gonzalez and his fellow human rights activists as well as the return of all the materials taken
from the library.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said, “Juan Carlos has paid a high price for having the courage to stand up for the rights of
others. His treatment at the hands of the authorities has been brutal and unjust.

“We call upon Fidel Castro to release Juan Carlos immediately and to make full redress for the injuries he has suffered at the hands of the
government. This kind of behavior on the part of the Cuban Government should not be tolerated by the international community.”

------------------------------
March 1, 2002 Christian Prisoner Too Ill to Carry Out Hunger Strike
A Christian prisoner who had declared his intention to go on an indefinite hunger strike has been persuaded to postpone his moral stand
due to concerns about his health.

Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, also known as Antunez, was due to start his latest hunger strike on February 18.

His sister Berta Antunez Pernet persuaded him not to go ahead as he is already suffering severe problems with his heart and lungs after 18
previous hunger strikes.

Despite these problems, he intended to carry out another hunger strike in protest at the way prisoners are treated in Cuba.

His protest concerned restrictions on necessary medical treatment for prisoners and the withholding of pastoral care.

Antunez, now 37, has already spent 12 years in prison and was originally charged with ‘verbal enemy propaganda’ after shouting “We don’t
want communism, we need reforms.”

CSW calls on the Cuban government to heed Antunez’s petition for basic rights to be guaranteed to all prisoners and continues to call for
his release as a prisoner of conscience.

-------------------------------
February 25, 2002 Political Prisoner Goes on Indefinite Hunger Strike to
Draw Attention to Human Rights Abuses
A Cuban political prisoner began an indefinite hunger strike last week in an effort to draw attention to human rights abuses within the
prisons.

Jorge Luis García Pérez, also known as ‘Antúnez’, is calling upon the Cuban government to guarantee fundamental human rights to all
political and common prisoners. In a handwritten statement given to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, he called for “profound reforms in the
Cuban penitentiary system”. He is demanding that Cuban prisoners be assured the right to necessary medical treatment and the right to
pastoral care.

Antúnez’s Bible has been confiscated in the past by prison officials as a form of punishment for non-conformity and although his sister
confirmed that he now is able to keep his Bible, he is not allowed any other religious literature and has frequently been denied pastoral
visits. Family members of other prisoners and other Cuban human rights activists confirmed that withholding medical treatment from
prisoners and confiscating their Bibles is a frequent form of punishment within Cuban prisons.

His current hunger strike is the most recent in a series of 18 hunger strikes carried out by Antúnez since his imprisonment in 1990. His
sister, Berta Antúnez Pernet, confirmed that the hunger strikes have had a debilitating effect on his health, particularly on his heart and
lungs, yet he remains devoted to speaking out on human rights issues.

Antúnez, age 37, has now spent 12 years in prison, and according to his sister, should be released in 2007. He was originally charged with
‘verbal enemy propaganda’ for shouting “We don’t want communism, we need reforms” in a public square. After suffering physical and
psychological torture and abuse in prison, he was transferred to a labor camp in 1992. While there he learned that his mother was seriously
ill and in a hospital near the camp. He asked to visit her, but was denied permission by the prison authorities. He managed to escape to
visit her on her deathbed, and was then recaptured and sentenced to an additional 12 years in prison. He has since seized every
opportunity to expose human rights abuses, including torture, which occur regularly within the prisons.

CSW calls on the Cuban government to heed Antúnez’s petition for basic rights to be guaranteed to all prisoners and continues to call for
his release as a prisoner of conscience.

Stuart Windsor, CSW’s National Director said: “Antúnez is a man who knows what it means to sacrifice himself for the rights of others and
we are proud to be standing in solidarity with him. We call upon the international community to heed his cry for improved human rights for
all prisoners in Cuba.”

A translated copy of Antúnez’s manifesto can be read below.

Antúnez’s manifesto: (Obtained 12 February 2002)

The political prisoner and prisoner of conscience, Jorge Luis Garcías Pérez (Antúnez), originally from Placetas, in Villa Clara Province will
initiate an indefinite hunger strike from the 18th of February. Among other things I demand the following from the authorities:

1. Profound reforms in the Cuban penitentiary system, with the aim of a sincere humanization of living conditions for Cuban prisoners,
whether they are political prisoners or common prisoners.

2. The full enjoyment of the most basic and sacred rights, notably: medical attention, religious support, adequate nourishment, and the
cessation of all forms of mistreatment and abuse to which those confined in the prisons and jails of this country are subjected.

3. The immediate end of all forms of censorship that exist inside the penitentiaries, those which demolish any intellectual growth and the
blockage of information, including the communication between a prisoner and his family members and with the outside world.

From the “Combinado del Este” Prison, City of Havana, Cuba

Political Prisoner, Jorge Luis Garcías Pérez (Antúnez)

GOD, NATION, LIBERTY

 Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

East Timor
August 1, 2001 The Girl Who Saw Too Much
As the Laksaur militia closed in, 16-year-old Christian Juliana dos Santos and her younger brother searched desperately for a place of
safety.

They got caught up with the crowds, who poured into a church building, hoping its sacred walls would be a place of sanctuary. But the
militiamen had no fear of the Lord. They broke in, separated the men from the women and systematically murdered every male. Juliana
could only look on helplessly as her 13-year-old brother was killed in front of her. The date was September 6 1999, a bare week after the
East Timorese voted overwhelmingly for independence from Indonesia. The referendum triggered a wave of violence organized by the
Indonesian military and executed by the militia.

But worse was still to come for Juliana. She and the other women were paraded through the streets as trophies of war. Then she was
abducted and repeatedly raped. One of the militia leaders took her to be his ‘wife’ - by some accounts his ninth. In November last year she
gave birth to a son. The man now claiming to be her husband is the deputy commander of the Laksaur militia group, Igidio Manek. With
extraordinary arrogance he paraded Juliana on television. With a bruise under one eye and the look of someone who had been
brainwashed, she said she loved the terrorist and wanted to stay with him. An observer said: ‘She sounded like someone who had died
inside.’

Juliana’s family have received reassuring letters, but the handwriting reveals they were penned by someone else. Several times she has
tried to escape with the help of a priest, but has failed.

Yet the authorities have been reluctant to act. Manek has been removed from the wanted list by the Indonesian War Crimes Tribunal on the
grounds that he ‘cannot be found’. The truth is more complicated. Juliana’s abduction is believed to have been politically motivated. Her
family were pro-independence and her father had fought with the resistance.

She is also a witness to the church massacre. If she were free to give her testimony it could implicate senior Indonesian military personnel.
Juliana has been described as a ‘pawn’ in a much bigger game. She is not alone. Other young women have also been abducted to be used
as sex slaves by the militia and CSW is campaigning for their release. One 14-year-old recently returned from the refugee camps telling of
routine sexual abuse.

The leader of the East Timorese independence movement, Xanana Gusmao, told CSW that if every human rights organization raised its
voice, the Indonesian government would be compelled to act.

Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) Hong Kong/Australia

------------------------------------------
August 1, 2001 Uneasy road to independence
Further violence is feared in the run-up to the East Timor elections at the end of August. Independence has been a long time coming. It
follows 450 years of colonization and a quarter of a century of brutal occupation by Indonesia.

During those last 25 years a third of the population - more than 250,000 people - were killed or allowed to die through starvation and
disease. In August 1999, 78 per cent of the population voted in a referendum for independence. A massive backlash by supporters of the
Indonesian military followed.

A team from CSW Hong Kong and Australia has recently been on a fact-finding visit to the country, their fourth since the 1999 referendum.
Before the referendum, the military warned that if the people voted for independence ‘blood will run like rivers’. Father Domingos da Silva
Soares told CSW that if the United Nations had not stepped in ‘we would have been finished’.

One tactic used to divide the people was to turn Catholics and Protestants against one another. ‘Indonesia wanted to destroy the unity of
East Timor,’ said Fr Domingos. An Assemblies of God pastor added that churches had been burnt down and 1,000 AoG members had fled
to West Timor to escape the violence. More destruction is feared as the election nears. The head of a leading Timorese NGO told the CSW
team that he feared an ‘international disaster’ unless there was a carefully staged transition towards full independence.

Many observers believe East Timor is not ready for full self-government. It has been devastated by years of war and destruction. Its young
people have grown up in a culture of violence and many political parties are just self-interested clans. Jane Penfold of the British Office told
CSW that the UN had been slow to prepare the Timorese for independence. She feared the election could be held in a climate of violence.

Meanwhile, at least 50,000 refugees remain in West Timor, in camps controlled by the militia. Intimidation is rife.

A nun, Sister Lourdes, told CSW that she had made many visits to the camps to try to persuade the refugees to return. But each time she
called a meeting, militia would ride into the room on motorbikes, rev their engines and intimidate the people. Eventually, Sister Lourdes and
a priest addressed the militiamen about ‘coming home to the Father’s house’. As she spoke about returning not only to East Timor, but to
God, repenting and seeking forgiveness, several of the gunmen broke down in tears and some were converted.

They then helped Sister Lourdes speak to refugees about returning to East Timor.

Juvencio de Jesus Martins was sentenced to seven years for calling for independence. He said the Christian faith of the East Timorese
people was an essential part of their struggle and without God they could not have survived.
Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) Hong Kong/Australia

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Egypt
June 15, 2004 Justice again eludes victims of El Kosheh violence in Egypt
The families of 21 Christians who were killed in violence which broke out in the village of El Kosheh in January 2000 were once again
denied justice at the final verdict of the Egyptian Appeal Court.

On June 14 the Court of Cassation upheld the conviction of the man accused of killing the one Muslim victim, but reduced his sentence
from 15 years to 13 years in prison. Three others received two- and one-year sentences for setting ablaze a truck, but the remaining 92
originally charged with atrocities in connection with the violence, have had their acquittals upheld.

No one has ever been convicted of the murder of the 21 Christian victims.

The upholding of the acquittals has come as a deep disappointment to Egypt's Christian minority, who had hoped to see justice done at the
retrial. Coptic Bishop Wissa of Baliana Diocese, which includes El Kosheh, expressed the dismay of many in the Christian community. He
said: "21 Christians are dead, we know for sure they did not commit suicide. Now, after the latest verdict, we are left with no choice but to
appeal to God."

Youssef Sidhom, Editor-in-Chief of the Egyptian Watani newspaper, which specializes in Coptic issues, said: "This verdict comes as no
surprise as the evidence presented to the court was not solid and should never have been presented. There should be a full investigation
into the actions of the police as their performance from the start has been highly questionable."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The violence in El-Kosheh, which erupted over the Millennium weekend, stemmed from a dispute between a Muslim trader and a Christian
shop-owner on Friday December 31 1999. Muslim-owned kiosks and Christian-owned shops were damaged or destroyed that day as the
violence escalated. While Saturday remained relatively quiet, Sunday saw the brutal murders of 21 Christians and a Muslim amid further
violence.

During the violence, local security forces either stood by passively or became actively involved in the attacks. It is thus widely believed that
the local security police bear responsibility for the escalation of the violence.

An Egyptian State Security Court acquitted 96 murder suspects on February 5 2001. The Sohag Criminal Court found four defendants
guilty, but only of lesser crimes connected with the massacre. On February 27 2003, in a repeat of the earlier verdict, the Sohag Criminal
Court acquitted nearly all 96 suspects.

As in the previous ruling, only four men received sentences. Mayez Amin Abdel Rahim, received a sentence of 15 years imprisonment for
the murder of the sole Muslim victim while the other three received much shorter sentences for setting alight a truck.

The El-Kosheh massacre was Egypt's worst clash in decades between the country's predominantly Muslim citizens and Coptic Christians,
who comprise between seven to ten percent of the population. Dubbed 'El-Kosheh II', the riots were preceded by a controversial murder
investigation in the same village 16 months earlier, when police were accused of rounding up and torturing over 1,000 Coptic villagers to
force confessions, implicating Christian, Shaiboub William Arsal, as the culprit.

--------------------------------
April 14, 2004 CSW praises Egypt for preventing religious violence
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is praising prompt police action in a recent episode that could have resulted in sectarian violence.

A Muslim man allegedly murdered two Christians with an axe after an argument broke out in the southern town of Salamoun, Sohag
province, on March 5, according to reports from Reuters and AP.

It is not clear whether the incident, which left Sadeq Fekhry Mehana, 52, and Sidqi Mahana, 50, dead, was religiously motivated.

The following day, the Egyptian authorities deployed some 1,000 police around the town to prevent a possible outbreak of sectarian
violence. The town is nearly 40 percent Coptic Christian, but was also a stronghold of militant Islamists who fought the government during
the 1990s.

Coptic Bishop Wissa of Baliana Diocese, which includes the village of El Kosheh, said: "It is time the Egyptian government shows
seriousness and fairness by punishing the perpetrators of attacks against Christians. The message from the government should be clear
this time. Attacks on Christians must stop."
The area is renowned for sectarian unrest, the latest major episode occurring in January 2000, when 21 Christians and a Muslim lost their
lives in clashes.

Youssef Sidhom, Chief Editor of Watani newspaper, commented: "Such an accident adds to the growing accumulation of bitterness and
grievances of helpless Christians in Upper Egypt," noting that they were watching with interest to see if the perpetrator would be charged.

This incident is reminiscent of the murder of two Christians in 1998. Police were accused of rounding up hundreds of Coptic Christians,
torturing many to extract confessions.

Christian Shaiboub William Arsal was charged with the murders and sentenced in June 2000 to 15 years with hard labor.

CSW remains concerned that nearly four years after his initial sentencing, Shaiboub William Arsal is still awaiting appeal and that those
responsible for the deaths in January 2000 have not been brought to account.

CSW is calling for Shaiboub's appeal to be heard quickly and fairly, for all evidence relating to his case to be thoroughly examined and for
the police officers involved in the investigation and subsequent torture of Christians, including Shaiboub and his young son, to be brought to
justice.

CSW is also urging the Egyptian authorities to ensure that the second retrial of those accused of the January 2000 murders is held
promptly and that all relevant evidence is made available to the court.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The violence in El-Kosheh, which erupted over the Millenium weekend, stemmed from a dispute between a Muslim trader and a Christian
shop-owner on Friday December 31 1999. Muslim-owned kiosks and Christian-owned shops were damaged or destroyed that day as the
violence escalated. While Saturday remained relatively quiet, Sunday saw the brutal murders of 21 Christians and a Muslim amid further
violence.

During the violence, local security forces either stood by passively or became actively involved in the attacks. It is thus widely believed that
the local security police bear the responsibility for the escalation of the violence.

An Egyptian State Security Court acquitted 96 murder suspects on February 5 2001. The Sohag Criminal Court found four defendants
guilty, but only of lesser crimes connected with the massacre. On February 27 2003, in a repeat of the earlier verdict, the Sohag Criminal
Court acquitted nearly all 96 suspects.

As in the previous ruling only four men received sentences. The acquittals came as a deep disappointment to Egypt's Christian minority,
who had hoped to see justice done at the retrial.

The El-Kosheh massacre was Egypt's worst clash in decades between the country's predominantly Muslim citizens and Coptic Christians,
who comprise between 7 to 10 per cent of the population. Dubbed 'El-Kosheh II', the riots were preceded by a controversial murder
investigation in the same village 16 months earlier, when police were accused of rounding up and torturing hundreds of Coptic villagers to
force confessions.

Shaiboub William Arsal was charged with the murders and sentenced to 15 years with hard labor in June 2000. The sole evidence against
him was given by two army recruits who later retracted their statements saying they had been given under duress. Local people identified
three Muslims as responsible (it was not suggested that the murders were religiously motivated) but they were not brought in for
questioning by police.

--------------------------------------
December 8, 2003 Update: Tortured Christian Woman Released on Bail
Egyptian Christian Mariam Makar has at last been reunited with her family having spent nearly two months in detention after helping
converts to Christianity change their ID cards.

Mrs. Makar was released on bail on December 9 pending a hearing, a date for which has yet to be set.

CSW sources say Mrs. Makar seemed well, despite having been tortured while under interrogation.

Mariam Girgis Makar and husband Yusef Samuel Makari were the first of 22 to be arrested in late October, in connection with forging
identity cards for Muslims wishing to change their religious affiliation from Islam to Christianity.

All 22 arrested were beaten during interrogation. The detainees included Muslim converts to Christianity and others accused of assisting
converts in changing their identity cards.

Mrs. Makar was the last detainee to be released. One detainee, known to be suffering from diabetes and at least one other medical
condition, died while being transferred from the police station to hospital.

Egyptians wishing to change their religion from Islam to Christianity on official identity cards have found it to be impossible, forcing many to
make the alteration illegally. Converts to Islam, however, can get their identity cards changed within 24 hours.

Mrs. Makar and Mr. Makari converted from Islam to Christianity several years ago. They adopted Christian identities and moved from Cairo
to Alexandria where they have been living openly as Christians with their two young daughters, Marina, 13, and Sara 12.

CSW is calling on the Egyptian authorities to respect and uphold Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
guaranteeing freedom of religion, to which Egypt is a state party. In particular, CSW calls on the state to remove the religious affiliation
category from identity cards.

READ MORE BELOW

--------------------------------
December 3, 2003 Christian Woman Tortured for Helping Converts Change
their ID Cards
An Egyptian Christian woman has been tortured and interrogated by police after helping Muslims converts to Christianity change their
religious affiliation on their identity cards.

Mariam Girgis Makar, 30, was arrested at her Alexandria home by four plain clothes policemen without a warrant on October 21, according
to news agency Compass Direct.

When her husband Yusef Samuel Makari, 42, went to the police station to sign her release papers, he too was arrested. The couple was
transferred to Cairo, interrogated and beaten.

Mr. Makari said: "The conditions were very bad and sometimes we were badly treated and insulted in front of each other. She was tortured
more than me."

Over the next three days, a further 20 people were arrested, all in connection with forging identity cards for Muslims wishing to change their
religious affiliation from Islam to Christianity. They were all beaten during interrogation. The detainees included Muslim converts to
Christianity and others accused of assisting converts in changing their identity cards. One detainee, civil servant Mr. Issam Abdul Fathr,
known to be suffering from diabetes and at least one other medical condition, died while being transferred from the police station to a
hospital.

Egyptians wishing to change their religion from Islam to Christianity on official identity cards have found it to be impossible, forcing many to
make the alteration illegally. Converts to Islam, however, can get their identity cards changed within 24 hours.

With the exception of Mrs. Makar all other detainees were released on bail on Nov 13 and Nov 22 according to Middle East Concern.

Mrs. Makar has been accused of falsifying Christian identity cards for herself and others. She is currently in El-Kanater women's prison and
has had her detention extended until December 5 according to Compass Direct.

Mrs. Makar and Mr. Makari converted from Islam to Christianity several years ago. They adopted Christian identities and moved from Cairo
to Alexandria where they have been living openly as Christians with their two young daughters, Marina, 13, and Sara 12.

CSW is calling on the Egyptian authorities to respect and uphold Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
guaranteeing freedom of religion, to which Egypt is a state party. In particular, CSW calls on the state to remove the religious affiliation
category from identity cards.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

CSW recently visited Egypt, including a visit to Tourah prison to see Shaiboub William Arsal, a Christian prisoner falsely convicted of double
murder.

-----------------------------
May 14, 2003 Christian Teenager Abducted by Muslim Neighbor in Egypt
Restored to Her Family
A Christian teenager abducted by a Muslim neighbor has been restored to her family following the unprecedented intervention of the
Egyptian Under Secretary of State for the Interior.

Niveen Malak Kamel, a 17-year-old from Klosna village in the Samlout district of El Minia, 240km south of Cairo, was abducted by a fellow
villager, according to the El Kalema Centre for Human Rights in Cairo. When her family approached local law enforcement authorities for
help in securing her release, they were informed that no action would be taken since Niveen had allegedly converted to Islam. However,
such a conversion would have been illegal since Egyptian law states that minors cannot change their religion.

According to Egyptian sources, many Christian girls have been abducted over the years and in each case local authorities have refused to
take action. Niveen's release was unprecedented and follows decisive intervention by the Under Secretary of State for the Interior, General
Habib El Adly.

Niveen's release comes as great relief for her family, especially since her 19-year-old sister Heba can now end the hunger strike she began
on April 23 in protest at the abduction of her younger sister and the police's reluctance to take action against the kidnapper. Heba had
recently been transferred to El Minia General Hospital following a marked deterioration in her health.

The release will also serve as an encouragement to Egypt's Christian population, which has been under pressure since the beginning of
2003. In February, a controversial court decision acquitted 96 defendants accused of participating in the murders of 21 Christians in El
Kosheh over the Millennium weekend.

In April the Egyptian Army attacked the Patmos Centre, a Christian home for handicapped and orphaned children near Cairo in an attempt
to destroy the outer wall of the complex. The wall was built ten years ago in full accordance with existing law and is situated 50 meters from
the Cairo-Suez road. A law passed in January 2003 requires all buildings to be 100 meters away from the road, and the Patmos Centre has
been singled out for attack despite that fact that there are several other buildings nearby in far closer proximity to the road.

The El Kalema Centre for Human Rights thanked all those involved in securing Niveen's release and expressed the hope that this event
would mark the beginning of a more pro-active and even handed government policy on issues affecting religious liberties.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW said: "CSW joins the El Kalema Centre for Human Rights in commending the Egyptian
government, and particularly the Under Secretary of State for the Interior, for taking such decisive action to restore Niveen to her family. We
urge the government to continue such actions, as this will send a message to potential perpetrators that such abductions will no longer be
tolerated, and will serve as an illustration of its commitment to protect the rights all of its citizens regardless of their religious beliefs."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 28, 2003 EGYPT: Shock Acquittals at El Kosheh Retrial
In a repeat of an earlier verdict, the Sohag Criminal Court in Egypt yesterday acquitted nearly all 96 suspects charged with atrocities in
connection with violence which broke out in the village of El Kosheh in January 2000, leaving 21 Christians and a Muslim dead.

As in the previous February 2001 ruling, only four men received sentences. Mayez Amin Abdel Rahim was sentenced to 15 years for the
killing of the sole Muslim victim, an increase of 5 years from the previous verdict. The other three men, all Muslims, received two-year and
one- year sentences for setting alight a truck.

The acquittals have come as a deep disappointment to Egypt's Christian minority, who had hoped to see justice done at the retrial. Coptic
Bishop Wissa of Baliana Diocese, which includes El Kosheh, articulated the dismay of many in the Christian community. He told CSW: 'If
those accused are really innocent, where are the real killers? The 21 Christians who were so brutally murdered in January 2000 did not kill
themselves.'

The Bishop added: 'If the perpetrators of the murders are allowed to walk free, it will be seen as a green light to kill Christians.'

Mamdouh Nakhla, a lawyer at the Court of Cassation and General Manager of Al Kalema Human Rights Centre in Cairo, spoke of police
negligence and complicity during the whole affair, from the outbreak of violence itself to withholding vital evidence during the trials. He told
CSW: 'The killings occurred 48 hours after the police had imposed a curfew and 10,000 policemen were stationed in and around El Kosheh
at the time. Moreover, during the trials, the police suppressed vital evidence such as fingerprints and suspected murder weapons.'

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: 'We are shocked and dismayed at the latest turn of events. It
is unacceptable for such brutality to go unpunished. We stand with the Christian community of Egypt in calling for the murderers of the 21
Christians to be found and brought to justice.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The violence in El-Kosheh, which erupted over the Millennium weekend, stemmed from a dispute between a Muslim trader and a Christian
shop-owner on Friday December 31 1999. Muslim-owned kiosks and Christian-owned shops were damaged or destroyed that day as the
violence escalated. While Saturday remained relatively quiet, Sunday saw the brutal murders of 21 Christians and a Muslim amid further
violence. The lone Muslim killed was shot in a neighbouring village. Nobody claimed that Christians killed him.

During the violence, local security forces either stood by passively or became actively involved in the attacks. It is thus widely believed that
the local security police bear responsibility for the escalation of the violence.

The Egyptian Government tried to hide the sectarian nature of the incident. Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak blamed subversive foreign
elements for instigating the fighting, saying that the culprits behind the clashes were "pushed from abroad'.

An Egyptian State Security Court acquitted 96 murder suspects on February 5 2001. The Sohag Criminal Court found four defendants
guilty, but only of lesser crimes connected with the massacre.

A penalty of 10 years imprisonment was handed down to Mayez Amin Abdel Rahim, a Muslim found guilty of possession of an illegal
weapon during the riots. The other three, all Muslims, were found guilty of deliberately setting alight a truck trailer. One was sentenced to
two years imprisonment and the other two were given one year sentences.

This verdict shocked and outraged Egypt's Christian community. Coptic Bishop Wissa, whose diocese includes El-Kosheh, said that the
verdict served as a green light for Muslims to kill Christians. Coptic Pope Shenouda III condemned the verdict and told reporters in Cairo at
the time: 'We want to challenge this ruling. We don't accept it.'

The office of Egypt's Prosecutor General, Maher Abdel Wahid, formally contested the Sohag court's verdict on February 22 2001. "There is
no doubt that 21 people were killed, and the killers must be brought to justice", he told the Al-Ahaly newspaper on February 27.

Cairo's Court of Cassation, the highest appeals court in Egypt, announced it would hear the appeal, and on July 30 it overturned the initial
verdict and ordered a retrial, which opened on May 7, 2002.

The final verdict, expected on January 27, 2003, was postponed until February.

The El-Kosheh massacre was Egypt's worst clash in decades between the country's predominantly Muslim citizens and Coptic Christians,
who comprise approximately ten percent of the population. Dubbed 'El-Kosheh II', the riots were preceded by a controversial murder
investigation in the same village 16 months earlier, when police were accused of rounding up and torturing over 1,000 Coptic villagers to
force confessions, implicating a Christian as the culprit.

---------------------------------
January 27, 2003 Families Of Murdered Egyptian Christians Still Await
Justice For Millennium Murders
The families of the 21 victims of inter-religious violence in El-Kosheh, Upper Egypt, heard today they would have a further wait for justice.

21 Christians and one Muslim were killed in violence which broke out in January 2000, the worst massacre of Egyptian Christians in
decades. An earlier verdict which acquitted the 96 murder suspects was overturned and a retrial, which began in May last year, was due to
have given its verdict today.

Amid heavy security in a session which lasted only five minutes, Judge Lotfy Suleiman announced the postponement to February 27 this
year at Sohag Criminal Court. Contrary to expectations, not one of the 96 defendants was in court.

Egypt's Coptic Christians have expressed their disappointment at today's events.

Mamdouh Nakhla, a lawyer and General Manager of Al Kalema Human Rights Centre in Cairo, represents several of the families of those
murdered.

In a statement issued today, he said the lack of a verdict reflected current regional sensitivities: "This delay is primarily due to political and
social considerations, as the general environment is not suitable for pronouncing such a verdict, due to the tense and volatile situation in
the Middle East in general." He went on to say that he hoped the verdict in February would be "satisfactory to all parties concerned."

Bishop Wissa of Baliana Diocese, which includes the village of El-Kosheh, told CSW that the further delaying of this murder case was in
itself "an injustice". Referring to concerns that the postponement of the verdict reflected the current political climate, he commented: "A
murder investigation should not be related to international politics."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: "We share in the disappointment of all those concerned that
the outcome of this trial has yet again been delayed.

"The killers of the 21 who were murdered are still at large, and must be brought to justice as soon as possible. Their families have already
waited for too long."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The violence in El-Kosheh, which erupted over the Millennium weekend, stemmed from a dispute between a Muslim trader and a Christian
shop-owner on Friday December 31 1999. Muslim-owned kiosks and Christian-owned shops were damaged or destroyed that day as the
violence escalated. While Saturday remained relatively quiet, Sunday saw the brutal murders of 21 Christians amid further violence. The
lone Muslim killed was shot by a stray bullet in a neighbouring village. Nobody claimed that Christians killed him.

During the violence, local security forces either stood by passively or became actively involved in the attacks. It is thus widely believed that
the local security police bear responsibility for the escalation of the violence.

The Egyptian Government tried to hide the sectarian nature of the incident. Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak blamed subversive foreign
elements for instigating the fighting, saying that the culprits behind the clashes were "pushed from abroad".

An Egyptian State Security Court acquitted 96 murder suspects on February 5 2001. The Sohag Criminal Court found only four defendants
guilty, but only of lesser crimes connected with the massacre.

A penalty of 10 years imprisonment was handed down to Mayez Amin Abdel Rahim, a Muslim found guilty of possession of an illegal
weapon during the riots. The other three, all Muslims, were found guilty of deliberately setting alight a truck trailer. One was sentenced to
two years imprisonment and the other two were given one year sentences.

This verdict shocked and outraged Egypt's Christian community. Coptic Bishop Wissa, whose diocese includes El-Kosheh, said that the
verdict served as a green light for Muslims to kill Christians. Coptic Pope Shenouda III condemned the verdict and told reporters in Cairo at
the time: "We want to challenge this ruling. We don't accept it."

The office of Egypt's Prosecutor General, Maher Abdel Wahid, formally contested the Sohag court's verdict on February 22 2001. "There is
no doubt that 21 people were killed, and the killers must be brought to justice", hetold the Al-Ahaly newspaper on February 27.

Cairo's Court of Cassation, the highest appeals court in Egypt, announced it would hear the appeal, and on July 30 it overturned the initial
verdict and ordered a retrial which opened on May 7 2002.

The El-Kosheh massacre was Egypt's worst clash in decades between the country's predominantly Muslim citizens and Coptic Christians,
who comprise approximately ten percent of the population. Dubbed 'El-Kosheh II', the riots were preceded by a controversial murder
investigation in the same village 16 months earlier, when police were accused of rounding up and torturing over 1,000 Coptic villagers to
force confessions, implicating a Christian as the culprit.

December 19, 2002 Christmas Day Declared a National Holiday For the
First Time in Egypt
President Mubarak of Egypt has declared Christmas Day a National Holiday for the first time.

Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 and from 2003, this date will be an official public holiday.

In the past Christian religious festivals have not been designated as public holidays, despite the fact that Christians represent about ten
percent of the population of Egypt.
It has even been known for public examinations, such as University examinations, to be scheduled for days such as Christmas Day and
Easter Sunday is still not an official public holiday. This kind of practice has served to make Christians and other religious minorities feel
marginalized as second-class citizens.

Mamdouh Nakhla, General Manager of the Word Centre for Human Rights, based in Cairo, first requested the government to make
Christmas Day an official holiday in 1995. He told CSW: "We welcome President Mubarak's decision to consider January 7 an official
holiday for all Egyptians. There is no doubt that this is a wise decision putting things on the right track and strengthening national unity.

"We believe this is a brave decision which should be followed by other brave steps such as abolishing the Hamayouni Decree and
removing religious affiliation from ID cards. Steps such as these would help to ensure that there is no discrimination between Egyptian
citizens on religious grounds and Egypt would truly become a nation for all its citizens."

A spokesperson for the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights said: "We regard this decree as a positive step towards achieving harmony
and homogenization between Muslims and Copts before the State. We commend the essence of the decree which demonstrates respect
for the right to religious worship and the right of full citizenship for all Egyptians."

Egypt is home to the largest Church in the Middle East, numbering approximately seven to ten million. Egyptian Christians face
discrimination in a number of areas of civil society, including public sector employment, education, the construction and maintenance of
places of worship and the status of converts from Islam. Religious minorities are generally under-represented in Egyptian government.
Communal tensions existing between Muslim and Christian communities have often led to violence and during such episodes, police
negligence or complicity has frequently gone unquestioned and unpunished.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW, said: "We are delighted that such an important religious festival has been given the recognition it
deserves by the state of Egypt. We hope that this initiative will be the prelude to further changes aimed at giving Christians and other
religious minorities their full rights as citizens of Egypt.

"We would like to take this opportunity to wish President Mubarak and all the citizens of Egypt a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New
Year."

------------------------------------
February 18, 2002 Christians and Muslims clash as church bells ring for
the first time
Coptic Christians who gathered to celebrate the first Mass in their new church were pelted with rocks and firebombs according to news
agency Compass Direct.

The attack on the small village church near El-Minya, 140 miles south of Cairo, happened on Sunday February 10.

Accounts of the numbers of those injured in the clashes vary. Reuters reported 11 injuries, including two policemen, while Qatar-based Al-
Jazeera TV station’s Arabic news reported ten Coptic Christians were injured and 35 nearby homes destroyed.

Later reports suggested only 15 homes were burned with a number of others looted. Security police cordoned off the nearby village of Bani
El-Walmous and independent observers have been unable to assess the damage or get an accurate number of those injured.

Security forces told Reuters that after a Muslim mob pelted the church with rocks, Coptic Christians responded by firing shotguns at their
attackers.

Muslims were apparently upset by the ringing of the church’s bells, despite the local authorities having been told beforehand about the form
the inauguration ceremonies would take.

Sources in Egypt report that it took police four hours to arrive and restore order. According to an official government statement, 43 people
were taken in for questioning.

This attack is the latest in a string of assaults on new churches built by Copts who make up more than ten percent of Egypt’s population.
On December 16 a church at Al-Ubor on the outskirts of Cairo was destroyed by local police forces, according to the U.S. Copts
Association.

Christians believe the attacks on churches are provoked by the Hamayouni Decree which bans churches from being built without a permit
from President Mubarak himself.

Permission can take years or even decades to acquire and the resultant delay gives government officials and Muslims a pretext to destroy
churches on the grounds that they have been illegally constructed.

These actions, which have resulted in the destruction of at least nine churches in the last five years, are frequently left unpunished by the
government.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “Christians in Egypt have long been discriminated against and not
given the full protection of the state.

“We call on President Mubarak to ensure that these incidents are fully investigated and to bring legislation regarding the construction of
churches in line with that governing the construction of mosques."

-------------------------------------
August 8, 2001 Egyptian Christians celebrate news of retrial after
Millennium massacre
CHRISTIANS in Egypt are celebrating news that the 22 victims of the El-Kosheh riots may at last see justice.

The Supreme Court in Egypt has ordered a retrial in the case of nearly 100 Muslims and Christians accused of being involved in the
violence which left 21 Christians and a Muslim dead.

El-Kosheh, a village on the River Nile 440km south of Cairo, was the site of the worst inter-religious riots in Egypt for decades over the
Millennium New Year.

The violence broke out after a row over money between a shop owner and a customer and Christians say the police failed to stop the
fighting.

A court earlier acquitted all but four of the 96 defendants over the deaths and even the four jailed were not jailed for murder.

Coptic Christian Bishop Wissa said he hoped this was a chance to right the wrongs which had caused such damage to the Christian
community. He told the Associated Press news agency: “We think justice can now prevail. There were killers and there were victims and we
only want to know who was who.”

One of the catalysts for the violence was the murder of two Christians at El-Kosheh in August 1998.

More than 1,000 Christians were rounded up by the police and many, including children, were tortured to try to extract a confession.

A Christian called William Shaiboub Arsal was sentenced to 15 years with hard labor despite the fact that the sole prosecution witnesses
against him were two army conscripts who later retracted their statements saying they had only made them under duress.

He was quietly sentenced on the same day the court opened proceedings against the 96 implicated in the later riots. William has been
granted leave to appeal to the Egyptian Court of Cassation, but it is not known when the appeal will be heard and in the meantime he is
about to start his fourth year of imprisonment.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has supported the campaign for a retrial of the 96 defendants and we are calling on the Egyptian
Government to promote a culture of religious tolerance and respect for human rights.

CSW is also calling on the Government to bring construction and planning laws for non-Muslim places of worship into line with existing laws
governing the construction of mosques.

Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “It’s great news that the Egyptian justice system has at last ordered
a retrial of those arrested after the El-Kosheh violence. We are going to be watching developments closely and trust that the families of
those who lost loved ones will at last see justice done.”

----------------------------------------------
July 24, 2001 Young children threatened with permanent separation from
their mothers
In two independent cases, Coptic Christian children may be forced to leave their mothers and be placed under the care of Muslim
guardians.

For over five years, widow Fayza Abd El-Shaheed Tawfiq, has been fighting to retain custody of her children, whom the general prosecutor
maintains should be raised by a suitable Muslim, in light of their late father's conversion to Islam.

Coptic Christian Emad Ayad Bishay converted to Islam and divorced Fayza in 1990, but subsequently renounced his Muslim faith in July
1995 when the couple reunited and he was accepted back into the Church by its Holy Synod. Bishay died shortly afterwards, sparking off
the lengthy battle with the general prosecutor.

It appears that two earlier court decisions which ruled in the mother's favor have been disregarded. Fayza, a nurse from Beny Soweif, was
called to court again in April 2001 in the latest round of the ongoing struggle.

In an unrelated case, Dr Ines Emil Kamal is requesting the formal cancellation of her husband's signed certificate of conversion to Islam on
the grounds that he is mentally incompetent to make legal decisions. Pharmacist Dr Hanna Kamal Hanna Morgan of El-Fayoum, an area
known as a stronghold for several extremist Muslim groups, has been medically certified as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. It was
while being treated for this illness that he suddenly converted to Islam last year and severed contact with his wife and family.

Under Islamic law, which guarantees the primacy of paternal rights, Morgan's two young daughters are now listed as Muslims and would
therefore be liable to be removed from their mother's custody. According to news agency Compass Direct, the couple's six year old
daughter is being escorted to and from her school to prevent any attempts to kidnap her. A decision from a Cairo Court of Appeals
regarding Morgan's religious identity was expected on May 14 2001, but as yet no information has been forthcoming.

A CSW spokeswoman commented, "We remain deeply concerned by this system which seems to place a strict adherence to questionable
draconian regulations above the best interests of the child. That children should not be separated from their parents, unless by competent
authorities for their well-being, is a fundamental right guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Egypt is a State
Party."

------------------------------------------------
April 1, 2001 Fears for Copts, after failure of justice
Fear is growing among Egypt's Coptic community after a controversial court verdict acquitting a Muslim mob of murdering 21 Christians.
The outbreak of violence in the village of El-Kosheh at the turn of the millennium was the country’s worst sectarian clash for 20 years.

Victims included children and the elderly, many of whom were decapitated and burnt beyond recognition.

The massacre began after a dispute between a Coptic shopkeeper and a Muslim customer. Violence quickly spread. 260 Christian homes
and businesses were destroyed or looted. The only Muslim victim was accidentally shot dead by a fellow Muslim in a nearby village.

Almost 100 people were rounded up and charged with murder, yet the court failed to find a single one guilty, convicting just four on lesser
charges. Further, as a result of the judge’s unusual, and much criticized, decision to release all the defendants on bail before Christmas, the
main accused had the opportunity to flee. Hence none are expected to serve time for their sentences, which ranged from several months to
ten years.

'This verdict means Christians cannot live in safety,' said Bishop Wissa, whose diocese includes the troubled township, some 300 miles
south of Cairo. 'It means the life of Christians has no value.' And the Center for Religious Freedom warned: 'Egypt's Christians may well
have cause to fear for their lives.'

In Britain, the ruling was greeted with dismay by the UK Coptic Association, which described it as 'an attempt to appease the Muslim
extremists.' It accused the government of covering up the gravity of religious tensions to avoid the 'politically sensitive issue of punishing
Muslims for the murder of Christians,' adding: 'Copts have become an expendable commodity.'

There was also anger over remarks by the judge that Coptic priests had incited the violence. Opening the court session, presiding Judge
Mohammed Afiefy said three priests should 'shoulder the moral responsibility for escalating the events.' The American Coptic Association
retorted: 'Christians are being punished for crimes committed by Muslims.' Since the verdict at least two Christian owned homes have been
burnt and, in a worryingly similar pattern, a Christian has been detained and tortured to ‘confess’ to these crimes.

Before the massacre in El-Kosheh, police investigating the murders of two Christians in August 1998, in the same village rounded up 1,000
Copts, allegedly torturing them with electric shocks to force them to implicate a Christian as the culprit. A 34-year-old Christian, Shaiboub
William Arsal, was eventually sentenced to the maximum term of 15 years' with hard labor for the killings, though its widely held that five
Muslims were behind the murders.

In another area of Egypt, tensions flared as the police bulldozed a church. The action took place despite the refusal of the priest to leave
the building. He was later hospitalized in a serious condition. Since the incident reconstruction of the church has begun following a decision
by President Mubarak to rebuild at the government’s own expense.

Egypt's Coptic community makes up some ten per cent of the population of 64 million, and has generally lived in peace with the Muslim
majority. Many Copts complain they are under-represented in government and barred from holding top jobs in the country.

Sources include Compass Direct

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Eritrea
February 23 2005 More than 100 Christian children detained by
government forces
More than 100 children aged between two and 18 were rounded up by a group of policemen as they were in their Christian classes.

The 131 children were attending their classes at an Eritrean Orthodox church in the capital Asmara when a truck with the policemen arrived
at about 9:30am on February 19.

An eye-witness report at the scene, which was later verified by CSW, said the police put them in the truck and took them to the nearby
Police Station Number 1 where they registered the children’s names and addresses.

After the children were put in a hall at the police station, they started to sing in a loud voice: "I am not afraid of persecution, hardships and
even death. Nobody can separate me from the Love of Jesus Christ. He died on the cross and he gave me new life."

The policemen ordered the children to stop singing, saying: "You must shut-up, this is a police station", but the children continued to sing
despite their threats.

The policemen then turned on a television and put the volume up high. The children protested and the policemen started to beat them. The
children were kept at the police station from 10am to 1.30pm.

At this point, the children aged two to 14 were released and told to come back on Monday with their parents. The remaining group of 30
children are still detained and were transferred to Police Stations Number 7 and Number 4.
The children were rounded up at the Medhanie-Alem Orthodox Church, in the heart of Asmara . The church has been targeted by a special
Task Force after all the charismatic churches were ordered to close.

According to reliable reports, the Task Force has been set up by the Eritrean government dedicated to ridding the country of Pentecostal
and Evangelical Christians by the end of 2005.

According to Compass Direct news agency, another 31 Eritrean Christians have been jailed over the past ten days, making a total of 187
arrests for ‘illegal’ Christian activities since the beginning of the year. Some 400 people are in prison in Eritrea for their religious beliefs.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Eritrean government closed down the country’s independent Protestant churches in May 2002, declaring their places of worship illegal
and forbidding home gatherings. The banned groups include indigenous Pentecostal and charismatic congregations, as well as Adventist,
Presbyterian, Assemblies of God and Methodist-linked churches. Baha’is and Jehovah’s Witnesses are also targeted.

The country’s four recognized “official” religions are Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Lutheran and Islam. Those caught praying, studying the
Bible or worshipping outside the umbrella of the three allowed Christian groups, continue to be jailed and tortured, and some have been
incarcerated in metal shipping containers or underground cells.

--------------------------------
February 18 2005 Eritrean task force aims to purge country of Christians
In the wake of the arrest of 31 more Christians in Eritrea , evidence is emerging of a Task Force dedicated to ridding the country of targeted
Christian denominations.

According to Compass Direct news agency, another 31 Eritrean Christians have been jailed over the past ten days, making a total of 187
arrests for ‘illegal’ Christian activities since the beginning of the year.

In 2002 the Eritrean government ordered the closure of all churches that were not affiliated with the Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical
Lutheran denominations. According to reliable reports, the regime has now formed a Task Force to eradicate Pentecostal and Evangelical
Christians from Eritrea by the end of 2005.

CSW has also received reports which indicate that people from the capital Asmara were told to inform the police and their local
administration offices about any Christians and houses where ‘menfesawyan’ (spiritual people) come together so they could be arrested.
Hotels and halls are now banned from renting their premises to these Christians and many have had their property confiscated and been
heavily fined. Moreover, in certain areas, landlords are forbidden from letting their properties to Christians from ‘forbidden ‘denominations.

14 members of the Kale Hiwot Church in Adi-Tekelzan, 20 miles north of Asmara , were taken into custody on February 4 during a Bible
study at the home of their pastor. They were last known to be at the town’s police station.

The day before, Professor Senere Zaid of the Agriculture Faculty at Eritrea University was arrested in Asmara . Local police officials had
mounted a two-week search for him after finding his name on the rental contract of a building used for worship by the Kidane Mehrete
revival group.

After a foiled police raid on one of their meeting places, Professor Zaid hid to avoid being arrested and had not been present at the targeted
gathering, which had broken up before the police arrived.

When Professor Zaid decided to turn himself in to police commanders on February 3, he was promptly jailed at an Asmara police station.
Professor Zaid is married with two young children.

A reliable witness said: “Senere’s only “crime” is his determination to worship Jesus Christ according to his conscience...We have a nation
without a responsible regime and university officials and teachers who keep silent while their colleagues suffer.”

He added: “Not only traditional religious leaders, intellectuals and businessmen inside Eritrea are keeping quiet, but also believers outside
Eritrea . May God forgive us for our silence and may God protect our brothers and sisters inside the prisons of Eritrea . The wider family
members of these believers are also suffering. Especially wives and children are left behind without any form of income and support.”

On February 12, 15 Christian women that had gathered in a private home for prayer were arrested and jailed at the police station in Keren ,
Eritrea ’s third-largest town 40 miles northwest of Asmara . Local authorities reportedly described the evangelical believers as “a threat to
national security.”

However, “all the sisters exposed to imprisonment and insult by the authorities in Keren were gathered merely for the purpose of prayer, not
any political purpose,” one of their colleagues confirmed.

Meanwhile, Compass has documented the arrest of a medical doctor during the last week of January. Dr Segid was arrested in Keren
during the last week of January. The physician has now been transferred to military confinement at the Mai-Serwa military camp.

There are believed to have been dozens more arrested and imprisoned during their national service in the Eritrean army since the new
year. Several hundred more evangelical Protestant believers, many of them soldiers caught worshipping during their active military service,
also remain imprisoned for refusing to recant their faith.

One person who was arrested at the start of the year, five kilometres outside Asmara , said they were forced to walk barefoot to cargo
containers: “In Mai Serwa they put us (around 30 believers) into a small container. We actually couldn’t breathe and we thought we are
going to die of suffocation. At that moment we shouted and called the guards and begged them to open the container so that we could
breathe. The guards replied: “Those responsible with the key have left for Asmara so keep quiet until they come back tomorrow.” In the
morning they opened the door but all of us lied fainted. We had no power even to utter words. But God saved us and I am here among you
to witness this horrible deed.”

Eritrean church leader Dr Berhane Asmelash, who now lives in exile in the UK , said: “The situation is getting worse and worse and the
government is collecting people from weddings, from their houses and from the streets if they are Christians.

“We call on the international community to intervene in a situation which I find difficult to put into words.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Three well-known Protestant pastors have been held under arrest since May 2004 by the Eritrean government, which refuses to confirm
their location or allow anyone to visit them.

The Eritrean government closed down the country’s independent Protestant churches in May 2002, declaring their places of worship illegal
and forbidding home gatherings. The banned groups include indigenous Pentecostal and charismatic congregations, as well as Adventist,
Presbyterian, Assemblies of God and Methodist-linked churches. Baha’i and Jehovah’s Witness adherents are also targeted severely.

Individuals and groups caught praying, studying the Bible or worshipping outside the umbrella of the country’s four recognized “official”
religions (Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Lutheran or Islam) continue to be jailed and tortured, often incarcerated in metal shipping containers
or underground cells. However, the recent arrests of two orthodox priests associated with the ‘renewal’ movement and 25 Christians from a
Roman Catholic background, serve to illustrate that even members of sanctioned churches can also face persecution.

------------------------------
January 26, 2005 Fresh arrests in Eritrea
May we ask you not to use the names of detained individuals below in the letters you
write. This is to protect them and those close to them in Eritrea .
Dear Friends,

CSW has received alarming reports of the arrest of over 150 Eritrean Christians, including 25 Roman Catholics since the New Year. The
jailing of 25 members of the Catholic church is particularly worrying, as the Catholic community have been granted “official” recognition by
the government. There have also been signs of increasing tensions between the authorities and the Orthodox Church, to which the
majority of Eritrean Christians belong. These incidents suggest that the Eritrean authorities are extending religious persecution to include
all Christian denominations.

We would be very grateful if you would consider writing to your representatives in Congress, highlighting some of the incidents below,
particularly emphasizing the fact that the authorities now seem to be targeting “officially recognized” denominations. Please ask your
political representatives to raise this issue with the Eritrean Ambassador to the US .

The situation in Eritrea does seem to be getting worse, so thank you for all you can do to support the church there. Please remember those
who have been arrested in your prayers.

Details of Recent Arrests

Rema Charismatic Church

On the night of 31 December, police officials arrested and detained sixty members of the Rema Charismatic Church in the Eritrean
capital Asmara . Among those arrested were Habteab Oqbamichel and his wife Letensae who were hosting the gathering. Eyewitnesses
reported that at least five of those detained were minors.

Having been initially taken to Police Station No.5, the sixty were then transferred to the notorious Mai-Serwa military camp, which is
situated just north of Asmara . The 35 women held were subsequently placed in solitary confinement.

Amnesty International have stated in a report issued on November 26 that conditions at Mai-Serwa “are harsh and infectious diseases such
as diarrhea are common.” They also contend that prisoners held at Mai-Serwa are never charged with any crime or brought to trial. The
well-known Christian singer Helen Berhane has been jailed alone in a metal shipping container at Mai-Serwa for refusing to deny her
evangelical faith and cease participating in local Protestant activities.

CSW sources and News Agency, Compass Direct, have since confirmed that 26 of the 60 detainees have been released, having signed a
pledge not to participate in meetings again. Pastor Habteab Oqbamichel and 33 other Rema believers remain in custody at Mai-Serwa.

This is not the first time that the Rema Church and Pastor Oqbamichel have faced persecution. Indeed, this is the third time that Pastor
Oqbamichel has been arrested. Last March, he and his family, including his five children, were arrested at their home, accused of trying to
start a new religion and sent to prison. Previously, he had been arrested in May, along with several dozen other Rema Church members
and beaten after they were found holding prayer meetings in their homes.

25 Catholics Arrested
On January 9, 25 members of the Roman Catholic Church in Asmara were arrested whilst rehearsing for an upcoming wedding ceremony.
The group belong to the Tebadasso renewal group of the Catholic Church. They were taken to Asmara ’s Police Station No. 1 where they
remained in detention as of 13 January.

Wedding Ceremony in Barentu

Also on January 9, the security police swooped down on a wedding ceremony being held in Barentu, a town in western Eritrea . Sixty seven
evangelical Christians, including the wedding couple, were arrested and taken to prison. Pastors Oqbamichel and Simon from the Kale
Hiwot Church and Pastor Hagos Toumai of the Full Gospel Church were among those arrested. Reportedly, the 67 prisoners were to be
taken to the Sawa Military Training Centre for “military punishment.”

Prayer Meeting in Asmara

January 9 also saw the police arrest four members of the Kale Hiwot Church in the Beleza District of northern Asmara after finding them
meeting for morning prayer.

Further arrests of evangelicals

CSW has received further news of the arrest of an evangelical church leader and two others on 21 January. The three members of the Full
Gospel Church were arrested from their office, but their whereabouts is still unknown.

Background and Comment

These recent developments are the latest examples the Eritrean government’s crackdown on evangelical Christians which dates back to
May 2002. This date marks the government’s decision to outlaw all denominations apart from the Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Evangelical
Lutherans and Muslims. Those banned churches include Pentecostal and charismatic congregations, Adventist, Presbyterian, Assemblies
of God and Methodist linked churches. It is estimated that upwards of four hundred evangelicals are currently under arrest for their faith,
including three prominent pastors jailed since last May. There are also scores of young soldiers doing compulsory military service who have
been jailed for praying, reading the Bible or worshipping in groups.

The arrests of the 25 Roman Catholics mark a significant deviation in the pattern of arrests since May 2002, in that an officially recognized
denomination has now been directly targeted.

There are also signs that relations between the authorities and the Orthodox Church, to which the vast majority of Eritrean Christians
belong, are becoming increasingly strained. Patriarch Abune Antonios has reportedly accused government authorities of “interfering” in the
religious affairs of his church. He was also vocal in denouncing the arrest of senior member of Medani Alem Fellowship, a religious
institution within the Coptic Orthodox Church. These tensions, perhaps, explain why the Patriarch’s annual Christmas message was not
aired on any national media.

These incidents suggest that the Eritrean government is extending religious persecution to include all forms of Christian activity. Eritrea ’s
record on religious persecution has not gone unnoticed by the international community. On 15 September, the U.S. State Department
named Eritrea as a “country of particular concern” for its religious freedom violations. In response, Eritrea issued a flat denial of religious
persecution and retaliated by suggesting, “it has been no secret that the CIA and its operatives have been long engaged in fabricating
defamatory statements.”

Additional Sources: Compass Direct

-------------------------
December 13, 2004 Urgent action for Eritrea 12-13-04
Dear Friends,

As many of you are aware, CSW has for some time been deeply concerned by the increasing restrictions on religious freedom in Eritrea .

In May 2002, the government ordered the closure of all churches not belonging to the Orthodox, Roman Catholic or Lutheran
denominations, and effectively rendering all other churches illegal.

Since that time the government has severely persecuted evangelical Christians in particular. They are no longer allowed to hold services
even in their own homes or meet in groups larger than five without risking arrest. The mere possession of a Bible can lead to arrest and in
some cases, torture. It is now estimated that between 300 and 400 Christians are currently detained without charge in Eritrea .

CSW has been working closely with members of the Eritrean community to highlight the heightening persecution in that country. One of
these is Dr Berhane Asmelash, an Eritrean physician and church leader who spoke at the Annual Human Rights Conference in November.
Dr Asmelash has since become the Coordinator of Release Eritrea, an organisation newly formed by members of the Eritrean Evangelical
Diaspora worldwide to campaign for freedom of religion in Eritrea . The organisation’s first press release follows below.

Please continue to pray for an end to the repression, for a release of those hold captive and for reconciliation between the various churches
of Eritrea .

Also, please address polite letters to the Eritrean Ambassador expressing your deep concern at the continuing harsh treatment of
Christians. Article 19 of the Eritrean Constitution allows for freedom of conscience, religion, movement, assembly, organisation and
expression of opinion. Many Christians have been held without charge for months and even years, yet Article 17 of the Eritrean Constitution
stipulates the right to a fair and public trial, the presumption of innocence and the right of appeal. It also states that anyone arrested should
be brought before a court of law within 48 hours of their arrest, while the Eritrean Penal Code states that a person should be charged within
28 days or released. Eritrea has also acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on Human and
Peoples Rights, all of which contain provisions for freedom of religion.
In your letter, draw attention to the government’s obligations under national and international law to permit freedom of religion. Ask the
Ambassador to urge his government to reconsider its policies in light of the fact that these Christians have a biblical obligation to be loyal
citizens and therefore do not constitute a threat to the security or territorial integrity of the nation.

His Excellency Mr. Girma

Asmerom
Embassy of Eritrea
1708 New Hampshire
Ave, NW
Washington DC 20009
Phone: (202) 319-1991
Fax: (202) 319-1304

E-mail:
veronica@
embassyeritrea.org

Release Eritrea calls upon all Eritreans, friends of Eritrea and members of the international community to call on the Government of
Eritrea to restore freedom of worship to Eritrean Evangelicals and members of independent Pentecostal churches.

Amidst growing concern for the safety of yet more church leaders imprisoned on the 18th of Nov, Release Eritrea denounces the abuse of
basic human rights of Eritrean brethren.

It is to be remembered that all Eritrean Churches not belonging to the Eritrean Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations were
illegally shut and their members banned from public worship since May 2002.

As the curb intensifies with leaders of the Orthodox Renewal Movement being targeted, Release Eritrea welcomes the call on the
international community to take swift action against severe violators of religious persecution.

Dr. Berhane Asmelash, coordinator of Release Eritrea, stated that ‘with yet more reports of imprisonment of Eritrean Christians, the
government of Eritrea has indicated to the international community that it is not prepared to adhere to international agreements for
respecting basic human rights of its people, it is time the international community responded with indications that it is not prepared to
condone such behaviour’.

Background

Release Eritrea is a global partnership of Eritrean Evangelicals standing in solidarity with the persecuted Eritrean church.

On May 22 2002, the PFDJ (the ruling party of Eritrea ) ordered the closure of all churches not belonging to the Orthodox, Roman Catholic
or Evangelical Lutheran denominations. So far, at least 36 churches have been closed. Many followers of these churches and their leaders
have been imprisoned, harassed and tortured.

On several occasions since then the Eritrean government issued blanket denials of the existence of persecution in the country stating that
‘no groups or persons are persecuted in Eritrea for their beliefs or religion’ and that people were ‘free to worship according to their wish’.

Eritrea is one of the three new countries which the United States recently designated as ‘countries of particular concern for several
violations of religious freedom’.

You can contact Release Eritrea by emailing staff@releaseeritrea.org.uk or visiting their website at www.release-eritrea.org.uk

---------------------------
November 29, 2004 Three orthodox priests arrested in ongoing religious
persecution
CSW has recently received reports that three Orthodox priests have been detained since the third week of November.

Dr Futsum Gebrenegus, Eritrea 's only psychiatrist, Dr Tekeleab, a GP and the Reverend Gebremebhin are all Orthodox priests involved in
the renewal movement within the Orthodox Church.

On May 22 2002, the government banned all but three denominations - the Orthodox, Evangelical Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches.
The arrest of these three Orthodox priests is a further attack on religious liberty in Eritrea . It shows the government is even prepared to
restrict the activities of denominations which are officially authorized to function.

Eritrean security forces have raided dozens of homes and have arrested hundreds of Christians, including young children, simply for having
a Bible or attending a Christian meeting. There are reported to be an estimated 400 Christians in prison, many having served more than
two years.

In terms of religious liberties, Eritrea is the third most repressive country in Africa after Somalia and Sudan .

Eritrea 's government also carries out other serious human rights abuses. Since 1998 the government has regularly conducted arbitrary
mass round ups of people within the age of enlistment in order to find 'draft dodgers.'
The most recent on November 4 ended in tragedy. The government is reported to have indiscriminately rounded up thousands of people
under the age of 50 and detained them in the infamous Adi Abeito army camp just outside the capital Asmara .

A prison wall either fell or was pushed over by some of the prisoners. As the wall fell it is reported to have killed five guards. The rest of the
guards began firing at the crowd, killing between 20 and 50 people and injuring scores more.

According to one report the authorities hastily buried some of the dead while the injured were hospitalized pending re-arrest. The
government has attempted to dismiss reports on the incident as 'overblown', and has insisted on describing the victims of the round up as
'gangsters' and draft dodgers.

Nevertheless according to reports, the situation in the country remains extremely tense. In the aftermath of this incident the European
Parliament passed a resolution condemning human rights abuses in Eritrea . The resolution demanded a full investigation into the incident
and expressed anxiety regarding the well-being of alleged draft dodgers who continue to be held in detention. It also called on Eritrea to
abide by international human rights conventions, and to immediately release the 11 former members of the ruling party imprisoned without
charge since September 2001.

In a response from Yemane Gebremeskel, President Isaias Afeworki's Chief of Staff, the Eritrean government dismissed the resolution as
'extremely inappropriate'. Gebremeskel went on to say that only two people had died during the incident and to add that the resolution
would 'only reduce the influence of the European Parliament'.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

During May 2004, three senior Church leaders were arrested. The Reverend Haile Naizge, chairman of the Full Gospel Church , Dr. Kuflu
Gebremeskel, chairman of the Eritrean Evangelical Alliance and Pastor Tesfatsion Hagos of the Rhema Evangelical Church in Asmara were
initially held in police cells in the Eritrean capital. It was reported in August that the three leaders had been transferred from these cells to an
unknown location.

The three pastors are now thought to be held incommunicado in Wengel Mermera investigation centre, the dungeon-like inner prison in
Asmara where many of Eritrea 's prominent political prisoners are also believed to be held.

At the time Reverend Naizge was detained, his mother was already seriously ill and had been in hospital for over a month with heart
problems. She had already lost two sons who died as war heroes in the struggle for independence, thus the family did not inform her of her
son's arrest for more than a month. She has since died without being able to see her son for the last time.
Pastor Hagos' father also died while he was in detention and the pastor was unable to attend his funeral.

-------------------------------
April 2, 2004 Christian Families Jailed for Praying Together
Eritrean authorities have raided the private homes of Christians, arresting and jailing adults and children praying and reading the Bible
together.

Kelete, a lay leader in the Rema Church in the capital Asmara, was arrested in his home at midnight on March 17th with his wife, six
children and his father-in-law, according to news agency Compass Direct.

The nine Christians were having family devotions together in the evening when, without warning, the police raided the home and put them
all under arrest. After spending the night at a nearby police station, the family was transferred to the Adi Abeto prison outside Asmara.

The following evening another Rema Church leader was arrested with his wife and five children and taken to Police Station No. 5. The
entire family was sent to the same prison the following day. The church leader was charged with trying to "start a new religion". An official at
the police station reportedly remarked that President Isaias Afwerki had ordered the police and military to arrest any individuals and groups
not belonging to Eritrea's four 'official' religions (Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Muslim).

In another arrest on February 23rd, ten believers from the Full Gospel Church in Asmara, meeting in a home in the Aba Shwale district of
Asmara, were taken to jail. According to Compass Direct, all remain in prison except for an elderly lady hosting the group, who was ordered
to pay a fine of 500 Nakfa ($36, locally more than half a month's salary) for holding an illegal meeting for worship in her home.

In mid February, 51 Christians from Asmara's Hallelujah Church were arrested. 46 remain under incommunicado detention at either the Adi
Abeto or Mai Serwa military prisons. For the first time, criminal charges and fines were levied against members of unauthorized churches.

All of Eritrea's independent Protestant denominations were closed by government order on May 22, 2002, and their congregations are now
forbidden to hold church meetings, even in private homes. This is the first time time that families have been penalized for worshipping
together in their homes. At least 385 Protestant Christians are confirmed jailed and several have been subjected to severe torture for
refusing to recant their faith. Some have been imprisoned for nearly two years.

On March 5th, during the ceremonial installation of the new patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, President Afwerki accused several
religious groups of having been duped by foreigners who sought to "distract from the unity of the Eritrean people and distort the true
meaning of religion." He added that such "futile efforts" would not be tolerated by his government. Subsequently on March 18th, police
arrested 20 members of the Kale Hiwot Church in Assab as they attended a home group meeting. Compass Direct also reports that on the
following day the security services began to monitor the Sunday school meetings of a group of young adults from the Orthodox Church and
their young priest whom they accused of conducting 'illegal activities'. Then on March 19th, police arrested Yona Haile, an Eritrean Christian
singer, accusing him of activities contrary to government policies.
Mervyn Thomas, CSW-USA Boardmember and Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said: "These latest arrests in Eritrea show the government to
be acting against universal standards of human rights and religious freedom. Arresting whole families simply for worshipping in the privacy
of their own homes is an outrage which must not be tolerated by the international community.

"CSW will continue to work for the freedom of these innocent believers and to get this discriminatory government edict overturned."

The Eritrean Christian Fellowship in Europe has called on the President to end the persecution which has overtaken so many Eritrean
Christians.

In a petition signed by representatives from across Europe, they write: "You yourself have on many occasions attested that Eritrea's biggest
asset is the unity of Eritreans. Actions such as the current purge against Eritrean Christians grossly undermines this asset, inflicting
widespread damage on the fabric of the society, more so than any enemy from within or outside the country."

----------------------------
August 20, 2003 Protestors for religious freedom outside Eritrean
Embassy in London
Protestors are campaigning this week outside the Eritrean Embassy in response to the growing persecution of Christians in that country.

The campaigners from All Saints C of E Church, Carnegie Street, Islington are raising awareness and gathering signatures for a petition
outside the embassy in White Lion Street, London.

Reverend Martyn Saunders said: "All Saints Church is a local congregation of the Church of England. As such we seek to serve the local
community, by showing God's love in action as well as in words. When we were made aware of the present situation in Eritrea, we were
moved to prayer and action.

"Having discovered that the Eritrean embassy is only a few streets away from our church, we felt we could do no other than to make our
protest felt. So, throughout the week of August 18th, church members and friends have been on the street outside the embassy, praying for
change, explaining to passers by and embassy staff about the situation, and garnering signatures to a petition seeking for the enactment of
the humans rights treaties which the government has already signed."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: "We are really encouraged to see the local church take such
decisive and timely action on behalf of Christians in Eritrea.

"We will do our part by continuing to highlight abuses of religious freedom and to campaign for reconciliation between the Eritrean Orthodox
Church and other denominations."

Africa's newest country of four million people is almost evenly split between Christians and Muslims and generally interfaith relations have
been good. The main problems for Christians seem to come from the alliance between the state and the Orthodox Church.

In January, 2003, 50 members of the Charismatic Rhema Church in the capital Asmara were jailed for ten days following a police raid on
New Year celebrations.

From February to March, Christian NGO Compass Direct reported that 170 Christians were jailed, beaten and threatened with death by
security forces following five separate raids on worship services, wedding ceremonies and other gatherings. Those who bailed out jailed
relatives were forced to sign a document saying they were liable to execution if they were caught at any subsequent church meeting.

On April 17th, a group of 15 Christians in Kushte, nine kilometers from Asmara, needed hospital treatment after an attack by a stick-
wielding mob which allegedly included four Orthodox priests.

Groups of churchgoers have been forcibly taken to military training camps, and on April 26th, two young people from the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Asmara were arrested after proceeding through the streets to celebrate Easter.

Persecution is said to be particularly intense in the armed forces where at least 77 soldiers, including 13 women and 16 married men are
reported to have been jailed. All are Protestants and all were jailed for refusing to deny their beliefs and return to Orthodoxy. They have
been denied contact with their relatives and most have now been incarcerated for over a year. According to Christian News Agency
Compass Direct, several have suffered severe, and in some cases debilitating, physical and sexual abuse.

On May 1, 2003, the Eritrean government issued a blanket denial of the existence of persecution in the country stating that 'no groups or
persons are persecuted in Eritrea for their beliefs or religion' and that people were 'free to worship according to their wish'. However, six
days later police raided prayer meetings held in the private homes of the members of the Rhema Church in Asmara, arresting 54 members
and two evangelists and charging them with holding illegal meetings. Persecution has since continued unabated.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year war, Eritrea has struggled to rebuild a shattered infrastructure.

The ruling Popular Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), in fear of extreme groups of either Christians or Muslims, has banned religious
organizations from involvement in politics or from commenting in detail on political matters.

The PFDJ is close to the Orthodox Church, but is suspicious of newer groups such as Evangelicals, Charismatics and Pentecostals. Non-
orthodox church buildings have been confiscated, meetings have been disrupted, and church leaders and members have been detained,
beaten, tortured, threatened and even killed.

On May 21, 2002, the PFDJ issued a decree closing all churches not belonging to the Orthodox, Roman Catholic or Evangelical Lutheran
denominations. So far 36 churches have been closed.
Article 19 of the Eritrean Constitution allows for freedom of conscience, religion, movement, assembly, organization and expression of
opinion. However, the constitution has yet to be implemented. Eritrea has also acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and
the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, all of which contain provisions for freedom of religion.

The country's robust post-independence foreign policy has meant that neighboring countries have been more than willing to harbor Eritrean
opposition forces. This in turn has caused the ruling Popular Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) to develop what one observer has
termed a 'persecution complex'. The government has become increasingly repressive, cracking down on students, journalists, religious
groupings and even ruling party members.

-------------------------------
September 12, 2002 Church Closures Accompany New Wave of
Intolerance in Eritrea
Persecution of evangelical and charismatic Christians has broken out in Eritrean following several years of harassment.

In 2001, young people were beaten, their property vandalized, and Bibles and other religious materials burned in an officially sanctioned
attack within an Orthodox church in the capital Asmara. Church leaders initiated the attack on the pretext of dealing with so-called 'heretics'
in their midst.

In 2002, government spokespersons began comparing Pentecostal/charismatic and evangelical churches with Islamists and branded them
a danger to
national security. As a consequence of this, all churches not belonging to the Orthodox, Catholic or Lutheran denominations in Eritrea were
ordered to close in May 2002. More than 36 churches have been closed so far and some Christians even find it difficult to meet in their
homes.

For some years now, followers of newer denominations deemed 'heretical' by the authorities, have experienced harassment. Non-Orthodox
church buildings have been confiscated and some church leaders have been detained in rural areas. Officials now seem to be increasing
their clampdown on believers throughout the country.

Persecution is reported to be particularly bad in the armed forces after large numbers of Eritrean soldiers were strengthened in their faith by
tuning in to FEBA radio, which broadcasts Christian programs from the Seychelles. Prayer meetings in the army are now forbidden and
attendance is punishable by imprisonment. Anyone found in possession of a Bible faces severe punishment and there are unconfirmed
reports of several young Christian soldiers having been shot after being discovered reading the Bible.

CSW is calling on the Government of Eritrea to honor its commitments under both national and international law to respect religious
freedom.

CSW is encouraging supporters to write to the Eritrean ambassador in Washington asking him to urge his government to reconsider its
enmity towards
Christians who belong to the newer denominations.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said: "Religious freedom has been gradually eroded in Eritrea until today when there seems
to be a renewed
clampdown on believers.

"We call on the international community to speak up for those who are being persecuted for their faith before the situation becomes even
more serious
and we call on church leaders of all denominations to work for reconciliation and unity."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Eritrea became independent of Italy in 1941 after over 50 years of colonial rule, but a 30-year war of independence from Ethiopia began in
1962. In 1993
Eritrea became Africa's 52nd state, but war broke out again between Eritrea and Ethiopia in 1998.

In 2000 an international peacekeeping force created a buffer zone between the two countries.

In the last two years, the ruling Popular Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) has become increasingly intolerant of dissent.

Under the pretext of maintaining national unity, the government has banned religious organizations from involvement in politics. The PFDJ
has also
placed such severe restrictions on international NGOs that they have all but wound up their activities.

The population of Eritrea is divided almost equally between Muslims and Christians and interfaith relations are generally good. The PFDJ,
which is
close to the Orthodox Church, is concerned to crack down on any perceived extremism, be it from Muslims or Christians.

Civil servants, students and politicians are fleeing the repression, and during the first two weeks of August this year, 26 Eritreans fled to
Ethiopia, and on September 6 Eritrea's ambassador to Sudan abandoned his post and fled to Europe.

November 29, 2004 Three orthodox priests arrested in ongoing religious

persecution
CSW has recently received reports that three Orthodox priests have been detained since the third week of November.

Dr Futsum Gebrenegus, Eritrea 's only psychiatrist, Dr Tekeleab, a GP and the Reverend Gebremebhin are all Orthodox priests involved in
the renewal movement within the Orthodox Church.

On May 22 2002, the government banned all but three denominations - the Orthodox, Evangelical Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches.
The arrest of these three Orthodox priests is a further attack on religious liberty in Eritrea . It shows the government is even prepared to
restrict the activities of denominations which are officially authorized to function.

Eritrean security forces have raided dozens of homes and have arrested hundreds of Christians, including young children, simply for having
a Bible or attending a Christian meeting. There are reported to be an estimated 400 Christians in prison, many having served more than
two years.

In terms of religious liberties, Eritrea is the third most repressive country in Africa after Somalia and Sudan .

Eritrea 's government also carries out other serious human rights abuses. Since 1998 the government has regularly conducted arbitrary
mass round ups of people within the age of enlistment in order to find 'draft dodgers.'

The most recent on November 4 ended in tragedy. The government is reported to have indiscriminately rounded up thousands of people
under the age of 50 and detained them in the infamous Adi Abeito army camp just outside the capital Asmara .

A prison wall either fell or was pushed over by some of the prisoners. As the wall fell it is reported to have killed five guards. The rest of the
guards began firing at the crowd, killing between 20 and 50 people and injuring scores more.

According to one report the authorities hastily buried some of the dead while the injured were hospitalized pending re-arrest. The
government has attempted to dismiss reports on the incident as 'overblown', and has insisted on describing the victims of the round up as
'gangsters' and draft dodgers.

Nevertheless according to reports, the situation in the country remains extremely tense. In the aftermath of this incident the European
Parliament passed a resolution condemning human rights abuses in Eritrea . The resolution demanded a full investigation into the incident
and expressed anxiety regarding the well-being of alleged draft dodgers who continue to be held in detention. It also called on Eritrea to
abide by international human rights conventions, and to immediately release the 11 former members of the ruling party imprisoned without
charge since September 2001.

In a response from Yemane Gebremeskel, President Isaias Afeworki's Chief of Staff, the Eritrean government dismissed the resolution as
'extremely inappropriate'. Gebremeskel went on to say that only two people had died during the incident and to add that the resolution
would 'only reduce the influence of the European Parliament'.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

During May 2004, three senior Church leaders were arrested. The Reverend Haile Naizge, chairman of the Full Gospel Church , Dr. Kuflu
Gebremeskel, chairman of the Eritrean Evangelical Alliance and Pastor Tesfatsion Hagos of the Rhema Evangelical Church in Asmara were
initially held in police cells in the Eritrean capital. It was reported in August that the three leaders had been transferred from these cells to an
unknown location.

The three pastors are now thought to be held incommunicado in Wengel Mermera investigation centre, the dungeon-like inner prison in
Asmara where many of Eritrea 's prominent political prisoners are also believed to be held.

At the time Reverend Naizge was detained, his mother was already seriously ill and had been in hospital for over a month with heart
problems. She had already lost two sons who died as war heroes in the struggle for independence, thus the family did not inform her of her
son's arrest for more than a month. She has since died without being able to see her son for the last time.
Pastor Hagos' father also died while he was in detention and the pastor was unable to attend his funeral.

-------------------------------
April 2, 2004 Christian Families Jailed for Praying Together
Eritrean authorities have raided the private homes of Christians, arresting and jailing adults and children praying and reading the Bible
together.

Kelete, a lay leader in the Rema Church in the capital Asmara, was arrested in his home at midnight on March 17th with his wife, six
children and his father-in-law, according to news agency Compass Direct.

The nine Christians were having family devotions together in the evening when, without warning, the police raided the home and put them
all under arrest. After spending the night at a nearby police station, the family was transferred to the Adi Abeto prison outside Asmara.

The following evening another Rema Church leader was arrested with his wife and five children and taken to Police Station No. 5. The
entire family was sent to the same prison the following day. The church leader was charged with trying to "start a new religion". An official at
the police station reportedly remarked that President Isaias Afwerki had ordered the police and military to arrest any individuals and groups
not belonging to Eritrea's four 'official' religions (Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Muslim).

In another arrest on February 23rd, ten believers from the Full Gospel Church in Asmara, meeting in a home in the Aba Shwale district of
Asmara, were taken to jail. According to Compass Direct, all remain in prison except for an elderly lady hosting the group, who was ordered
to pay a fine of 500 Nakfa ($36, locally more than half a month's salary) for holding an illegal meeting for worship in her home.

In mid February, 51 Christians from Asmara's Hallelujah Church were arrested. 46 remain under incommunicado detention at either the Adi
Abeto or Mai Serwa military prisons. For the first time, criminal charges and fines were levied against members of unauthorized churches.

All of Eritrea's independent Protestant denominations were closed by government order on May 22, 2002, and their congregations are now
forbidden to hold church meetings, even in private homes. This is the first time time that families have been penalized for worshipping
together in their homes. At least 385 Protestant Christians are confirmed jailed and several have been subjected to severe torture for
refusing to recant their faith. Some have been imprisoned for nearly two years.

On March 5th, during the ceremonial installation of the new patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, President Afwerki accused several
religious groups of having been duped by foreigners who sought to "distract from the unity of the Eritrean people and distort the true
meaning of religion." He added that such "futile efforts" would not be tolerated by his government. Subsequently on March 18th, police
arrested 20 members of the Kale Hiwot Church in Assab as they attended a home group meeting. Compass Direct also reports that on the
following day the security services began to monitor the Sunday school meetings of a group of young adults from the Orthodox Church and
their young priest whom they accused of conducting 'illegal activities'. Then on March 19th, police arrested Yona Haile, an Eritrean Christian
singer, accusing him of activities contrary to government policies.

Mervyn Thomas, CSW-USA Boardmember and Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said: "These latest arrests in Eritrea show the government to
be acting against universal standards of human rights and religious freedom. Arresting whole families simply for worshipping in the privacy
of their own homes is an outrage which must not be tolerated by the international community.

"CSW will continue to work for the freedom of these innocent believers and to get this discriminatory government edict overturned."

The Eritrean Christian Fellowship in Europe has called on the President to end the persecution which has overtaken so many Eritrean
Christians.

In a petition signed by representatives from across Europe, they write: "You yourself have on many occasions attested that Eritrea's biggest
asset is the unity of Eritreans. Actions such as the current purge against Eritrean Christians grossly undermines this asset, inflicting
widespread damage on the fabric of the society, more so than any enemy from within or outside the country."

----------------------------
August 20, 2003 Protestors for religious freedom outside Eritrean
Embassy in London
Protestors are campaigning this week outside the Eritrean Embassy in response to the growing persecution of Christians in that country.

The campaigners from All Saints C of E Church, Carnegie Street, Islington are raising awareness and gathering signatures for a petition
outside the embassy in White Lion Street, London.

Reverend Martyn Saunders said: "All Saints Church is a local congregation of the Church of England. As such we seek to serve the local
community, by showing God's love in action as well as in words. When we were made aware of the present situation in Eritrea, we were
moved to prayer and action.

"Having discovered that the Eritrean embassy is only a few streets away from our church, we felt we could do no other than to make our
protest felt. So, throughout the week of August 18th, church members and friends have been on the street outside the embassy, praying for
change, explaining to passers by and embassy staff about the situation, and garnering signatures to a petition seeking for the enactment of
the humans rights treaties which the government has already signed."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: "We are really encouraged to see the local church take such
decisive and timely action on behalf of Christians in Eritrea.

"We will do our part by continuing to highlight abuses of religious freedom and to campaign for reconciliation between the Eritrean Orthodox
Church and other denominations."

Africa's newest country of four million people is almost evenly split between Christians and Muslims and generally interfaith relations have
been good. The main problems for Christians seem to come from the alliance between the state and the Orthodox Church.

In January, 2003, 50 members of the Charismatic Rhema Church in the capital Asmara were jailed for ten days following a police raid on
New Year celebrations.

From February to March, Christian NGO Compass Direct reported that 170 Christians were jailed, beaten and threatened with death by
security forces following five separate raids on worship services, wedding ceremonies and other gatherings. Those who bailed out jailed
relatives were forced to sign a document saying they were liable to execution if they were caught at any subsequent church meeting.

On April 17th, a group of 15 Christians in Kushte, nine kilometers from Asmara, needed hospital treatment after an attack by a stick-
wielding mob which allegedly included four Orthodox priests.

Groups of churchgoers have been forcibly taken to military training camps, and on April 26th, two young people from the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Asmara were arrested after proceeding through the streets to celebrate Easter.

Persecution is said to be particularly intense in the armed forces where at least 77 soldiers, including 13 women and 16 married men are
reported to have been jailed. All are Protestants and all were jailed for refusing to deny their beliefs and return to Orthodoxy. They have
been denied contact with their relatives and most have now been incarcerated for over a year. According to Christian News Agency
Compass Direct, several have suffered severe, and in some cases debilitating, physical and sexual abuse.
On May 1, 2003, the Eritrean government issued a blanket denial of the existence of persecution in the country stating that 'no groups or
persons are persecuted in Eritrea for their beliefs or religion' and that people were 'free to worship according to their wish'. However, six
days later police raided prayer meetings held in the private homes of the members of the Rhema Church in Asmara, arresting 54 members
and two evangelists and charging them with holding illegal meetings. Persecution has since continued unabated.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year war, Eritrea has struggled to rebuild a shattered infrastructure.

The ruling Popular Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), in fear of extreme groups of either Christians or Muslims, has banned religious
organizations from involvement in politics or from commenting in detail on political matters.

The PFDJ is close to the Orthodox Church, but is suspicious of newer groups such as Evangelicals, Charismatics and Pentecostals. Non-
orthodox church buildings have been confiscated, meetings have been disrupted, and church leaders and members have been detained,
beaten, tortured, threatened and even killed.

On May 21, 2002, the PFDJ issued a decree closing all churches not belonging to the Orthodox, Roman Catholic or Evangelical Lutheran
denominations. So far 36 churches have been closed.

Article 19 of the Eritrean Constitution allows for freedom of conscience, religion, movement, assembly, organization and expression of
opinion. However, the constitution has yet to be implemented. Eritrea has also acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and
the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, all of which contain provisions for freedom of religion.

The country's robust post-independence foreign policy has meant that neighboring countries have been more than willing to harbor Eritrean
opposition forces. This in turn has caused the ruling Popular Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) to develop what one observer has
termed a 'persecution complex'. The government has become increasingly repressive, cracking down on students, journalists, religious
groupings and even ruling party members.

-------------------------------
September 12, 2002 Church Closures Accompany New Wave of
Intolerance in Eritrea
Persecution of evangelical and charismatic Christians has broken out in Eritrean following several years of harassment.

In 2001, young people were beaten, their property vandalized, and Bibles and other religious materials burned in an officially sanctioned
attack within an Orthodox church in the capital Asmara. Church leaders initiated the attack on the pretext of dealing with so-called 'heretics'
in their midst.

In 2002, government spokespersons began comparing Pentecostal/charismatic and evangelical churches with Islamists and branded them
a danger to
national security. As a consequence of this, all churches not belonging to the Orthodox, Catholic or Lutheran denominations in Eritrea were
ordered to close in May 2002. More than 36 churches have been closed so far and some Christians even find it difficult to meet in their
homes.

For some years now, followers of newer denominations deemed 'heretical' by the authorities, have experienced harassment. Non-Orthodox
church buildings have been confiscated and some church leaders have been detained in rural areas. Officials now seem to be increasing
their clampdown on believers throughout the country.

Persecution is reported to be particularly bad in the armed forces after large numbers of Eritrean soldiers were strengthened in their faith by
tuning in to FEBA radio, which broadcasts Christian programs from the Seychelles. Prayer meetings in the army are now forbidden and
attendance is punishable by imprisonment. Anyone found in possession of a Bible faces severe punishment and there are unconfirmed
reports of several young Christian soldiers having been shot after being discovered reading the Bible.

CSW is calling on the Government of Eritrea to honor its commitments under both national and international law to respect religious
freedom.

CSW is encouraging supporters to write to the Eritrean ambassador in Washington asking him to urge his government to reconsider its
enmity towards
Christians who belong to the newer denominations.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said: "Religious freedom has been gradually eroded in Eritrea until today when there seems
to be a renewed
clampdown on believers.

"We call on the international community to speak up for those who are being persecuted for their faith before the situation becomes even
more serious
and we call on church leaders of all denominations to work for reconciliation and unity."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Eritrea became independent of Italy in 1941 after over 50 years of colonial rule, but a 30-year war of independence from Ethiopia began in
1962. In 1993
Eritrea became Africa's 52nd state, but war broke out again between Eritrea and Ethiopia in 1998.
In 2000 an international peacekeeping force created a buffer zone between the two countries.

In the last two years, the ruling Popular Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) has become increasingly intolerant of dissent.

Under the pretext of maintaining national unity, the government has banned religious organizations from involvement in politics. The PFDJ
has also
placed such severe restrictions on international NGOs that they have all but wound up their activities.

The population of Eritrea is divided almost equally between Muslims and Christians and interfaith relations are generally good. The PFDJ,
which is
close to the Orthodox Church, is concerned to crack down on any perceived extremism, be it from Muslims or Christians.

Civil servants, students and politicians are fleeing the repression, and during the first two weeks of August this year, 26 Eritreans fled to
Ethiopia, and on September 6 Eritrea's ambassador to Sudan abandoned his post and fled to Europe.

January 23, 2001 French legislation threatens religious freedom

As French senators prepare for a vote on legislation that will limit religious liberty in France, human rights organization Christian Solidarity
Worldwide (CSW) calls on them to remember France's commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights, the OSCE and the
United Nations.

The "Anti-sect Law," passed in June 2000 in France's National Assembly, will be presented to the French Senate for a vote on January 25.
Among other restrictions the bill, which never actually defines the term "sect", would impose a sentence of up to five years detention and a
fine of up to five million francs for causing a "state of subjection" either physical or psychological, through the "exercise of serious and
repeated pressures or techniques aimed at altering the capacity of judgment."

The vagueness of the clause leaves it open to abuse and has been criticized repeatedly by a number of international human rights
organizations and political bodies.

Representatives of a wide assortment of religious groups in France have expressed fear that if this bill is passed it will encourage and even
enable discrimination on the basis of religious faith.

Their fears are well-founded, as after the Inter-ministerial Mission for the Battle Against Sects published a list of 173 identifiable "sects"
(including such mainstream Christian groups as the Baptists and Youth With a Mission), members of the listed groups reported increased
discrimination and harassment.

The current bill will allow "anyone having an interest" to initiate civil proceedings to dissolve an organization, putting an effective tool into
the hands of any biased individual or group to attack or harass a particular religious group.

In addition, the bill includes a provision which will broaden the term "corporate entity" to include entities that are legally distinct but "who
through their name or their statutes pursue the same purpose and are united by common interests."

This would in effect give judges the right to dissolve an entire organization based on a case brought against a separate group which was
deemed to have "common interests." The inherent subjectivity and sweeping effects of such a law would pose a severe threat to all
legitimate religious organization operating in France.

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly has begun an investigation on the issue of religious discrimination in France under the
oversight of Turkish MP, Mr. Akcali, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe. Whilst CSW commends this action
by the Council of Europe, CSW's Anna Lee Stangl, states, "It is our hope that on January 25 the French senators defeat this bill and
encourage the National Assembly to seek a path of religious tolerance and diversity, upholding France's own fundamental principles of
"Liberte, Egalite, and Fraternite" for all, regardless of their choice of faith."

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Haiti
Religious Persecution Intensifies In Haiti... World Help to participate in
National Day of Prayer
Source: World Help

Today, Eric Vess and I are leaving to join our dear friend and ministry partner, J.L. Williams of New
Directions International in the country of Haiti.

Haiti has suffered under the bondage of Voodoo for 200 years. The economic and spiritual poverty as
well as the prolonged political instability that continues to plague Haiti are directly connected to the
nation's heritage of Voodoo worship.

Recently a group of evangelical Haitian pastors met to plan a National Day of Prayer in an effort to
counter a celebrated day of witchcraft that will take place August 14. This date is celebrated annually as
the Boukman sacrifice. Boukman was a former slave who used voodoo as the medium to rally other
slaves to revolt by sacrificing a pig, drinking its blood and thus forming a pact with the devil (voodoo
gods). In this pact, the Haitians gave their land to the devil for 200 years in exchange for freedom from
the white French oppression.

Many Haitians still believe that it was because of Boukman that they have their independence today, but
they are believing a lie. Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. If I could take you to Haiti
with me, you wouldn't see freedom at all. but you would see bondage, hopelessness and despair.

This Thursday, I have been invited to speak at the National Day of Prayer in Haiti. This will be a day of
urgent prayer as we seek God's wisdom and direction! This is spiritual warfare at its most intense!

Last week a baby was stolen from the hospital in St. Marc. The reason the child is to be sacrificed to
appease the Voodoo gods for the so-called special day of celebration. There are generally two ways
they sacrifice children. One is in a large grinding pot. They place the child in the pot and proceed to grind
the child while still alive. The other way is even more demonic as they hang the child upside down by his
feet and place a large bowl beneath him. The child hangs until dead as the body releases its fluids into the
bowl. The bowl is then placed in the sun to dry. Afterward, the priest takes what is left of the young child
and grinds the body into a powder to use for his Voodoo ceremony. Can you imagine?

This is the kind of satanic worship and bondage that has gripped the Haitian people for over 200 years!

The president of Haiti has recognized Voodoo as an "official religion," giving it equal footing with
Christianity. He has even offered payments to local radio stations to play Voodoo music all day during
the Day of Prayer in an open attack on Christians and the Church. Many of the Voodoo witchdoctors
want to re-ratify the 200-year-old pact.

We cannot sit idly by and watch this happen! We must respond to God's call to do spiritual battle for the
soul of this suffering nation. Haiti belongs to Jesus Christ, not to Satan (Psalm 2:8).

World Help is committed to meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the Haitian people in order to
break the "strongholds of the evil one."

I am calling on everyone I know to focus their prayers toward the nation of Haiti this week! Pray . for
church unity, courage, protection and anointing. Urgently petition God to intervene on Haiti's behalf. This
is our opportunity to see Satan defeated! PLEASE PRAY!

WorldHelp.net

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

India
January 10, 2005 Indian priest attacked in church on Christmas Eve
An Indian priest needed 17 stitches after being attacked at the altar of his church on Christmas Eve.

The Reverend Father Saji Abraham was preparing to conduct a service at St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Banswara, Rajasthan. When he
went to the sacristy to put aside the holy bread for use during the worship, he was followed by three men.

He asked them to remain outside, but was attacked with metal rods. The priest fell down under the force of the blows, suffering heavy
bleeding from his head injuries. When he regained consciousness, he rang church members for help on his mobile phone. He was taken to
hospital where he was last reported to be in a critical condition.

On the same day, a Christian driver in Ahmedabad, Gujarat , was reportedly attacked when he asked for a salary advance to celebrate
Christmas. Robinson Joseph had petrol poured over him and was set on fire. He suffered about 26 percent burns and was admitted to
hospital. The All India Christian Council (AICC) took up his case with the local police, but was told the accused had fled.

There have been a number of other incidents in India over the last few weeks where Christians have been threatened or attacked. Again in
Gujarat , anti-Christian pamphlets and books accused Christians of forcibly converting Hindus from poor backgrounds in the south of the
state. On December 18, the police arrested a man allegedly working for an organization linked to the militant Hindu Vishwa Hindu Parishad
(VHP) after he was found distributing such leaflets.

In Rajasthan, two Christian pastors were attacked on December 10 on their way to a prayer service by a group which accused them of
converting others. The police protected the men from the attackers who reportedly belonged to the Hindu extremist Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) group.

Also in Rajasthan, a Christian orphanage in Baran reported in early December that it may have to relocate because of anti-Christian
threats. Despite police protection, tensions in the region have forced the orphanage to relocate the children.

Dr Joseph D'Souza, President of the All India Christian Council, said: "On behalf of the All India Christian Council, I want to express my
deep concern and sorrow for this type of persecution against Christians and other minorities that continues across the nation of India .
Despite a new and secular government elected in 2004, we maintain our outcry against the activities of extreme Hindutva followers who
insist on inciting violence. The All India Christian Council stands by those who have been attacked and will do everything within our power
to bring justice in these situations."

-----------------------------
October 14, 2004 Indian Christians attacked in ongoing campaign of
violence
Indian Christians continue to be attacked in India on an almost daily basis.

On October 5 two Indian missionary pastors serving with Gospel for Asia (GFA) were beaten and kidnapped by a group of militant Hindus in
Chattisgarh state, central India .

The two, named Tulsiram and Vijay, were preparing to baptize 32 new believers when they were attacked. After beating the two
missionaries, the attackers dragged them out of the village and took them to an unknown location. It is reported that the kidnapping was
part of a plan to stop them from continuing ministry in the village.

Vijay managed to escape and ran nearly 25 miles to tell the GFA district leader about the incident. The 32 believers whom they were
planning to baptise were the first converts of his ministry in the village, so the attack seems to have been deliberately timed.

After being badly beaten and threatened, Tulsiram was released the next day.

At the end of September, a group of Hindu militants in India 's southern state of Karnataka threatened to kill an Indian pastor in front of his
family and to torture church members as part of a widespread campaign against missionaries.

Pastor Kumar had received threats from anti-Christian groups over the past few weeks in the village where he and his family arrived two
years ago to preach the gospel and to establish a church. The militants had also threatened that anyone who went to the church - including
the 40 new believers over the last two years - would be killed.

On October 1 they threatened Pastor Kumar that if he went to church to lead the service that Sunday (October 3) they would kill him in front
of his family. In the end the pastor and the other believers, following police advice, stayed away from the church and met elsewhere in
secret.

These attacks follow other disturbing incidents in late September. On September 25 a group of nuns and priests from Mother Teresa's
order, the Missionaries of Charity, were attacked by suspected militant Hindus in the state of Kerala, southern India .

They had been visiting a slum area on the outskirts of the city of Kozhikode to bring food for the inhabitants.

They were attacked by a small group suspected of belonging to Hindu militant groups. The group was shouting slogans in support of the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has links with Hindu militant groups such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

According to reports, the City Police Commissioner confirmed he believed that RSS and BJP activists were behind the attack. Although the
culprits escaped at the time, by October 7 the police had made 12 arrests in connection with the attacks.

The RSS issued a statement denying any involvement. It did, however, take advantage of the situation to demand a probe into alleged
conversions by Christian groups - even though conversions are allowed by the Indian constitution.

These two incidents follow on from a spate of others around India over the last months. Despite victory for the Congress-led coalition in
May's general election, which many believed would be beneficial for non-Hindus, attacks from those believed to be Hindu militants have
continued unabated.

Sam Paul of the All India Christian Council said: "The previous BJP-led regime had been indifferent to the attacks on the minorities by
groups like the RSS. This encouraged those groups to continue with their attacks. The current United Progressive Alliance government has
promised to take action to prevent such attacks, and we are hopeful that it will do so".

NOTES TO EDITORS:

On August 28, also in Kerala, a Roman Catholic priest, Father Job Chittilappilly, was killed. He had been threatened in the period leading up
to the attack by phone calls because of his alleged spreading of the Christian message and his pastoral activities among Hindu families.
The police ruled out robbery as a motive because nothing was taken. The crime investigators said the murder was likely to have been a
deliberate execution. A 25-year-old man later arrested in connection with the murder is reported to have strong links to Hindu militant
groups.

On August 22, armed assailants attacked and beat up a Father John Sunderam, in Jharkhand state. The attack left him in a coma. Another
priest, Father Albanus Tirkey, was hospitalized.

On August 26, a group of 300 Hindu militants stormed the Church of Our Lady of Charity in the town of Raikia , in Orissa state. The
attackers burst into the church and burned Bibles while tearing down the Tabernacle, destroying statues of saints, and damaging musical
instruments, doors, windows, and other church property. Police were present but did not intervene.

Four young Christian women from a Bible college were attacked whilst handing out Gospel tracts in Orissa on August 13. Their attacker
then tried to kidnap the wife of the pastor in charge of the team. When this failed, he went to the police and filed a false complaint against
the Christians, leading the authorities to arrest the pastor and all four women. They were later released.

On September 12 a group of Hindu militants attacked a church in Udupi in Karnataka state. They attacked the Christians who had gathered
to worship. Four Christians, including the church leader, Pastor Gopinathan, were injured and had to be taken to hospital. The militants also
caused extensive damage inside the church.

On September 29 in Kerala, suspected militants vandalized the Saint Thomas Mar Thoma Church in the state capital Trivandrum .

Other minority communities have also suffered from violence recently. On August 28, six Muslims were hurt in blasts at two mosques in
western India as unidentified men on motorcycles hurled bombs in two different locations in Maharashtra .

------------------------------
September 15, 2004 Update on recent attacks upon Christians in India
Dear Friends,

Several Christians have been murdered and others attacked during the last few weeks. This is despite the hopes many had had for a better
future after the defeat of the BJP-led government in May's general election. Would you join us in prayer and action on behalf of India 's
Christians?

Father Job Chittilappilly

On 28 August, a Roman Catholic priest, Father Job Chittilappilly, was killed at his parish in the town of Thuruthiparambu in Kerala. He had
received threatening phone calls in the period leading up to the attack because of his alleged proselytism and his pastoral activities among
Hindu families. This suggests that the murder was premeditated and planned by Hindu militants. Furthermore, crime investigators said that
the murder was likely to have been a deliberate execution.

Some days later a worker for the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party], which has close links with Hindu militants, was arrested for the murder.

However, many local Christians believe that there were others involved in the murder and have called for the "real culprits" to be brought to
justice.

Dr Jeremiah Sunder
Meanwhile, several Christians were killed in the town of Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh state, in north India , on 25 August. A mob of people burst
into the house of Dr. Jeremiah Sunder, a 47 year old neurosurgeon and an active member of the local Christian community. The attackers
killed Dr. Jeremiah along with his wife Hannah and his mother Pankajam.

The assailants also tried to kill Dr Jeremiah's two children who were at school, but were thwarted by the principal of the school who refused
to let the mob have access to the children.

It is reported that the assailants had ties to a local politician belonging to the BJP.

The main reason for the attack appears to have been a dispute over land that Dr Sunder was trying to buy. However, since he was buying
the land for Christian purposes (the land was to be for a nursing home), the incident may have had religious connotations as well.

Other Incidents
Other Christians have been attacked and at times severely wounded. On 22 August, armed assailants attacked and beat up a parish priest,
Father John Sunderam, in Kubbu in Jharkhand state's Lohardaga district. The attack left him in a coma and another priest, Father Albanus
Tirkey, hospitalised.

On 26 August, a group of 300 Hindu fundamentalists stormed the Church of Our Lady of Charity in the town of Raikia , in Orissa. The
attackers burst into the church and burned Bibles while tearing down the Tabernacle, destroying statues of saints, and damaging musical
instruments, doors, windows, and other church property. Police were present but did not intervene.

Other minority communities have also suffered from violence recently. On 28 August, six Muslims were hurt in blasts at two mosques in
western India as unidentified men on motorcycles hurled bombs in Jalna town and the Parbhani district in Maharashtra .

There has been some good news. On 9 September three Gospel for Asia native missionaries captured by 'an anti-Christian mob' in the
Indian state of Bihar , and threatened with death, were released.

New Law
The new Congress-led government has announced that it is planning a new law to protect religious minorities from communal violence and
an initiative to establish a commission to enhance welfare, education and employment for minorities in India .

However, it remains to be seen whether the government, in the midst of its other commitments, and facing inevitable opposition from the
BJP on the matter, will carry out its plan. CSW recently spoke with an Indian Congress MP and he was cautious about the chances of
success.

Many thanks for your ongoing support and prayers.

Please Pray
Please pray for the safety of Christians in India , especially those who are particularly targeted by the Hindu militants - pastors, priests,
evangelists, missionaries, and church workers. Pray that they will continue to go about their work boldly and that God will protect them.

Pray that the Government does have the courage to proceed with the two measures [see above] to help the minorities, even in the face of
inevitable opposition from the militant Hindu elements, and that these measures prove genuinely effective.

Please Act
Please write to the Indian Government, thanking them for their intention to bring in a law to crack down on violence against minorities in
India, but urging that it be brought in quickly, in light of the above incidents (you could refer to the incidents collectively, or mention a few of
the key ones as examples).

Write to:

Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister

Government of India , South Block, New Delhi-110001, INDIA
Fax: (91) 11 23016857

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name). Ask your Congressperson to raise
your concerns with both the Congress and Secretary of State Colin Powell, and to additionally raise this in appropriate international forums.
You can address this issue with the Secretary of State as well by writing to:

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

-----------------------------
July 8, 2004 Urgent action to protect Indian Christians
Dear Friends,

You will probably be aware, from CSW and other sources, that the Government headed by the BJP (a party which has close links to militant
Hindus) lost the recent Indian elections. Many Christians believe that this is an answer to prayer. Under the BJP-led Government,
persecution of Christians and other minorities had increased dramatically. The BJP had also been reportedly planning to bring in a national
anti-conversion law. In the wake of the election result, other positive events have happened, including the repeal of the state anti-
conversion law in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. However, it would be a mistake to believe that all is now flourishing for Christians in
India. Serious problems remain. The first of these is the continuing persecution and intimidation of Christians and other minorities in states
where the BJP still hold power, notably Gujarat. Reports indicate that the Gujarat government has been misusing state apparatus, including
the police, the Charity Commissioner and other bodies, to interrogate and harass human rights activists. One of these is the veteran
campaigner, Fr. Cedric Prakash, the head of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). He has recently received personal threats and was
interrogated by the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) Crime Branch, Gandhinagar three times between June 12 and 14, 2004. The
authorities are apparently trying to "prove" that he is "anti-national" (a favorite charge that hard-line Hindus like to throw at non-Hindu
minorities).

Attempts have even been made to impound his passport. This would be a grievous blow to Fr. Prakash as he frequently travels abroad to
highlight the plight of the minorities in parts of India today. Prashant, the organization he founded and runs, has been vocal in the past and
continues to campaign for justice for the victims of the Gujurat massacres of 2002. Their work continues even now under the new United
Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government and it is for this reason that Fr. Prakesh is currently believed to be at risk from militant groups. The
other main threat to Christians is that the attacks upon them, often by members of militant Hindu groups such as the VHP, RSS and Bajrang
Dal continue. These organizations have not been cowed by the result of the election. One recent example of this comes from Tamil Nadu.
About 50 Bajrang Dal activists stormed into the Independent Church at Berikkai in Hosur district and attacked Pastor Govindraj on May 5
2004. After ransacking the place of worship, they left, shouting a triumphant Hindu slogan. In Tripura state, on April 19, a missionary of the
Evangelical Congregational Church of India, Letthang Gangte, and his family were attacked and badly beaten in their own home by a gang
of assailants, in the village of Rajghat, West Tripura. The attack is believed to be in response to a propaganda campaign by local militant
Hindu groups against conversions to Christianity. The attackers are thus likely to be either members of those groups or at least inspired by
their rhetoric. Across the country, the RSS and other militant groups are expanding. For example, the RSS and its front organization
Dharma Jagran Vibhag (religious awakening department) have decided to set up youth cadres in every village of the tribal Chhatisgarh
state in Central India. These will be called the Raksha Sena or Defense Army, and their declared aim is to prevent conversions to
Christianity.

This is bad enough, but it is also feared that cadres such as these, containing trained, enthusiastic volunteers who are zealous advocates
of the militant Hindu doctrine of Hindutva, could be used to attack Christians and other minorities. Similarly the VHP plans to triple its
presence within two years in India's highly sensitive tribal belt that spans the six states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,
Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand. All these states are still run by the BJP. The VHP is working in partnership with another militant group, the
Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, which is notorious for turning tribals against Christians and Muslims and for attacking Christian institutions and
personnel.

Moreover, the RSS is suspected to be playing a major role in the launch of a new digital television channel, which, according to one
observer, is intended to "whip 90 million television households into a patriotic frenzy." Anti-Christian messages continue to proliferate on
Hindu militant e-mail and web forums. For example, a contributor to one of these claimed "if these missionaries aren't converting everyone
they cross, they sure are poisening [sic] their mind into accepting Christianity as a great savior religion". Another was of the opinion that
there was a Christian plot "to corrupt [us] and kill us off". A third suggested "I think the only way to stop this [Christian] invasion is to
pressure the government/censorboard to instate laws that will ban agains [sic] anti-hindu content".

It has been seen in the past, in many countries, that such inflammatory language and views, when widely disseminated, are often the
precursor to acts of violence against the target minority community. Let us pray that this is not the case in India.

Thank you for your support and for your ongoing prayers.

Action requested:

Please write polite letters requesting the Indian government to:-

1) protect human right activists in Gujarat, and to investigate the alleged misuse of local government resources

2) curb the growing power of the militant groups such as the RSS and VHP, and to investigate the overseas funding of such groups. Send
letters to:

Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, President of India

Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, INDIA
Fax: (91) 11 23017290, 23017824

Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister

Government of India, South Block, New Delhi-110001, INDIA
Fax: (91) 11 23016857

You could send copies to:

Chair of National Human Rights Commission - Justice Anand Sardar Patel Bhavan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001, INDIA
E-mail: covdnhrc@hub.nic.in CC: chairnhrc@nic.in

Sample letter:

Your Excellency,

We welcome the steps that the new Government of India has already taken to support human rights. However, we remain gravely
concerned about a number of human rights issues. The first is that attacks against minorities in some states in India are continuing [you
could give the examples given in the Urgent Action text above]. Some of these seem to have been undertaken by members of militant
groups such as the Bajrang Dal. The second is that there are concerns for the safety of human rights activists in Gujarat, who have been
defending the secular nature of the Indian Constitution. We are particularly concerned by threats made to Fr. Cedric Prakash. It is also
disturbing to hear allegations that the Gujarat government has been misusing various government bodies such as the police and the
Charity Commissioner to harass human rights defenders and organizations. We hope that the new United Progressive Alliance government
will uphold the rights of the people, especially in troubled states like Gujarat.

India is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which states [article 18] that "Everyone shall have the right to
freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion". Article 25 of the Indian
constitution also guarantees this right. I am concerned that the activities of extremist groups such as the VHP and the Bajrang Dal are
jeopardizing these freedoms in parts of India. Therefore, we kindly ask your government to:

1) Take appropriate action to protect human right activists in Gujarat.

2) Investigate the alleged abuses at state and local government level and take appropriate action against anyone found to have done
wrong.

3) Investigate the abuses committed by the VHP, the RSS, and the Bajrang Dal.

Yours respectfully and sincerely,

---------------------------------
May 20, 2004 Repeal of anti-conversion law promised after shock Indian
election result
The Chief Minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu has announced she will be repealing the anti-conversion law which she introduced less
than two years ago. Ms Jayalalitha said she was repealing the law of October 2002 having listened to the request of the minority
communities, most of whom had opposed it all along. She added that she hoped it would also "clear any misconception" which had been
caused. Some observers have linked her sudden decision to the poor showing of her party in the Indian election. State elections in Tamil
Nadu are due in two years, and on the current showing of her party's electoral fortunes, Ms Jayalalitha would lose those elections. CSW
was among the many organizations which opposed the anti-conversion law when it was brought in, and has welcomed this announcement.

India's Christians have naturally welcomed the news as well as the surprise election result, which saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of
Prime Minister Vajpayee removed from office.
Dr Joseph D'Souza, President of the All India Christian Council, described how having the Hindu nationalist BJP in control was a "grim
situation". He explained how they had taken control of the education system in India, rewriting textbooks and history books and getting
control of universities.

He added the BJP was a large funder of the schools run by the Hindu militant group the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to promote
the Hindu religion. In addition he said that the BJP had been planning to introduce a nationwide anti-conversion law. This law has already
been enacted in five states, banning conversions by 'force, fraud or allurement'. While innocent sounding, the legislation has meant that in
practice humanitarian initiatives have been endangered and even those who freely convert in these states are at risk under this law.

Dr D'Souza said: "Civil society is now looking forward to the rejection of the Hindutva agenda that has affected many areas of Indian life. A
national anti-conversion law is now out of the question. Most certainly, there will be a review of the anti-terrorism laws that have been used
to victimize the innocent. Civil society wants an immediate review of the education policies adopted by the outgoing dispensation. Most
importantly more attention needs to be given to the oppressed people, the Dalits.

"We expect the national government not to condone harassment of minorities and the Dalits. We also expect the processes of justice to be
expedited. We expect the government to protect our religious freedom and the freedom to exercise all our spiritual and social rights. Let us
pray for India."

Tina Lambert, CSW-UK's Advocacy Director said: "CSW welcomes the Chief Minister's promise to repeal this discriminatory legislation. It
comes just after an election result which clearly demonstrates voters' rejection of the hard-line Hindu nationalist agenda pursued by the BJP
in recent years. We hope and expect that the new Government will support the constitutional right to freedom of religion and bring to justice
those responsible for acts of violence against minorities. Prayer and campaigning is still needed to ensure human rights are respected at
the state and local level."

------------------------------
April 21 2004 Correction to Indian missionary killer contests Indian
election
Although an agent for the nationalist Hindu Mahasabha party announced the candidature of Dara Singh, this was never formally filed.

A spokesman for the party said he was preparing to submit an application for the convicted killer of missionary Graham Staines. CSW has
since learned it was never actually filed.

CSW apologizes for any confusion caused.

Graham Staines and his sons, aged ten and eight, were murdered in a remote village on January 22, 1999. Dara Singh was sentenced to
death in September last year. The judge also sentenced 12 of Singh's associates to life imprisonment for their involvement in the killings.

---------------------------
April 20 2004 Missionary killer Dara Singh contests Indian elections
The man convicted for killing an Australian missionary and his two sons in Orissa in 1999 is contesting parliamentary elections in India.

Dara Singh, who was sentenced to death in September last year, will stand for the Hindu Mahasabha, a Hindu nationalist party. Orissa has
an allocation of 21 seats on the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Singh is standing for election for Puri, a town on the eastern coast,
which has one of these seats.

Singh is currently in Cuttack Circle Jail, Choudwar and is to have his appeal heard in Orissa High Court. Indian election rules allow
prisoners to stand for seats, but not to vote.

Graham Staines and his sons, aged ten and eight, were murdered in a remote village on January 22, 1999.The judge also sentenced 12 of
Singh's associates to life imprisonment for their involvement in the killings.

Polls opened in the Indian elections today and more than 600 million voters will elect 543 members of parliament for another five years,
with the results known on 13 May.

Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director of CSW, said: "To put up for election a man convicted of murdering a Christian missionary and his young
family is at best distasteful and at worst a deliberately provocative move.

"CSW hopes and prays that local voters will send a strong message to Dara Singh and those he represents by overwhelmingly voting
against him and thus against the militant Hindu movement."

For more information, please contact Richard Chilvers, Communications Manager, CSW at richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk or ring 020 8329
0045 or visit www.csw.org.uk CSW is a human rights charity working on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs. We also
promote religious liberty for all. NOTES TO EDITORS: India is officially a secular state, where all religions have freedom of worship.
However, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians have all faced discrimination at different times since independence. Since the hardline Hindu BJP
assumed power at the head of coalition governments from 1998 onwards, persecution of Christians has increased significantly in certain
parts of the country. Extremist Hindu groups, along with state and local governments, have usually been held responsible for the
persecution, rather than the national government.
However, the BJP's emphasis on Hindu nationalism (Hindutva) has helped to create a climate in which the persecution of Christians can
flourish. The BJP is also linked with some of the extremist Hindu groups that have been implicated in attacks on Christians and Muslims.
Furthermore, as the US State Department's 2000 Annual Report on International Freedom: India states

(p.1): "ineffective investigation and prosecution of attacks on religious minorities is interpreted by some extremist elements as a signal that
such violence is likely to go unpunished." This situation is partly due to the weaknesses in the legal system, but many observers attribute it
in large part to the links between these groups and the BJP.

--------------------------
February 25, 2004 Urgent Action India: Persecution Escalates
Sadly, we have to report that since the middle of January there has been a further deterioration in the situation faced by Christians in parts
of India. A number of incidents have occurred which show that militant Hindus seem to have intensified their anti-Christian campaign.
Christians have been under the spotlight again after an "exposé" of them by an Indian news website, Tehelka. Two journalists from this
organization interviewed several Christian leaders but did so using fake Christian identities and making false claims about their purpose.
They then twisted what they were told about plans and strategies for evangelism and mission to conjure up a lurid picture of a sinister
conversion 'master plan'. They claimed, without any foundation, that the plan was backed by the US Government.

The report has already engendered much interest and debate. In the very tense atmosphere prevalent in India at the moment, it is easy to
see how it could provoke feelings of fear and hatred against Christians and could even incite more violence against them. Violence is
certainly continuing, even before this latest controversy. One of the main targets of the Hindu militants, especially recently, has been those
people who have converted to Christianity. Hindu militants claim that conversion is the "betrayal" of Hinduism and they have fears of an
exodus from the faith, which would undermine their attempts to create a Hindu state.

Last month, again in Orissa, eight Christian converts, mainly women and girls, were seized, beaten up and then tonsured (forcibly had their
heads shaven) by Hindu villagers in Kilipala village in Jagatsinghpur district, Orissa state, because they would not renounce their Christian
faith. They were also forced to undergo a "re-conversion ceremony", despite remaining true to their new faith.

Also last month, in Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh state, Hindu militants used the murder of a nine-year-old girl as an excuse for anti-Christian
violence. The girl's body was found inside a Catholic mission school compound, having been thrown there by the alleged attacker - a Hindu
- who was later arrested by the police. However, this did not stop Hindu militants from claiming falsely that the Catholic school was
responsible. A mob of nearly 500 attacked Christians and their property, causing widespread destruction and misery.

Some of you may remember that in a previous Urgent Action on India we noted that some of the main targets of the Hindu militants were
missionaries, evangelists and Christian leaders. These, like converts, still remain vulnerable targets, especially in states like Orissa. Just
last week, near Gopalpur in Ganjam District in Orissa, two evangelists and two others in their team were attacked and beaten up by Hindu
militants.

In Rajasthan state a few days ago, a mission team was attacked and their Christian literature destroyed by activists belonging to the militant
Hindu group the Bajrang Dal. This group has strong links with the militant group the VHP, about which we have written before. Shockingly,
the VHP UK branch still has charitable status. CSW is one of a number of organizations campaigning for it to be removed.

Last month, again in Orissa, six evangelists were attacked by Hindu militants and hospitalized. They had been warned to leave the area by
Hindu militants, but they refused because they felt that God had called them there and they also had new converts to look after. Shortly
afterwards they were beaten up. Even now, though, they are hoping to return.

Please Pray:
• Pray for protection for evangelists, missionaries and converts.

• Pray in particular for the eight converts who were brutally seized, beaten, partially stripped and tonsured. Pray for their physical
and emotional
healing, and that they may know God's presence in a very real and comforting way.

• Pray that the anti-Christian rhetoric of Tehelka is exposed for what it is and that it doesn't inspire a fresh round of attacks upon
Christians.

Please Act:

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, DC 20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name). Ask
your Congressperson to raise your concerns with both the Congress and Secretary of State Colin Powell, and to
additionally raise this in appropriate international forums. You can address this issue with the Secretary of State as well by
writing to:

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov
---------------------------------
September 23, 2003 Ringleader of missionary killers sentenced to death in
Indian court
A group of Hindu militants who had been accused of murdering the Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons have
been found guilty by an Indian court.

The ringleader of the group, Dara Singh, was sentenced to death, and 12 of his co-accused were sentenced to life imprisonment. They
were found guilty of rioting, arson and culpable homicide amounting to murder. One other defendant was acquitted.

In January, 1999, Graham Staines and his two sons Philip, ten, and Timothy, eight, were burned to death in their jeep by a mob of militants.
The murders took place in a remote village in Orissa state, mideast India.

Dara Singh was not arrested until over a year after the murder, having fled into hiding. There were also delays in bringing the trial to court,
and the trial itself has lasted over two years.

Although the verdict has been reached and sentence passed, all 13 defendants have the right of appeal. This could be a long process, as
they can appeal all the way to the Supreme Court, and even if that fails, they can still hope for a presidential pardon.

Graham Staines had been working to help leprosy sufferers in India for over a quarter of a century. His widow, Gladys, still lives in India.
She commented on the verdicts: "I have no bitterness because forgiveness brings healing and our land needs healing from hatred and
violence. But forgiveness and the consequences of the crime should not be mixed up... No individual is above the law of the land."

While welcoming the guilty verdicts, John Dayal, Secretary General of CSW's partner organization the All India Christian Council, cautioned
that neither the Government nor the court had sufficiently established the link between the murderers and the Hindu militant umbrella group
the Sangh Parivar, despite evidence pointing towards this. Mr. Dayal noted: "The Parivar and its doctrine of hate against religious minorities
is the ultimate criminal, and it remains unindicted, and unpunished."

CSW has been campaigning against recent legislation in two Indian states, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, which has made it harder for people to
convert from Hinduism to Christianity. There has been a growing number of attacks on Indian Christians and church property by Hindu
extremists in the last few years. There have also been many attacks by Hindus on Muslims in India, notably in Gujarat last year, where
some 2,000 Muslims were killed.

---------------------------
January 17, 2003 American Missionary Attacked and Severely Injured in
India
An American missionary was stabbed and several other Christians attacked by ten militants suspected to be members of a Hindu extremist
group.

Joseph William Cooper and the Indians with him were assaulted by a gang armed with short sticks, swords and crowbars on their return
from a gospel meeting near Kilimanoor in Kerala state in the south of India.

Mr. Cooper, 68, a bishop from the New Jerusalem Universal Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania, sustained a serious hand injury, as well
as severe bruising all over his body. Pastor Benson, an Indian pastor, and several others, received minor injuries.

The assailants were suspected of belonging to the militant Hindu group the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Police later took five
RSS activists into custody in connection with the attack. The RSS has denied any involvement, but allege that Mr. Cooper made
'inflammatory' comments at the convention, a claim denied by those present at the meeting.

The attack happened on the night of January 13, when the group was returning from a meeting organized by the Protestant Friends of Bible
Church.

This is understood to be the first time bombs have been used by the RSS against Christians in India. The use of bombs by the RSS
attackers was believed to have been to prevent other Christians from coming to the aid of the victims.

Mr. Cooper, a former professional skydiver, was taken to hospital and required surgery. His condition is now said to be stable, but he
remains in intensive care.

The attack took place in a state that has seen very few major incidents against Christians in the past. However, as CSW's partner
organization, the All India Christian Council (AICC) points out, the fact that several recent minor incidents against Christians in the state
have gone unpunished was probably an incentive for militants to try more extreme tactics.

The RSS has a counterpart in Britain, the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), which raises funds to send to India, and the incident is likely
to lead to further calls for the HSS - and other militant Hindu groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) - to be investigated.

CSW-UK's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, said: "This incident is the latest in a long line of attacks on Christians in India. Most go
unpunished. It is time the Indian Government, proud of its standing as the world's largest democracy, cracks down on Hindu militants who
choose violence and intimidation over democracy and justice."
December 9, 2002 Ian Stillman Finally Free!
Dear Friends,

Ian Stillman, the deaf and disabled Christian who has spent two years in prison in India for smuggling cannabis, has been freed.

Ian, 52, was released on Saturday December 7 at 1pm GMT from Kanda Jail in the north of India on health grounds. He spent the evening
in Shimla (north of Delhi) and then traveled to Delhi with his family and an escort from the British High Commission.

He has not been officially pardoned for drug smuggling and intends to fight for a full pardon having served two years of a ten- year
sentence.

Ian, who has an artificial leg and diabetes, is due to return to the UK on Thursday or Friday.

He was arrested in August 2000 after drugs were found in a taxi he was sharing, but he has always maintained his innocence.

He has spent most of his life working for deaf charities in India, but the authorities at the original trial refused to believe he was deaf - a
condition he has had since he was two.

Please continue to pray for Ian's health and also for him and his family's efforts to clear his name.

--------------------------------------------
December 6, 2002 Police Obstruct Mass Conversions of Untouchables to
Buddhism and Christianity
Indian police have obstructed the mass conversions of an expected 10,000 Untouchables (Dalits) by beating up believers and blocking
roads.

A mass conversion event was planned for December 6 in Chennai (formerly Madras), but the authorities in Tamil Nadu have taken
repressive measures to stop it.

Police harassed and threatened Dalit Pastor Victor Dharmaraj, the owner of the land on which the event was to happen, and later returned
to remove a thousand chairs and ejected the volunteer workers.

Eight of these volunteers were arrested and taken in for questioning where they were beaten up.

All the roads into Chennai were blocked and 60 truck loads of Dalits were stopped from coming in.

The Dalits were due to convert from the Hindu faith to Buddhism and Christianity in a bid to free themselves from the caste system. A few
hundred did manage to get into the area where the event was due to be held and there were symbolic conversions to both faiths.
Conversion events also took place outside Chennai.

In one moving public demonstration of the church's solidarity with the Dalits, Bishop M A Thomas from Rajistan washed the feet of two Dalit
men and one Dalit woman, then embraced them.

Tamil Nadu and Orissa are the two states in India which have regulated conversions with the power to ban those alleged to be by 'by force
or by fraud'.

Militant Hindu groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have waged a growing campaign against Christian conversions. They
have alleged that all conversion to Christianity happens 'by force or by fraud' and their influence can be seen behind the ordinances.

The leader of another militant group, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claimed recently: "No-one converts voluntarily. It is
motivated by greed." This focus on conversions has had a knock on impact on some humanitarian groups who have faced allegations of
providing aid as an inducement to conversion.

Groups such as CSW partner the All India Christian Council are concerned that this unconstitutional legislation will lead to further
harassment of believers and the outlawing of all conversions.

The last mass conversion rally in Delhi on November 4 last year, which was also attended by representatives from CSW, saw 20,000 Dalits
taking part.

Joseph D'Souza, President of the All India Christian Council, said: "This is very horrible. It is a clear violation of our constitution as well as
the fundamental rights and religious freedom of the Dalits.

"Their conversion requires the approval of the state, but how is any Dalit going to go to report his conversion to the police or a magistrate
when the state uses such brutal means to repress them?

"There is no way that a Buddhist or Christian leader is going to give a Dalit's name to the state if the Dalit requests him not to. They are
going to have to break the law in order to obey their freedom of conscience."

-------------------------------
November 4, 2002 Dalits Protest Violence, Many Will Embrace Christianity
1. DALITS OPENLY PROTEST AGAINST THE LYNCHING OF 5 DALIT YOUTH IN HARYANA,
AND THE ANTI-CONVERSION ORDINANCE (LAW) IN TAMILNADU.
2. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DALITS WILL EMBRACE CHRISTIANITY IN DECEMBER.

DALITS STRONGLY PROTEST AGAINST THE LYNCHING OF DALITS:

The lynching of five Dalit youth in Jhajjar, Haryana on October 15th has sent horror waves among the 250 million Dalits of India. The Dalits
were lynched because they were skinning a dead cow by a mob of several thousand people who were urged on by the fanatical, extremist
Hindu group VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad). Police officials silently watched and supported the killings.

The skinning of dead cattle is the occupation into which the unfortunate Dalits were born into as untouchables. They were mobbed and
killed for skinning a dead cow and transporting cowhide. It did not matter that the Dalit youths who were under 22 years of age were doing
this legally and with all the proper documents.

Adding insult to injury the VHP President Mr. Giriraj Kishore celebrated the killings saying that the cow was more valuable than a human
being (read Dalit). Even as the All India Christian Council and many other human rights and liberal groups condemned and attacked the
barbaric killings, the Dalits in Haryana went on a public protest and announced that they were revolting against the Hindu socio-religious
system and would embrace other faiths on Sunday 27th of October.

Over 500 leaders of various Dalit groups gathered at a public meeting in Gurgaon, Haryana, at a highly emotionally charged meeting to
conduct the symbolic and representative embracing of other faiths in full glare of the national electronic and print media. The relatives of the
Dalits who were lynched were also on the platform expressing their grief.

The Dalits embraced Christianity, Buddhism and Islam. Present at the meeting were Mr. Udit Raj who led in the mass conversions just
exactly a year ago today. Mr. Mahesh Bhatt, famous film Director from Bombay, Dr. Joseph D'souza from the All India Christian Council.
The print and electronic media had also come in full strength.

DALITS EMBRACE CHRISTIANITY:

Rev. Dr. Joseph D'souza, President of the All India Christian Council and Rev. Lourduswamy initiated and received Mr. and Mrs. Chandra
Bhan Mehra into the Christian faith. Mr. and Mrs. Bhan, who are Bank Officers, represented a number of Dalits in the area who had
indicated that they wanted to embrace and be welcomed to Christianity. When questioned by the media Mrs. Bhan replied, " I do not want
to be treated less than an animal anymore. I am sick of the caste system. I have read about Jesus Christ and know that he offers equality,
dignity and salvation. I want to follow Him as my Lord." Mr. Udit Raj who organized the meeting led the symbolic conversions to
Buddhism.

STRONG PROTEST AGAINST THE ANTI-CONVERSION LAW IN TAMILNADU: MORE PEOPLE TO EMBRACE THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
The anti-conversion ordinance of the Tamilnadu government became law on Thursday, 31st October. This law is anti-Dalit, anti-Christian
and anti-minority. Its agenda is to carry forward the extremist Hindu agenda of the BJP Government and the agenda of extremist Hindu
groups who want to create a Hindu India and impose Brahminism on all it’s citizens.

The All India Christian Council statements and dispatches have been pointing out that the anti-conversion law is primarily anti-Dalit and
anti-depressed castes. Mr. M. Pandian said in the Hindu newspaper, that the anti-conversion law is intended to freeze the Dalits forever
into the inhuman, oppressive socio-religious caste system. It is in Tamilnadu, where, in the last couple of months, Dalits have been forced
to eat human excreta and drink urine.

Dalit leaders in Tamilnadu are strongly protesting against the anti-conversion law and have announced that tens of thousands of Dalits will
embrace Christianity in early December. Dalit leaders Mr. Thirumavalavan and Mr. Krishnaswamy have announced that this first phase of
embracing the Christian faith will begin on the 6th of December, which is also the anniversary of the death of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the
leader of the Dalits who fought for their emancipation. The Dalit leaders have announced that this is the first step of a massive exodus from
the Hindu socio-religious system that has enslaved and dehumanized them for many centuries.

This move is unlike the conversions last November because this time the faith of first choice of the Dalits is Christianity. However, some
Dalits will also choose other faiths in a concurrent ceremony on December 6th. The leaders of the All India Christian Council have supported
the decision of the Dalit leaders and have announced that the member Churches of the All India Christian Council will always keep the
doors open to the Dalits no matter what the price. The aicc leaders are working with the Dalit leaders on the process of receiving the Dalits
into the Christian faith. The aicc leaders are working on an initiation ceremony on December 6 th that will receive tens of thousands of
Dalits into the Christian community and faith. Thousands of Christian pastors and leaders will be on hand to witness the service along with
personnel from the media, political leaders and international observers.
PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIAN LEADERS AND CHURCHES IS EXPECTED:

Church Leaders in India know that the anti-Dalit, anti-Christian Chief Minister of Tamilnadu will unleash a fresh wave of harassment and
intimidation against the Christian community. She is capable of going to any extreme to carry out her extremist agenda in a bid to achieve
national prominence among the extremist Hindu groups. She has already issued a ‘show cause’ (reason for closure of institutions) notice to
Christian institutions for closing door their schools on the protest day of October 24th. She has never issued notice to the VHP and the
other extremist groups that close down not only institutions but the whole State in pursuance of their extreme Hindu agenda. The terrorism
unleashed by the VHP and other extremist Hindu groups on the Dalits and minorities is conveniently condoned by her.
Christians in Tamilnadu cannot expect the State to protect them as they respond to the cry of the Dalits. Last week one independent Church
was burnt to the ground in Chennai by Hindu extremists. Therefore the All India Christian Council calls upon all its friends, supporters and
members overseas to stand with the Christian leaders in India and impress on the Government in Delhi and Tamilnadu that the world will
not quietly watch this erosion of the fundamental rights of the Christians, Dalits and minorities. India is a signatory to the United Nations
Convention on Human Rights.

This brutal oppression of the Dalits and Christians needs to stop. The anti-conversion law in Tamilnadu is an insult to the Dalit intelligence
and wisdom. It implies that their religious choice can be bought, that they are incapable of making a free decision and cannot discern the
motive of those who serve them. It is paradoxical that the same Dalits' political choices during elections are free, fair and informed!

In a fitting reply to this mockery of Dalit intelligence the Dalit leaders have announced that they will challenge the unconstitutional anti-
conversion law of Tamilnadu in the High Court and the Supreme Court. According to them the anti-conversion law is first of all anti-Dalit as it
takes away the right to religion from the Dalits and brings the exercise of personal faith under the purview of the State.

Please write and fax your concerns to the Prime Minister of India and also to the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, as well as the following Indian
newspapers.

The President of India:

His Excellency,
The President of India
Fax: 91 11 301 7290

The Prime Minister of India:

Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
Honorable Prime Minister of India
Fax: 91 11 301 6857

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu:

Miss J. Jayalalitha
Fax: 91 44 5671440

Please also write to the Indian newspapers registering your concern with what is going on in India.

Please note the fax numbers of the following Indian newspapers / media:

Press Trust of India 91-11-371-8714

The Hindu 91-44-841-5393

For further information you can contact us at any of the following telephone numbers:

USA: cellphone: (706) 888 5924 / (303) 791 4500 x 525

UK and Europe: cellphone: 44 (0) 771 007 7871
India: cellphone: 91 984 80 23132
Released by Dr. Joseph D'souza, President, All India Christian Council

---------------------------------
October 28, 2002 You can protest new Indian state law
The Chief Minister and the Governor of the state of Tamil Nadu issued an ordinance on October 5 which makes conversions to Christianity
increasingly difficult.

The ordinance claims to ban only those conversions which are 'by force or fraud', but recently there has been a growing campaign against
conversions to Christianity by militant Hindu groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The leader of another militant group, the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claimed recently, "No-one converts voluntarily. It is motivated by greed". Such statements make it
clear that militant Hindu groups see all conversions to Christianity as "by force or fraud" and their influence can be seen behind the
ordinance.

Militant Hindu groups across India have already claimed on many occasions that genuine conversions to Christianity have been fraudulent
or induced. Commenting on the recent ordinance, an Indian pastor said: "It is apparent that even genuine conversions will be painted as
those obtained with forcible allurement and fraudulent means." Indian Christians fear this ordinance will make it easier for militant groups to
harass and obstruct Christians witnessing to non-Christians.

Other groups are also being targeted, such as the Dalits (untouchables), some of whom have converted to religions such as Buddhism to
escape the oppression they encounter under the Hindu caste system.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's partner organization, the All India Christian Council (AICC), plans to challenge the ordinance in court. The
Council noted that "forcible or induced conversion...is rejected by the church" and that voluntary conversion is "a basic human right and is
guaranteed in the Indian Constitution and by the United Nations".

Only one other state, Orissa, has a similar law in force. Now that Tamil Nadu has enacted an ordinance, there are reports that other states
may follow suit. There is a similar bill pending in the national Parliament, which even claims that provision of free education by Christians
and others is an "inducement" to conversion, and will incur heavy penalties.

Please Pray

- Pray that the AICC will be successful in their court action against this restrictive new ordinance.

- Pray that other states will not follow suit

- Pray for wisdom and guidance for AICC leaders such as John Dayal.

- Pray for protection for Christian evangelists and mission workers, who witness for Christ and show His love in locations that are often
remote or
dangerous.

Please Protest

We would be grateful if you were able to contact either the chief minister of Tamil Nadu or the President of India, expressing your concern at
the
passing of the ordinance.

The President of India:

His Excellency Dr. A.P. J. Abdul Kalam, The President of India Rastrapati
Bhavan, New Delhi, India
Telephone: 91 11 301 5321
Fax: 91 11 301 7290

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu:

Selvi (Miss) J. Jeyalalitha, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, St
George Port, Chennai 1, Tamil Nadu, India
Telephone: 91 44 567 2345 ext 666 or 91 44 467 0215
Fax: 91 44 5671441

-------------------------------------
October 22, 2002 Anti-Conversion Ordinance Blatantly Anti-Dalit, Says
Christian Council
Text of Press Statement released by Dr. Joseph D'souza, President, All India Christian Council and

At the start of the All India and Tamilnadu agitation and protest on October 19 against the anti-Christian ordinance, the leadership of the All
India Christian Council announced to a packed press conference in Chennai, Tamilnadu that it was very obvious that the anti-conversion
ordinance was directed primarily against the Dalits who would face stiff penalties if they exercised their right to freedom of conscience.
Therefore the Dalit groups were in the forefront of the opposition to the ordinance.

Mr. Udit Raj, President of the All India SC/ST federation who led the mass conversion movement last November 4 th, also addressed the
conference and said that the ordinance was to force the Dalits to continue in the socio-religious system that had enslaved them for
centuries. " If anyone is using force and allurement it is the government" said Udit Raj referring to the law of 1959 which offers Dalits who
convert to Hinduism the full benefits of the reservation system which is not available to Christian and other minority Dalits.

When asked by reporters whether Mr. Raj would be open to a national debate on conversion he said that first of all there should be a
national debate on the caste system and the socio-religious system that supported it. Dr. K. Rajaratnam of the NCCI replied that a full
debate on conversion took place in the constituent assembly prior to the the formation of the Indian Constitution. The present fundamental
right to religion in Article 25 of the Constitution came as a result of that national debate.

Meanwhile the brutal treatment of the Dalits continues unabated in different parts of the nation. Last week the nation was shocked to hear
that 5 Dalits were lynched in Jhajjar, Haryana because they were transporting cowhide. The Dalits were doing this legally and with
supporting documents. The VHP, the militant arm of the BJP publicly defended the killings and the President of the VHP, Mr. Girilal Kishore
said to the reporters that the cow was more valuable than a human being. This statement was widely carried by the national press.

Several weeks ago the national press reported that 2 Dalits in Tamilnadu were made to eat human excreta when they defied the upper
castes.

The Tamilnadu anti-conversion ordinance comes against this background and newspaper reports that Dalits are turning to Buddhism,
Christianity and other belief systems. The ordinance is clearly designed to close the doors of the Church and Christ to the Dalits, said Dr.
Joseph D'souza. The Church cannot be forced to close it's door to anyone who freely knocks at the door and wants to come in. The free
right to practice our faith in Article 25 and the teachings of Christ require us to receive all those who freely come to us in their time of need,
oppression and humiliation. We will do this no matter what the cost, said the President of the Christian Council. It is also our moral duty to
support the Dalits in the free choices they make. That is why the Christian leadership supported their right to choose Buddhism last
November.

The Christian Council appeals to the Global community to write to the President of India and to the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu registering
their protest to the anti-conversion ordinance.

Dr. Joseph D'souza,

President,
All India Christian Council.

For further specific information you can phone the following numbers:

a) 001 706 888 5924

b) 0771 007 7871

The President of India:

His Excellency
The President of India
Rastrapati Bhavan,
New Delhi, India

Telephone: 91 11 301 5321

Fax: 91 11 301 7290

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu:

J. Jayalalithaa
Telephone: 91 44 567 2345 ext 666
Residence: 91 44 467 0215
Fax: 91 44 5671440

------------------------------------
October 10, 2002 New Law in Indian State Threatens Christian Conversions
A new law in the southern state of Tamil Nadu is being seen as a direct threat to Christian conversions in India.

The Chief Minister and the Governor of the state together issued an ordinance on October 5 which claims to ban only those conversions
which are 'by force or fraud'. However, it is being widely viewed as an attempt to prevent all conversions to Christianity in the state.

Militant Hindu groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have waged a growing campaign against Christian conversions. The
leader of another militant group, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claimed recently: "No-one converts voluntarily. It is motivated
by greed."

Militant Hindu groups have alleged that all conversion to Christianity happens 'by force or fraud' and their influence can be seen behind the
ordinance. So far only one other state, Orissa, has a similar ordinance in force, but Christians fear this will spread to other states.

There is a similar bill pending in the national Parliament, which even claims that provision of free education by Christians and others is an
'inducement' to conversion, and will incur heavy penalties.

There are many precedents across India of militant Hindu groups claiming that genuine conversions to Christianity have been fraudulent or
induced. An ordinance such as this will make it easier for such groups to harass and obstruct Christians witnessing to non-Christians.

Christian evangelists are among those most targeted by militant Hindus already. With such an ordinance in force, it gives all the more
excuse for mobs to attack evangelists, on the pretext that they are breaking the law.

Other groups are also being targeted, such as the Dalits (untouchables) and other marginalized groups, some of whom have converted to
religions such as Buddhism to escape the oppression they encounter under the Hindu caste system.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's partner organization, the All India Christian Council (AICC), plans to challenge the ordinance in court. The
Council noted that "forcible or induced conversion...is rejected by the church" and that voluntary conversion is "a basic human right and is
guaranteed in the Indian Constitution and by the United Nations."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: "This is a very worrying development for religious minorities in India. This legislation means
that genuine conversions will be viewed as having taken place under duress.

"We are right behind the AICC in their bid to overturn this ruling as it represents a very serious threat to religious liberty in India."

---------------------------------
June 7, 2002 GFA Student Murdered In Kashmir
Gospel for Asia

With deep sadness we inform you that a student from our GFA Bible school in Indian-controlled Kashmir has been murdered. Details are
still sketchy, but our missionaries and field leaders believe that local Muslim extremists are responsible for his death.

The slain brother belonged to a group of GFA Bible school students who are ministering among the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing
the Pakistan/India border under the threat of war. Although the senior GFA leader who oversees the Kashmir region had instructed all of our
missionaries and students to leave the area, 47 of them chose to stay behind and be a witness for the Lord. Even now they are scattered
along the border areas of Kashmir, preaching the Gospel to the refugees and assisting them in practical ways.

These students are studying at a GFA Bible school located just five kilometers from the Pakistan border, where there has been much unrest
almost daily. Before the Afghan war prompted by 9/11, few Muslim extremists were creating strife in the area. Since then, however, dozens
of groups like Al-Qaeda have moved in and are causing much unrest. Recently some GFA missionaries narrowly escaped death when a
bus they had just stepped off of exploded.

To date, GFA native missionaries have planted many churches and mission stations in Kashmir, a predominately Muslim area. Please pray
for God's protection for these dear believers and our GFA brothers as they face strong persecution. And continue to pray for peace between
India and Pakistan. Millions of lives are at stake.

Grace and peace,

Dr. K.P. Yohannan
President, Gospel for Asia
http://www.gfa.org
1.800.Win.Asia

----------------------------------
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

June 5, 2002 New Evidence on Mass Killings in India Prompts

Commission to Hold Hearing
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a federal agency advising the Administration and Congress,
today announced that it will hold a hearing to examine evidence suggesting that recent communal violence in the Indian state of Gujarat,
which has killed at least 1,000 Muslims, was carefully planned and involved the state government's officials and police. This hearing will
assist the Commission in developing further recommendations for U.S. policy. The hearing will take place at 9:00 a.m. June 10 in the
Longworth House Office Building, Room 1302, Washington, D.C. A witness list will be released shortly.

"The extremist violence in Gujarat, a state located on the border with Pakistan, threatens to exacerbate the already inflamed tensions
between India and Pakistan," said Commission Chair Michael K. Young. "The Commission is very concerned that the United States
government has not spoken out forcefully against the attacks on Muslims in Gujarat."

In a press release dated March 12, 2002, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom expressed its alarm over the recent
violence and killings in Gujarat. After the killing of approximately 60 Hindu activists in the town of Godhra, retaliatory violence against
Muslims left at least 1,000 people dead. Reports cite numerous persons shot, stabbed, raped, mutilated, and/or burned to death. Hundreds
of mosques and Muslim-owned businesses were looted or destroyed. More than 100,000 persons have fled their homes and now are in
makeshift refugee camps. The violence has yet to be contained.

In announcing the hearing, the Commission, referencing its previous recommendations, calls upon the U.S. government to press the
government of India to provide security for those people who remain under threat of attack, including Muslims and Hindus who may be
subject to retaliation, and to see that those responsible for violent acts targeting members of religious groups are held accountable. In its
May 2001 Annual Report, the Commission identified the need for India's government to do more to protect religious minorities and to bring
those responsible for violence to account. The Commission further stated its serious concern about the association of increased violence
against religious minorities and the rise in power of Hindu nationalist groups in India. Recent violence underscores the need, expressed
previously by the Commission, for the U.S. government "to urge the government of India to speak and act in ways that make clear its lack
of support for religious intolerance and persecution."

Recent reports implicate the government of Gujarat and some members of the police force in the recent violence in that state. According to
India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), an official body, the events leading up to the Godhra tragedy and the killings and
destruction that followed were marked by a "serious failure of intelligence and inaction by the [Gujarat] State government." The NHRC
noted that there are "media reports attributing certain statements to the Police Commissioner and even the Chief Minister which, if true,
raise serious questions?." The NHRC also noted "widespread reports and allegations of well-organized persons, armed with mobile
telephones and addresses, singling out certain homes and properties for death and destruction in certain districts sometimes within view of
police stations and personnel," suggesting the attacks may have been planned in advance.

Officials have publicly reported that 443 "major communal incidents" have occurred in Gujarat since 1970. Given the region's history, the
number of deaths and other reported abuses, the reported impunity of perpetrators of such violence poses a continuing threat of
recurrence.

In 2001, the Commission noted that although reports do not implicate the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in organizing or
carrying out violence against Christian and Muslim religious minorities (which has grown since the BJP-led government came into office
nationally), there is serious concern that the central government is not doing all that it could to pursue and punish the perpetrators of the
attacks and to counteract the prevailing climate of hostility, in some quarters in India, against these minority groups.

The preliminary report by India's National Human Rights Commission contains several recommendations to the government of India,
including the restoration of the "integrity of the process" of police investigations; the establishment of "Special Courts" to try these cases
under judges handpicked by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Gujarat; the prompt restoration of destroyed places of worship; and the
immediate implementation of reforms of the police.

On June 10, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom will hold a public hearing to examine the information about the
situation further, look into new evidence of possible involvement of local officials and police in the incidents in Gujarat, and consider the
NCHR recommendations and other measures that could be effective in response to the communal violence.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to give
independent
recommendations to the executive branch and the Congress on policies to promote international religious freedom.

Visit our Web site at www.uscirf.gov

800 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW SUITE 790 WASHINGTON, DC 20002 202-523-3240
202-523-5020 (FAX)

--------------------------------------------
April 26, 2002 All India Christian Council and CSW call for resignation of
Gujarat chief minister over failure to control riots
The AICC and CSW are jointly calling for the resignation of Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Rev Dr G Samuel, President of the Andhra Pradesh chapter of the AICC, called on the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu
Naidu, President of the Telegu Desam Party, the main ally of the coalition NDA government, to demand Modi's resignation over his "blatant
connivance in communal violence".

He added: "Mr Modi has fulfilled the task entrusted to him by his bosses - to radicalize the state and to increase militant Hindu influence - at
the cost of several thousand Muslim lives.

"History will hold the Chief Minister responsible if he does not act now, because he is the one person in the government who has the power
to stop the violence and constitutional breakdown in Gujarat.

"The AICC hopes that he sees beyond politics and understands the mood of the nation which cuts across all religious and caste lines. We
also trust that he will fight the emergence of extremist Hindu terrorism, which has caused such trouble in this region and brought such
shame on our country."

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Indian Prime Minister, has so far resisted calls to remove Modi, who belongs to his BJP party.

The Indian Parliament is due to debate the violence in Gujarat next Tuesday, with some of the BJP coalition partners threatening to vote
against the government, potentially causing them great embarrassment.

More than 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, have been killed in the violence since it flared up again in February this year. Over 100,000
Muslim refugees are staying in makeshift, totally inadequate relief camps.

The recent outbreak of violence, which continues to claim lives and which has displaced thousands of people, began after an attack on a
train carrying Hindu activists from the Ayodhya temple site.

More than 2,000 people were killed in nationwide riots in 1992 after a mosque on the site was torn down by supporters of the VHP, the Shiv
Sena party and the BJP.

Eyewitnesses have suggested that the violence has been part of a systematic campaign of slaughter and many claim that the police have
not intervened on behalf of Muslims who have been attacked.

Two British Muslims also visiting Ahmedabad were lynched by the extremist Hindus. A third Muslim escaped under the protection of the
British High Commission. The Commission also has its own report on Gujarat which condemns the local government's part in the violence.

Although Muslims have been the main victims, moderate Hindus who tried to save Muslims from the mobs have also been killed. There
have been reports of Christians being threatened and their property stolen.

A manual, which was apparently written by Hindu militants, shows how to make calculated acts of violence look spontaneous and urges the
harassment of Christian missionaries.

Rev Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW, said: "We call for even-handed and decisive action by the Indian government to put an end
to this violence.

"Along with our partners, the AICC, we are calling for the resignation of Mr Modi, for his marked failure to act to halt the violence against
Muslims in Gujarat".

--------------------------------------------
April 4 2002 Continue to Prayer for Ian Stillman, Jailed in India
Dear Friends,

Please continue to pray for Ian Stillman, the British Christian jailed in India on trumped up drugs charges. As many of you will know, Ian's
appeal was turned down in January by the High Court in Himachal Pradesh after they decided that he wasn't deaf. His family is working on
an appeal to India's Supreme Court following this extraordinary decision.

A couple of weeks ago Ian was finally taken to a hospital for a check up - vital because he has been suffering from major health problems.
In hospital he was treated by a wide range of specialist doctors, and they should now be able to devise a treatment program for Ian.

Ian was also visited by a couple of consular officials from the British High Commission, which will hopefully lead to renewed interest from
the Foreign Office.

A fresh appeal, and application for bail pending an appeal, is due to be lodged in the Supreme Court imminently.

The British media continues to show a helpful interest in the case. In the political arena, too, Ian's MP, Sandra Gidley, has secured a half
hour
debate in Parliament for 11 April. Many MPs have also signed an Early Day Motion tabled by Sandra Gidley, which has also helped to raise
awareness of Ian's plight.

Ian's family has also set up a petition which they are encouraging concerned members of the public to sign. It can be accessed on the
internet on
http://www.ianstillman.fsnet.co.uk/html/petition.html
Please do pray for the Lord's abundant blessing upon Ian at this time, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Pray for the success of the
fresh appeal, and that bail will be granted.

Thank you in His name,

Dr Alan Hobson
Parliamentary Officer and India Country Officer, Christian Solidarity Worldwide

------------------------------------
November 5, 2001 Thousands gather in Delhi for mass conversion rally
India's dalits were out in force on the streets of Delhi on November 4, as many thousands met to embrace Buddhism in a mass conversion
ceremony.

The event, which attracted significant police opposition, represented the rejection by the dalits - also known as the untouchables - of the
Hindu caste system, which has oppressed them for centuries. In observance of the Biblical mandate to "set the oppressed free", Christian
leaders stood in solidarity with the poor and downtrodden.

A number of international observers, including representatives from Christian Solidarity Worldwide, were there to offer support.

Participants were invited to shave their heads, adopt a new name and destroy their idols. Dalit leader, Ram Raj, became Udit Raj under the
watchful eye of thousands of supportive dalits.

Many followed his example, although Udit openly spoke of their right to choose any religion. Buddhism has been the most popular initial
choice of most as it does not totally jeopardize their rights to reserved employment and education. This is not the case for Christian and
Muslim dalits who, in addition to a loss of all these rights, can also suffer persecution at the hands of Hindu militants in the country.

The All India Christian Council (AICC) has been notable in its support of this event, which has also recently received backing from the
Roman Catholic's Bishops Conference and the National Council of Churches of India. Speaking from the platform, AICC President Joseph
D'Souza affirmed Christ's love for the dalits and expressed the total support of the church body. Whilst the event was advertised as a
Buddhist event, it has opened the door for conversions to other faiths.

AICC Secretary General, John Dayal added: "The dalits have never been treated as human beings - their demand for human dignity is a
revolution."

Perhaps mindful of this, police opposition was clear. Their permission was withdrawn just 48 hours before the start and organizers were
forced to change location. Many tens of thousands of would be participants were turned away as they attempted to board buses and trains
outside of Delhi, some were reported to have been arrested and falsified posters announced that the event had been cancelled. However
the event passed peaceably at Ambedkar House, named after the man who led a similar conversion event in 1956. An estimated 20,000
later marched to the original event location.

Support was strong from both Indian nationals and a handful of international observers. Stuart Windsor, CSW's National Director who was
attending the event with Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert, remarked: "On the day that we remembered the persecuted church around the
world, it was a privilege to be with the poor and oppressed of India and to offer our solidarity to them in their struggle for basic dignity and
human rights."

Tina Lambert added: "This event was as political as it was religious and could be just the beginning of an incredible movement to challenge
the caste system and offer hope to the poor and oppressed in India."

-----------------------------------------
August 2001 New All-India Christian Council Website
Dear Friend,

Greetings to you from the All India Christian Council. We are pleased to inform you that we have recently launched our website. The name
of the website is Indian Christians and its address is www.aiccindia.org. It can also be accessed from www.indianchristians.org..

As part of our effort to keep Indian Christians informed about the happenings in the Christian community in the country, we shortly intend to
add a section entitled ‘Christian News,’ for which we would be requiring feedback from Christians organizations, missions and groups in the
country.

This is, therefore, to kindly request you to keep us regularly informed (at least weekly) about the activities of your organizations, no matter
how small or big they may be. Also kindly immediately inform us of all cases of atrocities, attacks, victimization etc of your workers at the
hands of the fundamentalist elements in the country.

Kindly mail all such information to globusmedia@hotmail.com .

Kindly also visit our website and encourage your friends to do the same. The website contains daily updated information regarding
Christians and about matters affecting Christians and the larger secular Indian society. It also contains ‘World Religious News’ and ‘Dalit
News.’ Regular articles and write-ups on a wide range of pertinent issues too are featured in the website. You will also find detailed reports
of the recent conversion of Dalits To Buddhism.

You are also welcome to contribute your views, comments, opinions on matters pertinent to or affecting the Christian community. Such
material sent by you will be posted on the website. Photographs too are welcome.
Thanking you for your cooperation in contributing to Indian Christians-- your website.

With blessings and warmest regards

Indian Christians

----------------------------------------
August 21, 2001 Update on Ian Stillman (Deaf Charity Worker Jailed For Ten
Years in India on Drug Trafficking Charges)
Dear Friend,

We thought we’d update you on the situation of Ian Stillman, the 50-year-old charity worker who has been in prison in India since August
last year after being arrested by police on drug trafficking charges. (Mailing on July 28)

If you remember, police claimed to have found cannabis in the taxi in which he was traveling and after a short trial in which he was denied
an interpreter, he was sentenced to ten years in prison. It was a trial which has outraged justice groups around the world, as no credible
evidence was offered to support the allegations against a man who is known internationally for his work with the deaf.

Ian, who is himself deaf, has been working in India for the last 25 years, setting up the Nambikkai Foundation and helping
many deaf children.

He is currently in prison in Kanda, North India, where he is only allowed one 20 minute visit a week. Ian lost his leg in a road accident and
the stump has shrunk while he has been in prison. This is causing him discomfort and he hopes to be allowed a visit from specialists who
can fit a new false leg.

When the British High Commission met with the prison authorities, they agreed to let him have more visits and a wheelchair, but this has
failed to materialize.

CSW is encouraged to hear that more than 200 British MPs have written to the Foreign Office to express their concern about Ian. We know
many were written to by CSW supporters and we thank God for your help.

The amount of mail he gets is making a great impression on the prison authorities and his family encourage people to carry on writing to
him with their support.

If you wish to write directly to Ian, his address is: Ian Stillman, Model Central Jail, Kanda, District Shimla 171 011, Himachal Pradesh, India.

You might also write to the Indian Ambassador to the US. Politely express your concerns about the nature of the trial and imprisonment and
the unfair reporting on Ian in the Indian press (sections of the press are incorrectly reporting that he is a wanted criminal in the UK). Please
politely reassure the Ambassador that many will be watching the appeal proceedings on September 24 with great interest and concern.

To keep up to date on Ian’s situation, look up www.ianstillman.fsnet.co.uk

-----------------------------------------------------------
August 10, 2001 Nun Shot in Face As Threats to Indian Christians Grow
A NUN from Madya Pradesh has been shot in the face at point blank range by four men believed to be militant Hindus. Leena
Vellampuniyel, 30, who worked at Nirmala Hospital in the village of Chandera, is now in hospital in a critical condition after the shooting
which happened on August 7.

The incident happened just a day after a priest was attacked in Thane near Bombay. Father Mendonca was attacked by more than 40
activists believed to be from the Sangh Parivar militant group and suffered serious injuries.

The Sangh Parivar is the main militant Hindu group in India and activists from this group are suspected of being involved in the murders of
Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons in Orissa in January 1999. These militant activists are believed to be behind
an increasing number of incidents against Christians in India, including threats to orphanages, church groups and traveling evangelists.

The All India Christian Council (AICC) has urged Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to recognise these attacks as
being not just isolated incidents, but part of a deliberate targeting of Christians. Two recent bills introduced to the national Parliament have
also caused concern not only to Christians, but also to Muslims in India. The first, an anti-conversion bill, was introduced on July 27 by an
MP from the militant Hindu party Shiv Sena. If passed, this bill would make it easier for opponents of Christianity to accuse Christians of
forcing people to change their faith from Hinduism. The second bill, which is believed to be much more likely to be passed, is set to tighten
up the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. This Act purports to control all foreign charitable donations, but in reality has been used to
restrict Christian giving from abroad. Christians fear a stronger bill will hamper aid and charity organizations yet further. A spokesman for
the AICC said: “This bill is without doubt aimed at cutting the social involvement of Christian groups among the weak and marginalized and
thus reduce the impact of the gospel.” Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of CSW-UK said: “These horrific and violent incidents represent
further proof that Christians are being singled out for mistreatment in India. If these two bills become law, life will become even harder for
believers and give yet more power to militant Hindus.”

CSW is calling on the Indian Government to clamp down on those who single out Christians for mistreatment and to reject any legislation
which threatens the fundamental right, outlined in the Constitution of India, for the freedom of individuals to choose their own religion.
 Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Haiti
Religious Persecution Intensifies In Haiti... World Help to participate in
National Day of Prayer
Source: World Help

Today, Eric Vess and I are leaving to join our dear friend and ministry partner, J.L. Williams of New
Directions International in the country of Haiti.

Haiti has suffered under the bondage of Voodoo for 200 years. The economic and spiritual poverty as
well as the prolonged political instability that continues to plague Haiti are directly connected to the
nation's heritage of Voodoo worship.

Recently a group of evangelical Haitian pastors met to plan a National Day of Prayer in an effort to
counter a celebrated day of witchcraft that will take place August 14. This date is celebrated annually as
the Boukman sacrifice. Boukman was a former slave who used voodoo as the medium to rally other
slaves to revolt by sacrificing a pig, drinking its blood and thus forming a pact with the devil (voodoo
gods). In this pact, the Haitians gave their land to the devil for 200 years in exchange for freedom from
the white French oppression.

Many Haitians still believe that it was because of Boukman that they have their independence today, but
they are believing a lie. Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. If I could take you to Haiti
with me, you wouldn't see freedom at all. but you would see bondage, hopelessness and despair.

This Thursday, I have been invited to speak at the National Day of Prayer in Haiti. This will be a day of
urgent prayer as we seek God's wisdom and direction! This is spiritual warfare at its most intense!

Last week a baby was stolen from the hospital in St. Marc. The reason the child is to be sacrificed to
appease the Voodoo gods for the so-called special day of celebration. There are generally two ways
they sacrifice children. One is in a large grinding pot. They place the child in the pot and proceed to grind
the child while still alive. The other way is even more demonic as they hang the child upside down by his
feet and place a large bowl beneath him. The child hangs until dead as the body releases its fluids into the
bowl. The bowl is then placed in the sun to dry. Afterward, the priest takes what is left of the young child
and grinds the body into a powder to use for his Voodoo ceremony. Can you imagine?

This is the kind of satanic worship and bondage that has gripped the Haitian people for over 200 years!

The president of Haiti has recognized Voodoo as an "official religion," giving it equal footing with
Christianity. He has even offered payments to local radio stations to play Voodoo music all day during
the Day of Prayer in an open attack on Christians and the Church. Many of the Voodoo witchdoctors
want to re-ratify the 200-year-old pact.

We cannot sit idly by and watch this happen! We must respond to God's call to do spiritual battle for the
soul of this suffering nation. Haiti belongs to Jesus Christ, not to Satan (Psalm 2:8).

World Help is committed to meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the Haitian people in order to
break the "strongholds of the evil one."

I am calling on everyone I know to focus their prayers toward the nation of Haiti this week! Pray . for
church unity, courage, protection and anointing. Urgently petition God to intervene on Haiti's behalf. This
is our opportunity to see Satan defeated! PLEASE PRAY!

WorldHelp.net

-------------------------------------------------
Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Indonesia
November 10, 2004 Unjustly imprisoned church leader released early
Reverend Rinaldy Damanik, the newly elected leader of the Central Sulawesi Protestant Church (GKST), has just been released from
prison.

He was released yesterday from Palu Prison in Central Sulawesi , having served two years and two months of a three year sentence.
He had been arrested on September 9, 2002 for allegedly possessing illegal weapons and on June 16, 2003 was sentenced to
three years' imprisonment.

In his capacity as the head of the Crisis Centre of Central Sulawesi, he was responsible for informing the international community
of the attacks and human rights violations against Christians in the region. There is good evidence to suggest he was falsely
charged in a bid to silence him as a result of his human rights work. Yesterday he was due to travel to the regional capital of
Tentena to be reunited with his family.

The situation in Central Sulawesi has been deteriorating in the last six months despite the growing grassroots reconciliation
movement within both Muslim and Christian communities.

The majority of those who have lost their lives in the violence have been Christians. The Islamist militant movement, Jemaah Islamiyah,
remains in the area together with local militant movements, and are widely held to be responsible for much of the unrest.

Since the last large scale attack on Christian villages in October 2003, militants have changed their tactics. They are now targeting
prominent Christian leaders and pastors in a terror campaign that has claimed, on average, almost one victim per week.

On November 8 at 8am, Imbo, a 41-year old Christian, was shot and killed while driving from Madale to Poso. It is believed that militants
stopped his car near Kawanga (1 km from Poso City ) and shot him in the neck. He died instantly.

On November 5 Sarminalis Ndele, 48, the Christian chief of Pineada village, was beheaded. A car drove past a petrol station in Sayo village
in Poso city and they threw something out of the window. When bystanders went to investigate they discovered Mr Ndele's severed head in
a black plastic bag. His body was discovered a few hours later at another location.

The next few months are of particular concern given the tensions surrounding the upcoming elections for the head (Bupati) of the
Poso Region of Sulawesi .

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Rev Damanik has been an outspoken critic of the police and other government authorities' lack of commitment to stop the violence
in the region. He has also been a key supporter of the reconciliation process and, as such, a hindrance to the activities of Islamist
militants, who are largely held to be responsible for the sectarian violence in Maluku and Sulawesi . The Crisis Centre is the
Protestant Church body providing assistance to the Internally Displaced Peoples, promoting reconciliation and reporting on human
rights violations and the conflict in Central Sulawesi .

He was convicted on charges of 'illegal weapons possession' in June 2003 and sentenced to three years in prison, being due for
release in September 2005. Many observers believed Damanik was innocent and the police produced contradictory evidence and
eyewitness testimonies. Also, court witnesses claimed they were tortured by police and forced to give false evidence.

-----------------------------------
September 29, 2004 Imprisoned minister could be released in November
An imprisoned Indonesian Christian, the Reverend Rinaldy Damanik, could be released on parole as early as November 2004. He was
notified by the Ministry of Justice that his release was in process.

Rev Damanik has already had permission to leave the prison on day visits but has chosen not to exercise this option during the volatile
Presidential election time. He told CSW that he feels his possible early release is a miracle and is thanks to the prayers of so many people
around the world.

He is also extremely grateful for the efforts of a respected Muslim cleric, Idrus Al Habsy. This cleric repeatedly intervened on Rev Damanik's
behalf and, just before he died, provided him with a character reference which was instrumental in securing his early release.

Rev Damanik, 45, has been an outspoken critic of the apparent lack of commitment by the police and government authorities to take
measures aimed at ending the violence between Christians and Muslims. He has also been a key supporter of the reconciliation process
and, as such, a hindrance to the activities of the Islamist militants largely held to be responsible for the sectarian violence in Maluku and
Sulawesi . This violence has claimed some 10,000 lives on the Maluku alone in the last five years.

Rev Damanik's supporters are convinced he was imprisoned on false charges in a bid to silence him and to placate extremists.

In June 2003 he was sentenced to three years imprisonment and the verdict was upheld despite several appeals.

CSW has worked closely with Muslims and Christians to promote the peace process and has asked supporters to pray for Rev Damanik's
release. Whilst the Indonesian government in general is predominantly moderate and religious tolerance prevails, Rev Damanik's sentence
regrettably highlights the gross difference in standards of justice given to members of different religious communities.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Rev Damanik is head of the Crisis Centre of Central Sulawesi and was responsible for informing the international community of the attacks
and human rights violations in the area. He was stopped by police in Peleru in Sulawesi while attempting to evacuate to safety Christians
under attack from militants on August 17 2002.

The police allege they seized 14 weapons and ammunition from his car, but he was not arrested at the time nor informed of such a
discovery.
A warrant for his arrest was issued on August 22. He was arrested on September 9, 2002, in Jakarta . He was charged with violation of
emergency law No. 12/1951, chapter 1 on prohibition of owning and controlling weapons or ammunition without permission.

His arrest and trial have been plagued with human rights violations. Many of the testimonies from the police and military witnesses were
contradictory and eyewitnesses admitted to being intimidated and abused. Some witnesses could not even agree on the type of vehicle
Rev Damanik was allegedly traveling in.

--------------------------------------
July 20, 2004 Protestant pastor shot dead during church service
July 22, 2004 CORRECTION TO PROTESTANT PASTOR SHOT DEAD IN INDONESIA
We reported on July 20 that a teenage girl was shot dead along with Reverend Susianty Tinulele in church in Palu, capital of Central
Sulawesi region, on Sunday July 18. Despite this being confirmed by several sources, we have since heard that the girl, Desrianti
Tengkede, 17, who was shot through her right eye, was in fact in a coma. She is currently in a critical condition in intensive care in hospital
in Surabaya . CSW apologizes for this inaccuracy and asks supporters to join with us in praying for Desrianti.

Reverend Susianty Tinulele, 26, was shot dead in the pulpit while leading the 6pm service of the Efatah Church in Palu, capital of Central
Sulawesi region, on Sunday July 18.

Four masked men with machine guns and riding on two Yamaha motorcycles reportedly burst in to the church. One of them shot Rev
Tinulele from the front door and two others started shooting at the congregation. Desrianti Tengkede, 17, was shot through her right eye
and died later in a hospital.

A total of 11 members of the congregation were shot, four of whom were seriously wounded. Some sources suggest that these four men,
possibly from Laskar Mujahadeen or another militant group, are the same men who were responsible for the assassination of Freddy
Silalahi in May. Mr. Silalahi was one of the state prosecutors overseeing the trial of five members of Jemaah Islamiyah (a radical Islamist
movement).

Brigadier General Taufik Ridha, head of Central Sulawesi Police, maintains the attacks are linked to the presidential campaign or are an
attempt to reignite the sectarian conflict in the region.

This attack is the latest in a worrying new trend where militants are targeting Christian leaders and churches. Another Christian, Mrs. Helmy
Tombiling, 35, was stabbed to death in front of her house in Poso city, Sulawesi , on July 17, according to the Crisis Center of North
Sulawesi. Again the assailants were two masked men on a motorcycle with a Palu license plate.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) published a report in February 2004 detailing the extensive involvement of Jemaah Islamiyah and
other militant groups in the region. The report also notes that systematic one-sided violence against overwhelmingly non-Muslim victims is
continuing.

CSW visited the region in June and found genuine support and the wish for reconciliation at grassroots level. However, the situation
remains tense and both communities were concerned about the presidential elections and the upcoming local Bupati (head of local
administration) elections.

It was also evident that hard-line militants continue to dominate certain areas in Central Sulawesi and appear to be able to operate with
relative impunity.

Little or no action has been taken to bring the perpetrators to justice. Often details and the whereabouts of these so-called unknown
assailants are in fact known and in many instances there is also sufficient evidence for their arrest. What appears to be lacking is the
political will, particularly at the regional level, to follow through with prosecutions.

Efatah Church is part of the GKST (Presbyterian Christian Church of Central Sulawesi ), the denomination of Reverend Rinaldy Damanik.
He is the head of the Crisis Center of Central Sulawesi and was arrested in August 2002 on trumped up arms charges. It is believed he was
arrested in a bid to stop him speaking out on human rights abuses in Central Sulawesi . He was sentenced to three years in prison in June
last year. Rev Tinulele had visited Rev Damanik in prison on Friday.

--------------------------
April 30, 2004 Bishop pleads for help as death toll in Ambon rises
Monsignor Mandagi, Catholic Bishop of the Maluku, has issued an SOS call to the international community as the death toll in Ambon City
rises to at least 36, with more than 159 injured. In his written statement, the Bishop requested the international community to "safeguard the
rights of the people of Ambon to live in security in this city. To urge the Indonesian Government, particularly the Central Government, to put
an end as soon as possible to all mutual attacking between Muslim and Christian groups and all burning and destroying of houses and
public facilities." He further requested "help in caring for the victims of this violence, especially the refugees whose number is increasing
day by day. If the violence cannot be stopped, to help and evacuate those Ambon people that want to live in peace, to places outside
Ambon, outside the Maluku or even outside Indonesia where they can live without fear or disturbance."

Monsignor Mandagi also encouraged prayer for the well-being of the people of Ambon. After a night of heavy fighting on April 29, which saw
the Christian area of Batu Gantung (Kudamati) come under heavy attack by militants, yet more people were injured and displaced. The
police attempted to stop the attack but were outnumbered and the army was reportedly nowhere to be seen.
The Indonesian army has reportedly focused on arresting a few members of the separatist Republic of South Maluku movement while
ignoring the full-scale attacks, allowing militant extremists a free reign on the Maluku. Sources from the Maluku state that military
commanders are not even responding to pleas from the local authorities to stop the violence.

Human rights experts fear that unless the Indonesian government takes firm action to stop the violence, there will be a repeat of the 1999
violence which left some 10,000 dead and half a million people displaced.

Jafar Umar Thalib, head of the militant Islamist group Laskar Jihad, is reported to have said he is planning to send more than 10,000
Laskar Jihad members to Ambon. "Preparations are unnecessary. They are already ready," he told reporters at a press conference. This
announcement is the strongest indication yet that the violence on the Maluku has been orchestrated by outside elements. Despite its
openly Islamist agenda, there is evidence that the actions of Laskar Jihad are directed by political and military leaders.

It is impossible to know who exactly is stage-managing the violence but some experts point to the forthcoming Indonesian presidential
elections and the campaign of Presidential candidate General Wiranto. They suggest that violence could be used to undermine President
Megawati's campaign and to promote the idea that stronger tactics are needed to resolve problems in Indonesia.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The violence seems to have begun after a ceremony was held in Ambon on April 25, 2004, the anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence of the Republic of the South Maluku (Republik Maluku Selatan - RMS). The police intervened to try to stem the violence.
When police escorted the demonstrators past the Pohon Puleh area, some Muslims from the crowd started throwing stones at them, which
prompted police to open fire. According to the Jakarta-based Elshinta radio, some Muslim attackers then burned down the UNDP office and
houses in Christian areas. Other sources say that the violence began after the injured were taken to the Al Fatah hospital in Ambon City.

Indonesian police rearrested the militant cleric, Abu Bakar Bashir, on suspicion of terrorism immediately after his release from a Jakarta jail.
Police said they had new evidence to show he was a senior leader of the militant group Jemaah Islamiyah, blamed for the 2002 Bali
bombings.

-----------------------------
April 27, 2004 Urgent action for Indonesia as conflict erupts
Dear Friends,

Regretfully, I write with grave news regarding the situation in Maluku, Indonesia.

Since Sunday Ambon city has been in flames and as you read this, many Christian areas are reportedly being attacked by the extremists.
The Christian and Muslim leaders are working together to try to stop the violence but so far with little success.

Please would you consider praying and taking action to help the Moluccans.

Thank you for your continued support in this matter.

Information

Some 18 people are dead and over 100 have been injured in the second day of violence in Ambon, one of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia.

In one of the worst incidents, police were escorting 18 people including eight children and a pregnant woman through the harbor area of
Ambon when they were attacked by extremists with machetes. Some are not expected to live and all are seriously wounded and in a critical
condition in hospital. This is the worst outbreak of violence since the signing of the Malino peace agreement in 2002. The United Nations
Development Program (UNDP) office and the Christian theological university (UKIM) have been burned down. Silo Church, the main
Protestant church in Ambon, which was nearly rebuilt from previous violence, was also set ablaze.

The Christian area in Mardika has been burned down and Christians have fled the Muslim area of Batu Merah. According to the Crisis
Centre of Amboina (a human rights information centre), a full-scale attack has been launched against the Christian neighborhood of
Batugantung and all Christians from there and Mangga Dua have fled the area. Reportedly no security forces were present in the area.

Trouble started after a small demonstration held by the supporters of the separatist Republic of South Maluku movement on April 25,
marking the 54th anniversary of a failed independence bid.

When police escorted the demonstrators past the Pohon Puleh area, some Muslims from the crowd started throwing stones at them, which
prompted police to open fire. According to the Jakarta-based Elshinta radio, some Muslim attackers then burned down the UNDP office and
houses in Christian areas. Other sources say that the violence began after the injured were taken to the Al Fatah hospital in Ambon City.

One positive sign has been the co-operation between senior Muslim and Christian leaders who are working together to try to stop the
violence. The leaders of both communities signed a Maluku reconciliation agreement in January 2004 to recommit themselves to the
reconciliation and reconstruction of the Maluku and that commitment has held strong even in this difficult situation. However, only the
Indonesian government can provide the necessary security to protect this fragile peace. Some 400 police personnel and an army battalion
were reported to be imminently expected in the area.

Bishop Mandagi, Catholic Bishop of the Maluku, said: "We as Christians should not respond to provocation and should realise that violence
is not the way to overcome the conflict. We should put our trust in the police and military to protect us."
The Maluku conflict, which began in 1999, has left some 10,000 dead and over half a million displaced.

ACTION

1) Write to your political representatives

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name). Ask your Congressperson and
Secretary Powell (address below) to:

* Take immediate measures to stop the violence and to provide for the safety and security of both communities

* Ensure that extremist militants behind the violence are brought to justice

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

2) You may also wish to write directly to the Indonesian Embassy raising the above mentioned issues.

The address for the Indonesian Embassy in the US is

His Excellency Soemadi Djoko Moerdjono Brotodiningrat

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20036
Phone: (202) 775-5200
Fax: (202) 775-5365

Email: indonesia@dgs.dgsys.com

www.embassyofindonesia.org
-----------------------------
April 26, 2004 Ambon in flames as demonstration leads to violence
Some 18 people are dead and over 100 have been injured in the second day of violence in Ambon, one of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia.

In one of the worst incidents, police were escorting 18 people including eight children and a pregnant woman through the harbor area of
Ambon when they were attacked by extremists with machetes. Some are not expected to live and all are seriously wounded and in a critical
condition in hospital.

This is the worst outbreak of violence since the signing of the Malino peace agreement in 2002. The United Nations Development Program
(UNDP) office and the Christian theological university (UKIM) have been burned down. Silo Church, the main Protestant church in Ambon,
which was nearly rebuilt from previous violence, was also set ablaze.

The Christian area in Mardika has been burned down and Christians have fled the Muslim area of Batu Merah. According to the Crisis
Centre of Amboina (a human rights information center), a full-scale attack has been launched against the Christian neighborhood of
Batugantung and all Christians from there and Mangga Dua have fled the area. Reportedly no security forces were present in the area.

Trouble started after a small demonstration held by the supporters of the separatist Republic of South Maluku movement on April 25,
marking the 54th anniversary of a failed independence bid.

When police escorted the demonstrators past the Pohon Puleh area, some Muslims from the crowd started throwing stones at them, which
prompted police to open fire. According to the Jakarta-based Elshinta radio, some Muslim attackers then burned down the UNDP office and
houses in Christian areas. Other sources say that the violence began after the injured were taken to the Al Fatah hospital in Ambon City.

Exact details of the incident are still emerging. Some witnesses spoke of snipers on the rooftops shooting at people, while others suggested
that Christian and Muslim youths started throwing stones at each other and the violence escalated from there.

However, the extent and sudden escalation of violence suggest some coordination and planning. Experts from the area have suggested
that the violence might be politically motivated and linked to the upcoming presidential elections in July. Extremists are also presented as
the likely culprits particularly as the violence coincides with the renewed questioning of Abu Bakar Bashir, the ideological head of Jemaah
Islamiyah, in connection with the Bali bombing.

One positive sign has been the cooperation between senior Muslim and Christian leaders who are working together to try to stop the
violence. The leaders of both communities signed a Maluku reconciliation agreement in January 2004 to recommit themselves to the
reconciliation and reconstruction of the Maluku and that commitment has held strong even in this difficult situation. However, only the
Indonesian government can provide the necessary security to protect this fragile peace. Some 400 police personnel and an army battalion
were reported to be imminently expected in the area.

Bishop Mandagi, Catholic Bishop of the Maluku, said: "Ordinary people do not want violence, but with the coming elections, political players
and extremists have taken advantage of the situation. I hope that the central government in Jakarta will take firm action against the
attackers and bring them to justice so that people know that law is upheld in Indonesia. Also, the security forces sent to the area should act
in an impartial and professional manner.

"We as Christians should not respond to provocation and should realize that violence is not the way to overcome the conflict. We should put
our trust in the police and military to protect us."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Maluku conflict, which began in 1999, has left some 10,000 dead and over half a million displaced.

---------------------------------
April 19, 2004 Church attacked on Easter Saturday; church leader shot in
drive-by shooting
A church congregation was sprayed with bullets as they were singing hymns on Easter Saturday. Masked gunmen attacked Christians at
the Tabernacle Church in Kilo village, Poso district, injuring seven Christians including a four-year girl.

The attack follows three recent incidents in which Christians have been shot. On March 30, Reverend Freddy Wuisan was shot dead by
unknown attackers behind the Membuke Church in Poso Pesisir district on Sulawesi. Eyewitnesses reportedly saw two people driving away
on a motorcycle.

Earlier that same day Rosia Pilongo, the Dean of the Law Department of Sintuwu Maroso University, was shot in the head by two people on
a motorcycle. She was rushed to hospital and remains in a critical condition. Students and lecturers of the University suspended academic
activities.

Snipers shot dead another Christian, Jhon Christian Tanalida, on March 27, close to Poso city.

Tensions have been rising in Central Sulawesi, an island in eastern Indonesia, since militants launched a large-scale attack against
Christian villagers in October 2003. During this time there have been sporadic attacks and drive-by shootings targeting the Christian
community.

In a report published in February 2004, the International Crisis Group (ICG) documented the extensive involvement of Jemaah Islamiyah
and other militant groups in the Central Sulawesi conflict. They confirmed many observers' fears that the area remains a recruitment and
training ground for extremists.

The Indonesian government has responded quickly to the latest incidents. There are already some 3,500 police and military personnel
stationed in the region and additional security forces were sent to the areas where the attacks occurred. The police believe the earlier
attacks were perpetrated by the same group of people. Whilst peace is clearly fragile, the government maintains the Malino peace
agreement is still functioning in Central Sulawesi.

----------------------------
November 10, 2003 Imprisoned Indonesian Minister Thanks Supporters for
Nearly 15,000 Letters
An imprisoned Indonesian minister, framed on charges of illegal weapons possession, has thanked supporters around the world for nearly
15,000 letters and cards.

Reverend Rinaldy Damanik, 44, has been an outspoken critic of the apparent lack of commitment by the police and government authorities
to measures aimed at ending the violence. He has also been a key supporter of the reconciliation process and, as such, a hindrance to the
activities of the Islamist militants largely held to be responsible for the sectarian violence in Maluku and Sulawesi.

His supporters are convinced he is in detention in a bid to silence him and to placate extremists who still have influential supporters in both
the government and the military.

In June 2003 he was sentenced to three years imprisonment, a verdict his legal team is planning to appeal. CSW, along with many other
charities around the world, asked supporters to contact Rev Damanik with messages of support.

He wrote: "My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I would like to send my greetings personally to all of you, but I believe you understand
my limitation being detained in prison.

"Thank you very much from the deep of my heart for your concerns, helps and supports in any ways, including the pressures to our
government and especially through your prayers, sharing information, as well as financially.

"I personally thank you all very much. In short, there are no words which can express my feelings and thoughts. In the whole of my life now
and in the future, I will never ever pay you personally directly, but I only can always pray that may God help and strengthen me to do my
best in serving God through my service to others around me and every where, where ever, when ever I can.

"Up to now I have received 14,806 mails: letters, cards, photos, poems, paintings, including pens, note books, envelopes, chocolates,
candies/sweets, and adhesive plasters from adults, teenagers and children from 36 countries.

"Although at the moment I am very bothered, sad, worried, as well as angry with what happened in Central Sulawesi and Indonesia in
general, I still and will always praise God all the time in my life for everything I have been experiencing up to now.

"Being in this prison really makes me more realize the miracle of God, because I can understand more what God means by saying: "I will
never leave you alone". I can see that there are many many people who suffer more than me. Please think and pray for them, too. Every
day I'm sure that I will have something to eat, to wear and a place to sleep, but as you know many others don't have this privilege.

"I am not alone, I am in good condition. Don't worry too much about me, but please help me through our other sisters and brothers in
Indonesia and all over the world who are in great need of help in many ways.

"To reach the dawn, one must pass the dark of night and one day definitely tears will become spring."

CSW is asking the international community to express its concern to the Indonesian government about his case. Whilst the Indonesian
government in general is predominantly moderate and religious tolerance prevails in Indonesia, Rev Damanik's sentence regrettably
highlights the gross difference in standards of justice given to members of different religious communities.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Rev Damanik is head of the Crisis Center of Central Sulawesi and was responsible for informing the international community of the attacks
and human rights violations in the area. He was stopped by police in Peleru in Sulawesi while attempting to evacuate to safety Christians
under attack from militants on August 17 2002.

The police allege they seized 14 weapons and ammunition from his car, but he was not arrested at the time nor informed of such a
discovery.

A warrant for his arrest was issued on August 22. He was arrested on September 9 2002 in Jakarta. He was charged with violation of
emergency law No. 12/1951, chapter 1 on prohibition of owning and controlling weapons or ammunition without permission.

On December 26 2002, Rev Damanik was given poisoned food whilst in police custody in Palu, thereby justifying concerns for his safety in
the hands of the Central Sulawesi Police. According to the medical reports his food package contained rat poison. Fortunately, the attempt
on his life was unsuccessful.

His arrest and trial have been plagued with human rights violations. Many of the testimonies from the police and military witnesses were
contradictory and eyewitnesses admitted to being intimidated and abused. Some witnesses could not even agree on the type of vehicle
Rev Damanik was allegedly traveling in.

------------------------------------
September 19, 2003 Message of thanks from imprisoned Indonesian
church leader
Dear Friends,

Last week we asked you to send encouraging emails to Rev Rinaldy Damanik, the unjustly imprisoned Indonesian Church leader. We have
just had this encouraging email from friends of Reverend Damanik at the Crisis Center in Central Sulawesi:

"Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I would like to inform you that we have managed to deliver to Rev Damanik all of your messages which come through my e-mail address.
He sent his sincere greetings to you all, and he is thanking you all endlessly for your attention, concern, sympathy, support and care
especially prayers for him, and his struggle, although most of you have not met him in person. He really appreciates for what you have
done for him.

Rev Damanik said that he is really encouraged and strengthened by your expressions. 'I never stop praying to God Almighty. May God
always bless you and may many people have the chance to experience what I am experiencing now: the joy and blessings from God which
come through you all. I believe the world will be in peace if every body has the same heart and thoughts as yours. I cannot give you
anything in return, but I can only pray and hope that may God enable me to do and give more for others to let them enjoy the joy I receive
from God through you.'

So my dear sisters and brothers, together with Rev Damanik and his family, the team lawyers and the advocacy team, I thank you deeply.
God bless you.

Yours in Christ with joy and hope,

Mona"

You can still email him at jfmonas@yahoo.com or write to him at Rev Damanik c/o Crisis Center, PO Box 1406, Manado 95111 SULUT,
Indonesia.

You could also write to your Congressperson - see our letter-writing guide
Many thanks for all your support and prayers,

CSW Advocacy Team

-------------------------------
September 15, 2003 Civil emergency status lifted from Maluku Islands of
Indonesia
People on the Maluku Islands of Indonesia celebrated another step towards peace as the Indonesian government lifted the civil emergency
status in the region.

The civil emergency status was put in place on June 27, 2002, in response to a spate of attacks by Laskar Jihad militants and to prevent
the influx of foreign militants. The lifting of the emergency status took place at the inauguration of the newly-elected Governor, Karel Albert
Ralahalu, and Vice-Governor M. Abdullah Latuconsina on September 15.

Under the civil emergency status, it became virtually impossible for foreigners and journalists to travel to the Maluku. However, it did allow
local security officials to keep a tighter control on people arriving in the region and to respond rapidly to violent incidents.

The improved security made it possible for local Muslim and Christian leaders to focus on reconciliation efforts, and the situation has been
steadily improving.

In the last few months there have been only a few minor incidents which can be attributed to the small number of militants still in the area.
However, given that the investigation into the Bali bombing unearthed evidence of terrorists from Jemaah Islamiah and other organizations
using the Maluku as a training and recruitment area, the authorities need to remain vigilant for any renewed militant activity.

CSW has been involved in the region since 1999, assisting Christians and communities facing violence and working with Muslims and
Christians towards reconciliation. CSW has lobbied the Indonesian government to ensure a just and lasting peace and has also arranged
interfaith delegations of Malukan leaders to lobby parliamentarians from the EU and Westminster. CSW supporters have funded local
human rights groups to organize evacuations of Christians facing forced conversion to Islam.

Jacky Manuputty, Director of the Interfaith Council of the Maluku, said:

"This is the right moment to enjoy freedom from fear and to establish law and order. It is our opportunity to restore tolerance, trust and
peace and to learn to forgive each other. On behalf of the people of the Maluku, I would like to thank everyone who has supported peace
and justice for our islands. May God bless them all."

CSW's National Director Stuart Windsor added: "This is another positive step for the people of the Maluku Islands who have suffered so
much in the last few years. Local people in their communities are desperate for peace to continue so they can rebuild their lives and homes.
CSW will continue to work with local communities of both Christian and Muslim backgrounds and the Indonesian authorities to ensure this
is a lasting peace."

For background pictures, more information or a telephone interview with Jacky Manuputty, please contact Richard Chilvers,
communications manager, CSW-UK at 0 11 44 20 8329 0045 or email richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Maluku conflict, which began in 1999, has left some 10,000 dead and over half a million displaced. Many areas remain segregated
along religious lines.

The elections for Governor and Vice-Governor of the Maluku Islands took place on August 16, 2003 and passed without any major
incidents.

Karel Albert is a retired Brigadier General of the Army. At the start of the conflict in January 1999, he was the military chief commander in
Ambon. He was highly regarded by members of both communities. However, he was moved to Jayapura (Papua) shortly afterwards.

Mohammad Abdullah Latuconsina is a retired economist. His last job was as head of the provincial Revenue Department (Dinas
Pendapatan Daerah Maluku) from 1999 to 2001.

(Sources: Crisis Centre of Amboina, CSW)

------------------------------
September 11, 2003 Take action for imprisoned Indonesian church leader
Reverend Rinaldy Damanik, an Indonesian Church leader, was sentenced in June to three years for weapons possession after what many
believe to have been a politically-motivated trial. On August 7th, the Palu High court rejected Reverend Damanik's appeal. He is now
appealing to the Supreme Court in Jakarta which has accepted his case. CSW is cooperating with other organizations and launching a
major lobbying campaign on his behalf specifically targeting the EU.

We are suggesting supporters could:

1. Pray for him

2. Write him a birthday card/letter for his 44th birthday on September 25th to show him he is not forgotten.
3. Write protest letters on his behalf to your Congressperson or the Secretary of State.
BACKGROUND:

Rev. Damanik has been an outspoken critic of the police and other government authorities' lack of commitment to stop the violence in the
region. He has also been a key supporter of the reconciliation process and, as such, a hindrance to the activities of Islamist militants such
as Laskar Jihad, who are largely held to be responsible for the sectarian violence in Maluku and Sulawesi. In his capacity as the head of
the Crisis Center of Central Sulawesi, he was responsible for informing the international community of the attacks and human rights
violations against the Christians in the region. The Crisis Center is the Protestant Church Body providing assistance to the IDP's, promoting
reconciliation and reporting on human rights violations and the conflict in Central Sulawesi.

Rev. Damanik and his party were stopped by police on August 17, 2002, while attempting to evacuate Christians from Peleru village who
were under attack by militants. The police allege they seized 14 weapons and ammunition from Rev. Damanik's car. He was not arrested at
the time, nor was he informed of this 'discovery'. He was arrested on September 9, 2002, in Jakarta and charged with violation of
emergency law No. 12/1951, chapter 1 on prohibition of owning and controlling weapons or ammunition without permission. His arrest and
trial have been plagued with human rights violations. Many of the testimonies from the police and military witnesses were contradictory and
eyewitnesses admitted to being intimidated and abused. Some witnesses could not even agree on the type of vehicle Rev. Damanik was
allegedly traveling in.

While the Indonesian government in general is predominantly moderate and religious tolerance is respected in Indonesia, Rev. Damanik's
sentence regrettably highlights the gross difference in standards of justice given to members of different religious communities particularly
compared to the sentencing of leaders of known terrorist organizations:

* Abu Bakar Ba'ashier - ideological head of Jemaah Islamiah received a 4-year sentence on September 2.
* Jafar Umar Thalib - head of Laskar Jihad was acquitted in January.
* Habib Riziq - head of the FPI (a militant Islamist group) received a 7-month sentence.

PRAYER POINTS

Speaking from the prison following his verdict Rev. Damanik said:. "Thank you for everyone who has prayed for me. I really felt the power of
your prayers in prison and they strengthened my faith and gave me strength. I also want to thank all those who wrote to me. They really
brought light into my life."

He asked for the following prayer points

* Continued prayer during the crucial appeal process.
* For people to pray not just for him but also for others such as Internally Displaced Persons who were suffering more than he was.
* For the church and strength for those facing injustice worldwide. Please also pray for a swift and successful appeal process.

ACTION

1. Please consider writing a birthday card or general letter of encouragement to Rev. Damanik. Please do keep in mind that these
will probably be opened by prison authorities.

You can write to him directly:

Pdt. R. Damanik
M.Si. c/o Rumah Tahanan Maesa Palu
Jl. Bali No. 1, Palu
Sulawesi Tengah
Indonesia.

Alternatively, you can write to him via the Crisis Center:

Rev. Damanik c/o Crisis Center

P.O. Box 1406
Manado 95111 SULUT,
Indonesia

Or email via the Crisis centre on jfmonas@yahoo.com

2. Please consider raising Rev. Damanik's case with:

a) Your representative in Congress (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202.224.3121 to find out your Congressperson's name; Write to
your Senator at US Senate, Washington, DC 20510; Write to your Representative at US House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515) Letter-writing guide

b) Secretary of State:

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov
* Calling for Rev. Damanik's release
 * Urging the government to ensure that law enforcement and the judicial system in Indonesia are even-handed and that,
specifically,
Christians and other minority faiths are not discriminated against due to their religion.

-------------------------------
June 16 2003 Indonesian Church Leader Gets Three Years for Weapons
Possession in Politically-Motivated Trial
Reverend Rinaldy Damanik, an Indonesian Church leader, was sentenced on June 16, to three years' imprisonment for illegal weapons
possession in what is believed to be a politically-motivated trial.

His arrest and trial has been plagued with human rights violations. Many of the testimonies from the police and military witnesses were
contradictory and eyewitnesses admitted to being intimidated and abused. Some witnesses could not even agree on the type of vehicle
Rev. Damanik was allegedly traveling in.

The verdict will take into account the nine months he has already spent in prison in Palu, Central Sulawesi.

Rev Damanik, speaking to CSW from prison on June 16, expressed his disappointment with the verdict. However he added he was not
surprised given the difficulties with the judicial system in Indonesia and was even able to express gratitude that he has an opportunity to
appeal.

He is now preparing for his appeal which will have to be lodged in seven days and can take anything from a month to more than six months
to process.

Rev Damanik said: "Thank you for everyone who has prayed for me. I really felt the power of your prayers in prison and they strengthened
my faith and gave me strength. I also want to thank all those who wrote to me. They really brought light into my life. I would like to write
back to each and everyone who wrote to me."

He asked for continued prayer during the crucial appeal process, but also characteristically asked for people to pray not just for him but also
for others such as Internally Displaced Persons who were suffering more than he was. He also asked for prayer for the church and strength
for those facing injustice worldwide.

He received more than 1,000 letters from around the world and would greatly appreciate further letters.

CSW is asking the international community to express its concern to the Indonesian government. Whilst the Indonesian government in
general is predominantly moderate and religious tolerance is respected in Indonesia, Rev Damanik's sentence regrettably highlights the
gross difference in standards of justice given to members of different religious communities.

For example, Jafar Umar Thalib, the leader of the militant Laskar Jihad organisation, was acquitted on January 30 despite overwhelming
evidence to the contrary. Mr Thalib called for 'holy war' against Christians in Indonesia and threatened the President and the Vice-President
in April 2002. He was released from detention shortly after being arrested.

Baroness Caroline Cox, President of CSW UK, visited Palu in Central Sulawesi earlier this year where she met Rev Damanik in prison and
attended the court while he was giving evidence in his defense. She said: "I very much hope that justice will be done and will be seen to be
done for Reverend Damanik in order to demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to impartial justice for all citizens and due process of law,
which are essential characteristics of civil society.

"The widely recognized inconsistencies in the case for the prosecution cast grave doubts on the appropriateness of the verdict and
sentence in the minds of many independent observers and it is hoped that these will be taken into account should an appeal be launched."

REV DAMANIK'S ADDRESS:

Pdt. R. Damanik,
M.Si c/o Ruman Tahanan Maesa
Palu, Jl. Bali Palu,
Sulawesi Tengah,
Indonesia.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Reverend Rinaldy Damanik, 43, is head of the Crisis Centre of Central Sulawesi and was responsible for informing the international
community of the attacks and human rights violations in the area. He was stopped by police in Peleru in Sulawesi while attempting to
evacuate to safety Christians under attack from militants on August 17 2002.

The police allege they seized 14 weapons and ammunition from his car, but he was not arrested at the time nor informed of such a
discovery.

A warrant for his arrest was issued on August 22. He was arrested on September 9 2002 in Jakarta. He was charged with violation of
emergency law No. 12/1951, chapter 1 on prohibition of owning and controlling weapons or ammunition without permission. Punishment for
this crime ranges from 12 years' imprisonment to the death penalty.

Rev Damanik was held in detention for nearly four months at the National Police HQ in Jakarta. The case was initially rejected three times
by the Central Sulawesi High Court due to insufficient evidence. It was finally accepted after an eyewitness testimony reportedly obtained
through torture.

On December 26 2002, Rev Damanik was given poisoned food whilst in police custody in Palu, thereby justifying concerns for his safety in
the hands of the Central Sulawesi Police. According to the medical reports his food package contained rat poison. Fortunately, the attempt
on his life was unsuccessful.

The trial started on February 3.

He has been an outspoken critic of the police and government authorities' lack of commitment to stop the violence in the region. He has
also been a key supporter of the reconciliation process and, as such, a hindrance to the activities of the Islamist militants, such as Laskar
Jihad, largely held to be responsible for the sectarian violence in Maluku and Sulawesi.

His supporters are convinced he is in detention in a bid to silence him and to placate extremists who still have influential supporters in both
the government and the military.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 26, 2002 Indonesian Pastor Poisoned While in Police Custody

International Christian Concern

The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern, learned on December 26th that Indonesian pastor Rev.
Rinaldy Damanik received poisoned food while in police custody in Palu, Central Sulawesi. Rev. Damanik had been suddenly transferred
from a detention center in Jakarta to Palu on December 22nd without any prior notification to his attorneys, according to a reliable source in
the region. After becoming ill, Damanik was taken to a hospital, which confirmed that his food had been poisoned. Friends and supporters
of Rev. Damanik are requesting that Damanik be moved back to Jakarta for his personal safety.

Rev. Damanik was originally arrested on September 9, 2002 in Jakarta and was accused of carrying weapons in the back of a car. Damanik
was also accused of instigating violent attacks in Central Sulawesi this past August. To date investigators have not been able to produce
any evidence of Damanik's supposed crimes, yet his detention has been extended three times, most recently from December 9, 2002 until
January 8, 2003. The Central Sulawesi High Court has thus far refused to hear Damanik's case because of a lack of evidence. However,
pressure from Islamic extremist groups has resulted in continued imprisonment and Indonesia watchers believe Rev. Damanik will be
sentenced regardless of his innocence.

International Christian Concern calls for the immediate release of Rev. Damanik as well as a public apology for wrongful imprisonment. ICC
also calls on the Indonesian government to thoroughly investigate the poisoning of Damanik's food and punish those responsible.

Letters of advocacy on behalf of Rev. Damanik may be written to the Indonesian Embassy at the following address:

Ambassador Soemadi D.M. Brotodiningrat

Embassy of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036
E-mail: indonsia@dgs.dgsys.com
Fax: 202-775-5365

August 13, 2002 POSO A SEA OF FIRE: Indonesian military incapable of

quenching the flames

International Christian Concern

Joko Harmono, Jakarta, Indonesia - After a week of terror at the hands of the Laskar Jihad, the Christians are bathing in a sea of fire.

This is bringing to pass the prophetic announcement pre-recorded message broadcast on Radio SPMM Ambon on July 5, 2002, and
distributed by email print-out from the Laskar Jihad Information site in mid-July 2002. The Supreme Commander of the Laskar Jihad Ustadz
Jafar Umar Thalib, using the same language used in his radio address in Ambon on May 1, 2002, called on the Muslim community to go to
war against the Christian community:

“Prepare the bombs which we have. Prepare the ammunition which we are ready to vomit forth from the barrels of the weapons we
possess. And we swear by Allah! By Allah! By Allah! Until Tentena and surroundings become a sea of fire.”

The vision is clear and their commitment to bring it to pass is unquestioned. They are willing, and often eager, to die for their faith because
of what they have been promised by their faith. To die as a martyr in the battle while killing Christians or Jews brings the highest rewards –
immediate entrance to Paradise with 72 eternally beautiful virgins, land as far as the eye can sea, alcohol that doesn’t make you drunk and
music such as has never been heard on earth. When the alternative is living in poverty, dying of starvation and no prospect of employment,
then the option to join the jihad looks very attractive indeed. What makes it even more attractive is that they are paid, are allowed to claim
the booty of war, and if they die, their family will be well looked after by the local mosque.

What a great way to die! Adventure! Honor! Wealth! Security! Purpose! Salvation! Eternal sex! Wow!

Since Ustadz Jafar Umar Thalib’s Declaration of War the fires have been lit, fanned and now run wild like an uncontrollable forest fire.

In the past 8 months violations of the Malino Peace Accord signed last December to end three years of conflict have steadily increased
numerically and in their intensity. These were still small-scale fires, but the match was lit and the fire was not quenched.
In the last two weeks, the fire has burst into a full-scale sea of fire. Murders and attacks in Mayoa to the south of Tentena. The razing to the
ground of the villages of Matako, Betania-Malitu, Sepe and Silanca, the torture and massacre of Christians pulled from public buses and
private vehicles has left a trail of blood in recent days, and the fire rages on.

The Promise of the Malino Peace Treaty

Malino breathed hope into the hearts of the Christian community, that maybe at last the persecution and brutal attacks would cease. But
within two weeks 5 churches in the capital of the Province, Palu, were bombed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (2001-2002). The
accused mastermind, one of the Muslim signatories to the Malino Accord, was arrested.

At Malino the Government made a commitment to arrest and process every case violating the Peace Accord. Every violation would be
treated as a criminal case and dealt with firmly according to the law. But what has happened? Christian buses get blown up. Christian
villages get looted, then burned to the ground. Christians in vehicles get pulled out, tortured and slain. Foreign tourists get murdered. And
no-one gets arrested. “Unidentified people” are accused. Cabinet Minister Yusuf Kalla, as reported in The Jakarta Post, Sunday August 11,
stated that it can’t be radical Muslims doing it as “it is not their style.” He further elaborated that it wasn’t locals either. Well, who is it?

How can there be a restoration of peace and security if there is no enforcement of law and order?

Why can’t this terror be stopped?

There are two realistic possible options.

1. There is a grand conspiracy

One theory for the ongoing conflict and the inability of the government, the military and the police to stop the terror is the conspiracy option.
On August 11, before the latest attacks on Sepe and Silanca I commented on this possible option in an article called Christian Villages
Terrorized: Military Secretly Withdrawn. In that article I commented on the reporting of The Jakarta Post :

The daily newspaper The Jakarta Post today, Sunday August 11, quoted a statement by the Minister for Health & Social Welfare, that he
doubted the shooting of the Italian Lorenzo Taddei in Mayoa, the district of Poso, on Thursday evening, was carried out by a militant Muslim
group because, "It is not their style". The report from The Jakarta Post continued with a statement from the Minister which said that the
murderers were not people from Central Sulawesi. “This is terror that is coming from outside the Province”, he explained.

If the perpetrators are not Jihad or from militant Islamic groups, if they are not people from Central Sulawesi, if they are terrorists from
outside of Central Sulawesi, then who are they? We need to know!

To say that “this is not their style” in connection with the Jihad, is startling! Last year, seven times, Christian buses were attacked, bombed
and shot at. This year already five times Christian buses have been shot at or bombed. So, whose “style” is this? Truly the statement of
Minister Yusuf Kalla is very disappointing. Is he only defending his friends of the same religion or is he really seeking the truth?

I further commented on a quoted statement by the Military Commander Wirabuana Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaini in Makassar, South Sulawesi:

The Jakarta Post yesterday, Saturday (10/8) quoted the former head of the Special Military Forces who is now the Commander of
Wirabuana in Makassar, South Sulawesi, saying that there are about 50 foreigners who live in Poso using tourist visas and they are there
with “reasons that are unclear”.

This statement is very provocative and is used by the jihad to justify their presence in Poso, for the sake of the defense of the Poso
Muslims. Are there two armies in our nation? The Laskar Jihad and the Indonesian Army? Where are the 50 foreigners? Who are they?
Please, Gen. Isnaini, please tell us! We need to know!

Investigations in the area shows that occasionally there are foreign tourists who come to Tentena from Toraja or other cities. Sometimes
they come in groups of two, sometimes more. But 50! The hotels in Tentena would be overrun if that many people came all at the one time.
And if they did come, shouldn’t it be something quite normal? Tentena, together with Toraja, is promoted overseas as a tourist destination
and the government always reports to investors and overseas governments that peace has been restored. Don’t we have the Malino
Agreement and haven’t the military guaranteed peace and safety? Is it not only right that tourists should come here? Or should we tell the
world, “Don’t come to Indonesia. It’s not safe!”

Two days in a row The Jakarta Post has carried these very provocative news reports. What is their agenda? Is there a conspiracy in the
Government, for example, between the Minister for Health & Social Welfare Yusuf Kalla and the Indonesian Army, or perhaps with Major
General Amirul Isnaini to purposely provide news that creates an impression that it is not the jihad terrorists that have killed the Italian
tourist and even providing news that leads to the impression that maybe it is the foreigners, the tourists, not the local people, not the Muslim
militants who are behind the terror that is taking place in Poso recently. This is too much!

Then in a third quote by the same newspaper they quote the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu to indicate
that foreign tourists could be involved in the Poso conflict questioning the presence of the slain Italian tourist, adding, “It is not clear if
Lorenzo was one of these foreigners.”

This sort of reporting makes the Christian community very uncomfortable and suspicious as though there is a grand design between certain
elements of the Press, the Military and the Government to form public opinion against the Christians in support of the agenda of the Islamic
radicals rampaging out of control in our country. Is there another option?

2. The security forces are incapable of quenching the flames

This second option questions whether the Indonesian security forces are just totally incapable or are so compromised that they are unable
to provide and guarantee security.

Are the intelligence branches of the security forces just lacking in intelligence or do they face a real crisis of compromised faith?

I want to give the security forces the benefit of the doubt. I don’t want to raise the option of corruption on a wide-scale and using the
suffering of the people as an opportunity to make money on the black market. There maybe a few like that, but I can’t believe that the
security forces are that greedy. I believe that they are sincere and they love the country. But are they compromised by their faith?

During the Soeharto years and the running of the P4 program which instilled devoutness of faith in every citizen as a part of commitment to
the national philosophy of Pancasila and Unity in Diversity.

Every member of the security forces has to be committed to his or her faith. Since 85% of the security forces are Muslims, they are taught
to be faithful to their religion and their country.

Then a conflict occurs, for example, in Ambon or Poso, where there are strong religious elements involved. A jihad is declared. What can be
done by these Muslims who are in the security forces? Jihad, in its various forms, is a valid part of their faith. To fight against fellow Muslims
on a jihad is to fight against Allah. If one becomes the enemy of Allah then there is no possibility of salvation and one is condemned to the
fires of hell for all eternity.

Minimally, these Muslim members of the security forces are compromised. Do they love Indonesia? Yes, they do. Do they support the
national philosophy and commitment to unity in diversity? Yes, they do. But they don’t want to burn in eternal torment in the fires of hell the
Al Qu’ran and The Haddiths promises to all who fight against jihad. So they withdraw. They will not fight the jihad forces marching on a
Christian village. The Christians are left to resist automatic weapons with bamboo sticks, stones and machete knives.

Unfortunately, the minimum for some is not sufficient. They too get caught up in the call to jihad and the promised guarantees of eternal life
and pleasure for them and their families. To win is glory and to die in a jihad is even more glorious. That’s why so many members of the
security forces have been so actively involved in the massacres against the Christians.

Are they just plain evil people? No! At least not any more than any other human being of any religious faith. They are just compromised or
captivated by the teachings of their faith.

What is the solution? I would like to suggest two possibilities.

Firstly, our Government must bring an understanding to the security forces that these attacks and massacres are criminal acts that
endanger the stability and future of the nation. All criminal acts must be dealt with by law, whatever their religious faith and whatever their
social or political position. The current activities are not just anti-Christian, they are anti-Indonesia. It threatens the economic recovery. It
prolongs the suffering of the poor. It makes our country a laughing stock among the nations.

Our country and its constitution guarantees freedom of religion and tolerance of the beliefs of others. We support the principles of Human
Rights and Freedom of Choice for all.

If we are to live as a civilized society in the community of nations, the security forces must see that standing up against jihad terrorism is not
anti-Allah, but anti-terrorism and anti-evil.

If the security forces cannot accept that then it proves that they are so totally compromised that they have become unable and unwilling to
be a truly Indonesian Defense Force but instead have become an Islamic Defense Force. Which is it to be?

The second possibility is that the Government recognizes the innate weakness of the security forces (military and police) to carry out their
national duties in a religious conflict and to look for an international partner to assist them.

Does this bring shame on Indonesia? No way! It just recognizes like any mature person, family or nation, that we live in an international
community and that sometimes we need some friends to help us through a difficult time. This is just such a difficult time.

Let us not let the innocents suffer any longer. Let’s get real. Let’s invite the UN to be a partner with us. There is no shame in this. In fact the
world community will praise us for our maturity and commitment to resolving a very complex problem. It is time for us to grow up as a
nation. Under Sukarno we were infants. Under Soeharto we were wild teenagers. But now – it is time for us to be adults and join the world
community.

------------------------------------
June 5, 2002 Violent conflict has erupted again in the Moluccas Islands in
Indonesia
The violence follows the arrival of Jafar Umar Thalib, the leader of the militant Laskar Jihad organization. Mr. Thalib held a Tabliq Akbar
(religious speech) on April 26 calling for war against the Christian separatists. Two days after this the Christian village of Soya was attacked
by militants leaving at least 12 dead (including two children) and 11 injured. Christian leaders issued an urgent plea for help to the
international community. Since then, there have been several violent attacks by militants targeting not only Christian communities but also
Muslims supporting reconciliation.

Fortunately, the Moluccan Muslim and Christian communities have refused to rise to the provocation. In a show of unity religious leaders
and representatives of the regional parliament and the city council have traveled to Jakarta together to call for the Indonesian government
to take strong measures on law enforcement and security in the region and to immediately arrest those inciting violence in the region. For
the first time, Moluccan Muslim leaders have called publicly for Jafar Umar Thalib's arrest.

Mr. Thalib was arrested on May 4 at Surabaya airport on his return from Ambon. [Please see translation of parts of Mr. Thalib's speech
below.] The authorities are charging him under article 160 (incitement to crime/agitation) and article 134 (defamation of the President) of the
Criminal Code. Both charges relate to Mr. Thalib's inflammatory speech, of which there is video and taped evidence, and the subsequent
attack on Soya village. Article 160 carries a maximum sentence of 6 years and article 134 a sentence of 8 years imprisonment. The
minimum sentence is a fine of some 4500 rupiah (about 50 cents).

Whilst the Indonesian authorities ought to be commended for the arrest, it is noteworthy that Mr. Thalib was arrested exactly one year ago
and then released after 11 days in detention to freely continue his activities. It is crucial that Jafar Umar Thalib's arrest leads to a conviction
this time. There are grave concerns that he might be released following protests from leading Islamists and violent attacks by his supporters
in Ambon who launched mortar attacks on the Christian communities over the weekend killing two people and injuring at least 12. Laskar
Jihad enjoys high-level support from members of the political elite and the military, including the Vice- President Hamzah Haz.

The international community has a crucial role to play in urging the Indonesian government to implement the necessary law enforcement
and security measures for the peace process to succeed as well as assisting with rehabilitation and rebuilding in the region. This is the last
chance for the people of Moluccas to stop the violence.

There will be an EU-Indonesia meeting in Madrid on June 6, 2002. Please pray for all who participate in this event and consider sending a
fax to the Spanish Foreign Minister today (number provided below) asking him to raise some of the attached recommendations with the
Indonesian authorities.

Thank you for your support

RECOMMENDATIONS

TO THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT

1. President Megawati should adopt the Malino II Agreement as a presidential decree.
2. To take immediate measures to arrest and prosecute Jafar Umar Thalib for violating clauses four and five of Malino Agreement to which
the Indonesian government is a signatory.
3. To take immediate legal measures against groups and/or individuals making inflammatory statements and inciting violence against and
hatred of ethnic and religious groups.
4. To take immediate measures to dismantle the Laskar Jihad terrorist organization widely held responsible for the majority of the violence
in Moluccas since its arrival in the region in May 2000.
5. To take all necessary measures to ensure that the security and law enforcement provisions of Malino II are fulfilled.
6. To ensure that any security and law enforcement measures taken are even-handed and non-discriminatory.
7. To investigate and bring to justice as a matter of urgency the perpetrators behind the attacks on Soya village, the burning of the Silo
church, the bomb attack on April 3 and the attacks on Muslim and Christian demonstrators on March 2.
8. To ensure that military and police units stationed in the Moluccas act in a professional and impartial manner.
9. To deploy the Joint Battalion (Yon Gab) or similar elite units in the Moluccas as a matter of urgency.
10. As a matter of urgency to establish a national investigation team composed of representatives from both Christian and Muslim
communities, local NGO's and other independent organizations as discussed during the Malino meeting.

TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

1) To urge the Indonesian government to ensure that the provisions of Malino II are fulfilled in the timeframe agreed by the government and
the parties concerned.
2) To urge the Indonesian government to ensure that any security and law enforcement measures taken are even-handed and non-
discriminatory.
3) To urge the Indonesian government to take swift action against those groups and/or individuals (such as Mr. Atamimi, Jafar Umar Thalib,
Laskar Jihad, associated groups and local front organizations) making inflammatory statements and inciting violence against and hatred of
ethnic and religious groups.
4) To urge the Indonesian government to dismantle the Laskar Jihad terrorist organization
5) An international monitoring team should be sent to the area as a matter of urgency to investigate the current situation and to explore
ways in which the international community can provide assistance where necessary.
6) To continue supporting the Indonesian government in reforming the security sector through sharing of expertise and training.
7) To explore ways in which the international community can assist the National Investigation Team.

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
1) To invest adequately in programs of reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
2) To strengthen Indonesian law enforcement and judiciary structures through international expertise and financial assistance.
3) To ensure accountability for any financial assistance or humanitarian aid sent to the area.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Mr. Josep Piqué I Camps

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Spanish Foreign Ministry
Plaza Marques de Salamanca
8 Madrid
SPAIN

Tel: +34 - 91 366 68 09/91 379 95 03

Fax: +34 91 435 24 25/91 366 7076

You may wish to write to your Congressperson asking them to write to the following Indonesian authorities regarding this matter:

Her Excellency Megawati Sukarnoputri

President of the Republic of Indonesia
Office of the President
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta 10110
Indonesia
Tel: 62-21-331097, 333262
Faxes: +62 21-345 7782; Telexes: 44283 BIGRA IA / 44469 DEPLU IA
E-mails: presiden@ri.go.id
Hamzah Haz
Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia,
Istana Wakil President,
Jalan Merdeka Selatan 6,
Jakarta 10110,
Indonesia.
Ph: + 62-21-381-3969 or 381-3539
Fax: + 62-21-345-2685

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

Co-Ordinating Minister for Security and Political Affairs
Menteri Koordinator Bidang Politik dan Keamanan
Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 15
Jakarta Pusat 10110
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 345 1064 / 345 0918 / 344 1751

Prof. Dr. Yusril Ihza Mahendra,

Minister for Justice and Human Rights,
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 6-7, Kuningan,
Jakarta Selatan,
Indonesia.
Fax: +62 21 5253095/310 4149/5225036.

and to diplomatic representatives of Indonesia accredited to your country.

A Declaration of War: Is America Listening?

(Washington, DC - May 15, 2002) Below are excerpts from the translation of a radio broadcast on Radio SPMM (The voice of struggle of
the Maluku Muslims) from Commander of the Laskar Jihad Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah Ustadzjaf'ar Umar Thalib that was aired on May 1-3,
2002.

My beloved Muslim community whom I love and I honor. Leaders of Islam, priests of mosques, society leaders and all of the Muslim
community, wherever you may be when you hear the call which I am declaring. We give thanks to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala who has
chosen us as His army. The army of God has the responsibility to go to war, even as God commanded: Su 2:216 Fighting is prescribed for
you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah
knoweth, and ye know not. Thus has God revealed the responsibility for going to war to us as the armies of God.

Muslims whom I love and honor. For those of us who are still hesitant about going to war, listen to the advice from God about how we must
carry out our mission of war. Allah has reminded us: Su 4:75 And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being
weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? --Men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are
oppressors; and raise for us from Thee one who will protect; and raise for us from Thee one who will help!"

SPMM radio audience whom I love and honor. What laws exist in this world which are able to stand against the laws of God when God says
that we are responsible to go to war to defend those who are persecuted, who are unable to defend themselves? And what laws in this
world are able to prohibit the religion responsibility which declares the command of God, Su 8:72 if they seek your aid in religion, it is your
duty to help them, Therefore I stress, all laws and regulations which are in contradiction to the word of God are null and void.

Therefore, I have ordered every Jihad soldier in the Ahlussunnah Wal Jama'ah to write out their wills and prepare themselves to welcome
their fate as martyrs. Get out all your weapons. Because of the busyness of this war, I am forced to announce to the Muslims that the
activities of the SDIP, TKIP and TPQ (schools) are for the present on holiday in order to prepare themselves to get ready for this civil war.
And to the medical forces, may they prepare themselves for all possibilities to be ready to serve those who are wounded in the battle.

To the Muslims I counsel that they unite their ranks and prepare themselves in facing the opposition of the people towards the betrayal of
the state and the nation. We all serve Allah, reject all forms of sweeping and the like. We are prepared to confront tanks and the like. We
are even ready to face fighter planes and helicopters. We do not care. All of this is a warning to the world.

You listen to this. Woe to the pawns of America. You listen to this. Woe to the pawns of the World Church council. You listen to this. Woe to
the pawns of the Zionist Crusaders. You listen to this. Woe to the Jews and the Christians. We the Muslim people invite the army of America
to prove their strength here in Maluku. Let us fight to the bitter end. Let us prove for the umpteenth time that the Muslim people cannot be
defeated by the physical strength which is always boasted about.

The events of the second Afghanistan will take place in Maluku when you are determined to carry out your threats. Woe to America. Now
you! Woe to America who is now suffering various defeats, various awesome beatings in Afghanistan. Let us meet like men on the
battlefield. We will pass down to our grandchildren the spirit of battle because we have been raised up God as His armies. And we hope
Allah includes us among His servants who receive of His mercy and His servants who uphold the honor of His religion.

Therefore, increase your devotion, increase your repentance, increase your prayers to Allah and increase your good deeds of obedience to
Allah in the process of receiving the blessing of Allah, so that we will gain the victory through Allah. Until we meet on the battle field! Allkahu
Akbar!!!

----------------------------------------

June 5, 2002 Terrorist and suicide bombings of buses in Israel frequently

are reported by the foreign press, but rarely such acts of terrorism in
Indonesia are reported
Today, in route to Tentena, South Sulawesi Island, an Antariksa bus in route from the island's southern capital city of Palu to Tentena was
blown apart by a bomb that had been planted under a seat in the bus. Two of the company's buses were traveling together, when at the
town of Toini, about 5 miles from the city of Poso, the first bus with about 45 passengers on board was ripped apart by one of two bombs
planted on the bus. All 45 passengers targeted by the unknown terrorists were Christians. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the
bombing.

The second bus left the scene without incident and immediately went to Poso to report the bombing to the police. According to the police,
two bombs were placed in the bus, but the one placed in the front, near the driver, failed to explode. Only the bomb located under the
second seat from the rear of the bus exploded. It was reported that the bomb had to have been rather large to have torn off the right and
left walls of the bus, as well as the roof and the floor.

Four people were confirmed dead at the scene, two men, one a Pentecostal pastor from Palu, and the second from Watuauw village, near
Tentena, and two women. The body of one of the women was so badly mutilated that she could not be identified. A total of 17 were injured,
two last report to be in critical condition, including a mother and her child.

As the result of a peace agreement between Muslims and Christians, the final withdrawal of Indonesian military troops in Central Sulawesi
is underway, with the final withdrawal of the remaining troops to be completed by June 12.

Replacing the military will be approximately 400 police or BRIMOB officers from the city of Manado, North Sulawesi province. With Muslim
terrorist groups such as the Laskar Jihad having refused to honor the peace imitative, and having come from outside the area, they still
remain a present danger to the Christians in the region.

The situation in Tentena, where tens of thousands of Christians have already fled after their villages were destroyed by raiding Muslim jihad
forces, is once again tense. The mostly Christian population is bracing for more attacks. Muslim jihad checkpoints are once again in place
and are controlling all traffic in and out of Tentena.

International Christian Concern (ICC) is a Washington, DC based human rights organization. For more information, contact
ICC at: (301) 989-1708.

-------------------------------------------
April 29, 2002 Attack on Christian village in Moluccas Islands leaves 12
dead
At least 12 people, including a baby, have been killed in a pre-dawn attack on a Christian village on Ambon Island in Indonesia.

Militants went from door to door, bursting into houses and stabbing and shooting those inside during the attack at 3.45am on Sunday
morning at Soya, five kilometers outside Ambon City.

A further 11 people were seriously injured during the incident which happened during a power cut.

An eyewitness, Yoke Wattimura, told Antara, the Indonesian state news agency: “Some of them wore black uniform and others were clad in
Indonesian military uniforms, equipped with standard M-16 rifles and bayonets attached. They knocked on bedroom’s window before
brutally opening fire.”

The militants left before the break of dawn at 5am after setting fire to up to 30 buildings and a nineteenth century Protestant church.

Tension has been building on the island prior to Thursday April 25, the 52nd anniversary of the founding a separatist movement known as
the Republic of South Maluku (RMS).

Silo church, the biggest Protestant church on the Moluccas, was burned on Thursday during a demonstration of some 1,000 Muslims led by
the militant Islamist terrorist organization, Laskar Jihad. The crowd was protesting against the raising of RMS flags in the city and six bombs
were set off in Ambon on that day.

The following day, Jafar Umar Thalib, head of Laskar Jihad, reportedly told a crowd of some 5,000 Muslims at the Al-Fatah Mosque in
Ambon City that the Malino Peace Agreement was treason. CNN quoted him as saying: “Our focus now must be preparing for war – ready
your guns, spears and daggers.”

This latest attack is the worst since the Malino Peace Agreement was signed in February 2002 and followed a similar pattern to previous
attacks organized by Laskar Jihad.

Similar features include: attacking in the early hours of the morning during a power cut; the attackers wearing military uniforms and black
masks; going from house to house and knocking on doors and then stabbing or shooting those inside.

The Crisis Center of Amboina, a human rights information center, reported that survivors heard Javanese accents. The Laskar Jihad
movement is primarily based in Java.

Father Bohm of the center said: “It may be the end of the peace deal. There is no doubt that it was the Laskar Jihad behind Sunday’s attack
in Ambon.”

Islamist militants have tried to exaggerate the RMS’s support in the Moluccas to justify their presence in the region as ‘defenders of the
national sovereignty of Indonesia’. Experts believe that the RMS has no more than 100-200 supporters while Laskar Jihad has some 3,000
armed militants in the region.
CSW has repeatedly called on the Indonesian government to remove Laskar Jihad militants from the region as reconciliation cannot
succeed while armed militant organizations are able to promote violence with impunity.

CSW calls on the Indonesian government to arrest Jafar Umar Thalib and others who are in direct violation of clauses four and five of the
Malino agreement (see below) and to arrest those responsible for violence or inflammatory statements which provoke further conflict.

In addition CSW calls on the government to bring to justice those behind the attack on Soya, the bomb attack on April 3 and the attacks on
peaceful demonstrators on March 2.

CSW is briefing parliamentarians and governments on the situation, including the European Parliament delegation currently visiting Jakarta,
as well as asking those concerned to contact their MP and MEPs.

Rev Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved
ones in this terrible attack.

“At a time of increased tension in the Moluccas, we continue to call on the Indonesian government to protect all its citizens from violence
and to put adequate security measures in place.

“It is vital that this peace agreement does not fall apart and cost yet more in terms of human suffering simply because of insufficient action
to clamp down on those responsible for stirring up violence on either side.”

Excerpts from text of the MALINO II AGREEMENT signed in February 2002 to which the Indonesian government signatory:

4. As part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, the people of the Moluccas have the right to stay, to work and to be active in the
whole of Indonesia. Likewise Indonesian non-Moluccans have the right to stay, to work and to be active in the Province of the Moluccas
legally and justly under the condition that they respect and obey local culture and uphold security and regulations.

5. All kinds of organizations, units, groups or “laskar” (militias) who are in possession of weaponry without permission are not allowed and
they must hand over their weapons, or the weapons will be confiscated whereupon they will be prosecuted according to the law. Outsiders
who create disorder in the Moluccas will be expelled from the Moluccas.

---------------------------------------
April 8 2002 Call for Government Intervention in Indonesia After Bomb
Blast Kills Six
SIX people have died and 55 have been wounded in a bomb explosion in a Christian area of Ambon city in the Moluccas Islands of
Indonesia.

The incident marks the first serious violation of a ceasefire deal - the Malino agreement - signed in February after three years of violence
which has left up to nine thousand people dead and up to half a million displaced.

The bomb exploded on April 4 in front of the Hotel Amboina. It is believed that a bomb was thrown from a car which sped towards the
Muslim area of Simpang.

Three suspects have been arrested, but not before an angry crowd of Muslims and Christians gathered outside the Governor of Ambon's
office and began throwing stones at the building.

During this demonstration the back of the building was set on fire, destroying most of the building including the offices of the UN agencies.

All UN staff have been relocated to Jakarta, but international NGOs have chosen to stay on in Ambon.

Laskar Jihad, the militant Islamist movement, which has threatened to disrupt the Malino peace agreement, is widely held to be responsible
for the bomb attack as well as for other incidents designed to disrupt the reconciliation process.

The government has yet to take decisive steps against this group despite the provisions of the Malino agreement calling for such action.

Both Muslim and Christian communities in the Moluccas feel the security forces have failed to take any serious measures to investigate or
prevent violence since the agreement was signed on February 12.

In addition the government has just announced that several law enforcement and security provisions agreed to in the agreement will be
postponed.

A leading Protestant human rights representative is calling on the Indonesian government to take urgent steps to enforce the fragile peace
on the Spice Islands.

Reverend Jacky Manuputty has been an eyewitness to previous attacks on Ambon and was one of the delegates in the Malino peace talks.

He said: "Most Christians and Muslims in the Moluccas are aware that the violence has to stop and that we should provide a future for the
next generation.

"We have to believe that the Malino agreement is still holding because we have no choice. It has to succeed otherwise the Moluccas are
finished. We are begging the government to do their job and to implement the law enforcement and security provisions which they agreed
to."

-------------------------------
March 19, 2002 Indonesian Spice Islands peace plan in danger of collapse
due to violence promoted by Islamist extremists
A series of violent attacks on both the Muslim and Christian communities is threatening to derail the peace process in Indonesia.

Whilst the majority of Christians and Muslims support reconciliation efforts, militant Islamist group Laskar Jihad continues to exploit
communal tensions.

Two people were reportedly taken to hospital with serious injuries while two people suffered slight cuts. Six people are still believed to be
missing.

The rally was the first time in years that many Christians and Muslims had mingled freely, having previously been segregated into religious
districts as a result of the conflict.

This sort of attack, directed at undermining the peace process, is a far from isolated incident. On another occasion, a bus driver taking
Christians from Tulehu had stones thrown at his bus while he was driving through the Muslim area of Batu Merah and of Galunggung, a
Laskar Jihad stronghold.

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, enjoys a long history of religious tolerance, but the growth of militant Islamist organizations
such as Laskar Jihad has jeopardized this reputation.

The freedom with which they are allowed to operate has raised serious questions among the wider international community and
consequently has undermined both foreign investment and tourism.

A CSW team member, recently back from an inter-faith delegation visit to Indonesia, reported that the deep-seated desire of both Muslims
and Christians was for a lasting peace.

The Malino 1 Agreement signed on December 20 and relating to nearby Sulawesi, ensured the government committed a large security
contingent to the conflict area, which in turn has stopped the violence. The commitment is only due to last for six months and many fear that
if the security forces pull out, the violence will flare up again.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “The peace process on the Moluccas is on a knife-edge. It is a
tragedy that a small number of Islamist militants are able to sabotage these genuine moves to peace. The fact that extremist are able to
attack both Christians and Muslims, apparently with impunity, is an outrage and must be addressed.

“It is hard to understand why these groups are allowed to tarnish Indonesia’s international reputation without any repercussions.

“The Indonesian Government must take strong and effective measures against those inciting hatred and participating in violence in
Sulawesi and the Moluccas. They must be brought to justice.”

CSW also calls on the government to back the Malino process with concrete action by ensuring the security measures recommended are
implemented as a matter of urgency.

Indonesia will need considerable assistance to rebuild war-torn areas and to rehabilitate Muslim and Christian communities. CSW urges the
international community to offer its assistance to the reconciliation process to contribute to a lasting and genuine peace.

-----------------------------------
January 2, 2002 New Year Greeted with Bomb Blasts in Indonesia
Bombs exploded in four churches in Palu, Central Sulawesi, shattering the welcomed peaceful calm that the Christians enjoyed this past
Christmas season. The Christian minority, estimated to be about 15% of the population, packed churches in record numbers throughout
Indonesia to celebrate Christmas. The bombings in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, appear to have been carried out by Muslim
terrorists in retaliation of their thwarted plans in which they had threatened a "bloody Christmas" for tens of thousands of Christians in the
Poso region. A year ago, during Christmas Eve services in Jakarta and nine other cities, bomb explosions took the lives of 19 people.

The four churches that were bombed Monday night were an Adventist Church, a Presbyterian Church and two Pentecostal Churches.
Reverend Yohanes Moniaga, pastor of the Ekklesia Pentecostal Church reported that a bomb exploded at seven minutes before midnight.
Speaking to an ICC source in the region shortly after the explosion, Pastor Moniaga said, "It was a miracle that no one in our church was
killed. As the bomb exploded, I saw people being lifted into the air. Immediately following the explosion, no one left the church. We just
called on the Lord and thanked Him for His deliverance."

Two hours after the first bomb exploded, a fourth bomb exploded at the Pantekosta church in Palu. One policeman was killed and a second
policeman was injured as they attempted to remove the bomb from the church. The bomb had been hurled through a window by terrorists
on motorbikes. There were at least two injuries reported in the four attacks, but miraculously there were no other fatalities, in spite of the
fact that the churches were filled with hundreds of people.

Church leaders, while urging the police to act quickly to catch the perpetrators, called on Christians to remain calm and not to seek
retaliation.

International Christian Concern (ICC) president Steven Snyder, after returning from a fact-finding trip to Central Sulawesi in November, has
been urging U.S. involvement in pressuring the Indonesian government to combat terrorism within their borders and to bring to justice those
who have been encouraging terrorism. The man said to be the largest supporter of terrorism against the Christians in Central Sulawesi and
the Moluccan Islands is Jafar Umar Thalib, the leader of the radical Islamic group Laskar Jihad. According to Mr. Snyder, "The evil of
terrorism lurking within Islam will continue to spread if advocates of terrorism are not apprehended. Their terrorist activities will only
continue to cast a dark shadow over claims that 'Islam is a religion of peace, justice and tolerance.'"
ICC is urging Americans to protest the acts of terrorism in Indonesia by contacting Secretary of State Colin Powell and the Indonesian
Embassy.

Secretary of State Colin Powell

Department of State
2201 C St. NW Suite 7276
Washington, DC 20520
Tel: 202-647-6575
Fax: 202-261-8577

Charge d’ Affairs T.A. Samodra Sriwidjaja

Embassy of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-775-5200
Fax: 202-775-5365

----------------------------------
December 20, 2001 Prayers Needed for Indonesia
Dear Friends,

As we prepare to share Christmas time with our friends and families, Christians in Indonesia are facing possible violence by Islamist militant
organizations who are reported to be planning to disrupt Christmas celebrations in the country. Following last year's bombing campaign in
churches when at least 19 people were killed on Christmas Eve, the Indonesian authorities have launched a security campaign deploying
some 11,000 personnel in Jakarta alone over this Christmas period. A police spokesman told Reuters that based on intelligence reports "the
possibility is wide open that unrest provoked by certain groups or outsiders could occur during the Christmas period". Ambon remains tense
following two violent attacks on boats within a week, which left at least 20 Christians dead and over 47 people injured, and this threat by
militant organizations of further attacks over the Christmas period. Reverend Hendriks, the Moderator of the Protestant Church in the
Moluccas (GPM), has appealed for calm and for Christians not to resort to violence in retaliation despite provocation. The head of National
Intelligence Service, Lt. Gen. Hendropriyono reportedly stated at a recent press conference that Laskar Jihad was receiving funds from the
al-Qaeda network. Mr. Thalib, the leader of Laskar Jihad, has denied any links with either Osama bin Laden or the al-Qaeda network.

PRAY
§ Please pray that God will frustrate the efforts of the militant organizations seeking to provoke further violence between the Christians
and Muslim communities in Indonesia.
§ Please pray that security authorities will be successful in preventing any bombing campaigns during the Christmas celebrations and that
Christian communities in Indonesia will be able to enjoy a joyous and peaceful Christmas.
§ Please pray that reconciliation efforts in Sulawesi and Moluccas will be successful in bringing to an end these violent conflicts and that
the Indonesian authorities will take strong measures to remove Islamist militants from the region.

------------------------------------
December 7, 2001 Indonesia - Sulawesi Island
Dear Friends,

The Christians in Sulawesi urgently need your prayers and your assistance. As you might have heard, some 40,000 thousand Christian
refugees are trapped in the city of Tentena in the island province of Sulawesi, which is reportedly surrounded by members of the Laskar
Jihad, a militant Islamist group responsible for much of the violence in another province, the Moluccas.

Whilst the threat of expected bloodshed has been averted, the situation remains critical with over 7000 jihad militants believed to be present
in Sulawesi according to Michael Elmquist of the United Nations.

The Indonesian government has sent a high-level government delegation to the region headed by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, to determine whether a state of Civil emergency should be imposed in Sulawesi. The
government has also pledged to send over 2000 soldiers and police to re-enforce and assist the already existing security personnel in
curbing the violence.

Please find attached a brief background on the situation as well as an excellent detailed background report by the Uniting Church of
Australia. International Christian Concern (ICC), a US-based Christian organization, has been instrumental in bringing the situation to
international attention and a team from ICC has just returned from a fact-finding visit to the region. Their report can read on the following
website www.persecution.org

CSW has continually campaigned for the removal of the Laskar Jihad militants from conflict zones in Indonesia and for the arrest of the
leader of the organization, Jafar Umar Thalib. Baroness Cox, CSW-UK President, raised these concerns during a House of Lords question
time on December 6th. It is hoped that this latest incident will finally result in firm action being taken by the Indonesian government against
these militant provocateurs.

************************************************

Brief Background on Sulawesi

Sulawesi region, an island group adjacent to the Moluccas region, has been a scene of ethnic conflict for the past few years. Christians are
either in
the majority or are a sizable minority throughout the region. The majority of the Christian community is located in the Central Sulawesi
region. Unlike the Moluccas though where, apart from a few isolated incidents, violence has been pre-dominantly one-sided, both Muslim
and Christian communities have been party to violent attacks in the past in Sulawesi.

In the last few months, the situation has changed drastically with the arrival of Laskar Jihad militants to the region. They claim that there are
currently over 7000 militants operating in Sulawesi. Their presence has intensified the violence, and reports from the churches suggest that
the majority of the Christian villages in Central Sulawesi have either been attacked or are facing attack by the Jihad militants. In the last few
days the situation has become critical as Laskar Jihad have attacked village after village forcing the population to flee to the Christian town
of Tentena, which is now under siege. The Christian community reportedly sent an emergency delegation to Jakarta appealing to the
Indonesian government to send military and police reinforcements to the area as a matter of urgency.

Country Background
Indonesia (pop. 210), the world's largest Muslim country, is a predominantly moderate Muslim nation where Christians account for 10% of
the population. The country has experienced both economic and political turmoil in recent years. The current president is Megawati
Sukarnoputri, the first female president in Indonesia's history.

Indonesia, comprising of some 13,000 islands, became independent in August 1945. The state ideology, Pancasila, is intended to affirm the
common elements, such as faith in God, in the five officially recognized faith groups.

Laskar Jihad
The actions of one militant Islamist organization, the Laskar Jihad, though are in danger of shattering the good relations between the
different faith communities in the country.

Laskar Jihad first came to international attention when they called for a Jihad against the Christians in the Moluccas at a mass rally held in
Jakarta in January 2000. They recruited some 10,000 volunteers who were then trained at an Islamist training camp in Yogyakarta. Some
2000 militants arrived in the Moluccas in April 2000 and are considered responsible for the majority of the violence in the region. Apart from
attacking the Christian communities, the militants also attack Muslims engaged in reconciliation as well as police and military authorities
attempting to protect Christian communities.

Laskar Jihad is widely acknowledged to have links with international Islamist movements in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Malaysia and Philippines,
although Mr. Thalib, an Afghan veteran, denies any involvement with Osama Bin Laden and the Al Qaeda network.

Whilst the organization does not enjoy, numerically, a large following, it is very efficient at capitalizing on public sentiment and using
misinformation portraying the Moluccas, for example, as a Christian crusade against the Muslim population. Laskar Jihad also enjoys the
backing of high-level officials both in the military and in the government in Indonesia, enabling it to act with impunity.

According to Government officials, around 3000 members of the Muslim militant group, Laskar Jihad, remain in the Moluccas. They have
declared their intent to resolve the 'Christian problem' by force and are sending reinforcements' into the area to achieve their goal. In the
last few months it appears that Laskar Jihad have widened their focus and moved into other areas, which have either a Christian majority or
a substantial Christian minority such as Sulawesi. It appears that they are trying to capitalize on public sentiment against the military strike
on Afghanistan.

ACT and PRAY

Please note: It is important to acknowledge that members of both communities have been party to violent attacks in Sulawesi. It is equally
important though to make a distinction between the sectarian conflict involving the Muslim and Christian communities in Sulawesi and the
current conflict where the Christian communities are being attacked by a militant Jihad organization with international Islamist links and with
a self-proclaimed aim to drive out or kill the Christian communities in both Sulawesi and the Moluccas.

Recommendations:
Please write to your Congressperson to ask them to raise the following concerns with the Indonesian authorities. You can find out the name
of your Congressperson by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

To ask the Indonesian government

1) To take immediate measures to remove members of the militant group, Laskar Jihad, from the Moluccas.
2) To take immediate measures to prevent Jihad militants plans to attack Christian communities in the Moluccas and Sulawesi and to take
the strongest possible measures to guarantee the safety and security of both Christians and Muslims in the area.
3) To take immediate measures to investigate, identify and bring to justice those responsible for perpetrating the violence, in particular, the
Laskar Jihad Commander Jafar Umar Thalib.
4) To ensure that the military and police units sent to the region act in a professional and impartial manner. The Joint Battalion units used in
Moluccas were considered impartial by both communities.
5) To facilitate immediate and unrestricted access for humanitarian agencies and to act swiftly and impartially to provide humanitarian aid
and assistance to those displaced and in need.

Please also write a polite letter directly to the following Ministers raising the above-mentioned concerns. Whilst acknowledging that
Indonesia is predominantly a moderate nation and that the government is committed to religious freedom, you should also mention that the
freedom and impunity with which Laskar Jihad is able to act will unfortunately portray Indonesia in a more 'militant' light and will effectively
deter tourism and foreign investment in the country.

Contact Details:

His Excellency
Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Co-ordinating Minister for Politics and Security of the Republic of
Indonesia
Menteri Koordinator Bidang Politik dan Keamanan
Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 15
Jakarta Pusat 10110
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 345 1064 / 345 0918 / 344 1751
Salutation: Your Excellency

His Excellency
Mr. Hamzah Haz
Vice-President of the Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan No 6
Jakarta 10110
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 381 0104
Salutation: Your Excellency

--------------------------------------
FROM: International Christian Concern

December 5, 2001 Some Encouraging News from Poso/ Tentena,

Indonesia
In response to Christians responding to a call to prayer and advocacy, many elected officials have been contacted and there has been
encouraging signs that, at least for now, the looming threat against the more than 63,000 Christians of the Tentena area has
been averted. While the threat of a massive attack and great loss of life still remains, recent action on the part of the Indonesian
government appears to have, at least for now, thwarted the plans of the jihad forces.

The president of International Christian Concern (ICC), Steven Snyder, returned from Tentena just 14 days ago after delivering aid and
conducing a fact-finding mission. Following first hand reports and visually examining the damage caused by the Laskar Jihad terrorists, ICC
has issued numerous alerts to the worldwide Christian community and government agencies. Steven Snyder reported that a ranking police
officer had said that six foreigners, four from Pakistan and two from Afghanistan, had been detained after they were discovered to have
been involved in the training of Indonesian Muslims for the movement known as the Laskar Jihad. All six were ordered released by the
police leadership in Palu before the police in Tentena were allowed to interrogate them.

As of Wednesday, December 5, the following has developed:

* There has been on attack or large-scale massacre launched against the 63,000 plus Christians in the area of Tentena of the Poso region.
However, the Laskar Jihad have caused destruction and loss of life since ICC's witnessed previous destruction prior to November 23.

* The Indonesian government has dispatched at least 2,600 military troops and another report indicated that the government will dispatch
additional troops for a total of 4,000 in order to deal with crisis in the Poso region. ICC was told that the military will remain in the region for
at least 6 months. However, there is still concern about the involvement of the military also carrying out atrocities against the Christians,
since the majority are Muslim and in several other incidents the military assisted the Jihad forces in their attacks against Christian
communities. Nevertheless, the effort on the part of the government may indicate that more oversight will be provided which may result in a
reduction of such hostile involvement on the part of certain military units.

* The Indonesian government has dispatched several high level Indonesian government ministers to the area who have met with religious
and civic leaders in the Poso region and were to report back to President Megawati. The Indonesian government is considering declaring a
state-of-civil-emergency in the Poso region, which would give the military total authority over the police, essentially installing martial law.
Again, there are some positive aspects to this but it depends upon how the degree of fairness and justice there will be on the part of the
military leaders placed in charge. The Christian leadership is demanding that the military remove all Jihad forces from the region in order to
assure long-term security for the Christian community and before daily life can return to normal.

THE CHRISTIANS ARE NOT OUT OF DANGER YET!

A "BLOODY CHRISTMAS" STILL REMAINS A REAL THREAT as promised by Jihad leaders before the Muslim holy period of Ramadan
ends on December 15.

Also, there are about 30,000 refugees living in Tentena after the Jihad attacked and destroyed their villages. Following the visit to Tentena
by Steven Snyder, he reported that there is an enormous need for medical services and shelter for thousands of the refugees. "The hospital
and public services are unable to cope with the needs of the growing number of refugees who have fled to Tentena, the last Christian town
where help can be obtained. There is also a need for fuel for transportation, cooking, etc. due to a blockade by the Jihad which has
prevented many essential items from being delivered to Tentena. Travel in and out of Tentena remains extremely dangerous to Christians if
not impossible," reported Snyder.

-----------------------------
November 23, 2001 Catholic church compound under Jihad militant attack
JIHAD militants and security forces have been fighting gun battles as the militants seek to control a Catholic diocesan training compound in
Ambon city.

The complex, which is in the Karang Panjang area of the city in the Moluccas Islands, has been fought over in the past due to its position
on a hill overlooking several Christian neighborhoods.
The conflict has raged for the last week over the Catholic complex, as well as a disabled children’s compound, according to Father Böhm of
the Catholic Crisis Center, a human rights information center.

The strategically located Gonzalo Veloso compound overlooks several Christian neighborhoods such as Belakang Soya and Batumeja and
also allows easy access to surrounding Christian villages such as Soya.

The aims of the attack are reported to be to use the complex as a Jihad training center and to use the strategic location of the compound to
attack the surrounding Christian neighborhoods.

Father Böhm added that if the complex fell into the hands of the militants, they would not only be able to attack the Christian areas but also
to cut off the road to Soya village, the only escape route available for the Christians living in surrounding areas.

The Laskar Jihad’s current training center is situated close to the scene of the conflict.

Baroness Cox, CSW’s President and a deputy speaker of the House of Lords, visited the scene of the attack in July 2001. She said: “We
understand that the President Megawati and the Indonesian government are supportive of religious freedom and tolerance in Indonesia and
are facing a sensitive internal situation.

“However, reconciliation efforts in the Moluccas have little chance of success if Laskar Jihad is allowed to continue its campaign of
provoking violence between the Christian and Muslim communities. Delegations of both Muslims and Christians have approached the
authorities to ask for their removal as a precondition to reconciliation.”

In response to the renewed upsurge of violence, which flared up again at the beginning of November, Christians in Ambon have brought the
city to a near standstill with a three-day prayer vigil, which began on November 20.

The prayer vigil, called Hari Perkabungan, meaning Days of Mourning, was organized in response to the escalating violence.

Thousands of people took part in the events, which included prayer gatherings at public offices, homes and churches.

Although people working in the hospital and security sectors were on duty, most other public and private offices were temporarily shut.

Leo Lohy, Deputy Chairman of the Maluku Protestant Church Synod told The Jakarta Post: “These prayers are a display of concern about
all the violence that has taken place during a relatively calm period in Maluku. In this way we call on all people to assess themselves and
completely put their fate in God’s hands.”

The Christian village of Waimulang in Buru was attacked on November 1 by Jihad militants who killed four villagers. More than a thousand
residents and several hundred refugees managed to flee to the jungle, but their village was razed to the ground.

Since then, there have been a number of bombings and armed attacks on Ambon, including the bombing of an electrical appliance store on
November 12, which left two people dead and about 20 wounded.

The recent violence is widely believed to the work of the militant Jihad organization, Laskar Jihad, which has about 3,000 militants in the
Moluccas, including a number of foreign militia.

Jafar Umar Thalib, the leader of the organization, which is linked with international Jihad movements, visited the Moluccas region at the end
of October.

He made a number of inflammatory speeches and called for the continuation of the violence against Christian communities, reportedly
stating that the “war would not be over until Muslims could celebrate Idul Fitr [the feast at the end of Ramadan] in Kudamati, Passo,
Saparua and other Christian locations”. Since then, the violence has steadily escalated.

CSW has been working together with Muslim and Christian communities in the Moluccas to promote reconciliation between the two
communities. Based on their recommendations, CSW has continued to call on the Indonesian authorities to bring to justice those instigating
the violence in the region, such as Jafar Umar Thalib, the leader of Laskar Jihad.

---------------------------------
November 12, 2001 Update on Poso
Nov 10.

Laskar Jihad attacked Pantangolemba village by Poso, a Christian village. The attack took place at 02.00 am in the morning. 68 houses
burned down. 1.5 ton rice were looted. These rice for the refugee there, effort done by churches in Palu.

At noon, another attack took place at Rononuncu village. Laskar Jihad used AK47 as their weapons. While the Christians were defending
themselves without any weapons at that level. Mr. Riwan was shot on his head and died immediately on the spot.

There are about 7500 refugee at Palu, and 750 of them are small children. The conflict is predicted will only get worse as the Ramadan is
approaching. The army and police have made some arrests on both Christians and Muslims possessing weapons. They were then tried
and imprisoned. But injustice has always prevailed. Christians would be sentenced 3 years jail for machete possession, and Moslems
would only be sentenced seven months for automatic gun possession. Many Christians have been falsely imprisoned. One of the case that
is still in process is that of Mr. Tibo Cs. They have received death sentenced only at the pressure of the mob attending the hearing. And the
judge would not listen to Christian witnesses. And Moslem lawyer and judges would call in false witnesses. This has been always the case
to this day. We have been unjustly treated, and no government serious action has been taken for the victims are Christians.

-----------------------------------------------------------
August 1, 2001 Father dies shielding his two-year-old daughter from
bayonets
Latest reports tell of a brutal new pattern of attack against Christian families where well-armed militants dressed in military uniforms drive
into a Christian community and go on systematic stabbing sprees. They knock on doors and as soon as anyone answers, they stab them
with bayonets and proceed to kill everyone in the house.

Attacks against Christians continue in the Moluccas islands of Indonesia, in a conflict which has left over 9000 people dead. In one of the
worst incidents in the conflict, the militants attacked the Christians in Mardika, Soa Kecil, Belakang Soya and Karang Panjang (Ambon) on
May 20 killing at least 9 people and wounding many others.

Mr. Karmite, a Christian from Gunung Nona (Ambon), lost his life shielding his two-year old daughter from the bayonets. His daughter is
reported to be in serious condition. Worryingly the attacks were preceded by a power cut in each area allowing the militants to get into the
heart of Christian communities under the cover of darkness.

Some 3,000 Muslim militia are said to be deployed in the islands, conducting raids against Christian communities. They have been killing
believers and forcibly converting those they capture. The gunmen are often aided and abetted by elements in the military. But in a recent
shoot-out with militants, soldiers killed tens of members of the hard-line Laskar Jihad. The soldiers came under fire after conducting a
sweeping operation to catch the militants who had attacked Christian civilians in Wisma Gonzalo in Ambon. The Laskar Jihad is portraying
the incident as the slaughter of innocent Muslim citizens by the military. The leader of Laskar Jihad, Ja’far Umar Thalib, was arrested the
previous month.

Meanwhile, hardliners are retaliating by pressing for the removal of senior army officers opposed to them.

But Christians continue to bear the brunt of unrest in the Moluccas.

According to the Jakarta Post, the waves of unrest throughout Indonesia have also left substantial damage to property. 55,000 homes have
been destroyed, mainly in the Moluccas. 448 houses of worship have been razed, with 241 schools and 260 offices.

------------------------------------------------------------

June 1, 2001 16-year-old victim of forced circumcision speaks out

‘My circumcision was done without any medical preparation. After I regained consciousness I felt such pain and blood kept flowing. I
suffered for two weeks.’

A 16-year-old Christian boy has been describing his terrifying forced conversion and circumcision in the Moluccas Islands of Indonesia.
Berthy Leinussa said it began with an attack by Islamists on the village of Liliama on Seram Island.

The people fled to the jungle. But the following day the attackers burned down their houses and came after them. ‘We finally found a place
to hide on the top of a hill where there was a cave,' said Berthy. ‘All we could eat were rattan shoots and young bamboo roots and we drank
from the water next to the shelter.’ They remained there for a week until they were discovered by 15 Jihad warriors armed with machetes,
spears and bombs, who told the villagers they would not be harmed. It was a lie.

Berthy and the others were escorted to a Muslim village where Indonesian troops were waiting for them. All their belongings were
confiscated and they were registered by the soldiers. Then they were forced to change their religion by signing a statement that they had
turned from Christianity to Islam. After a ritual purification, they were brought before the Imam and taught to say the sahadat (Moslem
creed).

Later, they were made to attend mass circumcision ceremonies carried out on men and women. Berthy recalls: ‘My circumcision was done
without any medical preparation. I was ordered to unzip my trousers and I was cut. I cannot tell what happened next, because I lost
consciousness. After I regained consciousness I felt such pain and blood kept flowing.’ He was given some medicine by the troops and
bandaged. ‘Three days later we were ordered to take a bath in the sea so that the wound would heal quickly. I suffered for two weeks.’

Next they were escorted to the mosque where the Muslim religious leader said, ‘You have now returned to the right path and abandoned
the wayward road.’ But after a few days they were told that all the former Christians would be killed to avenge the deaths of Muslims who
had died during the jihad. Berthy and 18 others fled once again to the jungle, and eventually made it to safety.

----------------------------------------------------------

April 1, 2001 Christians forced to convert and be circumcised

Christians have been forcibly circumcised by Islamic holy warriors in the Moluccas islands of Indonesia, as the jihad against believers
continues. Women and children, as well as men, have been made to convert to Islam on penalty of death. Rites of circumcision with a razor
blade are then carried out to complete the process - without anesthetic. The same blade is used over and over again, and 'converts' are
sent into the sea for 'disinfecting'.

One victim, 32-year-old Christina Sagat told The Sydney Morning Herald: 'I feel like I'm no longer complete, both as a person and a
woman.' Conversions of entire Christian villages is a disturbing new development in this conflict, which has been raging for two years. Over
5,000 have died and half a million have fled from their homes. Hundreds of Christians are said to have been forcibly converted.

More than 600 believers were given the choice of death or Islam on the Islands of Kesui and Teor alone. Some who refused to recite the
Islamic declaration of faith were killed. In Kesui, Muslims paraded the severed head of a Christian as a warning. On the island of Seram,
villagers in Hatu and Hatumete were given the ultimatum - convert to Islam by November 30th or be killed. Human rights organization,
Masariku Network, with financial assistance from CSW evacuated these Christians to a safer location.
The news of forced conversions has galvanized the international Christian community and a number of agencies are fundraising for further
evacuations. Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid has reportedly acknowledged: 'There is an effort by Islamic extremists to convert
Christians to Islam in the Moluccas.' Yet the Indonesian government has been slow to intervene.

The Roman Catholic bishop of Ambon has appealed for international assistance. Monsignor Mandagi says: 'Most of the victims are just
simple people, poor and defenseless. [They] urgently need to be freed and evacuated.' The main militia group involved in the violence is the
Java-based Muslim Laskar Jihad (Jihad Force). 'The destruction by Jihad warriors’ has been systematic and extensive,' says Pastor Ian
Freestone of the Malaku [Moluccas] Support Project, who recently returned from the islands. 'There are many villages in which the Christian
population has been entirely eradicated.'

Pastor Freestone states, 'it is more than just local Muslim-Christian rivalry. It is a carefully scripted agenda in which the people [of the
Moluccas] are being both manipulated and horribly abused.' The Moluccas population of 1.85 million is evenly split between Muslims and
Christians. The conflict began in January 1999.

Jihad warriors are dedicated to the radical Islamisation of the whole of Indonesia. And members of the former Soeharto regime are said to
be exploiting the unrest to try to bring down the government, with the aid of factions in the military.

CSW is calling on the international community to urge the Indonesian government to evacuate Christians in danger and to guarantee
believers the right to freedom of religion.

Whilst we are calling for the immediate evacuation of the Christians facing forced conversion and/or circumcision this should be viewed as
a short-term emergency measure and should be accompanied by plans for the safe repatriation of the refugees as soon as possible.
Otherwise we might be facing the situation where, ironically, we are doing the Jihad militants work for them by emptying Christian villages
and creating a displaced refugee population. It is imperative that the Indonesian government is called to address the underlying issues
behind the evacuations, namely the activities of the Laskar Jihad and the insufficient protection provided for the Christian communities
under the threat of conversion.

Sources include The Sydney Morning Herald

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Jordan
October 8, 2004 Sunday court hearing in Qandah case
In our update of September 17 we asked for prayer for an impending court hearing in the case of Siham Qandah, who is fighting to regain
custody of her children in Jordan . CSW has received the following update on this case from Middle East Concern:

A hearing into allegations of fraud against Siham Qandah's estranged brother was due to take place on September 19. However, Siham's
brother, her children's legal guardian, once again failed to appear before the court. The hearing was therefore postponed until Sunday
October 10. The court stated that if necessary a police escort would be used to ensure that he attends.

Christian widow Siham Qandah is fighting to regain legal custody of her two children, Rawan, 15, and Fadi, 14, from her estranged brother
who converted to Islam as a teenager. In June, the judge presiding over the case ordered an investigation into the brother's apparent
fraudulent handling of the children's trust fund money. The family had previously expressed concerns over withdrawals he had made which
were unaccounted for. Unfortunately, the judge ruled in favor of Siham's brother, as the withdrawals from the children's trust fund were
authorized by a judge as required. This appeared to overlook the brother's use of the funds. Siham's lawyer lodged a final appeal against
this decision.

On August 20, Siham's lawyer was informed that the Supreme Court had accepted this appeal and had ordered the lower court that was
hearing the case to investigate the brother's apparent misuse of the children's money.

Please continue to pray:

- For those investigating the allegations against her brother, and those presiding over the case, that they would have the courage to fully
present the facts of the situation and make a just and upright decision based upon them. This could mean exposing the complicity of a
judge in the withdrawal of money from the children's trust account which is held by the court on behalf of the children. A signature is
required from both the brother and a judge in order for him to withdraw money from the account.

- That there will be a positive outcome and resolution of this case allowing the children to stay with their mother. Pray that it will be soon.

- That Siham and her children, Rawan and Fadi, will know God's peace, strength and comfort at this time. Also for her lawyer, that he would
know God's strength and blessing.

Background:

In 1994 a Shar'ia law court declared that Siham Qandah's husband, Hussam Jibreen, had converted to Islam before he died while serving
in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo. In accordance with Islamic law his minor children automatically became Muslims and were
therefore only able to receive their inheritance through a Muslim guardian.
Siham decided to ask her estranged brother, who had converted to Islam as a teenager, to become the children's financial guardian rather
than accept a court-appointed guardian for them. However, he did not forward the allotted inheritance as required and began to object to
the children's attendance at the local Roman Catholic School .

Eventually, Siham began court proceedings to change the guardianship, but her brother opened a court case requesting full custody of the
children, which he was eventually granted.

Siham has brought a court case against her brother, currently being pursued in the court in Amman , seeking to have him removed as the
children's custodian. The case is focused on his lack of interest in the children ( he has not tried to visit them and is not consistent in paying
their allowance) and his apparent fraudulent use of funds he has withdrawn from their trust account.

-------------------------------------
September 17, 2004 Siham Qandah Sunday court hearing
CSW has received the following update from Middle East Concern regarding the case of Siham Qandah:

In our update of September 1 we stated that Siham was awaiting a date for a court hearing into allegations of fraud against her estranged
brother. The hearing has now been set for this Sunday (September 19).

Christian widow Siham Qandah is fighting to regain custody of her two children, Rawan, 15, and Fadi, 14, from her estranged brother who
converted to Islam as a teenager. In June, the judge presiding over the case ordered an investigation into the brother's apparent fraudulent
handling of the children's trust fund money. The family had previously expressed concerns over withdrawals he had made which were
unaccounted for. Unfortunately, the judge ruled in favor of Siham's brother, as the withdrawals from the children's trust fund were authorized
by a judge as required. This appeared to overlook the brother's use of the funds. Siham's lawyer lodged a final appeal against this decision.

On August 20, Siham's lawyer was informed that the Supreme Court had accepted this appeal and had ordered the lower court that was
hearing the case to investigate the brother's apparent misuse of the children's money.

Please continue to pray:

- for those investigating the allegations against her brother, and those presiding over the case, that they would have the courage to fully
present the facts of the situation and make a just and upright decision based upon them (this could mean exposing the complicity of a judge
in the withdrawal of funds from the account held by the court on behalf of the children)

- that there will be a positive outcome and resolution of this case allowing the children to stay with their mother, pray that it will be soon

- that Siham and her children, Rawan and Fadi, will know God's peace, strength and comfort at this time. Also for her lawyer, that he would
know God's strength and blessing.

Background:

In 1994 a Shar'ia law court declared that Siham Qandah's husband, Hussam Jibreen, had converted to Islam before he died while serving
in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo. In accordance with Islamic law his minor children automatically became Muslims and were
therefore only able to receive their inheritance through a Muslim guardian.

Siham decided to ask her estranged brother, who had converted to Islam as a teenager, to become the children's financial guardian rather
than accept a court-appointed guardian for them. However, he did not forward the allotted inheritance as required and began to object to
the children's attendance at the local Roman Catholic School .

Eventually, Siham began court proceedings to change the guardianship, but her brother opened a court case requesting full custody of the
children, which he was eventually granted.

Siham has brought a court case against her brother, currently being pursued in the court in Amman , seeking to have him removed as the
children's custodian. The case is focused on his lack of interest in the children ( he has not tried to visit them and is not consistent in paying
their allowance) and his apparent fraudulent use of funds he has withdrawn from their trust account.

---------------------------------
September 1, 2004 New update on Jordanian widow
CSW has received the following update from Middle East Concern and Compass Direct regarding the situation of Siham Qandah.

Christian widow Siham Qandah is fighting to regain custody of her two children, Rawan, 15, and Fadi, 14, from her estranged brother who
converted to Islam as a teenager. In June, the judge presiding over the case ordered an investigation into the brother's apparent fraudulent
handling of the children's trust fund money. The family had previously expressed concerns over withdrawals he had made which were
unaccounted for. Unfortunately, the judge ruled in favour of Siham's brother, as the withdrawals from the children's trust fund were
authorized by a judge as required. This appeared to overlook the brother's use of the funds. Siham's lawyer lodged a final appeal against
this decision.

On August 20, Siham's lawyer was informed that the Supreme Court had accepted this appeal and had ordered the lower court that was
hearing the case to investigate the brother's apparent misuse of the children's money.
Siham's lawyer was initially informed that a further court hearing would take place on August 25. However, when they arrived at the
courthouse they were told that no court hearing had been scheduled for that day and that she would be informed of the hearing date on
August 30. To our knowledge the date for the hearing is yet to be set.

Please thank God for this positive development and pray:

- for those investigating the allegations against her brother, and those presiding over the case, that they would have the courage to fully
present the facts of the situation and make a just and upright decision based upon them

- that there will be a positive outcome and resolution of this case allowing the children to stay with their mother, pray that it will be soon

- that Siham and her children, Rawan and Fadi, will know God's peace, strength and comfort at this time. Also for her lawyer, that he would
know God's strength and blessing.

Background:

In 1994 a Shari'ah law court declared that Siham Qandah's husband, Hussam Jibreen, had converted to Islam before he died while serving
in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo. In accordance with Islamic law his minor children automatically became Muslims and were
therefore only able to receive their inheritance through a Muslim guardian.

Siham decided to ask her estranged brother, who had converted to Islam as a teenager, to become the children's financial guardian rather
than accept a court-appointed guardian for them. However, he did not forward the allotted inheritance as required and began to object to
the children's attendance at the local Roman Catholic School .

Eventually, Siham began court proceedings to change the guardianship, but her brother opened a court case requesting full custody of the
children, which he was eventually granted.

Siham has brought a court case against her brother, currently being pursued in the court in Amman , seeking to have him removed as the
children's custodian. The case is focussed on his lack of interest in the children ( he has not tried to visit them and is not consistent in
paying their allowance) and his apparent fraudulent use of funds he has withdrawn from their trust account.

--------------------------------
June 22, 2004 June update on Siham Qandah
CSW has just received the following update from Middle East Concern on the situation of Siham Qandah.

Christian widow Siham Qandah is fighting to regain custody of her two children, Rawan, 15, and Fadi, 14, from her estranged brother who
converted to Islam as a teenager. A court order was previously issued to imprison Siham unless she handed the children over to her
brother, who is now their legal guardian. However, the court order has been suspended due to an on-going court case to have her brother
removed as the children's guardian. The children at present remain with their mother.

Recently the judge presiding over the case ordered an investigation into Siham's brother's apparent fraudulent handling of the children's
trust fund money. This had offered some hope to the family, as they had previously expressed concerns over withdrawals he had made
which were unaccounted for. Unfortunately, the judge has now informed the family's lawyer that he will rule in favor of Siham's brother, as
the withdrawals from the children's trust fund were authorized by a judge as required. It appears he has overlooked the issue of the
fraudulent use of the funds.

When this ruling is officially issued in writing, the suspension of the court order to imprison Siham will be lifted. However, the family's lawyer
will appeal this decision, as it does not account for the alleged fraudulent use of the withdrawn funds. During this appeal the court order
against Siham will again be suspended.

Siham has asked for our continued prayers as she has been shaken by this new development.

Please pray for:

- Siham, Rawan and Fadi, that they will know the deep and abiding

peace of God at this time.

- Siham's brother, that he will relent and allow the children to stay

with their mother

- The judge and all who have authority involved in the case

- The family's lawyer, for wisdom and insight

- Justice to be done and for the case to be resolved quickly and without unnecessary unpleasantness

Thank you for your ongoing support of Siham and her family,
CSW Advocacy team

------------------------------
April 7, 2004 April Update on Siham Qandah
Dear Friends,

We have received the following update from Middle East Concern about Jordanian Christian Siham Qandah.

Siham has been fighting to regain legal custody of her children after a court ruling granted her estranged brother, a convert to Islam, full
custody rights. According to the ruling, as a Christian, Siham is unfit to raise her children, who are legally viewed as Muslims after their
father's alleged conversion to Islam.

The most recent hearing in the court case to remove her estranged brother as the children's legal guardian was on March 28th, and the
next is scheduled for April 11th - Easter Day.

Christians in Jordan believe that Siham's estranged brother could retain custody of the children if he attends the hearing, swears an oath on
the Qu'ran and the judge believes him to be sincere.

If this happens, an outstanding court order to imprison Siham unless she hands over her children would be enforced. The court order is
currently suspended while the case in Amman continues. Although this possibility is of serious concern, her brother has failed to attend
several hearings in the past.

There is no news of the case opened in December seeking to have Siham's late husband's certificate of alleged conversion ruled invalid.

Please continue to pray for Siham and her children, Rawan (15) and Fadi (14) :

- For the family to know the presence and strength of the Risen Lord this Easter
- For the quick success of one of the two court cases
-That Siham's estranged brother would have a change of heart and respect the children's wishes

----------------------------------
September 19, 2003 Jordanian Christian widow's fight to keep her children
Dear Friends,

Today we received the following update on Siham Qandah's case from Middle East Concern.

Siham Qandah is the Jordanian widow who has been fighting for custody for her children after a court ruled that as a Christian mother, she
was unfit to raise her children, who were now legally viewed as Muslims after their father's alleged conversion to Islam.

An earlier judgment ruled that she must hand over her children to her estranged Muslim brother or face imprisonment. Siham planned to
appeal this judgment on the grounds that there is a case in Amman to challenge his custody.

Unfortunately last Wednesday the judge in Irbid refused her petition and gave her three days to handover her children or face 30 days
imprisonment.

On Sunday, September 21, a meeting will take place in Amman between a representative of Siham, a member of the royal family and a
supreme court judge in Amman to try and get this verdict overturned.

* Please pray for Siham and her children (Rawan & Fadi) as this was a heavy blow for them.

* Also pray for the meeting on Sunday, that the decision will be overturned.

---------------------------------
July 23, 2003 Update on Siham Qandah
CSW has received an update on Siham Qandah, the Jordanian widow fighting to keep her children Rawan, 15, and Fadi, 13 after a court
ordered her to surrender her children to an estranged Muslim relative or face imprisonment.

According to Middle East Concern there are four main developments in this complex case:

1. The Prince whose office is now handling the court case has assured Siham that he will personally ensure that she is not sent to jail.

2. The court case in Amman has stalled due to a family connection between the lawyer appointed by the Prince and the Supreme Court
judge who gave Siham's estranged brother permission to withdraw money from her late husband's estate. Within Jordanian culture this
family relationship makes it very difficult for the lawyer to proceed with the case. Siham and her advisors are currently seeking to appoint a
different lawyer, and to do so without offending either the prince or his lawyer. From now onwards rather than detailing his fraudulent
handling of the money, they will be emphasizing the fact that her brother is not interested in the children. He does not visit them, nor is he
paying their allowance on a regular basis.

3. Siham's children would like to start their own court case to assert the fact that they do not want the estranged uncle as their guardian.
Under Shari'ah law they are old enough to do so, but require a certificate from a Shari'ah court to state their eligibility to submit a case in a
civil court. So far such a certificate has not been issued, almost certainly because it has yet to be requested.

4. Siham is planning to appeal to her local court against an earlier ruling obliging her to hand her children over to her brother on the
grounds that a case is pending in the capital city,Amman, that seeks to challenge his guardianship of the children.

Praise points:
a. That Siham has retained custody of her children and not been imprisoned despite the ruling in January stating that she should be
imprisoned if she fails to hand over the children.
b. For those willing to help Siham, Rawan and Fadi.
c. That a way will be found to remove the brother as guardian without compromising or offending anyone.
d. For daily strength and peace for Siham, Rawan, Fadi and those close to them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 2, 2003 Jordanian Christian Widow Given Time in Fight to Keep Her
Children
A Jordanian Christian widow has been given a one month reprieve by the authorities in her eight-year fight to keep her children.

Siham Qandah is fighting to keep her children Rawan, 15, and Fadi, 13 after a court ordered her to surrender her children to an estranged
Muslim relative or face imprisonment.

A legal bid has been launched in the Jordanian capital, Amman, to remove Abdullah Al Muhtadi, her estranged brother, as the children's
custodian.

According to reports from human rights NGO Middle East Concern, the case against Al Muhtadi is being financed by the office of a
Jordanian Prince and is based on documented evidence of the alleged fraudulent use he has made of the money he is meant to be
administering on behalf of Mrs Qandah's children.

Lawyers acting on Mrs Qandah's behalf are seeking the appointment of a new guardian who will allow the children to remain with their
mother.

Her local civil court in Irbid, which had initiated the process of enforcing an earlier ruling to imprison her, has granted a one month delay in
implementing the order while the case in Amman is underway.

Mrs Qandah and her children were forced into hiding in October 2002, after she was told by the Ministry of Justice that she had less than a
week to hand over her children. Then on January 16 this year, her brother successfully requested the court in Irbid to pass a ruling
threatening Mrs Qandah with imprisonment if she failed to hand the children over to him. Although she appealed against this ruling, she
was told in early April that the court was starting the process of enforcing the January ruling.

When Mrs Qandah's husband died in 1994, a local Islamic court declared that he had converted to Islam years earlier. According to Islamic
Law, this meant his minor children automatically became Muslims too. The alleged conversion, which Mrs Qandah and her family have
consistently disputed, eventually sparked a lengthy legal battle for the custody of her children. Legal custody was finally awarded to Al
Muhtadi, Mrs Qandah's estranged Muslim brother in February 2002, when Jordan's Supreme Court upheld earlier rulings.

A spokesman for CSW said: "We're encouraged by the positive development in this case, and commend the actions of this Jordanian
Prince.

"We will continue to do all we can to support Siham and her children in their fight to stay together. This family has already suffered years of
uncertainty and hardship and it is time that justice was done in this case, allowing Siham to bring up her children in peace and security in
line with internationally accepted standards for the rights of the child and family."

CASE BACKGROUND:

Siham Qandah's troubles began when she applied through the civil courts for the transfer of her husband's army pension to her. The
Shari'ah Court stopped the process saying her husband had become a Muslim three years before he died in 1994. However, although her
husband's conversion document bears the signature of two witnesses, there is only a scrawled cross in the space where his signature
should lie.

Under Islamic law, if a father converts to Islam, his minor children automatically become Muslims and they would only be able to receive
their inheritance through a Muslim guardian.

Having been advised that under Jordanian law it would be hopeless to contest her husband's conversion certificate, Mrs Qandah decided to
ask a long-estranged brother to become the children's financial guardian rather than accept a court-appointed Muslim guardian for them.

Abdullah Al Muhtadi, the children's Muslim uncle, converted to Islam as a teenager, but Rawan and Fadi have only seen him once and have
never met his wife or children.

However, Al Muhtadi did not forward the allotted inheritance as required. He began to object to the children's attendance at the local Roman
Catholic School and demanded that they be transferred to a Muslim school and take Islamic religious instruction.

Eventually, Mrs Qandah began court proceedings to change the guardianship but in May 1998 Al-Muhtadi opened a court case requesting
full custody of the children and a three year civil battle began.

On June 21 2001, the Civil Court in Irbid handed over custody of the children to Al-Muhtadi, a Muslim Iman (cleric). An appeal to the Irbid
Court of Appeals upheld this ruling in January 2002.

When Mrs Qandah appealed to the Supreme Court in Amman, the case was rejected on February 28.

In the weeks following, Mrs Qandah appealed to Jordan's top judicial experts and religious leaders, both Muslim and Christian, seeking a
solution to her predicament. She was told that her choices were either to become a Muslim or to leave the country. However, both her
children have been blacklisted on immigration computers, so she cannot take them with her.

International attention drawn to the case resulted in Jordanian Intelligence officials assuring her in May and August that they would do
everything they could to help her.

However, in October 2002 she was given 5 days to surrender her children in an order issued by the Ministry of Justice. Further international
attention at this time resulted in the involvement of a member of the Royal Family, who appointed a team to look into her case to try to find
a solution.

February 3, 2003 Desperate call for help for Siham Qandah of Jordan
Further to our last urgent action report of January 23, 2003, the office of Prince Hassan has finally come to the conclusion that they are
unable to help Mrs. Qandah and her children.

On the morning of Friday, January 31, an official of the Jordanian Intelligence Department (JID) in Irbid informed Mrs. Qandah that there
was nothing more they could do to help her. His instructions came from the JID office in Amman.

The official also informed her that by next Friday, February 7, the court order for her imprisonment for 30 days will be returned to the
Department of Proceedings at Law in Irbid. This Department is responsible for executing the decision of the court.

It now appears that Mrs. Qandah's only hope lies with the personal intervention of King Abdallah bin Hussein.

We are urging all who wish to help to petition the King of Jordan and the US Ambassador to Jordan to step in immediately to prevent this
tragic situation from progressing any further.

Mrs. Qandah is understandably exhausted from this struggle. She told Compass Direct, a Christian news agency, "I just want to be free
from the pressure of my brother, the court, the unfulfilled promises. I want to live in peace with my children".

Thank you for your perseverance in prayer and petition.

Addresses:

His Majesty King Abdallah bin Hussein

Office of H.M. the King
Royal Palace
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Telegrams: King Abdallah bin Hussein, Amman, Jordan
Fax: + 962 6 462 7421 or +962 6 567 7376
Salutation: Your Majesty,
Valediction: Yours respectfully and sincerely,

Dr Fayez Tarawneh
Chief of the Royal Court
PO Box 80
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Telegrams: Chief of the Royal Court, Amman, Jordan
Fax: + 962 6 463 1452
Salutation: Dear Dr Tarawneh,
Valediction: Yours sincerely,

Jordan Ambassador to the U.S.

His Excellency Karim Kawar
Embassy of the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan
3504 International Drive N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Phone: (202) 966-2664
Fax: (202) 966-3110
Email: HKJEmbassyDC@aol.com
Web: www.jordanembassyus.org

Suggested letter to the King:

(please amend the last paragraph if writing to Mr. Kawar)
It is with urgent concern that I feel I must write to you once again regarding the situation facing Mrs. Siham Qandah, (Passport No 405575)
and her children, Rawan Husam Rasmi Jibreen, aged 14 (National ID number 9882017988) and Fadi Husam Rasmi Jibreen, aged 13
(National ID number 9891013210).

Mrs. Qandah was issued with a Court Order dated January 16, by the Court of First Instance in Irbid, ruling that she be imprisoned for 30
days until she surrenders custody of her children to the authorities. Her lawyer appealed, and Mrs. Qandah was granted a respite until
February 5. However, this ruling is now due to be handed back to the Department of Proceedings at Law in Irbid for execution in the next
few days.

I understand that Mrs. Qandah has been contacted by members of the Jordanian Intelligence Department, informing her that there is
nothing more that can be done to help her remain with her children. Representatives of the office of Prince Hassan, who were involved in
trying to help her, have also concluded that they cannot find a solution. Mrs. Qandah has been advised that there is no further legal action
that can be taken on her case.

As I am sure you are aware, Mrs. Qandah finds herself in this predicament because of a Supreme Court decision in February 2002,
upholding earlier rulings granting custody of her children to Mr. Al Muhtadi, Mrs. Qandah's Muslim brother. The ruling was based on the
reason that Siham Qandah was unfit to be a mother because she continued to bring up her children as Christians.

Mrs. Qandah believes that her children should continue to be raised as Christians, as they have been from birth. Relevant international
human rights law, to which Jordan is a state party, states that a child shall not be separated from their parents against their will, except
when such a separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. It also obliges states parties to respect the right of the child to
freedom of religion and grants parents the right to instruct their children according to their faith.

Your Majesty, I am confident that you will be sympathetic to Mrs. Qandah's situation and will agree with me that she deserves to remain
with her children. I beseech you to intervene personally on this matter. If Mrs. Qandah and her children cannot live peacefully as a family
unit within Jordan, I would be very grateful if you could arrange the necessary permissions for her and her children to leave the country.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.

January 23, 2003 Jordanian Widow In Hiding Again After Court Orders Her
To Surrender Her Children
For the second time in three months, a Jordanian Christian widow has been forced into hiding after a court ordered her to surrender her
children to an estranged Muslim relative.

In the latest twist in a custody battle lasting nearly five years, a court in Irbid, 50 miles north of Amman, has ruled that Siham Qandah be
imprisoned for 30 days until she surrenders custody of her children to the authorities.

The ruling, dated January 16, was delivered to Mrs. Qandah four days later. Mrs. Qandah's lawyer appealed against the ruling on January
21, buying her time for the next few weeks at least, while the court considers the appeal.

"It is very hard to anticipate what will happen to this family after that," a source close to Mrs. Qandah told CSW. "Please, can you find a way
to help them?" he added. In the meantime she has taken her children into hiding once again.

Mrs. Qandah was previously forced into hiding in October 2002, after she was told by the Ministry of Justice that she had less than a week
to hand over her children.

Rawan, 14, and Fadi, 13, are threatened with separation from their mother because the Jordanian courts have deemed Mrs Qandah unfit to
be their custodian due to the fact that she is raising them as Christians, rather than Muslims.

When Mrs. Qandah's husband died in 1994, a local Islamic court declared that he had converted to Islam years earlier. According to Islamic
Law, this meant his minor children automatically became Muslims too. The alleged conversion, which Mrs. Qandah and her family have
consistently disputed, eventually sparked a lengthy legal battle for the custody of her children. Legal custody was finally awarded to Mr. Al
Muhtadi, Mrs. Qandah's estranged Muslim brother in February 2002, when Jordan's Supreme Court upheld earlier rulings.

International attention drawn to her plight resulted in the involvement of a member of the Royal Family, who appointed a team to look into
her case to try to find a solution. This latest development has shown that the efforts of this team have so far been in vain.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide and others are concerned that the ruling of the Supreme Court, which placed religious affiliation of the parent
above the best interest of the child, contravenes international human rights law to which Jordan is a state party. CSW has launched an
advocacy campaign asking those concerned to protest to the Jordanian authorities and to alert your U.S. Senator.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW-UK, said: "We are shocked and saddened to hear of this latest distressing development in Siham
Qandah's case. We are urging the public and the international community to voice their concern at the injustice of this situation and call
upon the Jordanian authorities to allow Siham and her family to live together peacefully."

Case details:

Siham Qandah's troubles began when she applied through the civil courts for the transfer of her husband's army pension to her. The
Shari'ah Court stopped the process saying her husband had become a Muslim three years before he died in 1994. However, although her
husband's conversion document bears the signature of two witnesses, there is only a scrawled cross in the space where his signature
should lie.

Under Islamic law, if a father converts to Islam, his minor children automatically become Muslims and they would only be able to receive
their inheritance through a Muslim guardian.
Having been advised that under Jordanian law it would be hopeless to contest her husband's conversion certificate, Mrs. Qandah decided
to ask a long-estranged brother to become the children's financial guardian rather than accept a court-appointed Muslim guardian for them.

Abdullah Al Muhtadi, the children's Muslim uncle, converted to Islam as a teenager, but Rawan and Fadi have only seen him once and have
never met his wife or children.

However, Al Muhtadi did not forward the allotted inheritance as required. He began to object to the children's attendance at the local Roman
Catholic School and demanded that they be transferred to a Muslim school and take Islamic religious instruction.

Eventually, Mrs. Qandah began court proceedings to change the guardianship but in May 1998 Al-Muhtadi opened a court case requesting
full custody of the children and a three year civil battle began.

On June 21 2001, the Civil Court in Irbid handed over custody of the children to Al-Muhtadi, a Muslim Iman (cleric). An appeal to the Irbid
Court of Appeals upheld this ruling in January 2002.

When Mrs. Qandah appealed to the Supreme Court in Amman, the case was rejected on February 28.

In the weeks following, Mrs. Qandah appealed to Jordan's top judicial experts and religious leaders, both Muslim and Christian, seeking a
solution to her predicament. She was told that her choices were either to become a Muslim or to leave the country. However, both her
children have been blacklisted on immigration computers, so she cannot take them with her.

International attention drawn to the case resulted in Jordanian Intelligence officials assuring her in May and August that they would do
everything they could to help her.

However, in October 2002 she was given 5 days to surrender her children in an order issued by the Ministry of Justice. Further international
attention at this time resulted in the involvement of a member of the Royal Family, who appointed a team to look into her case to try to find
a solution.

This latest development has shown that the efforts of this team have so far been in vain.

October 10, 2002 URGENT Intervention Needed for Siham Qandah

May I request your urgent help for Jordanian Christian, Siham Qandah and her two children.

Mrs. Qandah was told by the Ministry of Justice on October 7 that she had less than a week to hand over her daughter, Rawan, 14, and
son, Fadi, 12, to
her Muslim brother, Al Muhtadi. She was told that if she failed to comply with this order, the children would be taken by force.

Understandably shocked and terrified, Mrs. Qandah has gone into hiding with her children.

Please would you consider helping Mrs. Qandah by petitioning the King of Jordan in the following ways:

1. Write a letter directly to the King.

2. Write to your Congressperson and ask them to write to the King.
3. Write to the Jordanian Ambassador to your country.

Please consider sending your letter by fax or email, as time is short. Details follow.

Please find below background details for those of you who are not already familiar with Mrs. Qandah's situation. Also following are
suggested letters
to help you.

Above all, please pray for Siham, Rawan and Fadi as they endure this ordeal.

Thank you for your continued support.

God bless you,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Background

Mrs. Qandah's troubles began in 1994 after a Shar'ia (Islamic) law court declared that her husband, Hussam Jibreen, had converted to
Islam before he
died while serving in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo.

The court produced a conversion document to this effect, but although it bore the signatures of two witnesses there was only a scrawled "X"
in the
place where Hussam's signature should have been. In addition, Hussam had never mentioned his conversion to any of members of his
family. He had even
returned from army duty abroad to attend the baptism of his son. Hussam had a Christian funeral and was buried in the local Christian
graveyard.

Under Islamic law, if a father converts to Islam, his minor children automatically become Muslims and they would only be able to receive
their
inheritance through a Muslim guardian.
Having been advised that under Jordanian law it would be hopeless to contest her husband's conversion certificate, Mrs Qandah decided to
ask a
long-estranged brother to become the children's financial guardian rather than accept a court-appointed Muslim guardian for them.
However, Mrs Qandah
retained legal custody of the children.

Abdullah Al Muhtadi, their Muslim uncle, converted to Islam as a teenager. Rawan and Fadi have only seen him once and have never met
his wife or
children.

Al Muhtadi did not forward the allotted inheritance as required. He began to object to the children's attendance at the local Roman Catholic
School and
demanded that they be transferred to a Muslim school and take Islamic religious instruction.

Eventually, Mrs Qandah began court proceedings to change the guardianship but in May 1998 Al-Muhtadi opened a court case requesting
full custody of
the children and a three year civil battle began.

On June 21 2001, the Civil Court in Irbid handed over custody of the children to Al-Muhtadi, a Muslim Imam (cleric). An appeal to the Irbid
Court
of Appeals upheld this ruling in January 2002.

When Mrs Qandah appealed to the Supreme Court in Amman, the case was rejected on February 28.

In the weeks following, Mrs Qandah appealed to Jordan's top judicial experts and religious leaders, both Muslim and Christian, seeking a
solution to her
predicament. She was told that her choices were either to become a Muslim or to leave the country. However, both her children have been
blacklisted
on immigration computers, so she cannot take them with her.

In May this year, the Jordanian Intelligence Service told her they would do everything they could to help her because of the international
attention
surrounding her case.

In August she was told that she would never be granted legal custody of her children, so she made up her mind to try to leave the country
with the
children.

Finally, on 7 October she was ordered to present her children to be handed over to Al Muhtadi. She immediately took her children out of
school and
went into hiding.

Suggested Letter to your Congressman/woman:

Addresses:
(Senator)
The Honorable ________
US Senate
Washington, DC 20510

(Representative)
The Honorable ___________
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Senator/ Representative ___________,

It has been brought to my attention that Jordanian citizens Rawan Husam Rasmi Jibreen, aged 14 (National ID number 9882017988) and
Fadi Husam Rasmi Jibreen, aged 12 (National ID number 9891013210) are in danger of being forcibly separated from their mother, Siham
Qandah, (Passport No 405575).

I understand that an order from the Ministry of Justice, Department of Irbid, dated 7 October 2002 (No: 2556/2002) has given Siham
Qandah five days in which to present her children to be taken into the custody of Abdullah Al Muhtadi, a Muslim relative.

This order is in response to a Supreme Court decision in February of this year, upholding earlier rulings granting Al Muhtadi custody of the
children, based on the reason that Siham Qandah was unfit to be a mother because she continued to bring up her children as Christians.

This Christian family has already suffered the loss of their father and husband, Hussam Rasmi Issa Jibreen, who died whilst serving in the
Jordanian Army in Kosovo in 1994. Siham Qandah was shocked when later that year, a local court produced a document declaring that
Hussam had converted to Islam three years before his death. Hussam had never mentioned his conversion to any of his family, he had
returned from army duty to attend the baptism of his son and he had had a Christian funeral and is buried in the local Christian graveyard.

Yours sincerely,

************************************************************************
Suggested Letter to the King/ Ambassador:
Addresses:
His Majesty King Abdallah II
Office of His Majesty the King
Royal Palace
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: 011 962 6 462 7421 or 011 962 6 567 7376
Salutation: Your Majesty,
Valediction: Yours respectfully and sincerely,

His Excellency Karim Kawar (Ambassador)

Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
3504 International Drive, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Phone: (202) 966-2664
Fax: (202) 966-3110
Email: HKJEmbassyDC @aol.com
Salutation: Your Excellency,
Valediction: Yours respectfully and sincerely,

Your Majesty/Excellency,

As Jordan is a country known for its endorsement of international human rights standards, and in particular as a signatory to the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of
Discrimination Against Women, I beseech you to intervene on this matter.

Please can you use your influence to ensure that Rawan, Fadi and Siham continue to live together in peace and security, as is their desire.

Thank you for your urgent and sympathetic attention to this matter.

Yours respectfully and sincerely,

************************************************************************

Suggested Letter to Secretary of State:

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

Dear Secretary Powell,

I would be very grateful if you would urgently raise the matter of Siham Qandah (see attached background) with King Abdallah II of Jordan
by faxing him directly, asking him to act swiftly to prevent Mrs. Qandah's children from being removed from her custody. As Jordan is
signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention
on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, I am sure the King will see the injustice of this situation. In particular, Article 18 of the
ICCPR protects the right of parents and legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children is in conformity with
their own convictions.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter,

Sincerely and respectfully,

(ENCLOSE BACKGROUND W/ LETTER)

----------------------------------------
October 9, 2002 Jordanian Christian Widow Given Five Days to Surrender
Her Children
A Jordanian Christian widow has been forced back into hiding after being ordered to surrender her children to an estranged Muslim relative.

According to Middle East Concern, Siham Qandah, 37, was told by the Ministry of Justice on October 7 that she had less than a week to
hand over her
daughter, Rawan, 14, and son, Fadi, 12, to her Muslim brother, Al Muhtadi.

The order came eight months after Jordan's Supreme Court upheld earlier rulings granting legal custody of the children to the brother.

Mrs. Qandah was told that if she failed to comply with this order, the children would be taken by force. The family is threatened with
separation
because she is bringing them up as Christians rather than Muslims. A lower court ruled that she had proved herself to be "unfit to be a
custodian of
her children" by "distancing them from Islamic rituals and doctrine".

According to news agency Compass Direct, a later decision added that "her registering them in a Christian school and her insistence on
Christian
education and accompanying them to church is contrary to what trustworthiness and reliability means."

Mrs. Qandah's troubles began in 1994 after a Shar'ia (Islamic) law court declared that her husband had converted to Islam before he died
while
serving in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo.

According to Islamic law, this declaration meant her minor children, who are Christians, automatically became Muslims and could only
receive their
father's army pension through a Muslim guardian. Al Muhtadi agreed to be appointed as guardian by the court, but custody of the children
remained
with Mrs. Qandah.

However, he soon began to object to their Christian upbringing and demanded they be transferred to a local Muslim school. Finally Al
Muhtadi opened a
court case in May 1998 requesting full custody of the children.

One of Mrs. Qandah's relatives told CSW that he had pleaded with Al Muhtadi, but to no effect. He said: "I tried with him to give him
anything he wants
except the kids, telling him that they [the children and their mother] are in a very bad condition but he refused.

"I tried to keep in touch with him but he refused, pretending that he doesn't have a telephone and spends most of his time in the sea in
Aqaba. The time passes more than quickly and we don't know what to do."

This new order came as a complete shock to Mrs. Qandah who had been told by Jordanian Intelligence Service officials earlier this year
that the
international attention focused on her case meant she could keep her children. The family had come out of hiding and was hoping to be
able to
leave the country together.

CSW is calling on Jordan to uphold its international commitments to the family under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political
Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

We are calling on King Abdallah II to have mercy on this family and to allow them to live together.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Case details:

Siham Qandah's troubles began when she applied through the civil courts for the transfer of her husband's army pension to her. The
Shari'ah Court
stopped the process saying her husband had become a Muslim three years before he died in 1994.

Under Islamic law, if a father converts to Islam, his minor children automatically become Muslims and they would only be able to receive
their
inheritance through a Muslim guardian.

Having been advised that under Jordanian law it would be hopeless to contest her husband's conversion certificate, Mrs Qandah decided to
ask a
long-estranged brother to become the children's legal guardian rather than accept a court-appointed Muslim guardian for them.

Abdullah Al Muhtadi, their Muslim uncle, converted to Islam as a teenager, but Rawan and Fadi have only seen him once and have never
met his wife or
children.

However, Al Muhtadi did not forward the allotted inheritance as required. He began to object to the children's attendance at the local Roman
Catholic
School and demanded that they be transferred to a Muslim school and take Islamic religious instruction.

Eventually, Mrs Qandah began court proceedings to change the guardianship but in May 1998 Al-Muhtadi opened a court case requesting
full custody of
the children and a three year civil battle began.

On June 21 2001, the Civil Court in Irbid handed over custody of the children to Al-Muhtadi, a Muslim Iman (cleric). An appeal to the Irbid
Court
of Appeals upheld this ruling in January 2002.

When Mrs Qandah appealed to the Supreme Court in Amman, the case was rejected on February 28.

In the weeks following, Mrs Qandah appealed to Jordan's top judicial experts and religious leaders, both Muslim and Christian, seeking a
solution to her
predicament. She was told that her choices were either to become a Muslim or to leave the country. However, both her children have been
blacklisted
on immigration computers, so she cannot take them with her.

In May this year, the Jordanian Intelligence Service told her they would do everything they could to help her because of the international
attention
surrounding her case.

In August she was told there was no way she was going to be granted legal custody of her children, so she made up her mind to try to
leave the country
with the children.

-----------------------------------
October 8, 2002 Please Pray for Siham
Please pray for Siham Qandah and her two children who have gone back into hiding. On Monday October 7 she was served with a notice
from the Ministry
of Justice ordering her to hand over her children. She was told they would then be handed over to her brother who is their legal guardian.
She is
shocked and terrified.

Please pray for peace, comfort and wisdom to know how to proceed. Please pray for protection and for a lasting solution to her situation.

SOURCE: Middle East Concern (MEC)

Background:

Siham is a Christian widow in Jordan whose husband died in 1994. When she applied to get the army benefits (her husband had served in
the army), she
was presented with a conversion certificate stating her husband had converted to Islam in 1991. The document was only signed by 2
witnesses.
After her husband's name there was no signature. So legally the 2 children of Mrs. Siham were suddenly considered to be Muslims as well.
The
inheritance went to them (because a Christian cannot inherit from a Muslim). Since both are minors, Siham had to find a Muslim guardian.
She asked her
brother who had converted to Islam 20 years ago. He agreed.

The brother only occasionally forwarded the monthly army benefits to Siham and then started to complain that Siham did not raise them as
good Muslims
because she continued to take them to church and because she had enrolled them in Christian religion classes in school (the children
consider
themselves Christians). In May 1998 he started a court case to get the full custody of the children transferred to himself. In June 2001 the
court of
1st Instance ruled in his favour. Subsequent appeal courts upheld the sentence including the Supreme Court in Feb 2002. So legally Siham
has lost
the custody of her children to her brother.

At her request MEC, CSW and others started an advocacy campaign to prevent her children being taken away from her. Politicians from
many countries
participated and petitioned the king of Jordan. She has been called in twice by the Jordanian Intelligence Department (last May in the main
city in her
province and early in August in Amman). On both occasions she was told that the attention her case had received internationally had
prevented the
authorities from executing the court order and taking the children away. She was also told that there is not much more that the authorities
can do as
they cannot interfere with court orders. On August 27 she was even called to the office of former Crown Prince Hassan. There she received
the same
answer.

------------------------------------
April 10, 2002 CORRECTION to: Jordanian Christian Widow Ordered to
Surrender Her Children to a Muslim
Correction to paragraph 3: Siham Qandah's brother is Nabeel Qandah, not Hussan Jibreen, which is the name of her deceased husband.

-------------------------------------

April 10, 2002 Jordanian Christian Widow Ordered to Surrender Her

Children to a Muslim
An Arab Christian widow and mother of two has been told by Jordan's Supreme Court that she must surrender custody of her children to a
Muslim guardian.

Siham Qandah, 36, from Husn, 50 miles north of Amman, has taken her daughter, Rawan, 13, and son, Fadi, 12, out of school and into a
secret location.

Her brother, Hussan Jibreen, told CSW in a telephone interview: "She is very afraid. She has taken the children out of school because they
could be snatched. They are hiding now, but the authorities could come at any time. It is a terrible situation."

The Supreme Court upheld an earlier decision which noted that Qandah had proved herself "unfit to be a custodian of her children" by
"distancing them from Islamic rituals and doctrine".

The earlier decision added that "her registering them in a Christian school and her insistence on Christian education and accompanying
them to church is contrary to what trustworthiness and reliability means", according to news agency Compass Direct.

Written notification of the decision arrived at the Civil Court in Irbid, where the case was first heard, on March 31, empowering local
authorities to transfer her children to the guardianship of an Imam (a Muslim cleric) who is Qandah's brother.

Qandah's fight for her children first began when she applied for the legal transfer of her husband's army benefits to herself and her children.
To her surprise, the local Shari'ah court produced a document stating that her husband, who died in 1994, had converted to Islam three
years previously. Under Islamic law, if a father converts to Islam, his minor children automatically become Muslims and they would only be
able to receive their inheritance through a Muslim guardian.

Having been advised that under Jordanian law it would be hopeless to contest her husband's conversion certificate, Qandah decided to ask
a long-estranged brother to become the children's legal guardian rather than accept a court-appointed Muslim guardian for them.

Abdullah Al Muhtadi, their Muslim uncle, converted to Islam as a teenager, but Rawan and Fadi have only seen him once and have never
met his wife or children.

However, Al-Muhtadi did not forward the allotted inheritance as required, according to Middle East Concern. He began to object to the
children's attendance at the local Roman Catholic School and demanded that they be transferred to a Muslim school and take Islamic
religious instruction.

Eventually, Qandah began court proceedings to change the guardianship but in May 1998 Al-Muhtadi opened a court case requesting full
custody of the children.

In June 2001, the Irbid Civil Court Of First Instance ruled that custody of Siham Qandah's children be handed over to their Muslim uncle.
The judgment criticized Qandah for enrolling her children in Christian religious classes at school and taking them to church services. The
decision said she was "trying to change their religion" and "insisting that her children were Christian", whereas by law they were Muslim.

Qandah filed an appeal, but in January 2002, the local Appeals Court upheld the lower court's ruling. When Qandah appealed to the
Supreme Court in Amman, the case was rejected on February 28.

In the weeks following, Qandah appealed to Jordan's top judicial experts and religious leaders, both Muslim and Christian, seeking a
solution to her predicament. She was told that her choices were either to become a Muslim or to leave the country. However, both her
children have been blacklisted on immigration computers, so she cannot take them with her.

CSW's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, said, "Siham Qandah has suffered a terrible injustice which has unthinkable implications for her
and her children. The decision that she is unfit to be a mother because of her desire to raise her children as Christians is a severe breach of
the most basic human rights standards.

"We are calling on Jordan to reconsider these actions which are contrary to the country's obligations under international human rights
treaties voluntarily entered into."

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Kazakhstan
January 29, 2002 Proposed legislation raises new concern for religious
freedom in Kazakhstan
New legislation awaiting agreement by the Kazakhstan authorities looks set to undermine religious freedom.

The Keston Institute reports that if adopted, the law will require all missionaries to be registered and allow unregistered religious groups to
be banned.

In addition to expected restrictions on many Protestant churches, it will also deny legal registration to all Muslim organizations outside the
framework of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan.

The law on freedom of conscience and religious organizations has already passed from the lower to the upper house of the Kazakh
parliament and if approved on January 31, needs only the signature of President Nazarbayev.

Kazakh officials have justified the move by citing an increased security threat from extreme religious groups.

With registration procedures lacking clear definition, religious groups fear the legislation will be open to abuse and likely to be arbitrarily
applied by local officials.

However, the real target of the law is believed to be 'non-traditional' religions other than Sunni Islam and Russian Orthodoxy.

The law also raises the number of people required to register as a religious association from ten to 50 nationals, a process which has in the
past led to harassment.

Foreign religious groups will only be able to operate through a central religious center, religious education for children could be banned and
there are a variety of pretexts on which religious associations could be banned.

These include refusal to register, activities which contradict the aims set out in its statute, running youth assemblies and infringement of the
laws relating to where religious meetings are held if away from the association's base.

An earlier draft of this legislation was revoked in August 2001 following

concerns raised by the international community including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The existing laws governing religion in the country comply with international standards of religious freedom and Kazakhstan was
considered to be one of the most liberal of the central Asian states.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide believes that if adopted, this legislation would undermine freedom of worship for all legitimate religious
groups and is open to abuse from state officials.

CSW is briefing Parliamentarians and Western foreign ministries at the European Union and the United Nations in a bid to get the
legislation stopped in its tracks.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "We understand the concerns of the Kazakh government relating
to extremist religious groups, but feel that this legislation is not justifiable and will have a negative impact on many law-abiding and peaceful
religious groups.

"We are respectfully calling on the Kazakh government to comply with international standards of religious freedom and to ensure this is
upheld in their laws and practices."

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Laos
August 20, 2004 Religious freedom in Laos: Persecution alongside
progress
Fresh news has emerged of arrests and intimidation of Christians in Laos .

Four believers from Kasy District in Vientiane Province were arrested on August 2, 2004 and are currently detained. Two of them, Khamsay
and Thong Soun, are Christian leaders from Vieng Samay village. The other two, Khamphaay and Pheang, are from Hua Muang village.
The authorities have been coercing Christians in Hua Muang village to renounce their faith, with intimidation so intense that eight families
have already given in to the pressure.

Vieng Samay village has also been the scene of intense persecution designed to force Christians to renounce their faith. Believers have
been particularly targeted after a witchdoctor blamed six deaths on spiritual conflict caused by the faith of the Christians. The villagers rose
up in response to drive the Christians out of the village. However the Christian leaders refused to leave. The Christians initially appealed to
the District Governor, who refused to simply accept the witchdoctor's account.

The arrests take place in the conflicting context of ongoing pressure alongside significant steps of overall progress regarding religious
freedom in Laos . The numbers of believers detained have dropped dramatically and a number of churches that were closed have been re-
opened. Nevertheless pressure remains high in areas, with anti-Christian rhetoric, intimidation and harsh measures still used to force
Christians to abandon their faith.

For example, on August 11, 2004 Mr Nouhak Phoumsavan, Advisor to the President, held a meeting in Savannakhet City to stop Christians
gathering in homes throughout the province. The believers are only allowed to assemble in church buildings that have government
permission, with believers in the whole of Champon District only allowed to meet in one church.

Similar pressure has been applied in Chonburi District in Savannakhet Province . The district only has three churches: Gyongya Church ,
Nongana Church and Nongbou Church . Yet the Chonburi district chief ordered Christians to cease meeting in the Gyongya Church as
from August 1, 2004, even though the church has been a place of worship for many years. The believers have been told that they are not
allowed to worship unless they obtain permission from the central authorities to assemble.

The pressure is also being applied in the capital. A house church which has operated without problems for two years in the city of Vientiane
was ordered to close on Sunday, May 2, 2004. About 45 people came to the church that day and cried loudly when they were told that they
would not be able to meet there together anymore.

A further example of persecution suffered by believers is that in Nam Thuam village where harsh pressure has been exerted by local
authorities. Between March and April 2004 the police forced Christians to remain at home and prevented them from tending their rice
fields. The authorities then insisted that the Christians feed them every day. It is reported that at the end of this ordeal the authorities burnt
their rice fields and took their citizenship papers. This persecution was so intense it succeeded in forcing the believers to officially resign
from the Christian faith.
However, on a more positive note, there has been progress over the treatment of believers in the district of Sanamchai in Attapeu Province
, where lands and livestock were confiscated and death threats were made against Christians in February 2004. In an encouraging
development, Christians who had been imprisoned and evicted from their homes were able to gather to worship in the homes of their
leaders in Banmai village and in the city of Sanamchai at the beginning of August.

-------------------------------
August 6, 2004 Improvement for Christians in Laos
Dear Friends,

We are pleased to be able to share with you that the situation of believers in Laos has been improving.

You may recall we were very concerned about the treatment of believers in the district of Sanamchai in Attapeu Province . We are pleased
to now tell you that Christians who had been imprisoned and evicted from their homes were able to gather to worship last week in the
homes of their leaders in Banmai village and in the city of Sanamchai . The village authorities in the city of Sanamchai had granted
permission for believers to meet in the home of Mr. Sian, the only believer in Sanamchai city. Ten people became Christians at the meeting
and interest in Christianity is high, with others requesting more information about the faith. After high-level advocacy, we received the report
that district officials visited Christians in Attapeu and offered to replace stolen livestock and that the persecution abated. We thank God for
the wonderful turn-around in this situation. Please pray for the leaders to be strong and use this new opportunity wisely and to the best
advantage to share their faith with their community. Please also pray for the new believers and for those showing interest, and that
Christians will be able to have a permanent church in Attapeu.

Although we are encouraged by the overall progress, the persecution is still ongoing in many villages. We therefore need to also ask you to
pray for believers in Chonburi District in Savannakhet Province , where authorities are currently pressuring Christians. The district only has
three churches: Gyongya Church , Nongana Church and Nongbou Church . The Chonburi district chief has now ordered Christians not to
assemble in the Gyongya church, which has been a place of worship for many years. The believers have been told that they cannot
worship unless they obtain permission from the central authorities to assemble. Please pray for a turn-around in this situation, for Sonpon
and Synoun, the leaders of the church, and that the believers will stay strong in the face of this opposition.

Please also pray for the believers in Nam Thuam village who have experienced harsh pressure from the local authorities over their faith.
Between March and April 2004 the police forced Christians to remain at home and prevented them from tending their rice fields. The
authorities then insisted that the Christians feed them everyday. At the end of this ordeal the authorities took their citizenship papers and
burned their rice fields. This persecution was so intense it succeeded in forcing the believers to officially resign from the Christian faith.

The believers in Vieng Samay have also been under pressure for their faith after a witchdoctor accused them of being responsible for six
deaths in the village. He blamed the deaths on conflict between God and the evil spirits. The village rose up in response to drive the
Christians out of the village. However the Christian leaders remained steadfast and refused to leave. They appealed to the District
Governor. Praise God that the Governor refused to accept the witchdoctor's account and arranged to have a medical examination of
anyone who died in the village.

Please do pray for the key leaders, Khamsay and Khamdaeng, who play a vital role, and have continued to face serious threats and
eviction ultimatums from their local community. Pray that God would keep them strong and courageous and bless their Christian witness.

Although most Christians have been released, two remain in prison in Udomsay Province . Mr. Boon Chanh, also known as Boon Chanh
Jesus, is a 63-year-old former government worker from Longlang village. He was arrested on June 8, 1999 and is currently serving a 15-
year sentence for treason. Sources close to Boon Chanh are convinced that his sentence is a direct result of opposition to his successful
evangelistic activities. No transcript of his court hearing has been made available, but according to a report, no evidence of his treason was
ever presented in court. It is also reported that when he asked what act of treason he was supposed to have committed, he was told that
his crime was believing in Jesus, because no loyal Lao would believe in such a foreign religion. The 15-year sentence is thought to be the
heaviest ever given in Laos due to religious activities. Two 12-year sentences were passed against Mr. Yot and Mr. Leu for subversive
activities in related cases. Sadly Leu is reported to have died while serving his sentence. Please do pray for Boon Chanh and Yot and for
their families, who suffer in many ways in their absence.

We would be grateful if you would also consider writing to your representatives in Congress to encourage them to raise these issues. It is
appropriate to commend the positive developments and then to ask them to urge the Laotian authorities to ensure that pressure ceases in
the current area of concern. Please focus on the situation in Chonburi district and omit details of church growth and names of believers.

Thanks for your prayers and concern. We greatly appreciate your support and all you do for our suffering brothers and sisters. Praise God
for the difference that it makes.

Yours in Him,

-----------------------------------
March 10, 2004 Christians threatened with death unless they give up their
faith
Christians in Laos have been told they will be killed if they do not give up their faith or leave their village.

The Christians were told by a Laos government official at a village meeting: "If you do not give up your Christian faith, leave the village; if
you do not give up your faith or leave the village, you will be punished by death".
This shocking ultimatum was delivered at a meeting in Donthapad village, Sanamchai District in Attapeu Province, southern Laos on
February 19.

A Christian in the village wrote a plea for help stating: "The officials' purpose is to totally eradicate Christianity. They are threatening to
destroy our homes and to burn our homes. We are not able to travel anywhere. We are kept in an area confinement. They keep watch on
us. If we do not move from our village, they said they would kill us because the whole village agrees with them."

Christians in Laos are very concerned by these threats as believers are often mistreated and significant numbers have been thrown into
prison for their beliefs. The main official mentioned is Mr. Boumlarb, the Deputy Chief of Sanamchai District.

CSW has learnt that Tong-luang, a school teacher, was arrested on March 4, at his home in Donphai, again in Sanamchai District, because
of his refusal to give up his faith. Tong-luang had been arrested previously with two others at a Christmas prayer meeting in Donphai village
on December 28, 2003. All three were released in January 2004.

Mr. Bounsouk (Manien), a Christian, is a particular target for the attacks, and was nearly run over by an official on a motorbike on February
3. He has had his land confiscated and officials have now confiscated his pigs, his main livelihood.

The Donthapad village chief, Mr. Somsuak, is fining Manien and another believer Mr. Silanon 900,000 kips (US$87) for continuing to hold
onto their Christian faith. They have been told if they do not pay soon, the village chief will take over their property and burn their homes.
Mr. Silanon was already fined 150,000 kips ($15) by the village chief for his Christian faith on March 3.

CSW also has a copy of an official letter of expulsion signed by a Laotian government official relating to a separate incident. It reads: "The
chief of the village Donsung, Udomsouk sub-district, Sanamchai district, Attapeu province, has issued this letter of expulsion to one of his
villagers, because she got married to a man who had adopted the [Christian] religion. Therefore, the people's organization of the village met
and came to a unanimous agreement to have her leave the village along with her husband because the villagers do not want anybody of
the [Christian] religion here."

International attention has been very effective in reducing the persecution of believers in Laos in the last few years and CSW has asked its
supporters to contact their representatives in Congress to urge them to raise concerns about religious freedom in Laos.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
Christians in Laos have been subject to a particularly harsh wave of persecution since 1998. Many have been imprisoned and widespread
pressure and persecution has been implemented across the country. Believers have been coerced and forced to sign forms abandoning
their religion. Some have been forced to prove that they have given up their faith by participating in animist rituals, smoking and drinking
alcohol and blood. International attention has helped bring about a reduction in the pressure on believers, but persecution continues and
has been especially harsh in Attapeu of late.

---------------------------
March 1, 2004 Christians in Laos under threat of death
Dear Friends,

We have received copies of letters from Christians in Sanamchai District in Attapeu Province, Laos, asking for assistance regarding intense
pressure that they are experiencing. The letters relate to serious incidents of religious persecution this month. On February 19th a meeting
was held at which the Christians were told "If you do not give up your Christian faith, leave the village; if you do not give up your faith or
leave the village, you will be punished by death". They suggest that the officials' purpose is to totally eradicate Christianity.

There are numerous complaints of lands and livelihood being threatened. One such letter states: "They are threatening to destroy our
homes and to burn our homes. We are not able to travel anywhere. We are kept in an area confinement. They kept watch on us. If we do
not move from our village, they said they would kill us because the whole village agrees with them. The killing of Christians will take place
on February 25th, 2004". A number of officials are mentioned, in particular Mr. Boumlarb, the Deputy Chief of Sanamchai District. Mr.
Bounsouk (Manien), a Christian, is a particular target for the attacks, and was nearly run over by an official on a motorbike on February
3rd.

The letters are a desperate plea for help. The believers want the world to know what is happening. International attention has been very
effective in reducing the persecution of believers in Laos in the last few years.

We would ask you to pray for these persecuted believers, that they will stand strong and that the attacks will subside.

We would also ask you to write to your representatives in Congress. You can find out your Congressperson's name by calling the Capitol
Hill Switchboard at 202.224.3121. Write to your Senator at US Senate, Washington, DC 20510. Write to your Representative at US House
of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 .
We greatly appreciate your help in giving a voice to these who have so little to protect and no other means to protect it.

Thank you so much for standing with them in prayer and support in this time of testing,

PETITIONS WRITTEN BY BELIEVERS IN SANAMCHAI DISTRICT, ATTAPUE PROVINCE

February 2004

************************************************************************
(Translation)
Letter #1
Letter Explaining the Situation
This letter is recorded to report to our Lao Evangelical Church [Vientiane, Laos] concerning the repressive situation that is happening to
every person [Christian] and Hammoun's family on the 3rd of February 2004. This incident is concerning Mr. Somboon [Donthapad
(Somsuak) village chief] and Mr. Gongwan who went to verbally threaten Mr. Hammoun (a believer in Donthapad) and measured off and
took over Mr. Hammoun's rice field and land around Hammoun's house. Also, Mr. Sagern [Sanamchai district official] tried to run over Mr.
Bounsouk or Manien [a believer] over with his motorcycle at 4:00 P.M., the 3rd of February, 2004. As for I, Mr. Silanon, am being
threatened, and therefore all of us are to be without our homes and without a way of making any living because we are constantly being
persecuted all the time. Therefore, let the Lao Evangelical Church [Vientiane, Laos] telephone the Lao central authorities to get them to
come to our place to resolve the troubles. Ask them to solve the troubles in every village that has persecution. The troubles are with us all
the time. Greetings, the Lao Evangelical Church. From Mr. Silanon [a believer in Donthapad (Somsuak) village, Sanamsai district, Attapue
province]

***********************************************************************
(Translation)
Letter #2
Letter Requesting Assistance Presenting to the Lao Evangelical Church [Vientiane, LAOS]

This letter presenting to the Lao Evangelical Church [Vientiane, LAOS] to let you know the situation of the meeting recorded on the 19th of
February, 2004. The meeting was conducted in Donthapad (Somsuak) village in order to eliminate Christianity in our area. The ones
leading the meeting were Mr. Somsouk, our village chief; Mr. Nowpon; Mr. Khamlen. Some of the villagers and the local village leadership
of every level, including the village security force, attended the meeting. In addition, there were Mr. Bounlarb [deputy district chief of
Sanamchai district] and Mr. Sagern [Sanamchai district official] who were planning to absolutely eliminate Christianity. Right now, we are
about to be without our homes. The officials' purpose is to totally eradicate Christianity. They are threatening to destroy our homes and to
burn our homes. We are not able to travel anywhere. We are kept in an area confinement. They kept watch on us. If we do not move from
our village, they said they would kill us because the whole village agrees with them. The killing of Christians will take place on the 25th
February, 2004; therefore, we are requesting that the Lao Evangelical Church [Vientiane] go to the central authorities (government). From:
our names are Silanon, Hammoun, Bousouk, Pownlamee, and Tiew (believers of Donthapad (Somsuak) village.

**********************************************************************
(Translation)
Letter #3

Letter Presenting Persecution Situation in Donsua village

Donsua village is being persecuted constantly all the time. Our rice field and our orchard field are taken from us. We are constantly being
chased out from our village. Therefore, we are about to be without our homes and we are without any way to make a living. As for our son
named Kham, he came to visit us. They have said they would kill him. They accused him of being a spy. They have said they would waylay
him in order to capture him and kill him in the woods. The person instigating the plot to kill our son, Kham, is Mr. Bounlarb [deputy chief of
Sanamsai district]. Thus, I am writing this letter and sending to the Lao Evangelical Church [Vientiane] to let the central authorities
(government) know and urgently come down to investigate the real situation in Attapue province in villages where persecution is taking
place. Greetings to the Lao Evangelical Church [Vientiane]. From Mr. Ganyard [Christian in Donsua village]

**********************************************************************
(Translation)
Letter #4
Reporting on the Secret Information in Donthapad (Somsuak) Village

The one who is directing the threats against Christians is Mr. Boumlarb [deputy chief of Sanamchai district] and Mr. Bounsouk (Manien) is
the believer who received threats against life on the 17th [of February, 2004]. They [the officials] summoned a meeting to elect the new
village chief and during the meeting they made a speech concerning religion [Christian] in Donthapad village. On the 19th [of February,
2004] at 9:00 A.M. Tuesday, they summoned to a meeting those who believe in religion [Christian] to come and be instructed [on the policy
on Christian religion]. They [officials] said in front of us who believe in Christian religion: "If you do not give up your Christian faith, leave the
village; if you do not give up your faith or leave the village, you will be punished by death." How will the Lao Evangelical Church [Vientiane]
solve this problem for us who are in very difficult situations. We are requesting that the Lao Evangelical Church come and urgently solve the
problem. We are living in a very extreme situation; they are constantly persecuting us. Finally, greeting you brothers who are serving the
Lord. May God give you lasting health. From Bounsouk (believer in Donthapad [Somsuak] village)

-------------------------------
August 22, 2003 Twelve imprisoned Christians in Laos told to confess to
trumped up charges
A group of 12 Christians in Laos are under extreme pressure to abandon their faith while being held in prison.

The 12 were in a group of 21 Christians from the Bru minority tribe living in Muang Nong in Savannakhet Province in the south of Laos who
were arrested and imprisoned in May 2003, for refusing to renounce their faith. Nine of them have now been released, but the 12 leaders
remain in detention.

The authorities have used a number of means to pressure these Christians to abandon their faith and cover up the religious grounds for
their punishment.

First, they pressured the believers to confess to charges that they did not have proper permission from the local authorities to move their
families to another village and to not mention that they were charged on religious grounds.
It is then reported that the authorities tried to get the believers to hold guns in their hands so that they could frame arms charges against
them to cover up the real nature of the persecution. As the leaders refused to comply, they were not released.

Third, the Muang Nong district police chief and district administrative head told the Christians they would be released if they signed
affidavits stating they would no longer follow Christ or worship Him. However, the 12 rejected the proposal and therefore remain in prison.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is calling on supporters to write to their representatives in Congress to get them to put pressure on the
Laotian authorities to stop persecuting Christians for their faith.

CSW has welcomed recent releases of Christians from prison, but is concerned that improvements in religious freedom have not been
implemented uniformly across the country.

-----------------------------
July 10, 2001 Seven Church Leaders in Laos Forced to Renounce Their
Faith at Gunpoint
Seven church leaders from Savannakhet in southern Laos are recovering at home after suffering short sharp shock treatment to force them
to renounce their faith. The seven from Paksong, Songkhone District, were unable to bear the strain of their conditions, which for some
included being held in stocks and handcuffs, and agreed to renounce their religion.

Sipasert Phuadaeng, 52, Bounyarn Robkhob, 58, Tem Chanthara, 56, Mr Puang, 60, Phouwanard Trivilaisook, 40, Mr.Kiloy, 36 and
Kongphaeng Phrasawat, 36 are leaders of the church in Paksong. An eighth detainee, Mr. Khemphet, 30, is an active member of the
church. The last three men were released on July 3, more than a month after their arrest.

According to a report received by CSW on July 10, all eight were later overcome with remorse and cried whenever they remembered their
agreement to abandon their religion. The conditions of detention left some of them too weak to walk and the Laotian Government is no
stranger to international criticism for its treatment of Christians. It is with this in mind that it is believed the men’s captors intensified their
treatment in order to avoid criticism for lengthy detentions.

The charges against the eight referred to anti-Government activities rather than a specific mention of Jesus or Christianity.

Just before the arrests, the churches throughout Songkhone district were given a deadline of June 1 2001 for closure. Leaders of Paksong
Church and their relatives had suffered repeated arrests and interrogation in the preceding months. At the same time believers were being
told at gunpoint that they must sign forms to abandon their faith.

These latest events continue the pattern of severe repression of Christianity in Laos with the authorities stating their intention to rid the
country of Christianity.

As well as being threatened with death, believers have been faced with loss of lands and livelihood and medical care.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said: "The situation for Christians in Laos is desperate. They have virtually no legal
protection and are subject to all kinds of pressure to abandon their peaceful beliefs. Even those who have signed forms are not left in peace
as some have been forced to prove their renunciation of Christianity by carrying out animist ceremonies, including sacrificing animals,
drinking blood and speaking to the spirits. Laos is not often in the news, but the international community must help those who are being
persecuted so ruthlessly for the most fundamental of human rights."

---------------------------------------
April 4, 2001 Christians forced to drink blood and sign forms renouncing
their faith
A village by village campaign has been launched in Laos to force Christians to renounce their faith.

Christians are pressured to sign forms which includes the wording:

"[The undersigned] together with family, do formally request to resign from Jesus' religion and will stop:

1 - praying, singing, reading the Bible

2 - praying for the sick
3 - praying before meals
4 - changing names

If I violate this undertaking, I request higher levels to punish me."

Christian prisoners have been starved to the point of eating fungi and cockroaches. Jails are infested with lice, fleas and bedbugs, and to
make their punishment more difficult to bear, the guards prevent the prisoners from killing the bedbugs.

In a disturbing new development, those who have renounced their faith are being forced to prove it by practicing animist rituals, including
animal sacrifice and drinking blood.

In Huay Tao, the authorities forced the Christians to drink the blood of chickens and a pig. Others have been forced to go to the temple,
bow to the idol and make an offering. Believers have been poisoned and their houses burnt. The local leaders refuse to allow them to plant
crops. They say the village belongs to a guardian spirit and Christians who will not worship this spirit cannot stay.
The reasons for the persecution are partly political. Christianity is viewed as a rebellious movement linked to America. The authorities fear
political ties between Christianity and the resistance movement.

There are around 60,000 Christians in Laos, many from the ethnic minorities.

The following was written by a prisoner and smuggled out:

"A life that is a mistake, a life devoid of fun and joy, a life that is in prison, suffering unbearably, a life with no friends or close associates
nearby.

"Oh, how I desire friends who are compassionate, forgiving and encouraging in troubled days. I saw my loved one for just a moment and
now she is gone. My tears are beginning to flow.

"As for us, we are just waiting. I am sending you this letter because I miss you all and want to say thanks to everyone who has been a part
of visiting, guiding and helping our families.

"Concerning our case, we only know that they will make a decision on it shortly and we ask that you would pray for our case.

"May everything be accomplished according to God's plan and will. I keep reminding myself Endure! Man is born to face both happiness
and troubled times. Stand firm until the officials and the court release us. May everything be according to God's guidance. In Christ’s name
may you all have his blessings."

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Malaysia
October 20, 2003 Christian Human Rights Activist Found Guilty After
Longest Trial in Malaysian History
Christian human rights activist Irene Fernandez has been sentenced to one year in prison after exposing human rights abuses at
immigration camps in Malaysia.

She was found guilty on October 16, 2003 by the Kuala Lumpur Magistrates Court of "maliciously publishing false news" after releasing a
memorandum at a press conference in 1995 on alleged torture and death in immigration detention centers.

Her trial, which began in June 1996, has been the longest criminal trial in Malaysian history. She was arrested in 1996, then freed on bail,
after releasing a report in 1994 which accused immigration camp guards of beating and sexually assaulting detainees. She has been
released on bail pending an appeal at the High Court.

Irene Fernandez is a Roman Catholic of Indian background with three children aged between 22 and 18. She is head of the Tenaganita
rights group which helps plantation workers and sex workers, and helps run HIV awareness programs. As part of their program for AIDS
victims, the group interviewed migrant workers. This led to the discovery of their mistreatment which they then asked a newspaper to
publicize.

The Malaysian Government prevented this report from appearing, but Tenaganita ran a press conference with two detainees to highlight the
alleged abuses. The head of the police with responsibility for the camps then filed a case of criminal defamation against Ms Fernandez.

When a CSW team visited her during her trial, Irene described how her faith had kept her going.

She said: "Each time I read what Christ has gone through, it has really motivated me...he never compromised on love and justice nor the
truth". She also expressed her special thanks to CSW supporters who have prayed and campaigned for her as well as written cards of
encouragement. She said: "A lot of my strength to continue has come through this support".

She acknowledged the role played by local churches of many denominations in providing both spiritual and physical support.

Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, who visited Ms Fernandez in 1998, said: "Irene is an inspirational
woman. Her courage and commitment to truth and human rights at such personal cost is a challenge to us all. Her sentence is a travesty of
justice and CSW will be fully supporting her appeal at the High Court."

-----------------------------------
November 7, 2001 Churches torched by Islamic extremists in Malaysia in
reaction against war in Afghanistan
Christian churches in Malaysia have been under attack as extremist Islamic groups reacted to the U.S.-led military attacks on Afghanistan.

The latest of a series of arson attempts on Christian churches took place on October 27, when extremists set ablaze the Christ Community
Center Church in Subang Jaya.

A fortnight before this, extremists attempted to torch the Catholic Church of Christ the King in Sungai Petani, a city about 190 miles
northwest of Kuala Lumpur in the northern state of Kedah, the home state of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
In a separate attack, Molotov cocktails were thrown at St Philip’s Catholic Center on October 14 in Segamat in the southern state of Johore.
Fortunately, most of the Molotov cocktails failed to explode and only the door was damaged.

The Marthoma Christian Community Centre, also in Sungai Petani, was set ablaze by suspected Muslim extremists in July. Damage to the
Center was estimated at £55,000 and police believe members of the Malaysian Mujahideen Group (Kumpulan Militan Malaysia), were
responsible for the fire.

The KMM, whose members were reportedly trained in Afghanistan, have been accused of a series of crimes, including the bombing of a
church and a Hindu temple.

The Christian community is concerned that these types of attacks could become more frequent if Islamic fundamentalism is allowed to grow
unchecked.

Many militant Islamic groups are linking up with separatists in the south of the country. It is believed that militant Islam in Malaysia is
influenced by extremist groups in surrounding nations such as Indonesia’s Laskar Jihad.

Fears of growing Islamic extremism are shared by neighboring countries like Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. Using religion to
ignite hatred, the growing Islamic militants could potentially destabilize the whole region.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has previously warned of a network of extremists in the region that is bent on establishing a union of
Islamic governments in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic federation consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indians and indigenous tribes. Around 58 percent of the population of
22 million are Muslim and Christians comprise about eight percent.

Islam is the state religion with all Malays legally considered Muslim. The Federal government follows a policy of religious tolerance, but in
practice, other faiths are increasingly discriminated against at state level following the rise of Islamism in Malaysia. Legal restrictions exist
prohibiting propagation of other faiths among the Muslim community whereas Muslim missionaries receive state support to spread Islam.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism has highlighted the discrimination non-Muslim faiths
face, such as difficulties in obtaining permission to build places of worship, restrictions on sharing their faiths and unequal access to media
outlets.

At the same time Islamists continue to lobby the government to adopt stricter punishments for apostasy and to implement Sharia Law
throughout the country.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “We utterly condemn these attacks on the Christian community
and call on the Government to give much better protection to minority faiths including Christians.

“Christians in Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia are increasingly under threat from militant Islamic extremists and we call on all their
governments to protect not only the lives of their subjects of a minority faith, but also their freedom to worship.”

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Mexico
February 18, 2004 Urgent Action for Mexico
Dear Friends,

Our friends at "Church in Chains" in Ireland have requested our support in a campaign they have been running on behalf of wrongly
imprisoned Christians in Chiapas, Mexico.

While CSW has not been able to take on this case, due primarily to lack of resources, we have agreed to ask our network of supporters to
lend their support to this campaign. More information on the case is available at their website

Please find below a letter which you may wish to sign and send to President Fox in Mexico urging him to give his full attention to seeing that
justice is done in this case.

Thank you

******************************************************

Presidente Vicente Fox Quesada

La Residencia de la Republica
Constituyentes #161, 7° piso
San Miguel Chapultepec,
11850, Mexico D.F.,
Mexico

February 17, 2004

Your Excellency,

I am writing to express my pleasure regarding the December 23rd announcement that Mexican authorities will conduct a judicial review of
the conviction and sentencing of 76 Tzotzil-speaking peasant farmers imprisoned for the past six years in Chiapas. As I am sure you are
aware, they were accused of participating in the 1997 massacre at Acteal. Although some of the guilty were arrested and imprisoned, a very
high number of innocent men were also inadvertently rounded up as well.

As I am sure you are also aware, both Mexican and international human rights organizations have raised many questions regarding the
procedures followed by local police and the trials. It appears that many innocent men were wrongly convicted and imprisoned while the
guilty were either given minimal sentences and subsequently released or never arrested at all.

I would like to express my hopes that the Mexican government make every effort to ensure that these reviews are carried out in a timely
and impartial manner that will ensure that every innocent man is released from prison. Should they be found to have been wrongly
imprisoned, I sincerely hope that the Mexican government will make reasonable reparations to them and their families.

As Mexico continues to seek a leading role in the international arena, strenuous efforts must be made to ensure that human rights are
respected by those in power and that those who are truly responsible for abusing those rights are brought to justice. The massacre in
Acteal was a tragedy both for the victims and their relatives and those who were wrongly imprisoned in the aftermath. Justice for all of the
victims is essential and I truly hope that the judicial reviews and thorough investigations to bring the real culprits to justice will establish
this.

Thank you for taking the time to address these concerns and for your continued efforts to make Mexico a country at the forefront of the
respect for human rights.

Yours sincerely,

---------------------------------
October 25 2002 Call for Justice for Murdered Human Rights Lawyer
Dear Friends,

One year ago Digna Ochoa, 37, a prominent human rights lawyer, was found shot dead (October 19, 2001) in her office in Mexico City. A
former nun, she had worked on the legal team at the Jesuit-run Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center (PRODH). To date, no one
has been brought to justice for the crime. CSW is joining Amnesty International and other human rights groups in calling on the Mexican
government to take real action towards finding and bringing to justice those responsible for her death.

Ms Ochoa had defended peasant farmers and environmental activists, including two men whom Amnesty International consider prisoners
of conscience. She had also defended individuals who had been abused and tortured by the police. She had received a number of threats
in the past and was attacked and left for dead in her home in January 2000.

The Mexican Government has long been the subject of much criticism from human rights groups within and outside the country, as the
officials responsible for investigating the past and continuing threats on Ms Ochoa's life have not appeared to take the situation seriously.
The first chief-investigator was forced to resign after he concluded that she had committed suicide. As a rebuttal, human rights groups have
pointed to the fact that the gun was fired three times and that she was shot once in the leg before being killed by a bullet to the head.
Margarita Guerra, a former judge, has been appointed to take over the case. However Ms. Ochoa's family worries that she is also focusing
on the suicide theory rather than looking for evidence that would lead to the killers.

According to PRODH representatives, the death of Ms Ochoa could have been avoided if there had been an effective investigation and if
those responsible for the threats and assaults against her and other members of PRODH had been penalized.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said: "Last year we called on the Mexican Federal Government to fully investigate Digna
Ochoa's death and to bring to justice those responsible. It is a travesty that thus far this case does not appear to have been given proper
and sincere attention. We now call on the international community to make it clear to the Mexican government that her killers must be
brought to justice. The safety of all human rights workers in Mexico is at stake if the murder is met with impunity."

We would like to ask you to write to your Congressperson, asking them to raise this with the Mexican government and to use their influence
within the US government to push for a real investigation of the case that will cover all possible explanations for her death. Please send a
copy of your letter to the Mexican Ambassador, His Excellency, Juan Jose Bremer de Martino at:

Embassy of Mexico
1911 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington DC 20006
Phone: (202) 728-1600
Fax: (202) 728-1698

Email: mexembusa@aol.com

--------------------------------------
November 12, 2001 Murder of lawyer leads to call for better protection for
human rights workers in Mexico
The murder of a prominent human rights lawyer in Mexico has led to calls for the Government to give better protection to those at risk
because of their work.

Digna Ochoa, 37, a prominent human rights lawyer, was found shot dead on October 19 in her office in Mexico City.

A former nun, she had worked on the legal team at the Jesuit-run Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center (PRODH).
Ms Ochoa had defended peasant farmers and environmental activists, including two men whom Amnesty International consider prisoners
of conscience. She was the recipient of a number of threats in the past and was attacked and left for dead in her home in January 2000.

A note was found by her body threatening other human rights workers at PRODH leading to speculation that the murder was political.

The Mexican Government has been the subject of much criticism from human rights groups within and outside the country, as the officials
responsible for investigating past attempts on her life and the continued threats, appear not to have taken the situation seriously.

According to PRODH representatives, the death of Ms Ochoa could have been avoided if there had been an effective investigation and if
those responsible for the threats and assaults against her and other members of PRODH had been penalized.

In the wake of Ms Ochoa’s murder, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San Jose, Costa Rica recommended on October 26 that
the Mexican Government put into place, within ten days, effective measures to protect the lives and well-being of all PRODH staff and three
other lawyers, Pilar Noriega, Bárbara Zamora and Leonel Rivero Rodríguez. This will be evaluated by the Court on November 26.

In addition, after meeting with representatives from PRODH and other Mexican human rights groups, the Government has agreed to
develop a human rights working group within the Ministry of the Interior to examine the situation for human rights defenders in Mexico as
well as the overall human rights situation there.

CSW supports PRODH and other Mexican human rights groups in calling for a complete and prompt investigation of Digna Ochoa's
murder, as well as the threats that staff at the PRODH centre have been subject to.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW, said: “Two years ago we called upon the Mexican Government to protect Ms Ochoa and to bring
those who attacked her to justice. Her death is a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and loved ones.

"We say again that the Mexican Federal Government must implement appropriate mechanisms in order to fulfill its commitments under
international human rights agreements.”

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Nigeria
November 22, 2004 Message of reconciliation from former religious
enemies
Two Nigerian religious leaders who were once on opposite sides of the religious conflict are now working together for peace. One lost his
arm and the other his two brothers, as a result of the conflict that has claimed more than 10,000 lives since 1999.

Imam Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa and the Reverend James Movel Wuye, both from Kaduna in northern Nigeria , are joint directors of the
Kaduna Muslim-Christian Mediation Centre.

In one recent project, they brought together pairs of Christian and Muslim youth leaders from 30 of Nigeria 's states for a five-day workshop
for peace. The 60 participants studied religious texts, aired their grievances against the other faith community, and in the end developed a
shared commitment to promote peace between the two religious communities, particularly among young people.

In Kaduna state, the 'Shar'ia' riots of 2000 and 'Miss World' riots in 2002 led to more than 2,500 deaths and the destruction of millions of
dollars of property. A fragile peace exists today.

The Imam's brothers and his spiritual leader were killed in the violence. The minister had his arm cut off by extremists at the same time as
his bodyguard was murdered.

Imam Ashafa said: "Where hate is not transformed it is transferred. I am a fundamentalist - I make no apology for that - but taking
extremism into life is wrong and brings tears to so many hearts. The attitude of 'if you are not with me, you are against me', leading to no
respect for other cultures or tradition, is a wrong perception."

Rev Wuye added: "I hated Muslims and could kill a Muslim at any time. We are very, very religious and can die for our faith. With this
background of hate, we mobilized people to eradicate others. We have programmed young people to hate each other and now we want to
deprogram them."

Imam Ashafa was moved to change his hatred for Christians when he heard teaching in his mosque about forgiveness. He then visited Rev
Wuye's sick mother in hospital and began the process of working together.

Rev Wuye said: "I held him responsible for the loss of my hand and bodyguard and I never forgave him. I felt fear - I was bonded before. At
one time, I was tempted to take a pillow and suffocate him. Then during a meeting, I was told 'You must go with love'. I was blinded by hate
as many back home are, but now with all my heart, mind, soul and strength I wanted to work with him. That was the start of my journey."

Imam Ashafa said: "There is power in your ability to use faith. It is the strongest nuclear weapon. You can use religion and spirituality to
reconstruct the world. The UN should take religious leaders to show them how to make peace in the world. Religion is a power to save the
world. We have to go without hate in our hearts against any human being. People hide under the cover of religion to commit atrocities - they
use the power of negativity, but there is a lot of positivity within the spiritual medium to make the world a better place.

"We must put our hearts together to make sure Nigeria is peaceful. Muslims and Christians must work together - you can see the evil that's
happening around the world - we need to keep Nigeria in peace."

Baroness Caroline Cox, President of CSW, chaired a panel to summarize recommendations from the conference. She said: "Peace and
freedom are indivisible. We can't have peace if people aren't living in freedom. We have a duty to use our freedom on behalf of those living
in conflict. You can't have reconciliation and reconstruction without keeping them in parallel. You also have to work at a local level."

The meeting was hosted in Kennington, south London , by the Nigeria Reconciliation Group (NIREG), a London-based NGO that seeks to
mobilize Nigerians in the UK to engage in addressing the challenging issues currently facing the country.

At the event, Anglican Nigerian Chaplain, The Reverend Canon Ben Enwuchola said: "When I first met my Muslim brother it was a struggle
for me, but when my spirit connected with his it felt right. The two of you are hope for our country tomorrow. You give us hope for the
religious and tribal conflict in Nigeria and a recipe for the whole world."

Afterwards, he said: "The conference was organized to challenge the Nigerian diaspora to take conflict resolution seriously as a necessary
tool in building a better Nigeria . Since independence, Nigerian society has been dogged with various ethno-religious crises so the
establishment of peace becomes very important if we are to go forward."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

In 1999 the two keynote speakers co-authored 'The Pastor and the Imam: Responding to conflict', which describes their experiences and
illustrates Biblical and Qur'anic approaches to peace.

----------------------------
October 22, 2004 Sharia court sentences Nigerian woman to death for
adultery
A Sharia court sentenced a young Muslim woman to death for becoming pregnant out of wedlock earlier in October.

Hajara Ibrahim from Bauchi state, central eastern Nigeria , had confessed to having had a physical relationship with a man named Dauda
Sani, whom she claims had promised to marry her.

Mr. Sani denied this and, since Ms Ibrahim did not have four male witnesses to support her contentions, he was acquitted due to lack of
evidence. Abubakar Bello, the presiding judge at the court in Lere, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area (LGA), deemed Ms. Ibrahim to
be a divorcee and, as a consequence, found her guilty of adultery. This carries the mandatory sentence of death by stoning. Judge Bello
added, however, that the sentence was subject to the approval of the Governor of Bauchi.

Ms Ibrahim was released into the custody of her family pending the birth of her child. Her family have appealed against the sentence at a
higher Shari'ah Court . They maintain her marriage was never consummated and that as a single woman Ms Ibrahim should have been
charged with fornication, which carries a lesser sentence of flogging. Ms Ibrahim is the fourth person to be sentenced to death in Bauchi
under the Shari'ah penal code. 20 others are awaiting amputations.

Meanwhile a group of Christian nurses have been banned from holding worship services after receiving death threats from Muslim
militants.

The nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa state, central Nigeria , received the threat in a letter from a group calling itself
'Islamic Fundamentalists'.

The undated letter to the Fellowship of Christian Nurses (FCN) said it was 'making it abundantly clear that our thirst for your heads/blood is
mounting daily if you continue with your worship services in the hospital unabated'.

The hospital authorities also received a copy of the letter, but took no action to address the threat made against the lives of the nurses.
Instead they issued a letter on July 19 indefinitely suspending all Christian related activities at the Medical Centre. Moreover, according to
the news agency Compass Direct, at a subsequent meeting between the FCN and the authorities, the nurses were informed that the FCN
itself was also being banned indefinitely.

In a comment to Compass Direct, Christiana Shiaki, secretary of the local chapter of the FCN, said the Christian nurses were facing
religious discrimination. The fact that hospital authorities have built two mosques for Muslim employees using public funds would appear to
validate this. Ms Shiaki said: "We have done nothing wrong to deserve this."

Elsewhere in Nigeria , Borno State in the far north east again experienced an attack by the militant Al Sunna Wal Jamma group or 'Taliban'.
On October 8 a vehicle carrying 60 policemen exploded in the town of Kala-Balge when insurgents fired at officers as they attempted to
free it from deep mud. Three police officers died at the scene and several others were injured. 12 remain unaccounted for and are
presumed to have been taken hostage by the militants. In September the group attacked the towns of Bama and Gwoza in Borno State ,
and it had previously carried out raids in Yobe State to the west of Borno during January.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Nigeria has experienced increased religious tension and violence since 1999 when 12 of the 36 states of Nigeria began to institute the
Sharia penal code in defiance of the federal constitution.

A series of violent clashes culminated in the deaths in May of thousands of non-Muslims in northern Muslim-dominated Kano .
-------------------------------
September 28, 2004 CSW calls for prayer on October 9th for Nigerian
Christians murdered by Islamic militants
More than a dozen Christians were killed and seven kidnapped when members of a militant Islamic sect raided towns in Borno State in the
north of Nigeria .

Members of Al Sunna Wal Jamma, a group also known as the Taliban, are reported to have carried out the raids on the towns of Bama and
Gwoza on September 20. The group had launched similar raids on towns and villages in neighboring Yobe State during January, but had
been defeated by the Federal armed forces. Those who survived and avoided capture, had fled across the border.

During the recent violence, 60 members of the sect are reported to have attacked police stations in Bama and Gwoza killing four
policemen, including a police Area Commander.

According to news agency Compass Direct, the group went on to attack Christian communities, killing, raping and burning down homes. A
police spokesman confirmed that 14 bodies had been recovered from areas targeted by the raids, but that there may be many more
victims. Enquiries into the whereabouts of the kidnapped Christians are ongoing.

In a separate development, a Christian teacher from the northern Nigerian city of Kano has gone into hiding after deeply offending her
pupils.

According to the BBC, the teacher told off a teenage girl earlier this month for not concentrating and threw the book she was reading onto
the floor.

Unfortunately it was part of the Koran. Naturally, this provoked an angry reaction from the students. An Iman from a nearby mosque
pleaded for calm after an agitated crowd gathered outside the school on September 23. However, all the school's teachers fled as they
feared a repeat of the violence which erupted in Kano earlier this year. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) thousands of
non-Muslims were killed in violence that broke out in response to the killing of Muslims in Plateau State , central Nigeria .

Christian Solidarity Worldwide campaigns for peace and religious freedom in Nigeria , a country which has seen more than 10,000 lives lost
in inter-religious violence since 1999. As well as being a voice for Christians in northern and central Nigeria who feel their plight is either
disregarded or misrepresented by the international media, CSW also gives practical assistance to those who have suffered. Please join us
in praying on October 9th especially for the victims of this violence and their families. Pray for sweeping change through Nigeria,
peace and justice.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

A local news source reported that grief stricken relatives had converged on the mortuary of Borno Specialist Hospital in the aftermath of the
recent attacks.

As the Nigerian police force and army launched a joint operation against them, the insurgents took seven people hostage and retreated to
the Mandara mountains straddling the border between Nigeria and Cameroon . One of the hostages managed to escape, but two others
are reported to have been murdered, and their bodies were thrown down a mountainside.

On 24 September Borno State Police Commissioner Ade Ajalaiye announced that 27 of the militants had been killed and that the joint force
had retrieved a number of items including weaponry, ammunition, walkie talkies and documentation. He added that the Cameroonian
security forces had arrested five of the militants and their extradition was being sought.

Nigeria has experienced increased religious tension and violence since 1999 when 12 of the 36 states of Nigeria began to institute the
Shar'ia penal code in defiance of the federal constitution.

A series of violent clashes culminated in the deaths in May of thousands of non-Muslims in northern Muslim-dominated Kano .

These clashes erupted after non-Muslim youths attacked Muslims and their properties in Yelwa, Plateau State on May 2, causing at least
100 deaths. This in turn was in retaliation for ongoing attacks on non-Muslims, including an attack on a church on February 23 in Yelwa,
where 48 Christians were murdered in the building and dozens more outside. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at
least 1,500 Christians were killed in the violence in February, and by March 2, all non-Muslims had been driven out of Yelwa and only one
church was left standing.

The violence in Plateau and Kano also led to an escalation of religious tensions in other parts of Nigeria . In the northern state of Bauchi,
Christians received threatening letters warning them to leave the state.

-----------------------------------
August 5, 2004 Nigerian nurses reinstated after refusing to wear Islamic
dress
Eleven nurses fired from their jobs in Bauchi State , Nigeria, for refusing to exchange their nurse's uniform for the Islamic dress of trousers
and veil, have been reinstated by the federal government.
The 11 work at the Federal Medical Center in Azare in Bauchi, one of 12 out of 36 Nigerian states which has enacted the Shar'ia penal
code. This has created a de facto state religion in defiance of Nigeria 's secular federal constitution.

The reinstatements come as a relief to the nurses, who along with their families had suffered considerable hardship during their lengthy
period of unemployment. To pressure them further, the Bauchi State Government also withdrew contracts and terminated the employment
of their spouses. As a result, many were forced to withdraw their children from boarding schools.

Supported by, amongst others, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, the Bauchi Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN), and the local Christian NGO, the Macedonian Initiative International (MII), the nurses appealed unsuccessfully to the Medical Center
and later to the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State which dismissed their appeal on July 26th.

The government's decision to reinstate the nurses brings to an end a dispute that began in 2002, when the Center's new medical director,
Dr Sabo, issued a directive ordering all nurses to wear Islamic dress. Several Christian nurses objected on religious grounds, citing a verse
in the book of Deuteronomy forbidding women to wear male attire.

The Medical Center responded by indefinitely suspending all of the nurses, a move that intimidated many of them into returning to work.
However, the 11 continued their protest and were fired on April 24, 2002.

In 2003 CSW President, Baroness Cox visited Bauchi in a private capacity at the invitation of the MII to highlight the continuing plight of the
nurses. On receiving news of the reinstatements she said: "This is a very important step for the affirmation of religious freedom and
tolerance and the right to professional practice according to one's fundamental professional principles."

Although its proponents insisted that Shar'ia is applicable to Muslims only, non- Muslims in Shar'ia states suffer discrimination and are often
compelled to comply with Shar'ia strictures. Since 1991, Bauchi's Christian population has regularly suffered armed violence. In one
episode, on June 18, 2001, local Jihadists backed up by militants from the neighboring republics of Chad and Niger , attacked and
destroyed a Bible school in Tafawa Balewa. There then followed regular incursions and attacks which, according to CAN Bauchi left over
200 Christians dead and millions of naira worth of property destroyed. More recently, following the deaths of up to 100 Muslims in Yelwa,
Plateau State , letters were circulated ordering Christians to leave Bauchi by May 14 or face the consequences. However, this time the
state government forestalled violence by sending members of the security forces to protect Christian areas.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Religious violence has claimed some 10,000 lives in Nigeria since 1999.

--------------------------------
May 19, 2004 State of emergency in Nigerian state after hundreds of lives
lost
President Obasanjo of Nigeria yesterday declared a state of emergency in Plateau State after inter-religious violence claimed hundreds of
lives.

The president also suspended Governor Joshua Dariye and the State House of Assembly for six months "at the first instance" and
appointed Major General Chris Mohammed Ali as the sole administrator of the troubled Middle Belt state during a televised address to the
nation yesterday, in which he invoked Article 305 of the federal constitution.

Many Nigerian Christian organizations feel that the move against Plateau state, an overwhelmingly Christian state, is an indication of a
growing government bias against Christians. They feel the government has bowed to the pressure of northern emirs and leaders to clamp
down on Plateau State and not to take similar action in Kano and other states where violence has also erupted.

The Plateau Youth Council said in a statement: "We are surprised that only Plateau has been singled out for this treatment in spite of worse
situations in some parts of the country. The president made references to the crises in Kano...we therefore expected that the same
treatment would have been meted to Kano."

While President Obasanjo has not imposed a state of emergency in any other states, he is reported to have warned the governors of Kano,
Delta and Lagos of similar consequences if religious and ethnic violence is not brought under control.

The president's actions come in the wake of a series of violent clashes that culminated in the deaths last week of hundreds of Christians in
northern Muslim-dominated Kano.

These clashes were provoked after Christian and animist youths attacked Muslims and their properties in Yelwa, Plateau State on May 2,
with estimates of people killed during the violence ranging from 300 to 600. This was in retaliation for ongoing attacks on Christians,
including an attack on a church on February 23 in Yelwa, where 48 Christians were murdered in the building and dozens more outside.
According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at least 1,500 Christians were killed in the ongoing violence in February, and by
March 2, many Christians had been driven from Yelwa and only one church was left standing.

Between 300 and 800 Christians are reported to have been killed in Kano during a two-day rampage and over 10,000 are reported to have
fled their homes.

The violence in Plateau and Kano has led to an escalation of religious tensions in other parts of Nigeria also. In the northern state of
Bauchi, Christians received threatening letters warning them to leave the state. Kaduna and Gombe are also reported to be tense.
However, tension has heightened in predominantly Igbo areas of Nigeria as news has filtered through of the murder of Igbos in Kano. In a
two-page statement, the Igbo Community Association (ICA) asked why Christian and non-Christian Igbos in Kano were murdered in
retaliation for Christian-Muslim clashes in Plateau state and demanded compensation for Igbo victims.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

More than 10,000 people have been killed in ethnic and religious violence since the end of military rule in 1999. Nigeria's combined
Christian and animist people are about the same in number as the Muslims and live mostly in the south. 12 of the 36 states of Nigeria have
instituted the Shar'ia penal code in defiance of the federal constitution.

In his speech on May 18, President Obasanjo accused Governor Dariye of "gross dereliction of duty, incompetence and insensitivity to the
situation on the ground", adding that he undertook the action in order to restore "peace, harmony, security for all, and maintenance of law
and order throughout Plateau State".

As federal troops moved to seal up the governor's official residence in Jos, capital of Plateau State, local Hausa Fulani Muslims are
reported to have taken to the streets in celebration. Christians have expressed surprise at the clampdown on Plateau State. They noted the
authorities in Kano and the Delta states had not faced similar actions despite experiencing even greater violence than Plateau State. CAN
National President, the Most Reverend Peter Akinola, appealed to Christians throughout the country to remain calm and prayerful, adding
that CAN would be holding an emergency meeting to look into the constitutionality of the federal government's actions.

There has been chronic violence in southern Plateau state since July 2002, when Hausa Fulanis attempted to drive the largest Christian
tribe, the Tarok, from the Wase area. Some 5,000 were killed, approximately 100,000 people were displaced and at least 88 Christian
villages were destroyed in the Wase Local Government Area during an orgy of violence that the State government seemed powerless to
stop. During each of these attacks, survivors spoke of the presence of Hausa Fulanis from the neighboring republics of Chad and Niger
among their attackers, and remarked that the attackers possessed weaponry superior to that of Nigeria's armed forces. In a statement
commenting on the violence, CAN's Kano branch, "condemned the brutal attitude of some Muslim policemen who intentionally and
indiscriminately shot and killed many Christians in Sabon Gari and other parts of the state". CAN also alleged that in an effort to hide the
true number of casualties, the state government had thrown the bodies of victims into a local river and given several others a mass burial.

Attempts by the State government to bring peace to the area have achieved little. On April 27 it was reported that at least 20 people had
died in three days of fierce fighting in Shendam. Reports of violence between Muslims from Ibi council and Christians and animists from
Langtang south, which left 120 people dead and over 20,000 displaced came on April 30. Six villages are reported to have been completely
destroyed in the clashes. Reliable local sources state that Muslims also attacked Christians and animists in Timshat, Karkashi, Timbol,
Gidanbua and Rawaya. Then, on May 1 and 2, Christian communities in Tumbi, Kawo and Kurgwi were also attacked. It was after these
attacks that Christians and animists launched the now infamous attack on Yelwa in an attempt, as they perceived it, to free the area from
tyranny.

----------------------------
May 13, 2004 Outbreak of religious violence in Nigeria
Dear friends,

We are asking for urgent prayer for Christians in Nigeria where religious war threatens to engulf the north.

Ongoing violence in southern Plateau state flared up once again in February, culminating in an attack by Christian and Animist youths on
May 2 during which 600 Muslims are estimated to have died.

The youths are said to have launched the attack in order to put an end to constant Muslim attacks on their communities. However, far from
resolving issues in Plateau State, the attack on Yelwa could instead unleash a religious bloodbath. There has already been retaliatory
violence against Christians in Kano, a majority Muslim state on May 11. CSW today received information from sources in Nigeria, including
from the Christian Association of Nigeria's Kano Chapter, that confirmed that at least 600 Christians have been killed during violence in the
Shagari Quarters, Chalawa, Pan Shakara, as well as in Kumbosto Local Government Area of Kano.

In an indication of the deep animosity unleashed by the Yelwa attack, CNN reported that Umar Ibrahim Kabo, the most senior Muslim cleric
in Kano, had described the attacks as being part of 'a calculated global Western war against Muslims, just like Afghanistan and Iraq'.
Ominously, Kabo went on to give Nigerian president Obasanjo a seven day ultimatum to apprehend those responsible for Yelwa 'or be
blamed for whatever happens afterwards'.

Sources on the ground have also confirmed that letters have been circulated in Bauchi State ordering all Christians to leave the area before
Friday (tomorrow). Since 1991, Christians in Bauchi have suffered repeated and brutal unprovoked attacks. Many such attacks in northern
and central Nigeria take place following Friday prayers and CSW is deeply concerned for the welfare of Bauchi's Christians at this time.

PRAYER:

- Please pray for Christian minorities in Bauchi and in other Muslim majority states throughout this Friday, asking God to protect and
defend them.

- Pray that state authorities would take effective measures to protect communities from organized violence, regardless of their religious
affiliation.

- Ask God to comfort those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods at this time.

- The current situation threatens to engulf the country in religious war. Pray for the peace of Nigeria and particularly, of Plateau state. Ask
for God's wisdom for the Nigerian federal government, and that it would take effective action to bring an end to the religious violence and
reconciliation between the faith communities
BACKGROUND

There has been chronic violence in southern Plateau state since July 2002, when Hausa Fulanis attempted to drive the largest Christian
tribe, the Tarok, from the Wase area. Some 5,000 were killed, approximately 100,000 people were displaced and at least 88 Christian
villages were destroyed in the Wase Local Government Area during an orgy of violence that the State government seemed powerless to
stop. During each of these attacks, survivors spoke of the presence of Hausa Fulanis from the neighboring republics of Chad and Niger
among their attackers, and remarked that the attackers possessed weaponry superior to that of Nigeria's armed forces.

Attempts by the State government to bring peace to the area have achieved little. Recently the low level violence flared up again following
an attack on Christians in Yelwa on February 24, during which 41 people were killed and burnt inside a church and 38 murdered outside.
Despite the positioning of government forces in the area, Muslims continued to attack Christian areas. The Plateau state chapter of the
Christian Association of Nigeria reported that a total of 1,500 Christians were killed during violence in February.

On April 27 it was reported that at least 20 people had died in three days of fierce fighting in Shendam. On April 30 came reports of violence
between Muslims from Ibi council and Christians and animists from Langtang south which left 120 people dead and over 20,000 displaced.
Six villages are reported to have been completely destroyed in the clashes. Reliable local sources state that Muslims also attacked
Christians and animists in Timshat,

Karkashi, Timbol, Gidanbua and Rawaya. Then, on May 1 and 2, Christian communities in Tumbi, Kawo and Kurgwi were also attacked. It
was after these attacks that Christians and animists launched the now infamous attack on Yelwa in an attempt, as they perceived it, to free
the area from tyranny.

-------------------------------
April 7, 2004 Nigerian churches burned amid sectarian violence
Nine churches and five Christian-owned buildings were torched, a police station was damaged and three vehicles were destroyed on
Saturday, April 3rd, when violence broke out in the hometown of the Governor of Kaduna State in central Nigeria.

Local sources report the violence erupted in Makarfi town after a local Muslim accused the unnamed son of a recent Christian migrant to
the area of having desecrated a Qur'an. Reports state that the young man escaped his assailants with the help of the local police, and was
taken into protective custody at the Makarfi Police Divisional Headquarters. However, when a large and angry crowd began to gather
outside the building, the police took the young man out through the back door and fled.

The crowd proceeded to attack the police station, smashing windows and destroying two police vehicles and a jeep belonging to the
Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON). They then went on to set fire to nine churches, two pastoriums, two shops
and a Christian home before a mobile police division managed to put an end to the violence. According to local police, three people were
injured during the rampage.

In a special broadcast, the Deputy State Governor of Kaduna, Mr. Stephen Rijo Shekari, appealed for calm but warned that the state
government would deal decisively with anyone who tried to capitalize on the situation in order to provoke a wider conflict.

During a briefing to journalists held on Monday, April 5th, the State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Yesufu, said his men had taken
full control of the area, and that peace had returned to the town. He added that the violence had been 'nipped in the bud' by the 'timely
intervention' of security operatives.

Commissioner Yesufu also reported that the young Christian who took refuge in the police station is currently in a coma. A widely
disseminated but unconfirmed report had described the young Christian as a mentally ill person who had entered an Islamic school and
torn up a Qur'an. However, in an apparent contradiction of this report Commissioner Yesufu insisted that the altercation 'had nothing to do
with religious problems'.

By Tuesday, April 6th, five people had been arrested, and police were continuing to take others into custody in connection with the violence.

Commenting on the violence in Makarfi, the Kaduna Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) warned that the state had been
'invaded' by a terrorist group that was hiding behind Islam while causing tension in both Christian and Muslim circles, and urged both the
federal and state governments to apprehend members of this group before it was too late.

In a significant development CAN reiterated its commitment to peace and reconciliation in Kaduna but also announced its immediate but
temporary withdrawal from such initiatives due to doubts over the 'sincerity and commitment to peace' of their Muslim counterparts.

There appears to be a recent trend of violence against Christians breaking out in central and northern Nigeria as a result of unsubstantiated
allegations against a solitary Christian accused of insulting the Qur'an, the prophet Mohammed or Islam in general.

In September 2003 a female Christian student at the Ahmed Bello University in Kaduna State was attacked and seriously injured by Muslim
students after she was accused of blaspheming the prophet Mohammed. This sparked off a wider incident during which several other
students were also injured.

The following month a Muslim gang razed 11 churches to the ground, destroyed at least 100 Christian homes, displaced thousands of
Christians and killed an undisclosed number of them in Kazaure, Jigawa State. The stated reason for the violence was that an unidentified
local Christian had blasphemed the prophet Mohammed. However, the Jigawa Chapter of CAN retorted that the blasphemy charge was
merely a pretext for continuing an orchestrated campaign against local Christians.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
Nigeria has seen an increase in inter-religious violence since several northern states began a call for full Shar'ia Law in 1999. 12 of the 36
Nigerian states have now implemented it, and over 10,000 people have died in religious violence since 2000.

Kaduna State has an equal number of Muslims and Christians and has been the scene of some of the worst episodes of Shar'ia related
violence. Over 2000 people died and over 60, 000 were displaced in religious violence between

February and May 2000. In September 2002, 120 churches in and around Kaduna were burned down and over 300 people were killed in
violence that followed the publication of an article in a Lagos-based newspaper that was deemed to have insulted the prophet Mohammed.

-------------------------------
March 8, 2004 Christians axed to death in Nigerian church
A total of 48 people were hacked to death in Yelwa, Nigeria, by armed Muslims, many during a church meeting.

A recent upsurge in violence in southern Plateau State in Nigeria has claimed at least 100 lives and in the worst single incident so far, at
least 48 people were murdered, many during an early morning prayer service on February 24.

Armed Muslims invaded the service, ordered the congregation to lie face down and proceeded 'to machete and axe them to death in their
house of worship' according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The victims included women and children.

The Yelwa incident was preceded by an attack on Tunka in Shendam Local Government Area (LGA) during which 18 people were killed,
including four mobile policemen who were murdered in an ambush. The deaths of the policemen, who were assigned to the area to
maintain peace, caused many to flee their homes.

A local source told CSW the attacks were being carried out by as many as 400 heavily armed Muslims who shouted 'Allah u Akhbar' (God is
great), wore red and black uniforms and moved with military precision. As government reinforcements arrived in the area to stop the
violence, the attackers are said to have adopted hit and run tactics, striking Christian areas and moving on before troops could engage
them. By February 26 there were reports of similar violence in Shendam Town, Mikang, Langtang South and Langtang North LGAs. There
were also unconfirmed reports of reprisal attacks by ethnic Tarohs on Hausa Fulanis. Joint army and police action eventually managed to
enforce an uneasy peace.

In a strongly worded statement of March 2, CAN called on Muslims in northern Nigeria to emulate their western counterparts by living
peaceably alongside northern Christians.

Over 10,000 people have died in religious violence since 1999 when several northern states decided to implement the Shar'ia penal code in
defiance of the country's secular constitution. The Wase area of southern Plateau State has experienced intermittent violence since the
summer of 2002 when attacks by armed Muslims on the predominantly Christian Taroh tribe left at least 5,000 people dead, 100,000
displaced and over 80 villages destroyed.

There was a lull in the violence during 2003 when the State Governor, Joshua Dariye, convened local peace talks. However, tensions
mounted once again on January 3, 2004, after it emerged the Muslim Emir of Wase, deeply implicated in the violence of 2002, had brought
more than 500 Muslim families to the area to settle in towns and villages abandoned by displaced Christians.

On February 11 the Hausa Fulani delegation responded to a request for a removal of these families by declaring that its members were no
longer interested in being part of the peace process, heralding an almost immediate end to the fragile peace in the area. Sources close to
Christian NGO Release International confirm that on February 12, 20 youths went missing following an attack by Muslims on the village of
Hamale. The sources also report that during an incident on the following day at least 100 people were killed and many houses were
destroyed.

On February 20th Muslims from Bukuru are reported to have attacked a church in Tudun Wada. The attackers are said to have arrived in 13
vehicles. They beat the church's guard and threatened to burn down the building, but their plans were thwarted by police intervention.

A local source told CSW the violence may ultimately be aimed at undermining a recent decision by the Plateau State Government to allow
the area of Kadarko to administer itself separately from the Wase Emirate. Kadarko is the largest of only three Christian areas remaining in
Wase LGA following the violence of 2002.

Local sources also indicate the latest violence is part of a campaign organized by a coalition of local and external extremists.

Right Reverend Ben Kwashi, Bishop of Jos, said: "We ourselves are not discouraged. We have outgrown retaliation, vengeance and anger.
We are living by the grace of God and encouraging the faithful not to give in. What makes me sad is that as soon as we begin to
reconstruct homes, churches and even people's lives, we get shattered again by events such as these. What gives me joy, on the other
hand, is that we are not tired and we will continue with fresh zeal as long as there is life to reconstruct, rebuild and develop."

CSW-UK's Advocacy Director Tina Lambert said: "CSW is deeply disturbed by the renewed violence and horrified by the massacre of
Christians during a prayer service. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those affected.

"We call on the Plateau State Government to guarantee the safety of Christians in southern Plateau State and ensure that those
responsible for such appalling violence are swiftly brought to justice."

NOTES TO EDITORS:
Nigeria has seen an increase in inter-religious violence since several northern states began to call for full Shar'ia Law in 1999. 12 of the 36
Nigerian states have implemented full Shar'ia law. Many observers believe the Shar'ia campaign has been engineered by the Muslim
northern power elite which had dominated Nigeria's political and military establishments since independence and which felt it had lost
power following the election of Christian President, Olusegun Obasanjo. So far more than 10,000 people have died as a direct result of
Shar'ia related clashes.
---------------------------
September 25, 2003 Nigerian mother's successful appeal against death by
stoning
Dear Friends

Thank you for your prayers and concern for Amina Lawal, the Nigerian mother of four sentenced to death by stoning for allegedly
committing adultery.

Amina's long running court case came to an end today when a split decision at the Shar'ia Court of Appeal in Katsina, northern Nigeria,
overturned the initial verdict on the grounds that she had not been given 'ample opportunity to defend herself'.

Praise God for this positive outcome. However, please continue to pray for Ahmadu Ibrahim and Fatima Usman, the young couple from
Niger State whose custodial sentences for adultery were changed to death by stoning.

Most importantly, pray for wisdom and decisiveness on the part of Nigeria's Christian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, as he deals with the
challenge posed by the unconstitutional institution of full Shar'ia law as the primary source of law in 12 northern states. Pray also for
Christians and other non Muslims that suffer discrimination in these Shar'ia states, and for an end to the religious violence that has affected
northern and central Nigeria, claiming at least 10,000 lives since 1999 when the campaign for full Shar'ia began in earnest.

---------------------------------------
August 28, 2003 Decision on stoning of Nigerian woman postponed
Amina Lawal, the 31-year-old Nigerian mother of three who gave birth to a daughter out of wedlock, was found guilty of adultery by a
Shar'ia court in her home state of Katsina in March, 2002, and sentenced to death by stoning.

An appeal launched by the Women's Rights Organization on Amina's behalf was heard by Katsina's highest Islamic court on August 27th.
After submissions from the defense and the prosecution lasting over eight hours, the Shar'ia Court of Appeal decided to postpone its final
ruling on the case until September 25, 2003, despite the fact that the Grand Khadi (presiding judge) had lamented the unfairness of keeping
Amina 'in suspense for so long'.

Please continue to pray for a swift and positive outcome to this case and for Amina's well being during the extended waiting period. The
continuing uncertainty about her has taken its toll. Throughout the lengthy hearing, Amina is reported to have sat with her eyes cast down,
and an uncle who accompanied her to the trial informed a BBC reporter that she had stopped eating and sleeping as a result of the strain of
the case.

Please pray also for Ahmadu Ibrahim and Fatima Usman, a young couple from Niger State. A court in the central town of New Gawu found
them guilty of adultery after Fatima was judged to have become pregnant with Ahmadu's child while married to another man. The couple
had pleaded guilty and had initially been given five-year sentences, along with fines of N15, 000 (roughly US$115). However, during a
retrial conducted in the couple's absence and occasioned by a protest from Fatima's father at the harshness of the jail term handed to his
daughter, the sentences were deemed to have been too lenient and they were changed to death by stoning.

Continue to pray for a peaceful resolution of the Shar'ia Law issue and for wisdom for President Obasanjo and his government as they deal
with the constitutional implications of the institution of full Shar'ia Law by 12 states in defiance of the federal constitution. Pray also for an
end to the religious violence that has affected northern and central Nigeria, claiming at least 10,000 lives since 1999 when the campaign for
full Shar'ia began in earnest, and for peace and reconciliation between the various religious groups in the country.

Thank you

---------------------------------------
June 4, 2003 Update on Amina Lawal, Sentenced to Death For Adultery in
Nigeria
A brief update on the case of Amina Lawal, the 31-year-old Nigerian mother of three who gave birth to a daughter out of wedlock, was
found guilty of adultery by a Shari'ah court in her home state of Katsina and sentenced to death by stoning.

On Tuesday the Shari'ah Appeals Court in Katsina once again postponed the hearing of the appeal against Amina's sentence. Two of the
four judges on the appeals panel were serving on tribunals occasioned by last month's general elections and were therefore unavailable for
the hearing. The case will now be heard on August 27, when it is hoped that the two judges will be able to attend.

Please continue to pray for a successful outcome to Amina's case. The continuing uncertainty about her future is beginning to take its toll.
After the latest postponement Amina told reporters she was 'anxious' adding that 'only God knows when this will be over'. Pray that God
would strengthen, comfort and encourage her and her young family during the intervening months.

Continue to pray for a peaceful resolution of the Shari'ah Law issue and for wisdom for President Obasanjo and his government as they
deal with the constitutional implications of the institution of full Shari'ah Law by 12 states in defiance of the federal constitution. Pray also for
an end to the religious violence that has affected northern and central Nigeria claiming more than 6,000 lives since 1999 when the
campaign for full Shari'ah began in earnest, and for peace and reconciliation between the various religious groups in Nigeria.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 11, 2003 Jihad attacks on Non-Muslims in Nigeria Claim Thousands
of Lives
Violence in predominantly Christian Plateau State in Nigeria has continued unabated since the first major outbreak in Jos, in 2001 when
over 2,000 people are thought to have died in orchestrated inter religious violence.

Non-Muslim settlements now suffer attacks on an almost weekly basis in what appears to be part of a deliberate attempt to alter the ethno-
religious make up of the state in order to facilitate the institution of Shari'ah Law in this key state in the Middle Belt.

Armed Muslims attacked the village of Fobur in Langtang at 2 am on April 4, killing a woman and burning several houses. The group
attacked again the following day and is thought to have gone on to raid the village of Zambwar where 30 homes were set on fire. On April 7,
it was reported that Wereng village near the Vom suburb of the State Capital Jos had been attacked by armed insurgents.

At least 22 villagers were killed, over 16 were injured and 28 are said to be missing following an attack on the town of Kadarko in
neighboring Wase Local Governemnt Area (LGA) on March 18, by armed Hausa Fulani Muslims.

Survivors of the attack on Kadarko described how they were woken at 5 am by shouts of 'Allahu Akbar' and 'we are going to finish off the
infidels'. The attackers used such sophisticated weaponry that members of the mobile police unit assigned to the area to curb the violence
was obliged to flee after running out of ammunition. In a worrying development, sources in Kadarko reported that two attackers killed by the
Mobile Police had ID cards identifying them as serving military men. Worse still, a police officer wounded during the violence confirmed an
armored vehicle assigned to protect the area not only joined in the attack on them but also turned its guns on police and soldiers who tried
to defend them.

The attackers are described as heavily armed, numbering up to 2,000 and wearing the white headbands favoured by Jihadists. In an
indication of the international dimensions of the violence, they are accompanied by militants from the republics of Chad and Niger.

The recent intensification of violence in the Wase and Langtang areas occurred in the aftermath of vehement protests by Hausa Fulani
Muslims against plans by the state government to create a new LGA with the town of Kadarko as its headquarters. In July 2002 Muslims
attempted to ethnically cleanse the predominantly Christian Taroh tribe from Wase LGA, killing over 5000 people, displacing at least
100,000 and destroying over 80 Christian villages in Wase LGA. Kadarko is the largest of only three remaining Christian inhabited
settlements in the area.

Religious violence has claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people since it erupted in 1999.

The sporadic nature of the attacks around Plateau State mean that non-Muslim communities are in a constant state of anxiety and
readiness. One Plateau resident spoke of people having to sleep "with one eye open" and another added "the thing is you cannot say
where and who will be next".

There is growing fear that violence in the area will intensify with the commencement of the electoral process on April 12. The violence
would be aimed at preventing non- Muslims from casting their vote, thereby facilitating the election of candidates sympathetic to an Islamist
agenda.

Mervyn Thomas, CSW-UK's Chief Executive, said: "We are deeply disturbed by the continuing violence in Plateau State and by allegations
that state and federal security forces assigned to quell the violence may instead have been a party to it. We urge the state government to
conduct an enquiry into the behavior of the security forces during the Kadarko attack and to ensure that the forthcoming elections are
conducted peacefully and fairly."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Nigeria is approaching crucial parliamentary, presidential and gubernatorial elections.

Elections for the federal house of Assembly and Senate take place on April 12, while the presidential and gubernatorial elections will be
held on April 19. It is likely that the many presidential candidates will be whittled down to incumbent President Obasanjo, a Christian, and
former General and Head of State, Mohammadu Buhari, a Muslim.

Christians and other Non-Muslim groups in Nigeria fear that if Buhari is elected this may produce conditions conducive to the
implementation of Shari'ah law nationwide, leading to discrimination and the mistreatment of non-Muslims.

November 22, 2002 Christians Killed, Churches Burned in Riots Sparked

by Miss World Protests
At least one hundred people were killed and 200 injured yesterday as Muslim youths rampaged through the capital of Kaduna State in
Nigeria in protest at a newspaper article that was said to have blasphemed the Prophet Mohammed.

Muslim youths arrived in Kaduna city in a convoy of buses bearing Arabic inscriptions which observers suspected of belonging to an Islamic
organization. As the day wore on the protest became more violent. Chanting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great), thousands of youths marched
on the Kaduna offices of ThisDay where they proceeded to search for the Chief Correspondent, Mrs. Josephine Lohor. When they failed to
find her, they set fire to the office and went on a rampage, attacking at least two hotels and burning down four to ten churches. Non-
Muslims were singled out for attack, with several people reported to have been burned, bludgeoned or stabbed to death.

In the article, published in the newspaper ThisDay on November 16, a journalist questioned Muslim objections to the Miss World contest to
be held in the federal capital, Abuja, and stated that the Prophet himself would not have been averse to marrying a Miss World contestant
had he been alive today.

The newspaper was inundated with calls from Muslims demanding an apology for the offending article. The paper immediately apologized
unreservedly, through print and electronic media and during direct talks with key Muslim leaders.
The Kaduna State government initially instituted a 12-hour curfew, but this has now been extended to 24 hours. A senior police officer at the
scene of the burning newspaper offices in Kaduna expressed surprise at how an article written in Lagos should generate such a level of
violence in Kaduna. However Nigerian Christian leaders are no longer surprised by such events. There has been growing anger among
Muslims about US policy towards Iraq and the Middle East. In the minds of Islamic extremists, the US is viewed as a major Christian
country and Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere are targeted for attack whenever the United States is deemed to be threatening Islam.

Bishop Ben Kwashi of Jos, told CSW: "If this is a matter of the newspaper against the Islamic view, then why have four churches been
burned down and several Christians been killed? Did the churches sponsor the publication or own the newspaper? What does this have to
do with the lives that have been lost?

"Muslim extremists are looking for an excuse to kill people and they target the church. What continues to baffle us is the destruction that
follows each Muslim demonstration even when it is said to be peaceful. If indeed the problem was the newspaper write-up, what has that
got to do with the ordinary citizens who probably had no idea of what the whole story was? What has the Church and Christians got to do
with the whole saga? Beneath all this is a plan against the Church. It would seem that at the slightest excuse they are looking for a religious
fight."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: "The fact that Muslim youths were bussed into the area and
committed these offenses five days after publication of the offending article indicates that these attacks were deliberately orchestrated, and
that the understandable anger at a newspaper article was used as a pretext for attacks against Christians and other non-Muslims.
Unfortunately such attacks are becoming commonplace in northern Nigeria. A recent fact-finding visit to Nigeria by a CSW team found that
far from this being a tribal or inter-ethnic conflict, this is primarily a religious issue, because in every attack, Christians are targeted, usually
by Hausa-Fulani Muslims.

"Muslim members of other tribes are left unmolested while Christians and churches bear wave after wave of attack. We call on the Nigerian
state and federal governments to uphold the country's constitution and to be steadfast and impartial in keeping the peace."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Nigeria has seen an increase in inter-religious violence since several northern states began to call for full Shar'ia Law in 1999. Many
observers believe the Shar'ia campaign has been engineered by the Muslim northern power elite which had dominated Nigeria's political
and military establishments since independence and which felt it had lost power to Christian President, Olusegun Obasanjo. So far over
6,000 people have died as a direct result of Sharia related clashes.

During a fact finding visit to Nigeria, CSW team members were repeatedly informed by Christian leaders that the violent events in northern
Nigeria should not be dismissed as inter-ethnic conflict and be viewed in isolation. They said the violence was being orchestrated by the
same forces of radical Islam responsible for the bombing of the Twin Towers in America, attacks on Christian churches and aid workers in
Pakistan, and on the nightclub in Bali, Indonesia.

Christian communities in countries such as Nigeria are held responsible for the actions of the perceived Christian countries of the West. For
example, when the United States mounted air strikes against the Taliban in 2001, three churches and a Christian business were set on fire
in Kaduna City, and posters of Osama Bin Laden were pasted to the gutted remains. Following this incident a protest in Kano against US
involvement in Afghanistan turned violent when Muslim militants invaded the city's Christian quarter. At least 100 people were murdered
during the five days of rioting that ensued.

The CSW team also uncovered evidence of orchestrated attacks on Christian settlements in predominantly Christian Plateau State that
usually involve gangs of 300 to 600 well armed Islamic extremists, some from Niger and Chad. The attacks appear to be part of a
calculated attempt to alter the ethno-religious make up of the state so as to facilitate Muslim dominance and the institution of Shar'ia Law in
this key state in the Middlebelt. Christian leaders point out that this is part of a plan to fulfill the wish of the late Sultan of Sokoto who was
murdered during Nigeria's first coup, to spread Islam throughout Nigeria and 'dip the Quran into the Atlantic Ocean'.

------------------------------------
November 15, 2002 Christian Woman Forcibly Married then Raped after
Shar'ia Law Imposed
A Nigerian Christian girl whose father became a Muslim was raped after being forced to marry a Muslim.

Rakiya, 20, from Bilkawa in Kano State, has been a Christian for ten years, but her father converted to Islam five years ago. Since the
introduction of Shar'ia Law in Kano State, he was told that his daughters could not remain Christians.

On two occasions Rakiya, along with her sister Dije, 19, fled from their father's home to the house of a Christian aunt, only returning on the
agreement that they would not be forced to become Muslims.

In September 2001 both girls were summoned to meet Muslim authorities and were given the option of choosing Muslim husbands for
themselves or being given in marriage to Muslims.

They refused and were moved to Kano, but later fled again to their aunt's house. Their father accused his Christian nephew and the church
catechist of being responsible for his daughters' disappearance and the two men were arrested and charged with abduction.

The parish priest, Rev. Isayaku Idi Kano and Canon Musa Haruna were charged with the same offense and all four were held in police
custody for four days at the end of March 2002. Their case has gone to the High Court, but the cost to the church could be as high as 1.5
million Nira (nearly US$12,000).

The girls were returned to their father, during which time Dije escaped. However Rakiya was forced to marry a Muslim and four men
dragged her to her new husband's room where she was raped.

Advocacy officers from CSW have just returned from a fact finding visit to northern and central Nigeria where they discovered that the plight
of the two sisters is not an unusual occurrence in areas that are predominantly Muslim. In an earlier case a female convert from Niger State
was bound hand and foot in a Shar'ia Court, thrown into the trunk of a vehicle and driven by her family to their home village where she was
bound to a tree and publicly raped by a prospective Muslim suitor. The lady managed to escape and is now married to a Christian.
However, she continues to be in fear for her life years after this event, as some members of her home village still vow to kill her if they see
her.

The CSW team also discovered widespread suppression and violations of religious freedoms in Niger State. For example, the only
Christian burial ground in the state capital, Minna, is full to overflowing, and grave sites are now being doubled up. However, Christians are
denied land for a new burial site. Moreover, churches are often denied both land for building new facilities, and permission for improving
existing structures.

Further research uncovered evidence of orchestrated attacks on Christian settlements around Plateau State. These usually involve gangs
of 300 to 600 well armed Islamic extremists, some from Niger and Chad, who embark on a spree of killing, looting and burning. The attacks
appear to be part of a calculated attempt to alter the ethno-religious make up of the predominantly Christian state so as to facilitate Muslim
dominance and the institution of Shar'ia Law in this key state in the Middlebelt.

Nigeria has seen an increase in inter-religious violence since the northern states began to call for full Shar'ia Law in 1999. Many observers
believe the Shar'ia campaign has been engineered by the Muslim northern power elite which had dominated Nigeria's political and military
establishments since independence and which felt it had lost power to Christian President, Olusegun Obasanjo. So far over 6,000 people
have died as a direct result of Shar'ia related clashes.

It is normally the poor and female who are worst affected by Shar'ia Law punishments as demonstrated by the case of Muslim Amina
Lawal. She was sentenced to death for adultery in Katsina State and is due to be stoned to death once her baby is weaned.

CSW calls on the Nigerian government to uphold the country's constitution and to prevent more injustice and inter-religious tension from
spreading.

-------------------------------------
September 17, 2002 Bombing of Church in Nigeria on Anniversary of Twin
Towers Attack
The government of Plateau State, central Nigeria, has appealed for calm following a bomb explosion at a Christian church that has
increased tensions in a region already shaken by inter-religious violence.

The explosion on September 11 at the Church of Christ in Nigeria in the Laranto suburb of the state capital Jos, shook buildings in the
surrounding area, causing slight structural damage to the church and covering the entire premises with a thick, dark smoke. So far there
are no reported deaths or injuries.

Thousands have died since September last year, when inter-religious unrest first erupted in Plateau State. Until then the state had been
largely untouched by the violence that has affected other northern and central states following moves by state governments to impose full
Shar'ia (Islamic) law as state law in defiance of the country's secular constitution. Today 12 of Nigeria's 36 states have either adopted full
Shar'ia Law or are in the process of doing so.

The latest outbreak of violence in Plateau State began on May 2, when more than 60 people died and property was destroyed during
ethno-religious violence in Jos. Over 40 young people were later charged with complicity in the riots. From June to July over 80 villages
were destroyed and over 1,000 people were killed during a series of raids on towns and rural settlements in Plateau State. Local sources
report that the bodies of victims were mutilated and dismembered by attackers who are said to have been local Hausa Fulani Muslim
extremists. The Hausa Fulani are also reported to have been helped by militiamen from Niger and Chad, a fact given added credence by
recent local press reports of a clash between armed foreigners and policemen sent to the troubled areas to protect survivors of the
violence.

The majority of the victims of the violence in June are reported to have been from the Tarok tribe who are indigenous to Plateau State and
predominantly Christian. The Hausa-Fulani migrated to the area from the north and are overwhelmingly Muslim. Over 100,000 people were
displaced during the attacks in June and July and are currently in several refugee camps in and around Jos where there is a shortage of
both food and medicine. The attacks are thought to be part of a coordinated campaign to alter the ethno-religious balance in this key middle
belt state prior to upcoming local and national elections.

At a peace summit convened to discuss the events that occurred in June and July, delegates identified the emergence of ethnic and
religious militias as the source of violence in Plateau State and asked traditional and religious rulers to discourage young people from
joining them. However, attacks have continued, with what one local source described as 'silent killings of Christians' occurring in areas
designated 'No Go' by Muslims.

Following the bomb attack, the Secretary to the State Government, Ezekiel Gomos, issued a press statement underlining the government's
determination to deal decisively with 'any person found to be engaged in such condemnable acts that will breach the peace'.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "This upsurge in violence, particularly on the anniversary of the
Twin Towers attack, sends a message of intimidation to Christians in Jos.

"We welcome the State Government's determination to deal decisively with the perpetrators of this violence and to uphold the right of
Christians to worship without fear of attack."

------------------------------------
July 18, 2002 CHRISTIANS ATTACKED AND KILLED BY ISLAMIC
FANATICS IN NIGERIA
We have received an urgent appeal for our prayers from Bishop Ben Kwashi of Jos following an escalation of violence against Christians in
Nigeria. We would ask you to pray for the Church in Nigeria and if you have time, to write to your Congressperson raising your concerns.

Thank you

Bishop Ben writes: "Dear Brothers and Sisters, Peace and greetings. We are asking for prayers for strength, for courage, for protection, for
help from God. Only God can help now. In September I asked for your prayers for Jos and for Plateau state. At that time I said that Satan
had unleashed hell on us. I was wrong. What he did then was to release only a sting from hell. Now we are having some form of blast from
hell. As in Sudan, the church in these areas continues to be lively and fervent in faith in spite of their hardships. Our faith in our suffering is
producing much fruit. Even now the congregations that are barely one month old are still kicking and bouncing and zealous for Christ. The
aim of the devil is to discourage us and to scare us away from Jesus, but quite painfully we are losing material possessions and hanging on
to Jesus alone. In this life we do not have a permanent place here.

"We are facing a new Muslim onslaught. Terror has been released on the majority Christian population of the Plateau. As in Sudan, the
church in these areas continues to be lively and fervent in faith in spite of their hardships. Our faith in our suffering is producing much fruit.
Even now the congregations that are barely a month old are still zealous for Christ. We are losing material possessions and hanging on to
Jesus alone.

"May this letter encourage you as we look out for God's good out of this evil situation. Our faith and absolute trust is in the Lord Jesus."

LATEST NEWS:

Christians in the Plateau State of central Nigeria have been killed and forced from their land by extremist Islamic militants.

Attacks have been mounted against Christians in the area surrounding Jos, leaving several dead and many more wounded and displaced.

Christians in a village outside Jos were roused from sleep by church bells at 5am on a morning at the end of June. When they began
making their way to church thinking it was the bell for morning prayers, they were ambushed by Islamic militants from the Hausa and Fulani
tribes. Four were killed and 20 injured.

During the last three weeks of June, several churches were burned, shops and homes looted and Christian property destroyed in Yelwa
Shendam. Christians were chased out of the town and were forced to take refuge in Jos.

In a separate incident in Wase, Christians were attacked and killed and no church building was left standing. Farmland and crops were
destroyed and all the Christians there were forced to flee to Langtan.

Sporadic attacks have also been reported in Berakin Ladi, Vom and Miango, leaving several dead in each attack.

At least a thousand Christians are refugees scattered between Mban, Pil and Langtan, and Christian leaders in the area have organised
refugee camps and have recorded evidence of the atrocities.

CSW calls on the Nigerian Government to intervene with sufficient security forces to end these attacks on innocent people.

CSW also calls on local Muslim leaders to be a voice of moderation when confronted by violent provocateurs from outside the region.

NOTES:

Although Nigeria is by constitution a secular state, Muslims in power in the North have been implementing Shari'ah law and seeking to
apply it to Christians.

Christians in Northern cities such as Kaduna have, in the past two years, been attacked and thousands have been killed and their homes
destroyed. Until recently, Jos and its surrounding areas were a relatively quiet area where Christians lived side by side with their Muslim
neighbors.

ACTION:

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Our Prayers are urgently requested for:-

* The Government, at present concentrating on primaries of local and state elections, that it will intervene strongly with sufficient security
forces to end these savage attacks
* God to intervene to bring to an end this ugly trend towards aggressive religious/political violence in Plateau state
* Relief started by the church, in the form of food, clothing, provisions and supplies, to be readily available & reach the refugees soon
* Many to come to personal faith, as the refugee camps become places of revival and missionary outreach
* God to bring good out of evil
* Strength, courage, and protection for Christians in the Jos area, and especially for Bishop Ben Kwashi and his team of ministers as they
work
tirelessly to bring aid to those in need and to negotiate peace and security for all in danger

Thank you for your support

-----------------------------------------
December 4, 2001 Two Christians killed and nine churches vandalized in
Nigeria in protest against evangelist's visit
At least two Christians were killed and nine churches vandalized when up to a thousand Muslims went on a five hour rampage in south
western Nigeria.

The protest on November 28 in Osogbo was against the imminent visit of German evangelist Reinhard Bonnke.

Osogbo is the capital of Osun, a state dominated by the Yoruba, a tribe evenly divided along religious lines and with a long tradition of
religious tolerance.

One of the dead men, a pastor’s son, had been spotted by Muslim youths putting up posters advertising the Bonnke event on the previous
day.

According to eyewitnesses, he was targeted by Muslim assailants who forced their way into the family home, strangled him, and then
dragged his corpse a kilometer away from his house.

The crowd also stormed All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Isale-Aro, but the minister and his family managed to escape the attackers.

The riot was said to have been incited by the Tafsir (the daily Ramadan sermon) of a radical preacher named Alfa Adegbite. Members of
Tobliq, an Islamic group from a neighboring state, were reported to have come to Osogbo specifically for the riot.

Traditional and religious leaders have condemned events in Osogbo. Oba Iyiola Matanmi, the Ataoja of Osogba (King of the Osogbo
people), visited the affected area and issued a plea for calm. In an encouraging development which can be attributed to the local tradition of
religious tolerance, Alhaji Mustapha Ajisafe, the chairman of the league of Imams and Alfas, disassociated the organization from the
incident.

After visiting the vandalized churches the governor of Osun state, Bisi Akande, a Muslim, praised the Christian community for exercising
restraint. The governor gave assurances that those responsible for the violence would be brought to justice.

Sheikh Ajisafe, the chief Imam of Osogboland joined the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Leke Abegunrin, and the
local Commissioner of Police in an appeal for calm.

Local police have moved swiftly to arrest Alhaji Adegbite and have also promised to upgrade security during the Bonnke rally.

Rev Bonnke has held several meetings throughout Nigeria that have been attended by vast numbers of people of all faiths.

Muslims in Osogbo may have been alarmed by the success of a recent series of five meetings from November 7-11 in the neighboring town
of Ibadan.

Muslim militants in the town marched in protest against both Rev Bonnke’s visit and the US-led military action in Afghanistan. Despite this,
Muslim Governor Lam Adesina welcomed the evangelist and requested prayer for the peace and prosperity of Ibadan.

Local authorities were stunned when a crowd of 1.3 million gathered for the largest of the five evening meetings held at the Old Airport site.
In all more than four million people heard him speak.

Rev Bonnke is no stranger to controversy and violent reaction as ten years ago hundreds of people died when Muslims protested against
his presence in the predominantly Muslim town of Kano. The evangelist was also forced to cancel a rally in Khartoum in Sudan over Easter,
after local authorities withdrew permission for the use of a venue and attempted to relocate the event to an area owned by Muslim militants.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “We continue to appeal for peace in Nigeria, a country which has
seen hundreds of Christians and Muslims die in inter-religious conflict.

“We are extremely grateful for the dialogue which has taken place between the two communities and call on the authorities to ensure the
remaining visits of Rev Bonnke are peaceful.”

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

North Korea
August 10, 2004 CSW welcomes appointment of UN Special Rapporteur
on human rights
CSW welcomes the appointment of Vitit Muntarbhorn as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea .

The appointment was announced in a press release on Friday, August 6th and follows the adoption of a resolution on the DPRK at the UN
Commission on Human Rights in April this year.

CSW warmly welcomes the increased international attention that the mandate will bring to human rights in North Korea . "For too long, the
terrible abuses of North Korea have gone unchecked" said CSW's National Director, Stuart Windsor. "It is important that the suffering
people of North Korea have an advocate within the international community. We hope that the Special Rapporteur will be able to bring his
influence to bear to address the very severe violations of virtually all human rights that occur in North Korea ."

Amongst the issues that the Rapporteur will need to address are the existence of vast prison camps estimated to hold over 100,000
prisoners, including those held for their failure to support the regime sufficiently. Of particular concern to CSW are those imprisoned for their
faith due to the systematic repression of religious belief and expression in the land. Disturbing reports of torture and executions are key
amongst the list of urgent concerns that the Rapporteur will be asked to address. Another issue high on the agenda of many human rights
groups and activists is the appalling abuse inflicted on those who are repatriated to North Korea . Amongst the most shocking accounts to
reach the outside world are the eyewitness testimonies of the infanticide of newly born children of repatriated women.

The Rapporteur is mandated to report to the Commission and the General Assembly. The resolution specifically directs him to establish
contact with the Government and with the people of the DPRK, including by visiting the country.

The resolution also calls upon the DPRK to extend its full and unreserved cooperation to the Rapporteur, to assist him in the discharge of
his mandate and to take all necessary steps to ensure that he has free and unlimited access to any person in the DPRK whom he might
wish to meet.

CSW hopes that the DPRK will indeed co-operate with the United Nations and that unrestricted access will be given to the Rapporteur.

CSW also hopes that the DPRK will cooperate with the other mandates, including the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
CSW welcomes the recent appointment of Ms Asma Jahangir to this role and trusts that she will use her proven courage and commitment
to human rights to speak for the people of North Korea and the many other nations where people suffer merely for holding peaceful
religious beliefs.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The profile of the Special Rapporteur, as provided in the UN press release is as follows:

Mr. Muntarbhorn has earned international recognition for his expertise in human rights. He has served in various capacities in the United
Nations system, including as Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (1990-4) and as expert or
adviser to many United Nations organizations. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical
Cooperation on Human Rights.

Mr. Muntarbhorn is currently a Professor of Law at Chulalongkorn University , Bangkok , teaching international law, human rights,
humanitarian law and a variety of other subjects. He has participated in over 150 activities as seminar/conference speaker, presenter or
rapporteur in all regions of the world, ranging from United Nations conferences to training programs for non-governmental organizations. He
has published widely both locally and internationally on subjects ranging from human rights in the Asia-Pacific region to refugee law, child
rights, women's rights and humanitarian law. He also undertakes various pro bono activities to help the civil society sector, such as training
programs on human rights.

-------------------------------
April 20, 2004 Urgent action for North Korean in China
Dear friends,

We have received news of a desperate situation facing a North Korean who faces potentially imminent repatriation followed by likely
execution.

Mr. Park Yong-chol is currently serving a sentence in China for helping other North Koreans. It is reported that he will be repatriated to
North Korea upon his imminent release, and is likely to face very brutal treatment followed by execution.

We would be most grateful if you could intervene to try to prevent the repatriation of Mr. Park. Below are details of the situation, followed by
addresses to which you can send letters, telexes etc to voice your concern. Given the urgency of the situation we would ask you to use the
means which will reach China first, such as fax and telex.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help seek to save the life of Mr. Park.

Best wishes in Christ,

URGENT APPEAL

NORTH KOREAN FACING REPATRIATION AND LIKELY EXECUTION

We would be very grateful if you would intervene on behalf of Mr Park Yong-chol (alias Jo Yong-su) a North Korean who was arrested and
sentenced in China and now faces repatriation and likely execution.

Mr Park was arrested on 18th January 2003 in relation to the attempted escape of North Korean refugees by boat. On 22nd May 2003 a
court in Yantai in Shantung Province sentenced him and four others to terms of imprisonment. Mr Park received a sentence of two years
imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 RMB.

It appears that Mr Park may now be released on 1st May. He has expressed his absolute terror at the approach of his release date as he
believes he will be repatriated to North Korea, which he describes as a death sentence. Indeed, accounts of the treatment of those
repatriated would support his assessment. Those returned with much lesser offenses have been subject to horrific torture and execution.

Mr. Park is currently in Wei Fang Prison, approximately five hours drive from Yantai airport.

His co-defendant Mr. Choi Yong-hun was also transferred to this prison in mid January 2004. He is a South Korean and has been
sentenced to five years. His case has received some attention in South Korea and he has been able to send letters to his family. In a recent
letter to his wife he indicated Mr. Park's possible release on 1st May and asked for intervention on his behalf. He states that the thought of
Mr. Park's repatriation torments him so badly that he himself sometimes contemplates suicide.

In a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Ruud Lubbers, the humanitarian organization Life Funds For North Korean
Refugees, whom Mr. Choi had appealed to for help, stated: '[Mr Park's] repatriation to North Korea is already arranged, so his release from
the Chinese prison means a sure death sentence'.

We would be most grateful for your intervention in this case to save the life of Mr Park.

ADDRESSES

The following are useful addresses for lobbying purposes. You do not need to write to all of them and you can cc your original letter to other
addresses rather than writing a number of letters.

President of the People's Republic of China

HU Jintao
The State Council General Office
Yongneixijie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Telegram: President Hu Jintao, Beijing, China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

LI Zhaoxing
Waijiaobu
2 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Beijingshi 100701
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1114
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 1109 / 2660
E-mail: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn
Telegram: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beijing, China
Salutation: Your Excellency
(Fax is likely to be more effective than e-mail)

Minister of Justice of the People's Republic of China

ZHANG Fusen
Sifabu
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6520 5114
Telexes: 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN
(Please forward to the Minister of Justice)
Telegram: Minister of Justice, Beijing, China
Salutation: Your Excellency

You could also write to your political representatives:

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name). Ask your Congressperson to raise
your concerns with both the Congress and Secretary of State Colin Powell, and to additionally raise this in appropriate international forums.

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

---------------------------------
April 15, 2004 CSW welcomes establishment of UN Special Rapporteur on
North Korea
CSW welcomes the establishment of the post of a United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation of the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). The post was established today by the Commission on Human Rights in a resolution on the
DPRK. The resolution passed by 29 votes to 8, with 16 abstentions.

CSW is pleased with this significant step in the monitoring of human rights in North Korea having lobbied for the introduction of the first ever
resolution on North Korea last year and then for the appointment of a Special Rapporteur this year.

As part of the strategy to raise the issue of human rights as one of key concern amongst the international community, Christian Solidarity
Worldwide's International Advocate had orchestrated a special meeting at the Commission to present evidence of the chilling human rights
situation in North Korea.

Excerpts of the BBC film 'Access to Evil' were presented, introduced by the BBC Presenter Olenka Frenkiel, who provided further evidence
of gross human rights violations.

A North Korean defector, Won Cheol Kang, spoke powerfully of his own experiences. In his moving account he described how he was sent
to detention camp for crossing the border. Within three months he saw eleven of his fellow inmates die. Poignantly he stated that at the time
he did not know people were not meant to die in prison. He also spoke of the practice of infanticide, describing how one of his fellow
detainees was taken away pregnant and returned having had a forced abortion. Again he commented that at the time he did not question
this and only realized the seriousness of the abuse when he left North Korea. He summed up this broad lack of awareness in the simple but
shocking statement: 'North Korean people do not know what human rights are.'

Alongside his own experiences in detention, he described some of the issues which face North Koreans outside detention, including how he
and his fellow school pupils had to view public executions.

He then went on to articulate the total lack of religious freedom in North Korea. David Drew MP who chaired the meeting also drew
attention to the severe persecution of Christians in North Korea and restrictions on religious freedom.

CSW welcomes the references in the text of the UN resolution on the serious human rights abuses including the all-pervasive and severe
restriction on religious freedom.

CSW also welcomes the inclusion in this year's resolution of additional issues which it had lobbied to have addressed, including the
practice of forced abortions and infanticide in detention centers and camps.

-----------------------------
February 13, 2004 Fears for Safety of Man Who Exposed Chemical
Weapons Testing on Political Prisoners
The man who smuggled documentary evidence of chemical weapons testing on political prisoners inside North Korea is being detained in
China. CSW is gravely concerned for his safety as he would face horrific treatment if he were sent back to North Korea.

Kang Byong-sop, 58, was detained by the Chinese authorities on January 3 in Yunnan Province near the border with Laos.

He was working as an electrical engineer in February 8 Vinalon Factory, one of North Korea's largest chemical plants, when he saw the
transfer documents in a file belonging to the North Korean security service.

He smuggled the documents out of the factory and across the border into China where he gave them to the outside world.

One of these documents translated by a Korean speaker reads: "The above person is transferred from Camp 22 for the purpose of human
experimentation of liquid gas of chemical weapons." The document featured on the recent BBC2 Access to Evil program screened on
February 1.

Mr. Kang's older son, Kang Seong-kuk, was the victim of an alleged attempt by the North Korean security services to abduct him in
Bangkok on January 25. This indicates the North Koreans' desperation to regain the transfer documents, which they believed were in his
possession, pointing towards their authenticity.

Seong-kuk managed to break free and escape from the men sent to abduct him, sustaining a broken rib and injuries to his face and arm.

Kim Sang-hun, a South Korean Christian human rights activist who has helped hundreds of North Koreans escape through China, said: "If
China repatriates Mr. Kang, a witness to chemical weapons experimentation on political prisoners, China becomes an accomplice to crimes
against humanity. North Korean human rights are a disaster. This human experimentation is something very very terrible. To many North
Koreans this is common knowledge.

"I am very anxious to invite other NGOs to join us and do something to stop such evil practices. The first thing I would like to do is to send
international human rights inspection teams into North Korea and carry out inspections and investigations into conditions there.

"The international community has much stronger power than a single regime like North Korea, as was the case with Saddam's regime in
Iraq.

"CSW has a very good team of investigators and came to South Korea and interviewed many North Korean defectors themselves. They
have their own information. Naturally they are very concerned with this situation.

"Suppose if people in England suspected the government was carrying out arbitrary killings or extra-judicial killings and there was no rule of
law in Britain, then many British people would run away from their country. North Koreans are under such severe and tough oppression that
they run away from North Korea. If North Korea was not that oppressive there would not be so many hungry or poor people trying to run
away. It's the main cause of the exodus - this oppression of people by the party and government. As a result they are in China and are
being hunted down by the Chinese authorities and treated like livestock. They believe they are treated even worse than livestock. The
Chinese have made international commitments that they will respect conventions and international law, and these will be equally as binding
in their law courts. With the North Korean refugees they are contradicting themselves. It's a clear case of their arrogance and defiance of
the international community and all humanitarian principles, which must not be tolerated.

"To me human rights are the Word of God. It's God's command that a human has rights. God gave us human rights. They are a gift from
God, therefore we must uphold them and we must protect them."

CSW is calling on China to recognize the refugee status of North Korean refugees in line with China's ratification of the 1951 UN Refugee
Convention.

The BBC website relating to the Access to Evil program is at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/this_world/3436701.stm

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The transfer document reads: "The above person has been transferred from the Control Centre No.22, State Security Agency, the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the State Security Agency of the 2.8 United Vinalon Factory for the purpose of human
experimentation of liquid gas of chemical weapon at the Daily Site No.2." 13 February 2002 (Juche 96)

The desperate conditions in North Korea have prompted numerous North Koreans to make the difficult journey across the border to China.
However, once in China they face different horrors. Lacking legal status, they are highly vulnerable to criminal elements and exploitative
employers. Women are often sold into prostitution or unwittingly as brides. Once 'married' the man considers her his property and may keep
her under lock and key, abusing her physically and sexually, even renting her out or selling her on to other men.

Tragically these women have few alternatives. They have nothing to escape to. If they go to the police, or are turned in by their husband,
they will be sent back to North Korea.

The Chinese policy of repatriating North Koreans results in returnees facing torture and cruel imprisonment. Those who have been in
contact with missionaries or South Koreans are subject to especially harsh treatment. Christians are likely to be executed or sent for life to
hard labor camps. A number of eyewitness accounts report that women who are found to be pregnant by Chinese men are subject to forced
abortion where this is possible or, where the pregnancy is more advanced, are kept in detention until they give birth, at which time their
baby is smothered to death in front of them.

Despite the harshness of the Chinese line towards the refugees, there are aid workers and missionaries who risk their own safety to shelter
North Koreans. Moved by compassion, they provide shelter and food to protect those arriving in China from such dangers. However, China
is determined to eliminate the refugee situation and has staged a severe crackdown.

Part of the strategy is to destroy the network that provides humanitarian care to the North Koreans. Thus, China has placed bounties on the
heads of aid workers in the area and arrested and sentenced many who have sheltered and escorted escapees.

China is in breach of its obligations under the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. This goes beyond flagrant violation
to even punishing those who provide the protection that it is obligated to guarantee.

In December 2003, the Chinese authorities arrested Mr. Takayuki Noguchi of the Japanese humanitarian organization Life Funds for North
Korean Refugees. Mr. Noguchi, 32, who is responsible for international relations for the organization, is being held in Nanning Prison in
Guangxi in China.

Two North Koreans were arrested with Mr. Noguchi. One is a woman in her 40s who was born in Tokai Region, Japan, and taken to North
Korea by her mother. The other is a man in his 50s who was born in West Japan and moved to North Korea in the early 1960s. Mr. Noguchi
has been anxiously pleading for intervention to secure the protection of the two refugees from repatriation.

A spokesman for the Chinese Government publicly stated that the investigation is ongoing and that Mr. Noguchi could be subject to a
sentence of up to ten years imprisonment.

Alongside concerns about abuses by the Chinese, human rights groups including CSW are deeply concerned about the widespread and
systematic human rights violations occurring in North Korea. There are believed to be more than 100,000 people in prison camps inside
North Korea. Among the many violations of basic rights are the systematic use of torture and the use of arbitrary and brutal imprisonment,
characterized by violence, extreme deprivation, starvation food rations, intense forced labor, frequent accidents and disfigurement and high
death tolls.

Further grave sources of injustice are the lack of due process, the regular use of arbitrary and public execution and the punishment of
whole families for the crime of one family member.

The severity of the repercussions against individuals and their families mean that North Korea has largely succeeded in silencing reports of
the atrocities committed within its borders. Alongside this, the extreme isolation and secrecy of the state has prevented the flow of
information out of the country, while restricting freedom for external monitors to enter and assess the country.

More information on Life Funds for North Korean Refugees, including the full text of their press statement, is available at
www.northkoreanrefugees.com

---------------------------------------
September 19, 2003 House of Lords delegation returns from six-day visit
to North Korea
Two members of the British House of Lords (Baroness Cox, a Deputy Speaker of the House and Lord Alton) returned today (Sept 19) to
Beijing after a six-day trip to North Korea, accompanied by James Mawdsley, a human rights advocate who organized the trip.
The delegation met senior members of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) government including -
- the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) Kim Yong Nam
- Vice-Chairman of the SPA Kang Nung Su
- a Minister of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Chae Su Hun.

During their visit they traveled widely in Pyongyang, visited Anju 80km north of Pyongyang and also visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
which divides North and South Korea.

The issues raised included human rights, political and religious freedoms. They also had detailed discussions on the nuclear stand-off
between North Korea and the US.

Lord Alton said, "We believe the nuclear confrontation can be resolved without conflict. The DPRK has been considerably isolated for many
years, but concerted international engagement can resolve two outstanding issues:
- assurances of no preemptive attack by the US
- commitment to peaceful coexistence on the Korean peninsula.

"We believe that there could be speedy de-escalation of tension and a willingness to denuclearize the peninsular."

Baroness Cox said, "The possibility for North and South Korea to operate two systems within one country and to live together peacefully is,
we believe, achievable. The stark division of Korea at the DMZ is clearly impeding economic prosperity and the development of a truly open
society. The authorities in Pyongyang described how the collapse of their former economic partners in Eastern and Central Europe had a
ruinous effect on their economy. Combined with the natural disasters of recent years, these problems are stimulating a reappraisal of their
best interests."

Also, during discussions, the delegates raised a number of human rights cases associated with political and religious liberties and they
have decided to establish the first-ever British-North Korean All Party Parliamentary Group to continue this dialogue.

They also extended an invitation to the President of the Presidium of the SPA to instigate a comparable visit to the UK.

NOTE FOR EDITORS: For further information, photographs or films, please contact -
- Baroness Cox on 0044 7799 582 007
- James Mawdsley on 0044 7976 624 706
- Marco Polo Hotel, Beijing 0086 1066 0366 88 (Rm 733 & 918) [until 20/9/3]

------------------
April 11, 2003 Resolution on Human Rights Abuses in North Korea Tabled
for first time at the UN
A resolution on the use of torture, prison camps and forced labor in North Korea has been tabled for the first time at the United Nations.

The resolution, tabled by the European Union, also addresses freedoms of thought, expression, religion, assembly and association. It calls
upon the government to refrain from punishing North Koreans for leaving the country, including by imprisonment and with the death
penalty.

It calls upon the North Korean authorities to cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights and requests the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights to engage in a dialogue with the North Korean authorities and to submit his findings and recommendations back to the next
session of the Commission.

The European Union tabled the resolution at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva on April 10, and will be adopted
or rejected at a vote on April 16. The resolution is the first of its kind to be presented to the Commission, which has until now failed to
address the gravity of the human rights abuses in North Korea.

The tabled resolution is welcomed by human rights groups concerned about the widespread and systematic human rights violations against
North Koreans. Amongst the many violations are the systematic use of torture and the use or arbitrary and brutal imprisonment,
characterized by violence, extreme deprivation, starvation food rations, intense forced labor, frequent accidents and disfigurement and high
death tolls and the use of arbitrary detention. Further grave sources of injustice are the lack of due process, the regular use of arbitrary and
public execution and the punishment of whole families for the crime of one family member.

The severity of the repercussions against individuals and their families mean that North Korea has largely succeeded in silencing reports of
the atrocities committed within its borders. Alongside this, the extreme isolation and secrecy of the state has prevented the flow of
information out of the country, while restricting freedom for external monitors to enter and assess the country.

A further issue of grave concern is the mistreatment of those North Koreans who have left to go to China and are subsequently repatriated.
Cruel treatment awaits many such returnees and those who are deemed to have been in contact with South Koreans and missionaries are
subject to especially harsh penalties, such as long term imprisonment or execution. A number of eyewitness accounts report that women
who are found to be pregnant by Chinese men are subject to forced abortion where this is possible or, where the pregnancy is more
advanced, are kept in detention until they give birth, when their baby is them smothered to death in front of them.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been lobbying for the Commission to adopt a resolution that does justice to the victims of the grave
human rights violations in North Korea. Earlier in the session, CSW-UK's President Baroness Cox chaired a briefing in which former North
Korean prisoners, one of whom was imprisoned as a child for an act of his grandfather, gave evidence of their experiences in detention,
describing immense inhumanity, and called for the international community to urgently respond to the grave violations currently being
perpetrated in North Korea.

Stuart Windsor, CSW-UK's National Director, said: "The people of North Korea are without a voice, subjected to indoctrination and
wholesale repression across all human rights. Even the slightest suggestion of disloyalty to the state is punished by unimaginable cruelty.
Prisoners are kept in the most barbaric of conditions, forced to labor long hours every day in almost impossible conditions, often in very
dangerous surroundings. We consider the tabling of this resolution a victory for human rights, an encouraging sign for the credibility of the
Commission and hopefully an important step in encouraging freedom for the oppressed people of North Korea."

March 28, 2003 North Korean Escapees Tell United Nations Of Appalling
Human Rights Abuses in Prison Camps
Two North Korean escapees spoke yesterday of the appalling conditions inside North Korean prison camps which drove prisoners to
cannibalism and suicide.

Kang Chul Hwan was arrested aged nine along with several members of his family because of his grandfather's alleged political crimes. He
spent ten years in a prison camp in North Korea where he witnessed children being kicked to death, worked to death or publicly executed.
He told delegates at a parallel meeting to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights of the horror of his years in the camp: "A third
of the children died of malnourishment. In order to survive, I ate rats, cockroaches and snakes. Children simply disappeared from the camp.
I can't understand how it's still there and it's a great shame for all mankind that these concentration camps are still tolerated. I call for an
international human rights team to investigate the human rights situation in North Korea."

Lee Min Bok is a former North Korean Plant Genetic Engineer who was sent to a prison camp after attempting to defect to China. He
survived terrible brutality at the hands of guards in both China and North Korea before being sent to the State Security Police Detention
Centre in Hyesan city.

He said: "The food situation was so bad that cannibalism was quite widespread. A woman who had just given birth was so hungry that she
ate her own newborn baby. Brothers ate their own brothers in order to survive.

"There were no sanitation facilities and no showers and your body became full of insects. There were tens of thousands of lice all over my
body. There was no freedom to kill them. The concentration camps in North Korea today are like Hitler's concentration camps."

Kim Sang Hun, a South Korean who has worked for 20 years as a UN official and has devoted the last six years to aiding North Koreans,
said: "Even using the most conservative estimates, the number of victims of
extra-judicial killing in North Korea over the past 50 years of the regime's entire history stands close to one million, or five percent of the
entire prisoner population of 300,000 each year.

"We are of the conviction that unless we stop such crimes against humanity from being committed in North Korea today, they are bound to
spread elsewhere in the world in the generations to come. In contrast to the recent case of the UN inspection team searching for weapons
of mass destruction in Iraq, a good number of reliable witnesses are available today to identify the locations of these camps and of prisoner
burial sites in North Korea."

Baroness Caroline Cox, a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords and President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, who chaired the
meeting said: "We have heard a grim and sober catalogue of extreme violations of human rights in North Korea and China, with
descriptions of suffering almost beyond comprehension.

"There is a moral imperative for all of us who have the privilege of living in freedom to use our freedom to influence the international
community to try and bring an end to such appalling suffering and human degradation."

The North Koreans met with diplomatic missions and others to urge the Commission on Human Rights to adopt its first resolution on human
rights in North Korea during this session.

SPEAKERS:

Kim Sang Hun worked for 20 years as a UN official. He has devoted the last six years to aiding North Koreans and exposing the grave
human rights concerns affecting them in China and North Korea.

Kang Chul Hwan is a former child prisoner who was arrested aged nine along with his family and spent ten years in prison. His
adolescence was marked by brutality from camp guards and twelve-hour days of grueling labor

Lee Min Bok is a former North Korean Plant Genetic Engineer who experienced the horrors of prison camps for repatriated defectors in
North Korea and detention centers in China and Russia.

Baroness Caroline Cox is a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords and President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK. She is widely
traveled and a well-known champion of human rights.

---------------------------------
December 10, 2002 Horror of North Korean Prison Camps Revealed in
Report
The horror of life for tens of thousands of prisoners in North Korea has been documented in a new CSW report to coincide with
International Human Rights Day.

CSW conducted interviews with 50 North Koreans in four different countries and heard of human rights abuses, such as arbitrary
executions and torture, for this report, which provides a rare insight into conditions in North Korea's secret prison camps.

People are sent to prison camps if they are deemed to be unworthy citizens or connected with someone who has in some way offended the
system under North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il.

Interrogation methods in these camps range from water torture to sexual assault to severe beatings and psychological abuse.

Prisoners are deformed as a result of the abuse, malnutrition and hard and dangerous work. There are also reports of chemical
experimentation on political prisoners.

This week a former prison guard who defected to South Korea identified satellite images of one of the camps he worked in which held
50,000 people. These images were published last week by the Far Eastern Economic Review, who got them from Digital-Globe, a US-
based commercial provider of satellite imagery.

The same guard told CSW of the first time he saw prison inmates: "They looked like beasts, but they were working so I knew they were
human beings. All had a deformity - limping, bent shoulders. They had sunken eyes, like a skull; unfocused, fearful."

He said that as a guard there were virtually no limits to the punishments he could inflict: "You can do anything you like, but do not kill them -
unless they resist authority."

The report details how torturers were selected for their cruelty in tests of increasing barbarity, and that only those who inflicted the greatest
pain on their victims and showed the least compassion would be selected. Both guards and torturers are trained not to see the prisoners as
human beings, but as subhuman and animals. One witness described how she saw a prisoner giving birth to a baby and the nurses cutting
the umbilical cord and then smothering the baby with a wet towel.

Another witness told CSW how children were also interned in these camps, but were not allowed any contact with their mothers, who
although they could see them, could not meet their needs of hunger and warmth.

Sanitary conditions in these prisons are appalling, with no provision for washing or cleaning the one set of clothes prisoners are allowed.

Prisoners were known to have been raped, and one witness described how prisoners were used for martial arts practice.

There has recently been a severe clampdown on the border between China and North Korea and large numbers of North Koreans have
been repatriated to face interrogation and possible execution.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said: "As more and more evidence emerges of the inhuman abuse of people in these
concentration camps, it is no longer an option to pretend that these camps do not exist. To stand back and do nothing can no longer be
morally justifiable.

"CSW works all over the world, but on International Human Rights Day, we want to state that the treatment of prisoners in North Korea
represents one of the worst abuses of human rights we have ever documented.

"We will continue to call on the international community to take all possible steps necessary to close these camps and to ensure that human
rights and dignity are restored to the oppressed people of North Korea." For a copy of the full report, please contact CSW at (877) 450-
4516.

------------------------------------
November 6, 2002 Institute Endorses Legislation to Allow North Koreans to
Apply for Refugee Status or Asylum
Press Release Contact: Matt Mullock Phone: 202-835-8760

Washington, D.C. - The Institute on Religion and Public Policy applauds the introduction of and calls for the passage of Senate Bill 3122,
the North Korean Refugee Relief Act of 2002, to allow North Korean refugees to apply for refugee status or asylum, introduced by Senator
Sam Brownback.

"The United States is the world's leader in the protection of refugees," Senator Brownback commented. "The world takes its lead from the
United States when reacting to asylum-seekers, and the examples we set have far-reaching implications for those who flee persecution.
For this reason, we have stood firm against excuses for the denial of basic human rights. As we all know from news reports, few North
Koreans are able to seek asylum and refuge, be it in China or elsewhere. The few that do, however, are functionally barred from seeking
asylum in the United States or being admitted to the United States as refugees. The bill I am introducing clarifies and fixes that technicality.
This bill recognizes the physical obstacles facing North Korean refugees and removes the technicality that compromises our ability to help
them."

"The Institute on Religion and Public Policy wholeheartedly endorses and supports the passage of this very important piece of legislation,"
stated Institute President Joseph K. Grieboski. "The principle that human beings shall enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms without
discrimination is affirmed in international covenants, including the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. All countries, especially the United States, must recognize the social and humanitarian nature of the problem of North Korean
refugees and do everything within their power to assist those seeking protection, life, liberty, and property.

We applaud Senator Brownback for his leadership on this important issue an call on the United States Senate to take quick and effective
action to pass the North Korean Refugee Relief Act of 2002."

###

Courtesy of:

Institute on Religion and Public Policy

1101 15th Street, NW, Suite 115
Washington, DC 20005, USA
Phone: 202-835-8760/Fax: 202-835-8764

IRPP Europe
53 Rue Archimede
Brussels 1000,Belgium
Phone: +32 (0) 2 742 1575/Fax: +32(0) 2 742 1576
www.religionandpolicy.org

------------------------------------
August 15, 2002 Urgent Concern for 12 High Profile North Koreans Facing
Repatriation
Dear Friends,

We are most grateful for your prayers for Chun Ki Won and those detained with him in China for helping North Koreans. We are pleased to
let you know that Chun and two others have been freed and the final person is expected to be released shortly.

However we have very troubling news about the North Koreans whom he was trying to help. Initial reports did not indicate the whereabouts
of the group, although some sources thought that they had been returned. However, when Chun was released he was able to track them
down to a detention center. Sadly he heard that they had just been moved. They are now believed to be at the China / North Korea border
where they are facing imminent repatriation and severe penalties upon return. Please could you pray for these dear people, that God will
protect them and lead them to safety.

You could also write to:

* The Chinese Embassy, preferably by fax to: His Excellency Ambassador Yang Jiechi, Embassy of China, 2300 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington DC 20008, Phone: (202) 328-2500, Fax: (202) 588-0032 Email: chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn

* Tang Jiaxuan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2 Chaoyangmenneidajie, Dongsi, Beijing 100701, People's
Republic of China, fax: 00 86 10 6596 2660, tel: 00 86 10 6596 1114 / 6513 5566, e-mail: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn

Further details follow:

Twelve North Koreans who were arrested in China trying to reach freedom are facing imminent repatriation to North Korea. The group face
particularly severe penalties as their case has been the subject of international publicity. One member of the group was nine months
pregnant at the time of her arrest in December 2001.

The group were arrested on the night / early morning of 29th / 30th December 2001 near the border town of Dongchi in northeastern Inner
Mongolia as they were trying to cross the Chinese / Mongolian border.

The husband and father of one of the families, Jung Jae Song, was also arrested, along with South Korean activist Chun Ki Won, another
South Korean and an ethnic Korean Chinese man. The four helpers were imprisoned in China for months and international assistance was
used to help secure their release. Little was known of the fate of the North Koreans arrested with them.

However, Chun Ki Won, who has recently been released from detention in China, has now heard that the twelve have been transported to
the North Korean border for repatriation. He was informed that the group was sent from Manzhouli, the northern tip of China near the
Russian border, to Tumen near the North Korean border, for repatriation. According to the information, the group was moved on 1st August
and was expected to arrive at the border with North Korea on 4th August.

A source had reported that the children of the North Koreans were seen playing outside a detention centre for illegal aliens in Manzhouli as
late as 13th July. However when Chun asked to visit them on 5th August, he was told that they had left the centre.

Great concern exists for the safety of the group. A former North Korean State Security Agency official has given evidence that North
Koreans who try to escape to a third country are usually executed upon their return.

Details of the Detainees Facing Repatriation

(1) Roh / Rah, Myung-Ok, female, 38, wife of Jung Jae Song, now a South Korean citizen, who was arrested for trying to help his family
escape.

(2) Jung, Eun-Mi, female, 10, daughter of Myung-Ok (1)

(3) Jung, Eun-Chul, male, 8, son of Myung-Ok (1)

(4) Rhyu, Mi-Hwa, female, 42

(5) Han, Sol-Hee, female, 17, daughter of Rhyu, Mi-Hwa (4)

(6) Kim, Chul-Nam, male, 32, uncle of Kim, Kwang-Il, a South Korean citizen

(7) Nam, Choon-Mi, female, 9 months pregnant at the time of arrest

(8) Kim, Ji-Sung (or Eui-Sung) male, husband of Choon-Mi (7)

(9) Kim, Young-Ju, 6, he had been helped and had his photo taken with activists and Donald MacIntyre of TIME magazine in the summer of
2001 in Yanbian, China

(10) Ahn, Soon-Ok, female, 37, mother of Young-Ju (9)

(11) Kim, Jun-Il, male, 31

(12) Rah, Young-Shik, male, 30

Jung Jae Song's Family

Jung Jae Song, a former North Korean who had managed to reach South Korea in 1997, had travelled to China to help his wife and two
children escape to freedom. A previous bid had taken them to the Burma border, where their plans had been thwarted. Having used up all
his resources, Jung had returned to South Korea, still desperate to see his family re-united. He returned to China again to help escort his
family to the Mongolian border. He is now heartbroken, haunted by the memory of his wife and children's faces after their arrest.

Update on Helpers

Jung Jae Song and fellow detainee South Korean Oh Young Phil were released by the Chinese in March. Ethnic Korean Chinese Jin Qi
Lung / Kim Qi Lyung (Chinese / Korean pronunciation) was sentenced to a year's imprisonment and to a fine equivalent to $2,400. He is
expected to be released shortly on parole, but is unlikely to be allowed back to his home region for the remaining five months of his
sentence. Chun Ki Won was eventually released after seven months detention, on 5th August. He was sentenced on 15th July to
deportation and a US$6,000 fine. He is currently in Hilar in China awaiting his exit paper and will shortly be returning to South Korea. His
personal property has still not been returned, including over $7,000 cash in RMB and US$, and a video camera, cell phone, electronic
memo pad and other property worth around $6,000. No valid explanation has been given for the refusal to return his property.

--------------------------------------
August 15 2002 Father in Anguish as Family Face Repatriation and
Severe Penalties
A father who had previously escaped from North Korea fears for the safety of his family as they face imminent repatriation from China.

Jung Jae Song managed to escape to South Korea in 1997 and his wife Rah Myung-Ok and 10 year old daughter and 8 year old son
escaped to China in 2000.

He went to meet them in China in 2001, but all four were arrested along with 12 others while attempting to cross from China to Mongolia on
the night of December 29 2001. One of the women in the group was nine months pregnant at the time of her arrest.

Jung Jae Song was released in March this year, but it is feared his family are about to be sent back to North Korea where they face
imprisonment, torture and even death.

His wife and children, along with nine others, were taken from Manzhouli, at the northern tip of China near the Russian border on August 1.
It was believed that they would arrive at the border with North Korea on August 4 in preparation for repatriation.

The group and Jung Jae Song were arrested along with South Korean Chun Ki Won, another South Korean and an ethnic Korean Chinese
man.

Chun Ki Won, 48, was released on August 5 after seven months in prison and was fined US$6,000. Kim Qi Lyung, the Korean Chinese
man, was sentenced to a year's imprisonment and fined US$2,400.

CSW calls on China to immediately halt plans to repatriate this vulnerable group of North Koreans and to cease breaching their obligations
under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW, said: "As we in the UK continue to hope and pray for the safe return of schoolgirls Holly Wells
and Jessica Chapman to their parents, should we not also remember this father who is separated from those he loves?

"His two children and wife face repatriation, violence and even execution. He is heartbroken and unable to sleep when he remembers the
image of their faces after their arrest.

"Similar agony is suffered by countless other families who are separated after trying to flee North Korea. It is an outrage that China returns
North Koreans to brutal and sometimes fatal punishment and we call on the international community to do its utmost to bring this
unnecessary anguish to an end."

Chun Ki Won can be contacted in China on +86 135 0060 7735. Non-Korean speakers can contact translator and intermediary Douglas
Shin on +82 16 9213 9010 or email dougeshin@yahoo.com

-----------------------------------------
Source: U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
June 20, 2002 Commission to Testify at Senate Hearing on North Korean
Refugees
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a federal government agency advising the Administration and
Congress, will testify Friday, June 21, at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Immigration Subcommittee on the plight of North
Korean refugees in China. Commissioner and executive committee member Felice Gaer will present the Commission's remarks. Arthur
Dewey, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, will also testify along with several individuals and
representatives of non-governmental organizations familiar with the situation of North Korean refugees in China.

When: 10:00 a.m., Friday June 21, 2002

Where: 226 Senate Dirksen Office Building

Background: Between 30,000 and 300,000 North Koreans are now in China. Most have fled to escape the dire conditions in North Korea,
including the denial of religious freedom and all other basic human rights in that country. Since 2000, however, many North Koreans who
fled to China have been forcibly repatriated by the Chinese government. Several reports indicate that those who return to North Korea are
harshly treated and sometimes killed following capture by North Korean authorities. The Chinese government does not grant refugee status
to fleeing North Koreans, even though most if not all meet the international criteria for that status. In addition, the Chinese government does
not allow the UNHCR to operate in the border region between China and North Korea, thus preventing that organization from interviewing
those crossing the border and assessing their status as refugees. On June 3, the Commission called upon the U.S. government to press
China to uphold its international treaty obligations and protect North Korean refugees who have fled there.

Copies of the Commission's recent report and recommendations on North Korea are available on the Commission's Web site at
www.uscirf.gov. Print copies can be obtained by calling the Commission's communications office.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to give
independent recommendations to the executive branch and the Congress on policies to promote international religious freedom.

Visit our Web site at www.uscirf.gov

800 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW SUITE 790 WASHINGTON, DC 20002 202-523-3240 /202-523-5020 (FAX)

----------------------------------------

May 31, 2002 FAR CRY FROM WORLD CUP AS SOUTH KOREAN MOTHER
WEEPS FOR SON WHO IS TO BE SENT BACK TO NORTH KOREA
The fate of a two and a half year old boy hangs in the balance as Chinese police plan to send him back to North Korea. Lee Song-yong,
who is one of a group of six North Korean defectors, has been separated from his 31-year-old North Korean mother for the last 18 months.

His mother was three months pregnant when she defected to China in May 1999 and gave birth to him in November 1999 at the 292
Chinese Army Hospital in Beijing. Out of fear of being arrested, she was forced to leave China for South Korea without her son in
November 2000.

She is now a South Korean citizen and is desperate to be reunited with her son. Through contacts in China, she managed to find a group of
North Korean defectors in China who were about to go to South Korea and asked the group to bring her son with them. She is now beside
herself with grief and worry. A friend appealing for international attention and action reported: 'The boy's heartbroken mother is in a state of
panic by my side, weeping for help'.

The six defectors, arrested near the Chinese border with Burma and Laos, face imminent repatriation to North Korea, where it is feared that
they will face severe penalties, including possible execution.

The group has now been taken by the Chinese Government to North China for repatriation. They were arrested in Yunnan Province, sent to
Kunmin on May 29 and taken to Changchun yesterday.

Sources expressed deep concern for members of the group, fearing severe repercussions against them if they are returned to North Korea
and believing that execution is a very real likelihood for members of the group.

Human rights activists are campaigning for the group's freedom, but the Chinese authorities are moving exceptionally fast in this case.

Recent cases in which North Koreans have escaped to China and taken refuge in foreign embassies have resulted in a more humanitarian
response, as the authorities have allowed them to leave for a place of safety. However, with lower international attention focusing on this
case, more drastic measures appear to be being taken. Urgent international press attention is thought to be needed to prevent the
repatriation from taking place.

CSW is appealing for urgent expressions of concern from governments, political representatives, the UNHCR, the International Olympic
Committee, as well as individuals, to be communicated to the Chinese authorities to halt the repatriation.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: "As the nations celebrate the start of the 2002 World Cup, it is
harrowing to think of the terror of those who are facing repression, punishment and even death for seeking freedom in South Korea.

"From past experiences and first hand evidence which we have gathered, we have the strongest of reasons to fear the very worst if these
individuals are repatriated. North Korea has proven itself incalculably cruel in dealing with escapees such as these in the past. We urge the
international community to raise concern about this with the Chinese authorities as a matter of urgency."
Notes to editors:

(picture taken in China in mid-2001)

--------------------------

May 31, 2002 VERY URGENT: APPEAL

TO HALT EXECUTION OF NORTH
KOREAN CHRISTIAN

Dear Friends,
We are writing to ask if you could help in raising urgent concern for a group of North Koreans who are in the process of being sent back to
North Korea, where they are in danger of execution.

The six defectors were arrested in Yunnan Province in China, near the Laos /Burma border between May 24th - 26th. They were attempting
to leave China, without a guide, but were arrested and are now being taken by the Chinese authorities to North China for repatriation to
North Korea.

The group was sent to Kunmin on the morning of May 29th and have been transported to Changchun today. The situation is particularly
urgent as the Chinese are moving exceptionally fast in this case.

Amongst the group is Lee Song-yong, a 2 1/2 year old boy, born 15th November 1999 in 292 Chinese Army Hospital in Beijing. Lee's
mother, Park Sun-hi, aged 31, was 3 months pregnant when she fled to China for freedom in May 1999. Afraid of arrest and repatriation in
China she managed to reach South Korea on 22nd November 2002. She is now a South Korean citizen. However she could not take her
12 month old baby at the time and has been desperate to bring him to live with her. She managed to find a group of North Koreans
preparing to leave China and asked them to take her son with them. Unfortunately this is the group that has been arrested.

A second member of the group is Mr Lee Hong-gang, aged 48. He was an underground Christian in North Korea. His father and one of his
two brothers were executed for their Christian faith in North Korea. He fled North Korea in April 2000 when there were indications that his
arrest and execution were imminent.

Accounts from North Korean defectors who have been recaptured and interrogated by the North Korean authorities systematically report
that being a Christian or even having had contact with a Christian is one of the most serious crimes that a North Korean can commit.
Eyewitness evidence gathered by CSW and other organizations attests that North Koreans who have tried to escape and who are
Christians face execution. It is believed by those close to the situation that there is no doubt that he would be executed if he is repatriated to
North Korea.

A third member of the group is 30 year old Kim Mi-hwa.

The other serious crime that North Korean interrogators look for is links with South Korea, as this is deemed the ultimate act of treason. The
facts that the group were heading for South Korea, and Lee Song-yong's mother has already defected to South Korea, are grave grounds
for concern for the welfare of the group.

This is a very serious case. It is understood that China and North Korea have an agreement that China will repatriate North Koreans to
North Korea. We know from first hand evidence that this gives rise to the most horrific human rights abuses, including execution. Recent
cases that have caught international attention have resulted in a more humanitarian response, with North Koreans seeking refuge in
embassies being allowed to leave China for safety.

China's international reputation is at risk in sending these people back to certain death. Besides the obvious outcry which such action
should precipitate, her position as host of the Olympic Games in 2008 has to be called into question while such barbaric acts are carried
out.

CSW is urgently appealing for expressions of concern from around the world to be communicated to the Chinese authorities to halt the
repatriation. We would be very grateful if you could raise your concern as a matter of urgency and urge others to do the same. CSW is
calling on political representatives, the UNHCR, the press, the International Olympic Committee and others with influence to urgently voice
concern over this situation.
Please use any contacts you have with these channels to encourage them to take this up as a matter of urgency.

Thank you

Addresses follow:

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Tang Jiaxuan
Minister of Foreign Affairs
2 Chaoyangmenneidajie
Dongsi,
Beijing 100701
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1109/14
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 2660
Email: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn

Chinese Embassy to the United Kingdom

His Excellency Mr Ma Zhengang
Ambassador
Chinese Embassy to the United Kingdom
49-51 Portland Place
London W1N 4JL
Tel: 020 7299 4049
Fax: 020 7636 2981 / 7636 5578

Chinese Mission to the United Nations in Geneva

His Excellency Mr Qiao Zonghuai
Tel: 00 41 22 879 56 00 / 78 / 50 / 41
Fax: 00 41 22 793 70 14
E-mail: mission.china@ties.itu.int

Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the UN in New York

His Excellency Mr Wang Yingfan
Tel: + 1 212 655 6100 (switch) / 655 6123 (Ambassador)
Fax: + 1 212 634 7626
E-mail: chinamission_un@fmprc.gov.cn

Embassy of the People's Republic of China (USA)

Tel + 1 202 328 2500
Fax: + 1 202 588 0032
chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

94 rue de Montbrillant
1202 Geneva
Switzerland
Tel: 00 41 22 739 8111
Fax: 00 41 22 739 7377
E-mail: hqpr00@unhcr.ch
-------------------------------------
March 22, 2002 Backlash on North Koreans Because of Asylum-Seekers'
Bid for Freedom
Dear Friends,

We are sorry to have to let you know that there has been a disappointing backlash on the North Koreans hiding in China as a result of the
freedom bid of the 25 North Koreans who sought asylum in the Spanish Embassy in Beijing.

The Chinese and North Korean authorities have now begun an intense crackdown in the border area, targeting North Koreans, South
Korean NGOs and Christian groups. Local officials have said that this is in defiance of the international community.

We have been asked by a number of contacts to raise this with the Chinese authorities. We would be grateful if you could add your voice to
express concern about this situation.

We would be very grateful if you could write to your Congressperson, by fax or e-mail, and urge him or her to raise this with the American
and Chinese authorities. You can find out the name of your Congressperson by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A
suggested letter to the Chinese authorities is attached. You could provide your Congressperson with the following addresses and you may
also wish to write directly to the Chinese authorities yourself.

Chinese Foreign Ministry

Tang Jiaxuan
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Chaoyangmenneidajie
Dongsi,
Beijing 100701
People's Republic of China
Tel: 00 86 10 6596 1109/14
Fax: 00 86 10 6596 2660
Email: webmaster@fmprc.gov.cn

Suggested letter:

Your Excellency,

May I commend you for the good outcome of the case of the twenty five North Koreans who sought asylum in the Spanish Embassy in
Beijing. I am glad that their expressions of terror at being returned to North Korea were taken seriously and that they could reach freedom
and safety. This is particularly welcome in light of the protection that the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees provides for such
people who are afraid to return to their country due to a well founded fear of persecution.

I am deeply troubled to hear that there has been a backlash as a result of this case, with a severe crackdown on North Koreans and groups
working with them in China. I am concerned about the welfare both of the missing NGO workers and the targeting of North Koreans. It is
also surprising that actions have been taken against South Korean and Christian groups when these were not the groups involved in the
embassy case. The actions against the North Koreans are highly disturbing in light of the well-documented terrible persecution of North
Koreans who have been repatriated to North Korea. Punishments include execution, imprisonment and torture, clearly amounting to severe
persecution and grave breaches of international standards.

I am concerned that China's position that North Koreans are not genuine refugees is untenable while China denies continues to deny
access by the UNHCR. I would urge you to re-consider China's stance on this issue, and to allow access by the UNHCR, to accept
applications for refugee status and process them in accordance with China's obligations under the refugee convention.

I am aware that China has stated that she resists such expressions of concern by the international community. However, as you will be
aware, these are issues that lie at the core of international relations. Whilst I am keen to see the greater integration of China in international
affairs, the strength of feeling that such issues engenders poses a very serious obstacle to greater engagement.

As you will be aware there is considerable public opinion that China should not be granted privileges, including those such as hosting the
Olympic Games, while she continues to disrespect international rules, including those she has voluntarily committed herself to. I hope that
you will bear this in mind in considering how to proceed in dealing with this situation, which is set to attract increasing attention across the
world.

Yours respectfully and sincerely,

---------------------------------
October 2001 Atrocities in North Korea: Speaker Shares Testimony
Dear Friends,

As many of you will know, we will have the privilege of introducing a witness to the human rights situation in North Korea at our conference
on Saturday. Soon Ok Lee was imprisoned in North Korea for six years on fabricated charges. She was subjected to unspeakable torture,
including water torture and repeated beatings and was forced to work over 17 hours a day in gruesome conditions. During her
imprisonment she witnessed the particularly harsh treatment meted out to Christians, including their frequent abuse, consignment to the
most dangerous forms of work and their murder in unimaginably horrific and cruel ways. She will be sharing her story on Saturday.

Alongside Ms Lee we have two other witnesses who have come to the UK to make known the plight of the North Koreans, and particularly
the Christians. One of them is Dr Norbert Vollertsen who worked in North Korea for a year and a half. He was awarded a friendship medal
and was able to travel in North Korea to areas normally impenetrable to foreigners. His experience of life in North Korea gives a rare insight
into the deprivation affecting the country. During his travels he came across the body of a soldier who had died from torture and he spoke
out against the repression and human rights abuses in the country. He was expelled at the end of last year. His story has been highlighted
in the international media, including Time, Newsweek, CNN etc. Dr Vollertsen is also a witness to the repression of religious freedom in
North Korea.

We want to give an extended opportunity for the witnesses to describe their experiences and for us, as the Body of Christ, to respond in
prayer for our brothers and sisters who are enduring terrible sufferings. We have therefore convened a prayer meeting, which will be held
on Tuesday 9th October at 8pm at Korean Church London, 37 Grove Crescent, Kingston, Surrey KT1 2DG.

We realize that many of you will not be able to join us due to the distance. However, we would like to ask you to join us in prayer wherever
you are, and where possible, encourage your prayer group and fellowship groups to remember the North Koreans on Tuesday and during
this week. We are attaching a prayer briefing below to give you more information and pointers for prayer.

PLEASE PRAY FOR NORTH KOREA!

North Korea is one of the most repressive isolated countries in the world. All action and views are closely monitored by the communist
regime with strict conformity and obedience ruthlessly enforced.

The whole population is required to follow the official ideology of juche. The Great Leader is exalted to such a pre-eminent state that it is a
form of deification and idolatry. Any belief in God is strictly forbidden and is treated as a political crime. Christianity is regarded as one of the
highest crimes in the land and is met with the severest of punishments.

North Korea is one of the most desperately needy and spiritually oppressed countries. The opposition to the gospel is extremely harsh,
pervasive and thorough. North Koreans generally have not heard the name of Jesus, have never seen a church or a Bible or met a
Christian. From a young age North Koreans are indoctrinated to adore their leader. The techniques used and the isolation from all other
teaching mean that North Koreans are generally duped into believing wholesale lies and spiritual untruths throughout their lives.

Those found to be Christians are incarcerated in political prisoner camps, also known as concentration camps, or are executed. Families
are punished alongside the believers.

A number of credible reports of executions of Christians have emerged from North Korea in the last few years. They relate that Christians
who have temporarily left the country and then converted to Christianity have been shot. In some of the testimonies it is clear that the
individuals have been severely tortured beforehand.

Other Christians are sentenced to concentration camps. The conditions in the camps are unspeakably grim and barbaric. Very few placed
in them ever come out alive. Detainees are subjected to barbaric forms of torture, including water and electric torture, and grossly
inhumane living and labor conditions.

The information available is very limited because of the isolation of North Korea, the severe punishments against those who talk about what
happens and the fact that only very few of those who go into the camps come out.

There are reports that Christians are treated the worst in these camps. Because they are under constant pressure to recant their faith, they
are continually tortured throughout their captivity. They are sent to the camps for life. They are not released if they continue in their faith.

Christians are not allowed to look up. From the moment they enter the camp they are forced to bow their necks. They must only look at the
ground. Because they believe in the existence of God in Heaven, they are prohibited from looking up to the sky. Such long subjection to this
measure changes their posture so that they become disfigured and hunchbacked, with their necks at a 90 degree angle from their back.
Even when they die, their necks are broken and they are buried face down so that even then they cannot look up to heaven.
Christians are given the most dangerous and degrading jobs in the camps. They are forced to work in the dangerous and unhealthy
factories, enduring terrible heat. They are also assigned to clean the septic tanks.

Such terrible conditions mean that life expectancy is short. The appalling conditions make disease and injury common. The unsanitary
conditions mean infection worsens and spreads rapidly. No medical treatment is given.

The prisoners' lives are expendable. They are told that they are animals and when accident or injury occurs, no measures are taken. The
guards will also perpetrate suffering and death for their own gratification.

Working conditions are abysmal. Prisoners must labor from 5.30 am to 11 am. They are given only minuscule rations of food. They are
forced to meet high quotas and have their meager food rations further reduced if they fail to meet the quota. The guards continually beat
and abuse them.

Even minor infractions of the rules and innocent mistakes are met with severe punishment. One of the punishments meted out in such
cases in solitary confinement in a tiny cell only 2' x 3' x 3'. The victim is unable to stand up and the concrete spikes sticking out of the walls
prevent them from leaning against the walls. Many of the victims are unable to walk when they leave and many are left paralyzed from the
waist down after the torture.

Personal hygiene is appalling. Prisoners are only allowed to go to the toilet at three appointed times a day. They are rarely allowed to wash
themselves or their clothes. Prisoners are also deliberately exposed to severe cold and get frostbite.

Kim Il Sung ordered that 3 generations of a Christian should be destroyed. Therefore if someone is found to be a Christian their parents
and children will also be punished. Children are also taken into the camps and kept in appalling deprivation and brutality.

There are also accounts of sexual violence and rape of prisoners. Pregnant women are forced to have abortions or their unborn babies are
killed so that they are still born. Those born alive have their necks twisted and are murdered.

Please pray:

That the enforced idolatry imposed throughout North Korea will be broken. Pray that there will be true religious freedom and that the True
God who really reigns in the heavens will be proclaimed as God.

For those believers who follow Christ so wholeheartedly in such a spiritually hostile environment. Pray that God would uphold them in their
faith and give them the strength and boldness to continue to adhere faithfully to him, at all costs. Pray that God would protect them and be
with them in the fiery furnace as he was with Shadrach, Meshrach and Abednego.

Pray for the secret believers in North Korea, that they would grow in their faith and that God would shield them and keep them hidden from
those who are against them. Pray also for the growth of the church and that the gospel would spread, even in this harsh environment.

Pray for those who leave the country to find food, and find the true Bread of Life. Pray for their protection from being detected and their
maturity in the faith.

Pray for protection, success and wisdom for all those seeking to bring the gospel to North Koreans.
Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)
Pakistan
November 5, 2004 Pakistani religious minorities say blasphemy law
reforms not enough
Religious minorities and women in Pakistan continue to face severe persecution, despite reformist rhetoric by the President, Pervez
Musharraf.

Minorities regard proposals for procedural reform of the notorious blasphemy laws, introduced to the National Assembly last week, as
meaningless and dangerous, because they create the impression of reform without any change in reality.

A delegation from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) returned this week from a fact-finding visit to Pakistan , where they met former
blasphemy prisoners in hiding, as well as church leaders, Parliamentarians, human rights activists, lawyers and women victims of sexual
harassment and violence.

Activists face severe threats from the Pakistani authorities and Islamic extremists. One prominent campaigner for the rights of religious
minorities told CSW: "We Christians are living among the hunting dogs. They want to see us dead. People who criticize the authorities, who
are bold and active, are on a hit list." A lawyer who has represented many people, Muslim and non-Muslim, accused of blasphemy, receives
regular death threats. After one case, his car was stopped by militant Islamists who beat him, held a gun to his head and warned: "We will
not leave you. You are an enemy of Islam."

The CSW team met former blasphemy prisoner Aslam Masih, who spent almost five years in jail under two life sentences for blasphemy.
He endured severe torture and beatings, and was held in solitary confinement. But even though he was acquitted in June 2003, he has had
to live in hiding ever since. Anyone charged with blasphemy in Pakistan , even if they are found innocent, becomes a target for Islamic
extremists for the rest of their lives. Aslam Masih's lawyer said: "He has no choice but to live in hiding. He lives in danger. A normal life is
not possible for a former blasphemy prisoner in this society, even if he has been acquitted."

A fresh danger to minorities has emerged in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), which is governed by the pro-Taliban extremist group,
the Muttahia Majlis-e-Amal (MMA). The MMA Government in the province has already introduced Shari'a law, and has confirmed its
intention to implement the Hisba Act, which would impose Islamic practices on the province, despite reservations by the Council on Islamic
Ideology. The legislation was described to CSW by NWFP Senator Zahid Khan of the Awami National Party, a liberal democratic party, as
"Mullah martial law". The Director of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, I.A. Rehman, argues that the law will create "a vigilante
force that will interfere in ordinary people's lives. The weaker elements in society - women, minorities, children and workers - will be hit
hardest. It will create a climate of fear."

The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), a prominent human rights advocacy organization representing all religious minorities, has
launched a campaign against the enforcement of Shar'ia law and the Hisba Act in NWFP. APMA has organized protests, press conferences,
seminars and rallies to raise awareness. As a result, activists such as APMA Chairman Shahbaz Bhatti have received threats from
extremists and warned to stop the campaign. APMA plans to challenge the introduction of Shar'ia law and the Hisba Act in the Supreme
Court.

CSW also met Muslim and Christian women who have been targets of rape, domestic violence and the threat of 'honor killings'. Seven-year
old Sharee Komal, a Christian, was raped and tortured by a Muslim man on May 29, because she is a Christian. Discovered near a
graveyard, covered in blood, Sharee remains traumatized. Her mother told CSW: "I thought she was dead. The man tried to kill her, and
she was badly beaten around the head."

CSW is campaigning for the repeal of the blasphemy laws, and urges President Musharraf to use his authority to prevent the
implementation of the Hisba Act in NWFP.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The blasphemy laws, introduced by General Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistan 's former military ruler, in 1985 are detailed in Section 295 of the Pakistan
Penal Code. Section 295A refers to "deliberate and malicious acts" intended to insult "religious beliefs", and is punishable by imprisonment
of up to ten years. Section 295B applies specifically to "defiling of the Holy Koran" and carries a life sentence. Section 295C relates to "use
of derogatory remarks in respect of the Holy Prophet [Mohammad]" and is punishable by death. The law requires only the testimony of one
Muslim against another person, and therefore it is widely misused to settle scores and persecute minorities. According to the National
Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops Conference, between 1986 and 2003 at least 280 blasphemy cases were
registered. Of these, 254 cases were against Muslims; 203 Ahmadis; 78 Christians; 8 Hindus. There are currently over 30 blasphemy cases
under trial or awaiting trial, including several Christians such as Pervez Masih, Ranjha Masih, Shahbaz Masih, Augustine "Kingri" Masih
and Asif and Amjad Masih.

President Pervez Musharraf has called for reform of the blasphemy laws, but proposals published so far only offer procedural reform. Under
the draft amendment to Section 295C, no police officer below the rank of Superintendent shall have the authority to investigate blasphemy
accusations. But as human rights groups point out, the police will still be susceptible to bribery, corruption, intimidation and religious
extremism. The root problem in the law is the vague definition, and the fact that, as the Director of the Human Rights Commission of
Pakistan noted, it "overlooks the question of intent".

Blasphemy suspects are targets for extremist violence during trial, imprisonment and after their release. On May 28, this year Samuel
Masih, aged 32, was beaten with a brick cutter by a police officer, and died of his injuries. He was awaiting trial for blasphemy. "I offered my
religious duty for killing the man. I am spiritually satisfied and ready to face the consequences," said the policeman who killed him. On
August 24, 2003 Naseem Bibi was beaten to death in Kot Lakhpat Jail, three months after she had been detained on blasphemy charges.
In 2002, Mushtaq Zafar was shot dead in Lahore soon after he left a court hearing. Justice Mian Nasir Akhtar of the Lahore High Court said
in 1999 that those accused of blasphemy should be killed without trial.

The proposed Hisba Act in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) will lead to the "Talibanisation" of the province, according to its
opponents. The legislation, which the NWFP Government may try to implement as early as next month, will create a position of 'Mohtaseb'
or Shari'a judge, whose decisions cannot be challenged in non-Shari'a courts. The law will also require the establishment of mosques in all
government and public buildings, including shopping centres, schools and hospitals.

---------------------------------
September 6, 2004 Second Pakistani Christian tortured to death by police
in four months
Another Christian has died in Pakistan as a result of severe torture at the hands of the police. This is the third murder of a Pakistani
Christian this year, and the second carried out by the police.

Nasir Masih, aged 26, was arrested on false charges of theft on August 16, and died three days later after sustaining 20 injuries. According
to his father, Mukhtar Masih, Nasir was taken from his home in Baldia, Siekhupura, 45 kilometers from Lahore , by a group of Muslims, and
a few hours later his family was informed by the police that he had been arrested and charged with theft. The accusation had been made by
one of the group which took Nasir from his home.

"This is a conspiracy based on religious enmity to kill my son," Mukhtar Masih told the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance. "My son cannot have
been involved in any theft."

A case has been registered against ten people, including six policemen, for allegedly torturing Nasir Masih to death, on the orders of the
District Police Officer Shahid Iqbal. No arrests have yet been made. "I will knock on every door to get justice for my son," Mukhtar Masih
said.

Nasir's murder follows the deaths in May this year of Samuel Masih and Javed Anjum. Samuel Masih, charged under the blasphemy law,
was beaten by a police officer while he lay in a hospital suffering from tuberculosis. Javed Anjum was tortured to death by Muslims from a
madrassah (Islamic school).

Hundreds of Christians protested Nasir Masih's murder by blocking the Siekhupura to Lahore road on August 20. Police responded to the
protest with a baton charge and firing in the air, which led to several protestors being injured. Police beat up and arrested Pastor Joel Raja
and Pastor Noel Cecil, who were preparing to lead Nasir Masih's funeral, along with 15 others. The two pastors and five others have been
released, but ten further people remain in police custody. Police have also warned the local Christian community, particularly Haroon Fateh,
a lawyer representing Nasih Masih's family, not to pursue the case against the police. About a dozen Christian protestors have been
charged with suspending traffic and rioting.

CSW is calling for the repeal of the blasphemy laws and the Hudood Ordinances, and for the reform of the madrassahs.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Christians in Pakistan represent two per cent of the population.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, a bill proposing amendments to the Hudood Ordinances and the blasphemy laws has been referred by
the National Assembly to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice. These reforms were proposed by President Pervez
Musharraf in a speech in June, in which he called for 'scrutiny' of the blasphemy laws and an end to 'honor' killings.

---------------------------
July 15, 2004 Pakistani government drafts bill to revise discriminatory
laws
In the face of a growing international campaign for the repeal of the blasphemy laws and the Hudood Ordinances, the Pakistani
Government announced last week that it would introduce a new bill to revise these laws.

The draft 'Criminal Law (Amendment) Act' will revise the Hudood Ordinances and the blasphemy laws, and criminalize so-called 'honor'
killings. The news was announced on July 8 by Pakistan 's Justice Minister, Raza Hayat Hiraj, who said the draft would be presented to the
Cabinet for approval. It was subsequently tabled in the National Assembly, and, according to CSW's source, is now with the Council of
Islamic Ideology. The bill was drafted with input from the Supreme Court, which has already ruled that 'honor killings' should be considered
as murder.

The Government's move to reform these laws comes after the killings of several Christians in recent months, including Samuel Masih,
accused of blasphemy, and Javed Anjum, murdered by maulvis (mullahs) at a madrassa (Islamic school). International pressure has
mounted on the Pakistani authorities to take action to curb religious intolerance, and last month President Pervez Musharraf called for
'scrutiny' of the blasphemy laws and the Hudood ordinances, and an end to 'honor killings'.

The Hudood Ordinances, introduced in 1979, deal with Islamic laws relating to criminal acts. These include the requirement that a married
woman who has been raped must provide four Muslim male witnesses otherwise the rape is considered adultery.

Cecil Chaudhry, a leading campaigner for human rights and religious freedom in Pakistan, and a member of the Catholic Church's Justice
and Peace Commission, told CSW that the proposed draft bill does not go far enough: "The stand of the women of Pakistan, and the non-
Muslim minorities, has been to call for the total repeal of the blasphemy laws and the Hudood ordinances. The total repeal of these laws
was also the recommendation of the Women's Commission formed by the government itself."

In regard to the move to declare 'honor killings' as a crime, Mr Chaudhry said there was no need for new legislation. Existing laws under
Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code already provided for the crime of murder, punishable with the death penalty. "Murder is murder, and
honor killings are murder, so Section 302 already covers this crime," he argued.

The move to reform the law is likely to draw fierce opposition from Islamic militant groups. The Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), an alliance of six
Islamic parties in the National Assembly, urged the Government not to table a bill until a consensus had been reached, although a
spokesman said he opposed the custom of 'Karo-Kari' or 'honor killings'.

Mervyn Thomas, CSW's Chief Executive, welcomed the draft bill, but urged the Pakistani Government to go further. "Hundreds of people of
all religions, including Muslims and Christians, have suffered unimaginable injustices and danger as a result of the blasphemy laws and the
Hudood ordinances. We are pleased that the Pakistani authorities are now taking steps to address the discrimination, persecution and
killings that have resulted from these unjust laws, but we do not believe that the laws can be revised or reformed. We stand with the women
and the minorities of Pakistan in urging the Government to completely repeal these laws, and create a new atmosphere of religious
freedom and tolerance."

NOTES TO EDITORS

Pakistan has a population of 150 million, 96 per cent of whom are Muslim. Islam is the state religion, but the Constitution provides for
religious freedoms. About two percent of the population are Christians and two percent are Hindus.

For more than 20 years, the blasphemy laws under Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code have been widely misused and caused fear
and suffering. It is not only Christians whose security is jeopardized by these laws. Other minorities, such as the Ahmadis, and indeed
Muslims themselves are affected by the legislation. It only requires the testimony of one Muslim man to bring charges against another
person for blasphemy, and so the law has been used as a tool in disputes that have nothing to do with religion. The ultimate penalty is
death, although no one has been executed under the laws.

There are currently 75 blasphemy cases awaiting or undergoing trial. These include 59 Muslims, three Ahmadis, three Hindus and ten
Christians. The Christians include Parvez Masih, Anwar Kenneth and Augustine Ashiq 'Kingri' Masih.

Since 1986, a total of 579 people have been charged under the blasphemy laws. The majority of these, at least 289, are Muslims, while 203
are Ahmadis. At least 79 Christians have been charged, including Tahir Iqbal, a Christian convert from Islam, arrested in 1992 and poisoned
to death in jail. Although the death penalty has never been carried out by the authorities, blasphemy suspects face danger from extremists,
even if they are acquitted. Niamat Ahmer, a teacher, poet and writer, was murdered by extremists in 1992, while Bantu Masih, aged 80, was
stabbed and killed in the presence of the police in 1992, and Mukhtar Masih, aged 50, was tortured to death in police custody. In 1994,
Salamat Masih, aged 12, and Rehmat Masih, aged 42, and Manzoor Masih, aged 37, were fired on in front of the Lahore High Court by
extremists, after the former two had been acquitted of blasphemy. Manzoor Masih died on the spot, while Salamat and Rehmat sustained
serious injuries. One of the judges in that trial, Arif Iqbal Bhatti, was later murdered. The Senior Judge of Lahore High Court, Justice Nazir
Akhtar, has said in a public statement that "it is a religious obligation to kill the blasphemer on the spot without trial". That illustrates how
dangerous the climate is in Pakistan under this law. The Government and police have failed to protect those accused, and the law has only
led to an increase in religious intolerance and violence.

-----------------------------
July 8, 2004 Urgent: A call to prayer for Pakistan - Sunday, 18 July
Dear Friends,

In recent weeks at least three Christians in Pakistan have been killed. Samuel Masih, accused of blasphemy, was killed by a policeman
while he was in hospital suffering from tuberculosis, Javed Anjum was severely tortured by Maulvis (Mullahs) from a madrassa and died as
a result of his injuries, and preacher George Masih was also killed. In addition, Christians in Quetta, Baluchestan province, received
threatening letters and one pastor was kidnapped and tortured, though he later escaped. In addition, several Christian women have been
raped, including a two and a half year old and a seven year old. Previous CSW Urgent Action campaigns and press releases have detailed
these incidents.

Christians face persecution in Pakistan at the hands of extremist Islamists, and also as a result of the misuse of the Blasphemy Laws.
Since 1986, at least 79 Christians have faced blasphemy charges. At least 10 are currently awaiting trial. These include Parvez Masih,
Anwar Kenneth and Augustine Ashiq 'Kingri' Masih. Many Muslims also suffer under the Blasphemy Laws - 289 have been charged since
1986, and 59 are currently awaiting trial.

The Pakistan Asian Christian Welfare Organization in Bradford has called for a day of prayer in churches around Britain on July 18, and
their call has been endorsed by the Bishop of Bradford, the Rt. Rev. David James, the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt. Rev. Nigel
McCullouch, the former Bishop of Bradford, the Rt. Rev. David Smith, the Team Rector of Bradford, Rev. Canon George Moffat, Chair of the
West Yorkshire Methodist District, Rev. Peter Whittaker, the Archdeacon of Craven Ven. Malcolm Grudy, and the Vicar-General of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Leeds, Monsignor Kieran Heskin. Several hundred churches across the UK have already pledged to support
this in prayer.

On behalf of CSW, I would like to appeal to you to involve your church in this day of prayer. It need not involve a lot of work - all we are
asking is that during your regular Sunday service, you pray specifically for Pakistan. Please remember in prayer all Christians, but
particularly those facing blasphemy charges; for the families of Samuel Masih, Javed Anjum and George Masih; for the reform or repeal of
the Blasphemy Laws; for reform of the madrassahs; and for an end to religious intolerance and violence in Pakistan. Pray for judges and
police as they exercise their authority in blasphemy cases. Pray too for President Musharraf, who has spoken up in favor of 'scrutiny' of the
Blasphemy Laws and the Hudood Ordinances, and for reform of the madrassahs and an end to so-called 'honor killings'. Pray that the
President will put his words into action, and will have wisdom, courage and protection in seeking to counter extremism and religious
intolerance. As the organizers of this call to prayer have said, "we pray especially for all the churches of Pakistan who provide hope and life
for 10 million Christians in Pakistan."

----------------------------
June 1, 2004 Pakistani Christian dies - CSW urges supporters to pray and
campaign
Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote to ask you to join us in campaigning for the repeal of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, and to pray for Samuel Masih. Samuel,
a Pakistani Christian, was in a coma as a result of an attack, reportedly by a policeman.

I am sorry to have to tell you that Samuel, 32, died in Lahore last Friday, May 28. He had been accused of blasphemy and was awaiting
trial when he contracted tuberculosis and was admitted to hospital. He was under police guard in hospital when he was reportedly attacked
by a policeman with a brick cutter. He is the second Pakistani Christian to have died at the hands of Islamists that we have reported in the
past month.

Please pray for Samuel's family, and for other Christians in Pakistan. If you have not already written to your member of Congress as
requested in our Urgent Action last week, I would appeal to you to do so urgently, using the information we have already sent out, but of
course now mentioning Samuel's tragic death. For your convenience the information is repeated below.

One of our sources in Pakistan summed up the seriousness of the situation by saying: "This tragic incident proves the hate of Islamic
extremists towards the Christians of Pakistan. Many Christians have been killed and many are in prison facing a situation of life and death
under this blasphemy law. This draconian law is a death warrant for the Christians of Pakistan. The government, police authorities, courts
and Pakistan establishment have failed to protect the lives of blasphemy prisoners. It is a need of time to abolish this unjust law."

SAMPLE LETTER

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name).

Please copy your letter to:

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

Dear ___________

I am writing to bring to your attention the issue of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan, and to ask you to raise this matter with the US and
Pakistani Governments.

For more than 20 years the blasphemy laws, under Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code, have been in place and during that time many
people of all religious backgrounds have suffered injustice and violence as a result. The blasphemy laws have been widely abused, and in
some cases have led to extrajudicial killings by Islamic militants.

In the most recent case, Samuel Masih, a 32-year-old Christian, has died after allegedly being attacked by a policeman. He was due to face
trial for blasphemy, accused of throwing waste against the wall of a mosque. Last August he was beaten up by a Muslim prayer leader and
others, and then handed over to the police, who arrested him on August 23, 2003. He was remanded in custody in Lahore Central Jail,
where he remained until May 22 this year. He was then transferred to Gulab Devi Hospital, suffering from tuberculosis. A police guard was
provided for his security in the hospital, but on May 24 at 4.30am, a police constable attacked him with a brick cutter. He died of his injuries
on May 28.

A fact-finding team investigated the incident and was told by the police that the constable who attacked Samuel had told them that his faith
compelled him to try to kill Samuel. "I have offered my religious duty for killing the man. I'm spiritually satisfied and ready to face the
consequences," he is reported to have said.

Samuel's father, Mr. Emanuel, says his family has faced threats. "I do not believe that he committed blasphemy," he told our source. "It is a
wrong allegation against my son. We were threatened and harassed and warned that if we will pursue his case, we will face dire
consequences. That is why we were not pursuing his case."

Samuel Masih was not the first person charged with blasphemy to face serious threats to his life. In 1992, Tahir Iqbal, a Christian convert
from Islam, was poisoned to death in jail. Niamat Ahmer, a teacher, poet and writer, was murdered by extremists in 1992, accused of
blasphemy. Bantu Masih, aged 80, was stabbed and killed in the presence of the police in 1992, and Mukhtar Masih, aged 50, was tortured
to death in police custody. In 1994, Salamat Masih, aged 12, Manzoor Masih aged 37 and Rehmat Masih, aged 42, were fired on in front of
the Lahore High Court by extremists, after they had been acquitted of blasphemy. Manzoor Masih died on the spot, while Salamat and
Rehmat sustained serious injuries. One of the judges in that trial, Arif Iqbal Bhatti, was later murdered.

The President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, has recently called for scrutiny of the blasphemy laws and the Hudood Ordinances, and
called for an end to so-called 'honor' killings. Please would you write directly to the President, expressing appreciation for his willingness to
consider a review of the laws, but urge him to go further and repeal the laws altogether. I would also be grateful if you would take this issue
up with the Secretary of State, urging him to encourage the Pakistani Government to repeal the blasphemy laws. Your support in this could
be critical, and I would be very grateful for your help.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely,

-------------------------------
May 28, 2004 Pakistani Christian accused of blasphemy in critical
condition after attack
Another Christian accused of blasphemy in Pakistan has been savagely attacked in the name of religion, this time allegedly by a policeman.

Despite being under police protection, Samuel Masih, 32, was hit around the head with a brick cutter, having been admitted to hospital with
tuberculosis. He now lies in a coma, suffering from serious head injuries.

Samuel Masih was accused of throwing waste against the wall of a mosque and was beaten up last August by a Muslim prayer leader and
others in Lahore, and then handed over to the police. He was arrested on August 23, 2003 and held in Lahore Central Jail, where he
remained until May 22 when he was hospitalized with tuberculosis. A police guard was provided for his security in the hospital, but on May
24 at 4.30am, a police constable attacked him.

A fact-finding team investigated the incident and was told by the police that the constable who attacked Samuel had told them that his faith
compelled him to try to kill Samuel. "I have offered my religious duty for killing the man. I'm spiritually satisfied and ready to face the
consequences," he is reported to have said.

Samuel Masih's father, Mr. Emanuel, says his family has faced threats. "I do not believe that he committed blasphemy," he told our source.
"It is a wrong allegation against my son. We were threatened and harassed and warned that if we will pursue his case, we will face dire
consequences. That is why we were not pursuing his case. I am very much worried for my son. I want to see [him] alive. Kindly pray for his
life."

The attack on Samuel Masih is the latest in a string of recent incidents of Islamist-led violence in Pakistan. Earlier in May, 23-year-old
Christian Javed Anjum died as a result of torture by Islamic militants, and Christian leaders in Quetta, Baluchistan province, received
threatening letters. One pastor, Wilson Fazal, was kidnapped and tortured, although he subsequently escaped. Other Christians have gone
into hiding.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has campaigned for many years for the repeal of the blasphemy laws. Last week, in a significant
speech on human rights, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf called for a review of these laws. However, he has so far stopped short of
a full repeal and CSW has asked supporters to encourage him to take this step.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Pakistan has a population of 150 million, 96 per cent of whom are Muslim. Islam is the state religion, but the constitution provides for
religious freedoms. 1.96 per cent of the population are Christians and 2.02 per cent Hindus.

For more than 20 years, the Blasphemy laws under Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code have been widely misused and caused fear
and suffering. It is not only Christians whose security is jeopardized by these laws. Other minorities, such as the Ahmadis, and indeed
Muslims themselves are affected by the legislation. It only requires the testimony of one Muslim man to bring charges against another
person for blasphemy, and so the law has been used as a tool in disputes that have nothing to do with religion. The ultimate penalty is
death, although no one has been executed under the laws.

Samuel Masih is not the first person charged with blasphemy to face serious threats to his life. In 1992, Tahir Iqbal, a Christian convert from
Islam, was poisoned to death in jail. Niamat Ahmer, a teacher, poet and writer, was murdered by extremists in 1992, accused of blasphemy.
Bantu Masih, aged 80, was stabbed and killed in the presence of the police in 1992, and Mukhtar Masih, aged 50, was tortured to death in
police custody. In 1994, Salamat Masih, aged 12, Manzoor Masih aged 37 and Rehmat Masih, aged 42, were fired on in front of the Lahore
High Court by extremists, after they had been acquitted of blasphemy. Manzoor Masih died on the spot, while Salamat and Rehmat
sustained serious injuries. One of the judges in that trial, Arif Iqbal Bhatti, was later murdered.

The Senior Judge of Lahore High Court, Justice Nazir Akhtar, has said in a public statement that "it is a religious obligation to kill the
blasphemer on the spot without trial". That illustrates how dangerous the climate is in Pakistan under this law. The Government and police
have failed to protect those accused, and the law has only led to an increase in religious intolerance and violence.

--------------------------------
May 24, 2004 Urgent action requested for Pakistan
Dear Friends,

I am writing to ask you to help us by writing to the President of Pakistan and his Government concerning the recent persecution of
Christians in Quetta, Baluchistan province.

Just over two weeks ago, we issued a press release announcing the tragic death of a young Christian man, Javed Anjum, aged 19, who
had been severely tortured by a teacher and students of a madrassah (Islamic seminary) at Toba Tek Singh, Punjab. He was abducted on
April 17, and died of his injuries on May 2. According to the statement he made on his death bed, Javed Anjim claimed he was told to
convert to Islam, and when he refused, he was subjected to brutal torture.

Once the perpetrators of the crime were identified, the local police were initially reluctant to register a case against them, because of the
influence of religious parties. But on May 5 arrests were made, and a court hearing is expected in the next two weeks. It has been reported
that Javed Anjum's family is under pressure to withdraw the case.

Following this case, we have received reports in the past week that Christian leaders in Quetta have received threats. According to news
agency Compass Direct, at least three different threatening letters were sent to church leaders, including the directors of Christian
institutions. One pastor, Wilson Fazal, went missing after receiving a letter which stated: "Christians of Quetta, you are displeasing God ...
Accept the faith of jihad ... Get ready, ready, ready, or else." Christians were promised large sums of money if they converted - and,
according to the Pakistan Christian Post, "bullets, if it were to be spurned". Compass Direct reported that one of the letters began with a
penciled sketch of Osama bin Laden. Six other Pentecostal church leaders have gone into hiding. Pastor Fazal escaped from his
kidnappers and is now in a safe place, although he had been severely tortured for refusing to convert.

In a more positive development, President Pervez Musharraf made a statement last Saturday in which he called for a law banning honor
killings, and recommended that the Hudood Ordinances and the Blasphemy Laws be scrutinized to prevent further abuses. Speaking to the
National Commission for Human Rights in Islamabad, the President said that a law banning honor killings would "lend more strength to
Pakistan's efforts to do away with this intolerable practice". Over 600 women were killed in the name of honor in Pakistan in 2003,
according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).

While President Musharraf's comments are to be welcomed, we would urge him to do more than simply scrutinize the Hudood Ordinances
and the Blasphemy Laws. The Hudood Ordinances, put into effect in 1979 as part of an 'Islamization' program, include the principle that in a
rape case, a rape victim who is unable to prove her case risks being accused of adultery. The Blasphemy Laws have been widely abused
and present a threat to the security of minorities in Pakistan.

Please write polite letters to the President in regard to these issues, using the suggested letter and the addresses detailed below. Please
also pray for the Christians of Quetta.
SAMPLE LETTER:

His Excellency Pervez Musharraf

President of Pakistan
President's House
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: (92) 51-9211018

Dear Mr. President,

I am writing first of all to thank you for your recent remarks in an address to the National Commission for Human Rights, in which you called
for a law to ban honor killings, and further scrutiny of the Hudood Ordinances and the Blasphemy Laws. Your remarks are very welcome.

May I respectfully urge you, however, to consider doing more than scrutinizing the Hudood Ordinances and the Blasphemy Laws. As you
are aware, both laws have been widely abused and misused over many years, resulting in terrible injustices. I would encourage you to
consider repealing these laws completely.

I would also wish to bring to your attention the current persecution of Christians in Quetta, Baluchistan province. As you may be aware,
Christians in Quetta last week received threatening letters warning them that if they did not convert to Islam and "accept the faith of the
jihad", they would be killed. I am sure you are aware that Pastor Wilson Fazal was kidnapped and severely tortured after he refused to
convert. He escaped and is now in safety, but he was seriously injured by his torturers.

Pastor Fazal is not the first Christian to be a target for forced conversion to Islam, nor is he the first to be tortured for refusing to convert.
Earlier this month, a 19-year-old Christian, Javed Anjum, from Quetta, died as a result of torture at the hands of maulvis, for refusing to
convert to Islam. Javed Anjum had been severely tortured at Jamia Hassan Madrassah at Toba Tek Singh, Punjab.

I am concerned that the police initially refused to register a case against the suspected perpetrators of Javed Anjum's murder, and failed to
arrest the accused until May 5. I therefore appeal to you to give your attention to this case, and ensure timely investigation and action
against the perpetrators of the forced conversion, torture and death of Javed Anjum, in accordance with the law. I also urge you to ensure
that the kidnapping and torture of Pastor Fazal, and the threats to other Christians in Quetta, are investigated. Furthermore, I request that
you introduce substantial reforms of the madrassahs, as you have pledged to do, in order to prevent the spread of extremism and the
fostering of violence and intolerance. I respectfully ask you to do everything possible to promote religious harmony and tolerance, equality
of rights and opportunities, in accordance with international standards and Pakistan's own constitutional guarantees.

Yours sincerely,

Please also write to:

Mr. Khurseed Mahmood Qasoori

Minister of Law and Justice
S- Block Pak Secretariat, Islamabad, PAKISTAN
Fax: (92) 51-9210062

Send copies to:

Mr. Fasial Saleh Hayat, Interior Minister

R-Block Pak Secretariat, Islamabad, PAKISTAN
Fax: (92) 51-9212026

Mr. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi

Chief Minister Secretariat
7- Club Road, G.O.R. - 1, Lahore., PAKISTAN
Fax: (92) 42-9203224

Please also write to your Member of Congress, to ask him/her to raise these issues with the Secretary of State.

---------------------------
May 5, 2004 Pakistani Christian dies of torture at hands of Islamists
A 23 year-old Pakistani Christian has died of injuries as a result of five days of severe torture by Islamic militants for refusing to convert to
Islam.

Javed Anjum, a Christian from Toba Tek Singh District, was tortured for five days and nights by Islamic extremists from a 'madrassa' or
Islamic school in the district.

The torture included electric shocks and burns from warm iron rods. He suffered 26 injuries. He was hospitalized for 11 days, and died at
the Allied Hospital in Faisalabad at 2:12am on May 2nd. Doctors said his kidneys had failed and he had undergone dialysis four times. His
right arm was fractured, and electric shocks to his ears had affected his hearing. According to the doctors' report, "his bladder stopped
working. Instead of urine, he was passing blood or pus."
In his statement to the police before he died, Javed said: "I was searching for water near the Islamic madrassa when the Maulvis (mullahs)
took me inside and told me that I was a thief and was trying to steal the water pump. I rejected the charge and told the Islamic leaders that I
am a Christian youth and a student. I had come here to attend a marriage. As soon as the Islamic extremists came to know that I am
Christian they asked me to convert to Islam. I refused and they started torturing me. They would continue the torture from night till morning.
They tortured me badly and during the torture they continuously asked me to accept Islam."

CSW is deeply concerned about this case, and urges the Pakistani authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The
police have registered a case against one of the suspects, Moulana Ghulam Rasool, and several of his companions under 337/F6 of the
Pakistan penal code.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW-UK, said: "This is a tragedy, and is an example of the threat that Christians continue to face in
Pakistan. We urge our supporters to pray for Javed's family, and to appeal to the Pakistani authorities to investigate this case and bring the
culprits to justice. We also urge the international community to raise this case with the Pakistani government."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Javed Anjum, from Quetta, was traveling to Pir Mahal, in Toba Tek Singh district, to attend a wedding, but went missing on April 16, 2004,
before reaching Pir Mahal. His father, Parvez Masih, reported this to the local police and placed an advertisement on the local cable
channels.

On April 22, 2004, Maulvis (mullahs) from the madrassa, the Jamia Hassan Bin Ali-ul-Murtaza, in Chak (village) 323 JB Tarandi, Toba Tek
Singh district, handed Javed to the police, claiming that he was a thief who was trying to steal their water pump. The police refused to take
him because he was badly injured and was not in his senses. Instead they called Javed's father and told him that Javed should be admitted
to the hospital immediately.

------------------------------------
December 4, 2003 Human Rights Defender Has Travel Ban Lifted Thanks
to YOU!
Pakistani human rights defender, Shahbaz Bhatti, has been removed from the Exit Control List following high level lobbying by CSW in
Europe, the US and Pakistan.

Mr. Bhatti, Chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), had been barred by the Government of Pakistan from leaving the
country since early October. He believed the restriction was an attempt to deter him from speaking out on behalf of the non-Muslim
minorities in the country. On hearing of this restriction on his movements, CSW contacted influential MPs and MEPs, who were able to
raise his case with strategic people in Pakistan and in the UK.

CSW also brought Mr. Bhatti's case to the attention of the UK Foreign Office, the European Commission, the permanent EU delegation in
Islamabad and selected individuals within the UN. Through a CSW representative in Washington, selected US Senators and Congressmen
also took up his case at high levels. Concerted international and domestic pressures resulted in the lifting of the travel ban on November
28.

Shahbaz Bhatti is greatly encouraged by the recent development and thanked CSW and its supporters for all their prayers, solidarity and
campaign efforts.

He wrote: "This is great and encouraging news for me and the religious minorities of Pakistan. The authorities took the decision to drop my
name from the Exit Control List because of international pressure and high level lobbing, including strong protest in Pakistan from different
sections of society against...me as a representative of the oppressed and persecuted religious minorities of Pakistan.

"I am highly grateful for all your prayers, efforts, solidarity and involvement throughout the critical times. I am mindful that it is because of
your sincere efforts, prayers and lobbying. You played a significant and leading role to effectively muster support of relevant dignitaries and
authorities to build pressure and get my name removed from the Exit Control List.

"I personally and on behalf of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance thank you from the depth of my heart as this has only been possible due to
sincere efforts, that I once again have been able to come out of crisis to serve the Lord our God by raising the plight of persecuted,
downtrodden Christians and the other religious minorities of Pakistan and to continue our struggle vehemently for equality, tolerance,
human rights and social justice. "God bless you all and thank you for being Gods' source to help the just and right on earth."

Stuart Windsor, CSW-UK's National Director, said: "We're greatly relieved Shahbaz is able to move around freely again and can continue
his unique ministry on behalf of the religious minorities in Pakistan. We were glad to play our part and are extremely grateful to our
supporters for their prompt prayers and action on his behalf which have been so effective."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA):

Formed on 25th November 2001, the APMA is a representative body of all non-Muslim communities in Pakistan, including Christians,
Hindus, Sikhs and many other groups. It has emerged as a uniting force to bring together all non-Muslim communities onto a common
platform. Its mandate includes: to enhance the understanding of human rights, to propagate democratic norms, to assist in peace building
efforts, to alleviate religious extremism, to move towards a democratic and progressive Pakistan according to the ideals of Mohammad Ali
Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan. In the 2002 elections, members of the APMA were elected into the National and Provincial
Assemblies.

----------------------------------
November 4, 2003 Take action for human rights defender harassed in
Pakistan
Dear Friends,

Please take action for Shahbaz Bhatti, a prominent human rights advocate in Pakistan who has been barred from leaving the country.

Mr. Bhatti believes that the restriction on his freedom of movement is an overt attempt to infringe upon his right to promote and strive for the
protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms in his country, particularly on issues pertaining to religious minorities.

According to Mr. Bhatti, government security agencies have put him under undue pressure in the last few months. On numerous occasions,
he was
harassed and warned by security agencies that if he continues to speak out against the victimization of minorities, religious terrorism and
discriminatory legislation, including the Blasphemy law and the Shar'ia laws, he would be severely punished. Mr. Bhatti also told CSW that
an assassination attempt was made on him in the last week of August 2003.

Shahbaz Bhatti is the Chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), the Executive Director of the Pakistan Council for Human
Rights & Democracy (PCHRD) and the Founder and President of the human rights organization, the Christian Liberation Front, Pakistan
(CLF). For the past 28 years, Mr. Bhatti has been vocal in highlighting the discrimination, injustice and persecution faced by Christians and
religious minorities of Pakistan at national and international levels.

The APMA and the CLF have strongly condemned the brutal killings of innocent Christians at the hands of pro-Taliban and pro-Al-Qaeda
militants after the World Trade Center attacks. In his recent visits to the US, Canada and Europe, Mr. Bhatti highlighted unhelpful links
between Islamic militants and some government bodies.

CSW strongly condemns any attempt to restrict the rights of human rights defenders and is gravely concerned about the safety of Mr.
Bhatti. We would be grateful if you would take this case up with your Congressperson and the Secretary of State. A sample letter follows.

Thank you for your solidarity in this matter.

ACTION:

1. Please write a polite letter to your Congressperson. Kindly request that they to raise the matter with the Government of Pakistan as well
as with Colin Powell, Secretary of State. Please also encourage your representative to consider meeting with the Pakistan High
Commissioner, Her Excellency Dr Malheea Lodhi.

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name).

2. Please copy your letter to:

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

Sample Letter

Dear Senator/ Representative _____________,

I am writing to convey my serious concern for the safety and well being of renowned Pakistani human rights defender, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti,
of 710 Shadman Colony, Lahore, Pakistan. As Chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), the Executive Director of Pakistan
Council for Human Rights & Democracy (PCHRD) and the Founder and President of Christian Liberation Front Pakistan (CLF), Mr. Bhatti
has been advocating the cause of religious
minorities in Pakistan at national and international levels since 1985.

Recently, the Government of Pakistan placed Mr. Bhatti on the Exit Control List under Section 2 of the Exit from Pakistan (Control)
Ordinance, 1981. He is now barred from leaving Pakistan. Mr. Bhatti believes the restriction on his freedom of movement is an overt
attempt to deter him from the pursuit of fundamental human rights, particularly those pertaining to religious minorities in Pakistan.

According to Mr. Bhatti, he has been under undue pressure from government security agencies in the last few months. Security agencies
have reportedly warned him on numerous occasions that if he continues to speak out against victimization, religious terrorism and
discriminatory legislation, including the Blasphemy law and the Shar'ia laws, he would be severely punished. An assassination attempt was
made on him in the last week of August 2003.

It is worth noting that copies of a memorandum issued by the Government of Pakistan Interior Division concerning Mr. Bhatti were sent to
the Prime Minister's Secretariat, the Director General of the ISI (the security services), the Chief Commissioner, the Home Secretary, the
Intelligence Bureau and others. Reliable sources from within the security forces in Pakistan have also indicated that it may only be a matter
of time before Mr. Bhatti is put in prison for pleading the cause of religious minorities.

May I urge you to raise the case of Mr. Bhatti with the Pakistan authorities and with Colin Powell, Secretary of State. Please request that
the Government of Pakistan:
a) Immediately remove Shahbaz Bhatti from the Exit Control List and lift other restrictions;
b) conduct a thorough investigation in this matter;
c) publicly condemn all attempts to harass human rights advocates; and
d) uphold and protect Mr. Bhatti's rights to plead the cause of the religious minorities without interference from government agencies and
extremist elements in accordance with the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

May I also invite you to consider setting up a meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner, Her Excellency Dr. Malheea Lodhi, at the High
Commission
for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to discuss this matter and the wider issue of religious freedom in Pakistan.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

-------------------------------
July 16, 2003 Pakistani Priest Gunned Down

Source: International Christian Concern

The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org has just become aware of the
heinous murder of a priest in Pakistan. While spending a quiet evening at home, Roman Catholic priest, Reverend Father George Ibrahim,
38, was brutally murdered in the early hours of July 5 at his parish residence of the Catholic Church at Renala Khurd, district Okara, which
is located 180 miles south of Islamabad.

Upon hearing noises close to the church building and detecting movement outside the parish, Reverend Ibrahim informed his cook that he
was going outside to check out the suspicious activity. Once outside the parish, Rev. Ibrahim had no protection and was brutally gunned
down by five armed assailants. The cook heard the shots and ran outside only to see the men fleeing the church property and his beloved
priest lying dead in a pool of blood. The cook immediately called the police and local Christian elders of Renala Khurd. Ibrahim’s body was
taken to the local hospital where he was declared dead from six bullet wounds.

According to the Christians of Renala Khurd, Rev. Fr. George Ibrahim had received many threats because he was very bold and outspoken
about the betterment of Christians in the area. The motive for the murder seems to be connected with Fr. Ibrahim’s success in having his
Catholic school denationalized. For many years, the Catholic school had been under government control and had recently been returned
back to the management of the church. This was not acceptable to the local Muslim community.

One believer in Renala Khurd said, “There are wings of a few Islamic militant organizations who do not wish Christians to be prosperous.”
The Catholic Church and Christian elders of the area have declared this tragic incident an act of brutal terrorism.

Reverend George Ibrahim was buried in his own native Christian village of Khushpur, district Faisalabad. A police report has been filed but
there have been no arrests.

ICC urges the Pakistani government to establish a judicial commission to probe into this tragic incident. The Pakistani government must
bring the perpetrators of this murder to justice. When the government turns a blind eye to cases such as these, terrorism increases.

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian
aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness of the problem of persecution in the US Church and is an advocate for the
persecuted to the US Government. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 301-989-1708.

---------------------------------------------------------------
June 11, 2003 Pakistani Christian Set Free After Over Four Years in Prison
For Blasphemy
Great News! Aslam Masih, a Christian falsely accused of blasphemy in Pakistan, was acquitted on June 4 after spending four and a half
year in prison.

Full story please see below. Thank you for all your prayers and support.

PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN SET FREE AFTER OVER FOUR YEARS IN JAIL ON FALSE BLASPHEMY CHARGES

A Christian falsely accused of blasphemy in Pakistan was acquitted on June 4 after spending four and a half years in prison.

The Lahore High Court overturned the origin verdict on the basis that the conviction, based on hearsay evidence, was unsafe.

Aslam Masih, a Christian pastor from Mammun Kanjun, Faisalabad district (north central Pakistan), was given two life sentences and a fine
of 100,000 Rupees ($2,210) on May 7, last year for allegedly defiling the Qur'an (s.295B) and the Prophet Mohammed (s.295C). He was
accused of writing insulting words against the Prophet Mohammad on some lucky amulets in a bid to win a dog fight in 1998.

The complainant was a local mullah and a member of the 'Ahlay Hadees' Islamic militant group.

According to local human rights groups, the case against 46-year-old Aslam Masih was unfounded and registered without proper
investigation. He was also reportedly stabbed in the back and severely beaten by a mob of angry Islamists before being taken to the police
station. The prosecution had failed to produce concrete evidence to establish Aslam Masih's guilt during the trial. The prosecution's key
witness also reportedly testified in open court that he did not know Aslam Masih and did not agree with the accusation brought by the
complainant.

Eyewitnesses also observed that on the day of trial, the Additional Session Judge was under severe pressure from the Islamic extremists
who had gathered outside the courtroom.

Aslam Masih has been detained in Faisalabad Central jail since 1998. Muslim inmates reportedly tortured him on several occasions.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has been campaigning for his release since his arrest. CSW welcomes the recent decision but is
concerned that it took four and a half years for the courts to free an innocent man.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW said: "We are delighted that Aslam Masih has finally been cleared and hope this latest decision
will bring a ray of hope to many others such as Ranja Masih, Augustine Masih and Parvez Masih who are still imprisoned under the divisive
and blatantly unjust blasphemy law. "Aslam Masih's case is another clear example of how extremist mullahs and members of the Islamic
militant groups manipulate the poorly drafted blasphemy law to persecute those they disagree with.

"To protect the innocents, the government of Pakistan must take immediate steps to introduce legislative and administrative measures to
safeguard against further abuses. People who file maliciously-motivated complaints should also be brought to justice without delay."

FURTHER BACKGROUND

Section 295 of Pakistan's Penal Code, known as the blasphemy law, is open to widespread abuse due to its vague wording and the lack of
penalties against its misuse.

The law allows the courts to pass sentence on those who 'by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, or by any
imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defile the sacred name of the Holy Prophet.' A conviction carries a mandatory
death sentence.

According to the National Commission for Justice & Peace, at least 148 Muslims (121 cases), 208 Ahmadis (56 cases), 75 Christians (64
cases) and eight Hindis (five cases) have been charged with blasphemy since 1987. In 2001 alone, it is estimated that at least 40 Muslims,
23 Ahmadis, ten Christians and two Hindus were charged with blasphemy.

In April 2003, Ranjha Masih, a Christian from Faisalabad district, was sentenced to life and fined 50,000 Pakistani rupees (£660) for
blasphemy.

Last June, Augustine Ashiq Masih (alias Kungri Masih) from Mohalla Saeedabad, Faisalabad district, was given the mandatory death
sentence plus a heavy fine for making derogatory remarks against the Prophet Mohammed.

Parvez Masih, a Christian headmaster from Daska, was charged with blasphemy in April 2001. According to local sources, the complaint
was filed by a rival Muslim in a malicious attempt to force Parvez Masih into closing down his school. The local Bar Council had announced
that any lawyer taking up Parvez Masih's case would be killed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 21, 2003 Nine Year Old Christian Girl in Pakistan Sexually Assaulted
as Punishment for War in Iraq
A nine-year-old Christian girl from Pakistan claims to have been beaten and sexually assaulted by her Muslim employers whenever footage
from the war in Iraq was shown on television.

The girl from Faisal Town in Lahore claims that when she cried for mercy, they would ask her to call for the Americans to help her.

She said the couple told her they were taking revenge for the American bombing of Iraqi Muslim children on her because she was an
"infidel and a Christian", according to what she told CSW partners, the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), a human rights NGO based
in Pakistan.

She said the couple would beat her with a cricket bat, hang her upside down from the ceiling, pour spoonfuls of hot chilies into her mouth,
handcuff her and bash her head repeatedly against the wall.

When she cried and appealed for mercy, they would tell her to call the Americans for help.

She attempted to escape from her employers on April 26, but after being recaptured, she was so badly beaten that she was put on a
rickshaw home by her employers who apparently thought she would die.

When her older brother took her to the local hospital, she was immediately admitted to the intensive care unit.

A preliminary medical report from that hospital stated that she had suffered a fractured right arm, multiple burns, and bruises and
lacerations to her face and body. She was later treated at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore and is suffering from depression and trauma.

The APMA has helped the girl's family register an official complaint against her employers with the Faisal police. The APMA reports that so
far no action has been taken on her behalf by the authorities.

The APMA has also helped another family file a complaint under Section 10 of the Zina Ordinance against a man whom they allege raped a
ten-year-old Christian girl.

The girl's father told the APMA the family had enjoyed peaceful relations with their Muslim neighbors until the war in Iraq broke out.

He said they noticed a marked change in their neighbor's attitude and noted his links with some extremist Islamic organizations. They claim
the man lured the girl into his home on March 31, under the pretext of receiving an urgent telephone call from her uncle before raping her.

Both families are said to have received threats from Muslim extremists to withdraw their complaints. Stuart Windsor, National Director of
Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: "We strongly condemn these two appalling attacks. Although there has been no major backlash on
Christian institutions since the war in Iraq began, the attacks on these two girls seem to be related to the war. "Christians in Pakistan are
increasingly vulnerable to religiously motivated hate crimes and Christian girls and women seem to be specially targeted. "We are outraged
by the unwillingness of the police to investigate the complaints as this only emboldens extremists to continue to victimize Christians and
other non-Muslims. "CSW calls on the Government of Pakistan to clearly and publicly condemn such acts, investigate them promptly,
independently and impartially and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice."

Christian and other non-Muslim women who are victims of rape are often forcibly converted and married off to their rapists or sold into
prostitution. They can also be at risk of being accused of committing adultery. Under Shari'ah Law, there is no distinction between rape and
adultery. The penalty for zina (adultery and fornication) is death by stoning and to discharge adultery, the burden falls on the victim to prove
rape which requires the testimony of four adult male Muslims who have witnessed the rape. The testimony of the rape victim alone or of
four female witnesses is insufficient. If the accused is a Muslim, no non-Muslim is allowed to testify against him.

There are about 2.25 million Christians (1.6% of the population) in Pakistan and they are often from poorer backgrounds. They suffer a wide
range of discriminations including the Blasphemy law, which can see them sentenced to death on the testimony of a single Muslim witness.

In February 2002, a 16-year-old Christian girl from Fatewala village, Gujranwala district was reportedly raped by a Muslim landlord. In
February 2001, Naira Nadia, a 14-year-old Christian girl, was kidnapped and gang raped by a group of armed Islamic extremists, allegedly
as a punishment for sharing her faith with school friends. She was forcibly converted to Islam and the men sent the parents a certificate of
conversion. Despite a ruling from Lahore High Court to nullify the conversion, the police have failed to take steps to recover the girl. The
girl's family is currently bringing the case before the Supreme Court, but no hearing date has been fixed. The family is under immense
pressure from Muslim extremists to drop the case.

In May 2000, eight Christian girls were allegedly gang raped by six Muslim men when traveling home from work. When their case went
before the Ferozwala District and Sessions Court on May 15 2002, the presiding judge ruled in favor of the accused despite corroborating
medical and police evidence. It is widely believed that the judgment was given under influence and pressure from Muslim supporters who
reportedly packed the courtroom at each stage of the proceedings.

Pakistan is a party to the UN's Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) as well as the
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 12, 2003 Another Christian Child Raped in Pakistan
The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC)
www.persecution.org has just become aware of the rape case of a 10-year-old Pakistani child. On March 31, 2002, Natasha Emmanuel
from Ismailabad, Wah Cantt was raped by Ghazanfar Mehmood, a Muslim
neighbor. Following the incident, Natasha was taken immediately to the hospital where she was kept in the
intensive care unit for three days. Although Natasha is very intelligent and religious, she has been
psychologically depressed following the attack.

Ghanzanfar Mehmood has links with conservative and extremist Islamic organizations. Prior to the war in Iraq, Ghazanfar Mehmood lived in
peace with Natasha’s family. After the war in Iraq began however, the Emmanuel family noticed a change in Mehmood’s attitude. It is
reported that the rape was motivated by revenge for the war in Iraq.

Because Muslims view Christianity as a Western religion, Pakistani Christians are viewed as being
pro-American. Some Muslims have vented their anger about the War in Iraq by acts of revenge, especially on Christian women and young
girls. The raping of Natasha Emmanuel is the second attack and raping of a
Christian girl in the last two months. Nine-year-old Christian Razia Masih was beaten and raped on April 26,
2003 in retaliation for the War in Iraq.

ICC urges American Christians to call the Embassy of Pakistan in protest of these two heinous hate crimes
against Christian children. The Pakistani Embassy can be reached at 202-939-6200.

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian
aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness in the US Church regarding the problem of persecution, and is an advocate
for the persecuted on Capitol Hill and at the State Department.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2003 Pakistani Christian Found Guilty of Blasphemy After Trial in
Court Filled with Islamic Extremists
A Pakistani Christian from Faisalabad was sentenced to life in prison and fined for blasphemy on April 26.

Ranjha Masih, aged 54, was fined 50,000 Pakistani rupees ($1122.00) and sentenced for making derogatory remarks against the Prophet
Mohammed.

He is the third Christian to be convicted of blasphemy by the Additional District and Sessions Court in Faisalabad (approx 100km west of
Lahore in northern Pakistan) in less than a year.
He was arrested on May 8 1998 while taking part in a demonstration to commemorate the suicide (in protest against the blasphemy law) of
Catholic Bishop Dr John Joseph of Faisalabad and to show their support for his stand.

Thousands of Christians took to the streets of Faisalabad on that day when Bishop John Joseph was buried, and emotions ran high.

Some young Christians, distressed by the suicide of their well-respected spiritual leader, started throwing stones at nearby vehicles and
shops. Angry Muslims responded by attacking Christian homes and businesses in the vicinity.

When a signboard with 'There is no God but Allah and the Prophet Mohammed is His Messenger' (the Kalima Tayyaba or proclamation of
Islamic faith) written on it, fell to the ground, Ranjha Masih was blamed for stoning and damaging the board, and was severely beaten by a
mob of Muslims.

On receiving a complaint from Muhammad Jahanzeb, the son of former mayor of Faisalabad Malik Muhammad Ashraf on the same day,
officers from the Faisalabad Rail Bazaar Police Station arrested Ranjha Masih and registered a case under section 295C Pakistan Penal
Code (the blasphemy law) against him.

The Christian Liberation Front (CLF), a Pakistan-based human rights group that has been monitoring the case from the beginning, told
Christian Solidarity Worldwide that the case against Ranjha Masih was registered without proper investigation and the police have so far
failed to produce sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation.

According to Shahbaz Bhatti, the Chairman of CLF, who was present at the trial, Islamic militants in the area have been demanding the
death penalty for Ranjha Masih. The courtroom was packed with Islamic religious leaders and the presiding judge appeared confused when
delivering his decision.

Ranjha Masih who has been in Faisalabad Central jail since his arrest is said to be depressed but strong in his Christian faith.

He said: "I will be happy if the sacrifice of my life could contribute to the abolition of the blasphemy law, although I am falsely involved and
being punished for a crime that I did not commit. The prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ are strength for me."

CLF intends to file an appeal on behalf of Ranjha Masih within the next 30 days.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is submitting the case of Ranjha Masih to the attention of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary
Detention. CSW is also raising his case with the European Parliament and the US government.

Stuart Windsor, CSW-UK's National Director, criticized the judgement in this case: "The decision of the District and Sessions Court
represents a grave injustice to Ranjha Masih. Intimidation from the Islamic clerics and the atmosphere surrounding the trial denied him any
chance of a fair trial.

"Faisalabad is the stronghold of several Islamist organizations including the banned Laskhar-e-Taiba. Pressure from these militant groups
and certain extreme clerics are keeping the blasphemy law alive. We will be supporting the CLF in their work to set this man and others free
and to repeal the blasphemy law, which causes so much sectarian tension."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Bishop John Joseph, the bishop of Faisalabad, killed himself in front of the court house in Sahiwal on May 6 1998 to register his protest
against the death sentence awarded to Ayub Masih, another Christian convicted under the blasphemy law, and to draw international
attention to the injustice of the law.

Ayub Masih was released on appeal to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in August 2002.

In May 2002, Aslam Masih, a Christian pastor from Faisalabad District, was given two life sentences and a large fine for allegedly defiling
the Qur'an (s.295B) and Prophet Mohammed (s.295C) by the Additional District and Sessions Court in Faisalabad In June 2002, Augustine
Ashiq Masih (alias Kungri Masih) from Mohalla Saeedabad, Faisalabad District, was given the mandatory death sentence plus a heavy fine
by the same court.

__________________________________________________________

April 8, 2003 Pakistani Christian-Falsely Accused, Tortured and Murdered

Protestors Take His Dead Body To The Streets In Protest
Source: International Christian Concern

The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern, has just become aware of the murder of a Christian man
(Rehmat Masih) by police authorities in Lahore, Pakistan. Rehmat Masih was a staunch Christian that was married to Martha Masih and
had 5 children. He was employed as a custodian at the Civil Secretariat in Lahore.

Mr. Masih was falsely accused with another Christian man of the theft of 300 law books from his employer. Although there were 10 other
Muslim employees with access to the books, only the 2 Christians were arrested. Rehmat’s wife stated, “My husband was innocent and
was arrested only because he was a bold Christian. My husband was uneducated and his means of transport was a bicycle. Why would he
steal 300 books and how could he transport them on a bicycle?”

The 2 Christians were taken into custody without charges being filed on March 2nd. After 17 days of illegal detention and severe torture by
authorities (in an attempt to pressure them to admit the theft), Rehmat’s health started to fail. He was transferred to a hospital where he
died on April 1st.
Family members and fellow Christians, outraged by the persecution and murder of their brother, protested by bringing his dead body to the
same government ministry demanding justice. Police cordoned off the area and pushed back the protestors. One of Rehmat’s nephews
was struck in the head by a police officer during the protest and was also killed.

ICC urges American Christians to raise their voices in concern about the treatment of Christians in Pakistan. Write or call immediately to
Pakistani ambassador Mr. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi and ask for help in securing justice for Christians in Pakistan.

Embassy of Pakistan
2315 Massachuesetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 2008
www.pakistan-embassy.com
Email: parepwashington@erols.com
Ph. 202-939-6200
Fax: 202-387-0484

March 20, 2003 Saleem and Rasheed Masih of Pakistan Released!

Good news! Lahore High Court yesterday ordered the release of Saleem and
Rasheed Masih. Please be encouraged that your prayers and letters work.

The brothers were charged with s.295C (blasphemy) after a dispute with an
ice-cream vendor almost four years ago. They were both given 35-year jail
sentences in May 2000. We will be putting out an urgent action on other
blasphemy cases as soon as possible, but wanted to encourage you with this
good news as soon as we got it.

-------------------------------------

March 19, 2003 Extremists Incite Violence Against Christians at Anti-War

Rallies in Pakistan
Anti-war rallies in Pakistan are being used by extremists to stir up violence against the minority Christian community.

Pakistan's opposition party, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), is publicly calling for jihad (holy war) against America and infidels (non-
Muslims) and has announced a third 'Million Men March' on Saturday March 23 in Lahore.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims waving the green and white flags of the MMA and holding pictures of Osama bin Laden took to the
streets in Karachi on March 2 and in Rawalpindi on March 9 to protest against the impending US-led war against Iraq.

Calling Pakistan the citadel of Islam, the MMA condemned any attack on Iraq as a Christian crusade against Islam and declared that it was
the responsibility of every good Muslim to kill infidels.

"Any attack on Iraq would be considered an attack on the Muslim world," Qazi Hussain Ahmed, leader of the MMA in Pakistan's National
Assembly, told the protesters from a podium.

Maulana Fazal-ul Rehman, the secretary-general of the MMA added: "Those who are supporting infidels will face our wrath. Jews and
Christians are our enemies, they cannot be our friends. Our jihad is against all these infidels. This is not a war against Iraq but against
Islam and if the war will break then Muslims will participate in this Holy War."

Christians in Pakistan are particularly targeted because Islamic militants believe that by killing them, they are striking at Christian America
and the West.

Anti-Christian sentiment in Pakistan is further fuelled by hate campaigns from various Islamic militant groups who have openly distributed
provocative anti-Christian and pro-jihad literature across the country.

In January, Jesh Ahle-I-Alqiblat Ali Alsari Al Alami, an Islamic militant group based in the capital city of Islamabad, published a pamphlet in
Urdu and Arabic demanding Pakistani Christians to convert to Islam or face death.

Calling non-Muslims 'enemies of Islam', the document claimed that jihad becomes obligatory on Muslims if non-believers harass them or
become a threat to their honor and religion.

Published by several national newspapers, the pamphlet directed Muslims to kill infidels wherever and whenever they can be found.

The Government of Pakistan has been silent on the subject even though the distribution on such a large scale of hate materials is in breach
of s.295A and s.298 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Christians and other non-Muslim citizens living in Pakistan are extremely fearful that what happens in the Gulf will bring grave
repercussions on them.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: "Pakistan is at risk of being torn apart by Islamic militancy.
Most of the 2,000 extremists arrested last year have now been released. Outlawed militant groups have reconstituted themselves under
new names. These extreme elements are fanning the flame of religious hatred and violence."

"We strongly urge President Musharraf to redouble efforts to crack down on militant groups lest these extreme elements put at risk all he
has achieved in bringing Pakistan towards being a moderate and progressive society.
"We also call on the Government of Pakistan to formulate a comprehensive strategy in providing sufficient security measures for its
Christian and other non-Muslim citizens in these volatile times."

NOTES:

The MMA is a coalition of radical Islamic parties currently holding governments in two of the four provinces in Pakistan (the Northwest
Frontier Province and Baluchistan bordering Afghanistan). It is widely believed to
have close links with the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

--------------------------------------------

Courtesy of Institute on Religion and Public Policy

November 18, 2002 Institute Disturbed by Changes in Pakistani Anti-Terror

Law
Washington, D.C. - The Institute on Religion and Public Policy is concerned by amendments to Pakistan's anti-terrorism law, allowing police
to detain a suspect for up to a year without any charges.

The law was issued by Pakistan's military government overnight Sunday, November 17, and took effect immediately.

"This is yet another incident of the government of Pakistan restricting the rights of its citizens," commented Institute President Joseph K.
Grieboski. "Democracy and freedom are daily being eliminated. I fear that this new version of the law will be used indiscriminately against
religious minorities."

Detention under the former law was limited to three months.

"While we fully support the need to take steps to protect citizens against terror and to fight threats therein, the institution of draconian laws
such as this only serve to advance the power of the government and to restrict the very rights of citizens which the state is meant to
protect."

Institute on Religion and Public Policy

1101 15th Street, NW, Suite 115
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-835-8760
Fax: 202-835-8764

IRPP Europe
53 Rue Archimede
Brussels 1000
Belgium
Phone: +32 (0) 2 742 1575
Fax: +32 (0) 2 742 1576

---------------------------------
September 25, 2002 Christian Human Rights Workers Executed During
Attack in Pakistan
Gunmen have shot dead seven Christians in an attack on a human rights office in Karachi, Pakistan.

They entered the third-floor offices of the Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) at mid-morning local time and executed their victims after
tying them up.

The offices of the charity, which has been at work for 27 years in Pakistan, are in the heart of the southern port city of Karachi. The IPJ
works for human rights and social action in the city.

Cecil Chaudry, Executive Secretary of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance and Senior Vice Chairman of the Minorities Advisory Council,
knew all of the victims through working in the same field.

He said: "These extremists just want to keep targeting our places of worship and institutions. This was a very good organization which has
done a lot of good for the neighborhood and in sanitary work.

"There is a great deal of fear and Christians are asking when is it going to stop. I sometimes wonder whether they're trying to drive us to
take up arms against them, but we are not going to do that.

Former Group Captain Chaudry, who is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of Pakistan, said: "We have always been a peaceful group, but we fear for our lives. It's in the terrorists' interests to
have more militancy in Pakistan, but we will not give in to them."
There have been anti-Western attacks in Karachi earlier this year, including the bombing of the US consulate in June which left six dead
and 45 injured.

When the police arrested 21 members of the Islamic militant group, Harakat ul-Mujahideen Al-Almi, earlier this month in connection with the
US consulate attack, they found maps and plans of Christian institutions and places of worship in Karachi area.

While this is the first attack on Christians in Karachi, there have been numerous other attacks further north in Pakistan.

In August this year, six Christians were killed during an attack on a missionary school in Murree and four were killed at a Christian hospital
in Taxila. Five people were killed in an attack on a church in Islamabad in March and 15 were killed in an attack on a church in Bahawalpur
in October last year.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of all
who have lost their lives in this attack.

"The Christian community has been attacked again and these people who dedicated their lives to working for the good of others have paid
the ultimate price for that dedication.

"Christians in Pakistan must be properly protected by security forces and be reassured that everything possible is being done to clamp
down on armed extremists who seem determined to stir up inter-religious conflict."

-------------------------------------------
September 16, 2002 Prominent Pakistani Christian Warns of "Reign of
Terror" for Christians if Iraq Attacked by America
A leading Pakistani Christian has warned that an attack on Iraq by America could cause a severe increase in persecution for Christians in
Pakistan.

Cecil Chaudry, Executive Secretary of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance and Senior Vice Chairman of the Minorities Advisory Council,
said: "I see terrible things happening if Iraq is invaded, including attacks on our churches and even attacks on our homes.

"Any attack on Iraq is going to signify to the extremists, rightly or wrongly, that this is a war of Christianity against Islam.

"We have not been able to weed out our local terrorists and this could bring about a reign of terror on the Christian community should Iraq
be attacked by America.

"When the Gulf War took place Iraq was the aggressor and Pakistan was part of the multi-national coalition force, but our churches were
stoned, a Catholic priest was manhandled and furniture burned.

"If the UN give their support to action against Iraq it will still be difficult for Christians, but the Government may be able to keep the situation
under control as they will say that Pakistan as a country has to stand by the Security Council's recommendations."

Retired Group Captain Cecil Chaudry, who was decorated as a fighter pilot during the two wars against India, is a key Christian leader who
speaks up for minority rights in Pakistan.

He was instrumental in securing the recent restoration of the Joint Electoral System (JES) to replace the Separate Electoral System which
divided voters into religious groups in a form of 'religious apartheid'.

Cecil, who is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of
Pakistan, has dedicated his life to the struggle against the blasphemy laws. He was closely involved in the campaign which recently saw
Pakistani Christian Ayub Masih released after six years in prison.

Cecil holds that these laws need to be repealed, adding: "I fought two wars for Pakistan. I didn't fight for the glory of religion but for the
freedom of my country against an external aggressor. If I can fight for that, I will also campaign against Pakistan's internal enemies which
threaten to bring about the destruction of my country.

"People want to be free, they want peace, but the one and a half percent of the 140 million are trying to bring about the disintegration of
Pakistan and I want to stop them from doing it."

Cecil Chaudry has also been instrumental in safeguarding the church in Pakistan since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre last
year.

He has been briefing police chiefs and politicians on the best way to protect the Christian community including advising against arming
Christians to defend their churches.

He said the six million strong Christian community had taken thorough precautions against extremist violence.

He has advocated discreet protection by law enforcement agencies in order to prevent any recurrence of attacks such as that at
Bahawalpur last October when 15 people were murdered in a church.

He said: "Churches are as full as ever and Christians have a lot of faith in their leaders. We have taken a lot of trouble for their protection,
but I don't want armed police guarding churches while worship is going on as it puts fear in peoples' minds. There is fear in the minds of
people, but it has not deterred them from worship which shows how strong their faith is."

For more information, a photograph of Cecil, or to speak to Cecil who is in the UK until Friday September 20, contact Richard Chilvers at
Christian Solidarity Worldwide on 020 8949 0587 or 020 8942 8810, email richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk or go to www.csw.org.uk
--------------------------------
August 15, 2002 Supreme court acquitted Ayub Masih
Dear Brothers &Sisters in Christ

Today, 15th august 2002, the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted Ayub Masih and ordered his immediate release. In the orders of
Supreme Court, it is said that “Ayub Masih is not found guilty of committing blasphemy and allegations against Ayub are baseless and
false".

Advocate Abid Hussain Mintto, advocate of Supreme Court defended Ayub masih. Few members of All Pakistan Minorities Alliance and
Christian Liberation Front were present during the hearing today on 15th August, morning.

Ayub Masih a Christian gentleman 35 years old was arrested in 1996 on false and concocted charges of blasphemy. His tormentors, the
Muslim fanatics blamed him saying that he had passed derogatory remarks against the prophet of Islam. Ayub Masih was incarcerated in
jail where he was tortured and put to untold miseries and is suffering because of his faith.

In 1998 he was mercilessly and unjusticely awarded the death sentence by the session judge of Shaiwal district. Since this tyrannical
punishment was awarded on the pressure of Muslim fundamentalists, so in the protest the Catholic Bishop of Faisalabad Bishop John
Joseph shot himself dead in front of the court of the unjust Judge of Sahiwal on 6th May 1998.

The appeal against the judgment of the Sahiwal session judge was rejected by the High court bench comprised of Justice Khawaja
Mohammad Sharif and Justice Naseem ul Sharwani, who maintained the death sentence awarded by Session Court.

We are thankful to Lord Jesus that he saved the life of Ayub Masih. This is a clear proof that blasphemy law is widely misused against
Christians of Pakistan on baseless grounds due to their Christian faith and affiliation.

Ayub will be released tonight or tomorrow.

Praise the Lord.

Shahbaz Bhatti,
Chairman,
All Pakistan Minorities Alliance.

----------------------------------------
International Christian Concern

August 15, 2002 Blasphemy Prisoner Acquitted After Six Years in Prison
(Washington DC - August 15, 2002) The Pakistani Supreme Court today acquitted Christian prisoner Ayub Masih of blasphemy against the
Prophet Muhammad and ordered his release. Ayub was initially arrested on October 14, 1996 after neighbors accused him of uttering
derogatory statements against the Prophet of Islam and telling them to read The Satanic Verses, a book considered highly offensive by
Muslims. He was later sentenced to death by the Session Court Sahiwal under section 295/c of the Pakistani penal code. This decision was
upheld by the Lahore High Court in July of 2001.

Human rights leaders from around the world have been calling for Ayub Masih's release for the past six years. It has been evident since the
initial FIR was registered that the case had little to do with blasphemy and much to do with a land dispute in Ayub's village. The three
judges presiding over Ayub's Supreme Court hearing today noted that Mr. Sharif Muhammad Akram, the complaintant, had used the
blasphemy charge in order to acquire property that had belonged to Ayub Masih's family, and therefore felt the case had been fabricated for
personal gain. They also noted other breaches in the law of due process.

Ayub Masih's acquittal holds out a shadow of hope to the seven or more other Christians currently being held under the country's draconian
blasphemy laws. At least two of them have already been sentenced to death. Blasphemy cases can drag on for years before a sentence is
ever handed down. Appealing the case can take even longer, leading to years of unjust imprisonment. Blasphemy prisoners are often
beaten by other inmates, and may be denied a blanket, food or medicine. Earlier this year a Muslim accused of blasphemy was killed inside
a prison in Lahore.

Ayub Masih survived two attempts on his life since the blasphemy case against him was registered. His safety remains an issue of utmost
priority, as Islamic extremists not satisfied with the Court's ruling may try to extract vigilante justice. Rev. Steven Snyder, President of the
Washington, DC-based human rights group, International Christian Concern, said "We thank God that Ayub Masih has been acquitted, but
we are also concerned for his security. The Pakistani authorities must take every possible measure to ensure the safety of Ayub Masih.
Moreover, Pakistan's blasphemy laws must be abolished once and for all."

International Christian Concern, a Washington, DC based human rights organization, advocates and aids Christians undergoing
persecution worldwide. More information is available at www.persecution.org or by calling the ICC office at (301) 989-1708.

----------------------------------------
August 15 2002 Good News - Ayub Masih Set Free After Six Years in
Prison
The Supreme Court in Islamabad today ordered the immediate release of Ayub Masih and concluded: "Ayub Masih is not found guilty of
committing blasphemy and allegations against Ayub are baseless and false."

On behalf of Ayub, we want to thank you for all your prayers and support throughout the past six years.

The decision to quash his conviction is a brave move by the panel of judges, particularly in the current climate of religious extremist
violence against Christians, which last week claimed ten lives.

Please continue to pray for the safety and protection of Ayub. He is currently being sheltered from Islamic extremists who are believed to be
seeking to kill him.

Please also pray for the safety of Abid Minto, Ayub's defense lawyers, and the judges who decided to set Ayub free this morning.

---------------------------------------
August 15 2002 Pakistani Christian on Death Row Released After Appeal
to Supreme Court!
Ayub Masih, a Pakistani Christian who has been in prison since 1996 accused of blasphemy, has had his conviction quashed.

The Supreme Court in Islamabad today ordered his immediate release and concluded: "Ayub Masih is not found guilty of committing
blasphemy and allegations against Ayub are baseless and false."

Ayub, now in his early thirties, has been under sentence of death for four years. He is currently being sheltered from Islamic extremists who
are believed to be seeking to kill him.

The decision to quash his conviction is a brave move by the panel of judges, particularly in the current climate of religious extremist
violence against Christians, which last week claimed ten lives.

Ayub Masih was charged with blasphemy in October 1996 for making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammed. While he was in
prison he was repeatedly threatened and mistreated and in November 1997 he was shot at by the complainant inside the Sahiwal sessions
court.

The death sentence was imposed by a session judge of Sahiwal district in 1998 and an appeal was rejected by the Multan Bench of the
Lahore High Court in July 2001.

Faisalabad's Catholic Bishop Dr John Joseph was so outraged by the original verdict that he shot himself dead in protest on the steps of
the Sahiwal courthouse in May 1998.

According to reliable local sources, the accusations against Ayub Masih were fabricated in order to force 15 Christian families to drop a land
dispute in his village of Arifabad. The case appeared to have been registered without proper investigation and based merely on a statement
made by the complainant.

Throughout the hearings, Islamic extremists packed the courtroom and threatened to kill Ayub, his lawyers and the judge if he was not
convicted and hanged. At least five prisoners charged with blasphemy have been killed and at least another three have been shot at by
extremists. A trial judge was also killed in 1997 after acquitting two Christians accused of blasphemy.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide welcomes this decision, but is concerned that it took six years for the courts to free an innocent man. CSW
calls on the judiciary to prioritize the processing of all pending blasphemy cases.

CSW also calls for the immediate abolition of the blasphemy law, which discriminates against moderate Muslims as well as religious
minorities throughout Pakistan.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW-UK said: "We commend all those involved in taking this brave decision to free this high profile
prisoner who has done nothing wrong.

"He has endured unimaginable suffering over the last six years and his life is still in very great danger from Islamic extremists.

"We congratulate the Pakistani judiciary for seeing justice finally done. We hope this latest decision will set a precedent for all future
blasphemy cases and bring a ray of hope to all those still imprisoned under this legislation."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Section 295 of Pakistan's Penal Code, known as the Blasphemy Law, is open to widespread abuse due to its vague wording and the lack of
penalties against its misuse.

Section 295C allows the courts to pass sentence on those who 'by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, or by any
imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defile the scared name of the Holy Prophet.' A conviction carries a mandatory
death sentence.

In 2001 alone, it is estimated that at least 40 Muslims, 23 Ahmadis, ten Christians and two Hindus have been charged with blasphemy.

----------------------------------------
August 12, 2002 FOUR NURSES KILLED IN GRENADE ATTACK ON
CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL IN PAKISTAN
Four nurses were killed after suspected pro-Islamic terrorists attacked a Christian hospital in Taxila on Friday. Three unidentified assailants
hurled grenades at the staff as they came out of the hospital chapel after attending their daily morning service. According to eye-witnesses,
up to 70 others were injured in the attack on the hospital site, 12 miles west of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

Most of the casualties were Pakistanis, with two of the wounded in a serious condition on Friday. One of the attackers was killed on the
spot, reportedly shot dead by his accomplices after he was wrestled to the ground by hospital staff. The attack has caused waves of
anxiety among the Christian and Buddhist minorities in the area and is the second assault on the Christian community in less than a week.

On August 5th, three suspected Islamic militants stormed Murree Christian School, about 40 miles east of Taxila. The gunmen reportedly
opened fire indiscriminately as they swept across the playground, before making their escape over the fence at the rear. Miraculously, no
students were injured and one group of children in the playground at the time managed to take shelter under some bushes. Two Christian
and four Muslim staff were, however, killed as they attempted to stop the assailants. A Pakistani cleaner, a neighbor and a parent also
sustained gunshot wounds.

The school has cancelled all classes and has set up three counseling teams for the traumatized students and staff. One student said: "We
have witnessed a miracle and are now stronger in our Christian faith. In spite of attacks of evil, Almighty Jesus saved us; but we are in grief
that we lost six innocent people in this terrorist attack. In spite of the threats and the hostile situation, we will continue our study in Murree
Christian School."

Mr. Russell, the Australian headmaster of the school, said: "We ask for earnest and sustained prayer at this time from Christians
everywhere, and are grateful for the support we have received from our Muslim neighbors and from the authorities."

An Islamic militant group named Al-Intiqami Al-Pakistani (Revenge of Jehadi) has accepted the responsibility for the terrorist attack on the
school. In a letter sent to Murree Christian School shortly after the attack, Al-Intiqami Al-Pakistani stated that: "This is just a beginning of a
revenge for the atrocities committed by the US in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir and Palestine, and we will continue attacking."

Murree Christian School is a boarding school for the children of foreign missionaries and expatriates. Its 150 students come from over 20
countries.

The US war on terrorism has driven many radical Muslims from Afghanistan into Pakistan and a notable increase in attacks on Christian
institutions has since occurred.

In March, five grenades were thrown into an international church in Islamabad, killing five and injuring 40. In January, a bomb went off
inside a church in G/8 Christian Colony in Islamabad. Last October, 15 Christians and a Muslim were killed in the bombing of the church in
Bahawalpur.

Shahbaz Bhatti, Chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) and President of Christian Liberation Front Pakistan, said: "If our
government will not ban or crush these Islamic militants' organizations, these attacks and killings will continue. We are mindful that in the
campaign against terrorism, religious minorities of Pakistan will remain targets of these militants."

The APMA is a coalition of leaders and representatives of religious minorities, including Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Ahmadis and
Zoroastrians. Their aim is to foster unity and harmony among all the religious minorities in the country.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide continues to call on the Government of Pakistan to take effective action against Islamic militant groups.

------------------------------------------------

July 4 2002 RAPE OF CHRISTIAN GIRL IN PAKISTAN IGNORED BY

POLICE
The rape of a 16-year-old girl in Pakistan has been ignored by police because of her religious beliefs. Shakeela Siddique, a Christian from
Fatewala village in the northeastern Gujranwala district, was reportedly raped by an influential local Muslim landlord in February 2002.
Traumatized and ashamed, Shakeela kept quiet about her ordeal. The incident only came to light two months later when she realized she
was pregnant. In order to avoid social stigma, she was forced to have an abortion (illegal in Pakistan) at the end of April and has suffered
from severe depression since the attack.

When her father, Siddique Masih, attempted to confront the alleged rapist, he was badly beaten up. He told Christian Liberation Front, a
Pakistani human rights group: "My everything has been ruined as my daughter is now a living corpse. No Christian in our village dares to
raise his voice against the Muslim landlords."

There are about 150 Muslim families and 50 Christian families living in Fatewala and most of the Christians are poor peasants employed by
Muslims.

In February 2001, Naira Nadia, a 14-year-old Christian girl, was kidnapped and gang raped by a group of Muslim men. This was apparently
a reprisal for sharing her faith with her school friends. The group forcibly converted her to Islam and sent her parents a certificate of
conversion. Despite evidence that Naira was underage and therefore could not marry or convert to another faith without her parents'
consent, the presiding judge at Lahore High Court ruled in favor of the abductor.

Naira has been missing for almost 17 months. Her family filed an appeal to the Supreme Court in February this year, but they are under
increasing pressure from local Muslims to drop the case.

In May 2000, eight Christian girls were allegedly gang raped by six Muslims. Their case went before the Ferozwala District and Sessions
Court in May 2002 and the judge ruled against the girls. It is widely believed that he did so because of pressure from extremists who
packed the courtroom at every stage of the proceedings.
Minority women who are rape victims are often forcibly converted to Islam and married to their rapists or sold into prostitution. According to
a ruling of the Lahore High Court, if a non-Muslim married woman converts to Islam, her marriage is automatically dissolved. In some
cases, the rape, conversion, marriage and even subsequent divorce can take place in a single evening.

In Pakistan, women who have been raped are at risk of being accused of committing adultery, the penalty for which is death by stoning. To
successfully defend a charge of adultery, the burden falls on the victim to prove rape, requiring four adult Muslim males to testify that they
have witnessed the act.

Pakistan has been a signatory to the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) since 1981.
CSW is calling on the government of Pakistan to bring its law and practice in line with CEDAW. CSW is also urging the government of
Pakistan to bring to justice those responsible for these crimes and to hold independent inquiries into those officials who seem to have acted
impartially in these cases.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: "Shakeela's ordeal has had terrible consequences for her but
the injustice in the way her case is being dealt with by the authorities adds to her suffering.

"Women from minority religions such as Christianity have virtually no voice in the Pakistani criminal justice system and Shakeela's case is
an outrage about which the international community should not be silent."

------------------------------------------
International Christian Concern

July 1, 2002 Pakistani Christian Girl Raped by Muslim Landlord

The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern, has just become aware of the case of Miss Shakeela
Siddique of Fatewala village in the district of Gujranwala, Pakistan. Several months ago, upon reporting to work at the home of Mr. Azam,
Shakeela, a 16-year-old Christian girl, was raped at gunpoint by the Muslim landlord, who had sent his wife and children into town in order
to carry out this dastardly deed in secret. After having his way with the poor Christian girl, Azam then threatened to kill Shakeela and burn
her family to death if she ever told anyone about the rape.

Ashamed and horrified, Shakeela quit her job as one of Azam’s domestic servants. However, after two months, Shakeela realized she was
pregnant, making it necessary to tell her parents about the rape. Shakeela’s father, Siddique Masih, then approached Azam and was
mercilessly beaten and driven out of the landlord’s home. The police refused to help Siddique pursue the case because the family of Azam
is very influential in the village. With much mental anguish, Shakeela received an abortion, hoping to avoid further shame and social
stigma.

Shakeela’s mother told an ICC representative that before the rape “Shakeela was a committed Christian girl and prayed daily. She was very
caring for her family. That is why she wanted to contribute to lower the financial burden of her father.” Shakeela had decided to work for
Azam to help support her six brothers and sisters. However, her life has been drastically changed by the rape. Her father told ICC: “My
every thing has been ruined as my daughter is a living corpse. No Christian in our village can think to raise [his] voice against the Muslim
landlord on this cruelty.” Siddique’s family is one of only 50 Christian families in a predominantly Muslim village.

Sadly, Shakeela’s case is not an isolated one. Across Pakistan Christian women are targeted for sexual abuse by Muslims who believe they
can get away with their crime because Christians have little legal protection in the corrupt judicial system. Some Christian girls have been
raped and then forced into becoming Muslims and marrying their rapists so that the crime would not be exposed. One such case is that of
Naira Nadia, who was kidnapped and raped in February 2001. To date Nadia remains missing because the Lahore High Court has refused
to help her parents, claiming Nadia had married her attacker. Nadia’s case is now being taken up by the Supreme Court, which could
overturn the ruling of the lower court. Nadia’s birth certificate confirms her to be a minor and unable to legally marry or convert to another
religion without her parents’ consent.

ICC urges American Christians to raise their voices in concern about the treatment of Christian women in Pakistan. Write immediately to
Pakistani Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi and ask for her help in securing justice for Christian victims of rape and forced marriage.

Embassy of Pakistan
2315 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20008
Fax: (202) 387-0484

--------------------------------------
Advancing Native Missions
June 20, 2002 Lawyers Defending Christians Receive Death Threats
Dear Praying Friends,

Two lawyers working in Pakistan defending Christians accused of blasphemy have recently received death threats. One of these men is
serving with the Center for Legal Aid, an ANM supported ministry which not only provides legal assistance for the Christian community, but
also helps the widows and orphans of those who have died as martyrs, and provides practical help for abused Christian women. While
driving to court one morning, the car of Bro. P.C. was forced off of the road by four men on motorbikes. He and his colleague were
threatened with death if they did not drop a well known blasphemy case. The other lawyer, who is defending a jailed Christian named
Ranjha, has also been threatened with the loss of his life if he persists in representing accused blasphemers.

As you pray, please remember to pray for P.C. and K.T. Please pray for the Center for Legal Aid and the many accused Christians whom
they represent. If the Lord leads you to help this ministry financially, gifts can be sent through Advancing Native Missions. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to let me know. The Lord bless you, and hear your prayers for our brethren.

In His Service,

Rev. Jay Temple

Comforting the Persecuted Church

Advancing Native Missions

PO Box 5303
Charlottesville VA 22905
434-823-7777 (Phone)
434-823-7776 (Fax)
jayt@adnamis.org
www.adnamis.org

----------------------------------------
June 13, 2002 MUSLIM CLERIC CONVICTED OF BLASPHEMY SHOT
DEAD IN A PAKISTAN PRISON
A 55-year-old Muslim cleric convicted of blasphemy in Pakistan has been shot dead in jail in Lahore. Mohammed Yousaf Ali was being
transferred from Cell Block 7 to Cell Block 1 in the Kot Lakhpat Central Jail when he was shot at close range on June 11.

The murderer is alleged to be another prisoner in the jail, Tariq Mota, a member of Sipah-e-Sahaba (SSP), a banned Sunni militant group
believed to
have close links to the Al Qaeda network.

He is reported to have shot Yousaf with a .30 caliber pistol before kneeling down to give thanks to Allah.

Mota is said to have boasted in a statement to police: "I now feel spiritually satisfied because it was my wish to kill him. It is the
responsibility of every Muslim to kill these infidels."

Yousaf Ali, 55, was sentenced to death for blasphemy on August 5, 2000, in a case brought by the Tharik-I-Khatmi Nabuwat, an Islamic
militant group in Lahore.

Yousaf was a cleric in a Lahore mosque and had been vocal in condemning religious extremism.

At every stage of the judicial process, students from nearby madrassahs (Islamic religious schools) and members of militant Islamic
organizations packed the courthouse, shouting religious slogans and demanding his death.

It is widely believed that Islamic militant groups are behind his death.

Factors such as the non-routine transfer between cells and that the alleged murderer was waiting for Yousaf with a gun, point to the
complicity of
prison staff in his murder.

The jail superintendent resigned a few hours after the murder and later, the jail's assistant superintendent and two wardens were arrested
on charges of negligence.

At least four Christians charged with blasphemy have been killed at the hands of extremists and at least another three have been shot at.
Baba Bantu Masih was stabbed to death by a young Muslim while in a Lahore police station in 1992.

In a case still under investigation, a post-mortem revealed that Tahir Iqbal, a convert from Islam to Christianity, was allegedly poisoned while
in the same prison as Yousaf in 1992.

Nehmat Ahmer, a Christian teacher from Faisalabad, was knifed to death in 1992 by a young Muslim fanatic.

Manzoor Masih, Rehmat and Salamat Masih were also shot at outside Lahore High Court in 1995. Manzoor Masih was killed on the spot.

In November 1997 Ayub Masih was shot at by the complainant in his case outside the Sahiwal Sessions Court.

Ayub Masih is currently appealing to Pakistan's Supreme Court to have his death sentence quashed. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary
Detention has concluded that his detention was arbitrary and that the threats and atmosphere surrounding his trial and appeal denied him
any chance of a fair
trial.

Yousaf Ali's death demonstrates that despite President Musharraf's recent initiatives to curb Islamic extremists in Pakistan, they are still a
powerful force who seem to be able to act with impunity.

The Christian community in Pakistan fears that prisoners held on blasphemy and other religious charges could suffer the same fate as
Yousaf.
In the year 2001 alone, it is estimated that at least 40 Muslims, 23 Ahmadi, ten Christians and two Hindus have been charged with
blasphemy.

CSW condemns the assassination of Yousaf Ali and calls again for President Musharraf to prioritise the complete disarming of all militant
Islamic groups. CSW also calls on President Musharraf to heighten security precautions for all faith minorities currently in detention in
Pakistan.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-UK, said: "Our prayers and sympathies go out to Yousaf Ali's friends and
family at this difficult time.

"His death seems to have been at the hand of an extremist backed by militant groups. If this was the case it shows just how much freedom
these groups have to strike even at those who are under the eyes of the authorities in prison.

"We call on President Musharraf to identify and purge extremist elements from within the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency, the judiciary,
the security forces and civil services and to bring to justice those behind such acts of murder and incitement to religious hatred."

---------------------------------------

Gospel for Asia

June 7, 2002 GFA Student Murdered In Kashmir
With deep sadness we inform you that a student from our GFA Bible school in Indian-controlled Kashmir has been murdered. Details are
still sketchy, but our missionaries and field leaders believe that local Muslim extremists are responsible for his death.

The slain brother belonged to a group of GFA Bible school students who are ministering among the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing
the Pakistan/ India border under the threat of war. Although the senior GFA leader who oversees the Kashmir region had instructed all of
our missionaries and students to leave the area, 47 of them chose to stay behind and be a witness for the Lord. Even now they are
scattered along the border areas of Kashmir, preaching the Gospel to the refugees and assisting them in practical ways.

These students are studying at a GFA Bible school located just five kilometers from the Pakistan border, where there has been much unrest
almost daily. Before the Afghan war prompted by 9/11, few Muslim extremists were creating strife in the area. Since then, however, dozens
of groups like Al-Qaeda have moved in and are causing much unrest. Recently some GFA missionaries narrowly escaped death when a
bus they had just stepped off of exploded.

To date, GFA native missionaries have planted many churches and mission stations in Kashmir, a predominately Muslim area. Please pray
for God's protection for these dear believers and our GFA brothers as they face strong persecution. And continue to pray for peace between
India and Pakistan. Millions of lives are at stake.

Grace and peace,

Dr. K.P. Yohannan
President, Gospel for Asia
http://www.gfa.org
1.800.Win.Asia

------------------------------------
April 11, 2002 Call for Tighter Security for Christians in Pakistan After
Attack on Church by Youths with Machine Guns
A Presbyterian church close to the Kashmir border was attacked by a group of Islamic extremists on Sunday April 7.

Seven youths, aged between 14 and 25, armed with automatic weapons, stormed the church in Satrah village near Gujranwala district.
They broke up the evening service, verbally abused the congregation and fired randomly into the air.

When the church minister called for help through the church loudspeakers, the attackers fled the scene. Although no one was injured, the
three hundred Christian families living in the area were terrified.

Gujranwala district is renowned for being a breeding ground for religious extremism. Islamic militant groups such as the Lakshar-I-Taiba,
Jash-I-Mohammad, Harkat-ul- Mujahideen and Muslim fighters are active in the region. Many Muslim youths from the area have joined the
Taliban for the 'Jihad' in Afghanistan.

According to an eye-witness, three of the youths were members of local Islamic militant groups and had received training in Afghanistan.

Despite repeated requests from the Christian community, the local police and the Senior Superintendent were reluctant to file a first incident
report. The local authorities also reportedly offered little sympathy.

Local Christians believe the attack is a further gesture of retaliation by Islamists to President Musharraf's decisions to side with the US
against the Taliban regime and to confront extremism inside the country.

Several months ago, a local Muslim fighter group demanded that the Presbyterian minister close his church and threatened to attack it if he
continued to conduct services.
This is the second serious attack on Christian churches in under a month, and the third this year. Three weeks ago, Pakistan hit
international headlines when Islamic extremists hurled grenades into a protestant church in the diplomatic area in Islamabad, killing five
people and injuring over 40 others.

Recently, President Musharraf has taken groundbreaking steps to arrest extremists, ban militant groups and regulate the madrassahs
(religious schools), but violence has continued.

The growing number of Pakistanis joining the Taliban forces has exacerbated the military government's dilemma.

Various Islamic groups and elements within the military are criticizing the President for limiting the power of those actively involved in
Kashmir and thereby abandoning his claim to the region. Extremists have vowed to depose the military leader, describing him as a 'threat to
national security'.

Meanwhile, the minority faith communities remain concerned that they would bear the brunt of extremist aggression and that
fundamentalists would use the US-Afghan conflict as a pretext to step up their attacks. Pakistan Christians remain fully alert and closely
monitor the situation as events unfold.

CSW is calling on the Government of Pakistan to bring to justice those responsible for carrying out and inciting this and all previous attacks
on churches and to augment security provisions for the Christian minority.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: "We are profoundly disturbed by this series of attacks on Christian churches. It is appalling
that, despite the President's repeated assurances to protect the Christian community, the local authorities are still reluctant to take up their
cases.

"Driven by an intense desire to Islamize Pakistan, Islamic militant groups have become one of the most divisive forces in the country. For
Pakistan to move towards progressive Islam, President Musharraf must take concrete steps to oversee the complete disarming of these
militant groups and bring to justice all those who incite sectarian and religious violence."

--------------------------------------
March 18, 2002 CSW calls on President Musharraf to strengthen
clampdown on Islamic extremists after attack on church leaves five dead
Islamic extremists are suspected to be behind an attack on a church in Pakistan on Sunday which left five people dead and many others
injured.

Worshippers at the Protestant International Church in Islamabad threw themselves to the floor when one or more attackers burst into the
church during the morning service and threw several hand grenades.

This is the third serious attack on a church in the last six months. Gunmen burst into a church in Bahawalpur in October last year killing 15
people. A bomb was set off in the G/8 Church, also in Islamabad, on January 13.

Three gunmen killed at least ten people during an evening prayer meeting on February 26 at the Shi’ite Mosque in Rawalpindi in an attack
believed to be a reaction to the crackdown on extremism.

President Musharraf has taken a number of courageous steps including banning five extremist groups, regulating the religious Islamic
schools and carrying out mass arrests of suspected extremists. However, Christians in Pakistan feel he should still be doing more to protect
them.

CSW is calling for a full investigation of this attack and for those responsible for carrying out and inciting this and previous attacks to be
brought to justice.

Although 2,000 people have been arrested for suspected extremist activities, none have been charged and many have been released.

CSW is also calling on the President to oversee the disarming of the extremists and to investigate and remove those with links to Islamic
extremists from within the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency, the judiciary, the army and the civil service.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of all those killed
and our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been seriously injured.

“This attack demonstrates that extremists have not been brought under control and are still a very real threat to the Christian community.”

----------------------------------------
February 20, 2002 Man on death row for blasphemy given leave to appeal
A man on death row in Pakistan since 1996 has been told his appeal will be heard at the Supreme Court in the next two or three months.

Ayub Masih, a Christian convicted of blasphemy under s.295C of the Pakistan Penal Code, was granted leave to appeal on the basis of
legal irregularities on February 13 at a preliminary hearing.

For the first time in Pakistan’s legal history, the Supreme Court is to determine whether a Christian should be executed for making a
derogatory comment against the Islamic prophet Mohammad.
The appeal, to be reviewed by a panel of at least three Supreme Court justices, will be Masih’s final judicial appeal. If the court upholds the
previous court’s decision he would be the first person to be executed under the country’s blasphemy legislation.

Masih, now in his early thirties, has been in solitary confinement since October 14 1996. Last July, the Multan Bench of the Lahore High
Court alarmed human rights groups and religious minorities by upholding the conviction and the mandatory death sentence.

The wording of the blasphemy law is notoriously vague. Anyone who ‘by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by
any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly’ defiles the Prophet Mohammad can be found guilty of blasphemy. There is no
requirement to prove intent and it is not uncommon for allegations to be motivated by religious bigotry, personal prejudice or selfish gain.

According to reliable local sources, the accusation against Ayub Masih was fabricated in order to force fifteen Christian families in his
village to drop a land dispute. The case appears to have been registered without proper investigation, based merely on an oral statement
made by the complainant. No substantial evidence had been produced to prove his guilt at either his trial or his recent appeal. The guilty
verdict is believed to be the result of immense pressure from Islamic fundamentalists.

Although no one has yet been executed under the law, at least five Christians known to Christian Solidarity Worldwide have died at the
hands of extremists.

Ayub Masih’s case highlights the need for revision of the blasphemy law and the strengthening of legal procedures to protect against its
misuse. The mandatory death penalty accompanying the law is excessive and disproportionate to the crime. It is a matter of controversy
even within Islamic circles.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is working closely with UK MPs to call on Pakistan to introduce reforms to improve the status of religious
minorities. An Early Day Motion (No. 349) featuring the plight of Ayub Masih and the injustice of the blasphemy legislation is receiving
considerable support from MPs from all parties.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “President Musharraf has demonstrated great courage in his
recent attempts to combat Islamic fundamentalism and to reform the electoral system.

“However, true democracy can only be achieved when Pakistan respects, upholds and protects individuals’ rights and freedoms, including
freedom of religion. It is high time the government of Pakistan addressed the controversial blasphemy law and ended all discrimination
based on religion.

“Pakistan is sensitive to international pressure, particularly pressure from the US and the European Union. We call on the international
community to encourage Pakistan to pursue moderate Islam and to revise the blasphemy law. We also urge governments to send
representatives to monitor Ayub Masih’s appeal to ensure impartiality and a fair trial.”

----------------------------------------
January 17, 2002 RELIGIOUS MINORITIES CELEBRATE AS PAKISTAN
RETURNS TO SINGLE ELECTORAL SYSTEM
Religious minorities in Pakistan are celebrating as the decision was made to abolish the divisive separate electoral system.

The Federal Cabinet unanimously decided that the general elections in July this year will be held on the basis of a one person one vote
single electoral system, irrespective of religious persuasion.

President Musharraf, who chaired the meeting on January 16, said a truly moderate and progressive Islamic State would only be restored
once religious terrorism and extremism had been eradicated from the country.

The Cabinet also agreed to remove the reserved seats for minorities in the National Assembly and non-Muslim candidates can now contest
the 350 general seats.

The decision to return to a single electoral system came after President Musharraf delivered a significant televised national address in
which he urged the people of Pakistan to banish intolerance and hatred and to establish a climate of equality and brotherhood. He also
pledged to end extremism, militancy, violence and fundamentalism.

Since General Zia introduced the separate electoral system to the Provincial and National Assemblies (upper and lower houses of
Parliament) in 1985, citizens of Pakistan could only vote for candidates from within their religious affiliations. Muslims were barred from
electing non-Muslims, and minorities could not vote for Muslim candidates.

The separate electoral system also restricted the number of seats which religious minorities could win in elections, reserving the vast
majority for Muslim candidates.

Minorities were cut off from mainstream politics and were virtually voiceless after Zia politically divided the country into five religious groups,
Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis and lastly, Parsis, Sikhs and other non-Muslims.

The system violated the civil and political rights of all Pakistani citizens and has long been criticized by many human rights groups as
unethical, unconstitutional and fundamentally undemocratic. Religious minorities also said it promoted religious apartheid and was a cause
of sectarianism.

The return to the single electoral system will have the added effect of reducing the significance of discriminatory legislation such as the
Blasphemy Law. Under the new system, when a Christian living in a Muslim constituency is falsely accused of blasphemy, the Muslim MP
would be obliged to take up the case under the principle of electoral accountability.

More crucially, as minorities (which make up three percent of the population) tend to live together in clusters, the Muslim MP would have the
added incentive to act in order to retain the important minority vote.
Cecil Chaudry is Chairman of Christian Organizations for Social Action in Pakistan (COSAP), a coalition of Christian human rights NGOs
and churches which has been campaigning for years for the restoration of a single electoral system.

He said: “We have been campaigning for the last 14 years for this change and are elated that it has happened. This will immediately bring
religious minorities into the mainstream of politics of the country, from which they have been divorced for so long.

“All the other discriminatory laws will start losing their importance as there will now be solidarity among all the communities in Pakistan. I’m
absolutely sure that the impact of the blasphemy laws will become less important and not susceptible to being so misused.

“In the separate electoral system, religious communities were unable to interact with other communities politically and we were very
isolated. This meant people could be discriminated against and even killed.

“We are very happy and other religious minorities, many of whom have campaigned against it, are also welcoming this change.”

Violence in the name of religion has been at the core of much communal conflict throughout the history of Pakistan.

The latest incident happened on Sunday January 13, when a bomb exploded in a church at the G/8 Christian Colony in the capital,
Islamabad. Fortunately, no one was injured as the explosion went off after the worshippers had left.

There has been a sweeping crackdown on extremist religious groups since Musharraf’s national address on January 12. According to
sources from within Pakistan, close to 2,000 extremists have been arrested. The President has also outlawed five Islamic militant
organizations, including the two accused by India of attacking its Parliament last month.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW, said: “We welcome the decision of the Federal Cabinet and commend President Musharraf for
his stance in promoting tolerance and harmony.

“By abolishing the controversial separate electoral system, Pakistan has taken a giant step towards restoring democracy.

“We are hopeful that these recent initiatives will open the country up to religious liberty and will eventually make the abolition of the
blasphemy laws a reality.”

-------------------------------------------------
October 29, 2001 Massacre in Church shows extent of threat to Christian
minority in Pakistan
The massacre of 16 people at a church service by suspected Islamic extremists highlights the dangers faced by Christian believers in
Pakistan.

Four masked gunmen, believed to be Pro-Taliban Muslims, opened fire with machineguns on the congregation at the Roman Catholic
church at Bahawalpur as they gathered on Sunday morning.

After killing the security guard on the gate, they murdered 15 worshippers, including women and children, and injured a further 25 in the
worst attack in Pakistan's recent history.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen shouted "Graveyard of Christians - Pakistan and Afghanistan" and "This is just a start."

The military action taken by the coalition led by the US Government has provoked mass rallies in support of the Taliban in Pakistan and
Christians have feared reprisals since the bombing began.

President Musharraf called a meeting with Christians earlier this month to give them his personal assurance of protection after isolated
attacks on Christians in Peshawar and Quetta near the Afghanistan border.

This meeting led to police guards being posted at places of worship including at the Bahawalpur church used by both Catholics and
Protestants.

Cecil Chaudry, a member of the Executive Committee of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Bishop's Conference and
based in Lahore, said: "The Government had taken adequate precautions against mob violence, but this was a pre-meditated act of
terrorism. The Government knows where the strongholds of extremist groups are which they banned and we would ask that they keep a
closer watch on them and provide better protection for the institutions, lives and property of Christians and other minority faiths."

Christians have set up a National Communication Network to liaise with local authorities and inter-faith conferences have already taken
place.

Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan are discriminated against under the electoral system as well as under the blasphemy
laws.

Ayub Masih, who made legal history when his appeal against the death penalty was turned down by the High Court in July, is in prison in
Multan, 100km north of Bahawalpur.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide met with Christians in Shantinagar, 80km from Bahawalpur in 1997 just one week after a mob looted and
destroyed 1,500 homes.

The area also has a history of tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslim extremists and hundreds of Muslims have died in sectarian
violence since partition.
Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "We strongly condemn this unprovoked attack against the
Christian community in Pakistan and pray for those who have lost loved ones. We call on President Musharraf to bring those responsible to
justice and to reassure Christians of the state's protection at this particularly dangerous time."

CSW is aware of an increased number of attacks against Christians around the world after the bombing campaign in Afghanistan began.

Christians in Indonesia and Nigeria have suffered violence at the hands of Muslim extremists who perceive them to have links with the West
due to their faith.

------------------------------------
October 12, 2001 President Musharraf of Pakistan assures religious
minorities of his protection
Religious minorities in Pakistan were reassured of state protection when they met with President Musharraf earlier this week.

In a two-hour meeting on October 9, which the President initiated, he assured them their lives and property would be fully protected.

The delegation, which was led by Col (Ret'd) SK Tressler, the Federal Minister for Minorities, included Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Sikhs,
Parsies and members of scheduled castes (untouchables).

There have been isolated attacks on Christians in Pakistan, including an attack by extremists on the Christian community at Quetta on the
border with Afghanistan.

Islamic extremists told believers at the Christian Colony University in Peshawar to leave the country and beat several before police
intervened.

President Musharraf admitted these attacks were due to the failure of the local administration and blamed them on Afghan refugees who
support the Taliban regime.

He has recently taken action against Islamic extremists, banning two militant organizations in August and prohibiting fundraising to promote
jihad or holy war.

He also passed laws to regulate the madrassahs (religious schools) which are believed to be training grounds for mujahideen (Islamic
militants).

Finally, he ordered key leaders of several pro-Taliban organizations to be placed under house arrest for three months last weekend.

This included Maulana Fazal Rehman of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, one of three extremist Islamic parties who issued a joint statement on
October 11 condemning President Musharraf's decision to offer the US logistical support and declaring a jihad against the US-led coalition
forces.

Minority faiths in Pakistan have already set up a National Communication Network to liaise with local authorities and inter-faith conferences
have already taken place.

Successful meetings have already been held in Lahore, Islamabad and Faisalabad with representatives from Jamait Ulema-e-Islam at the
Lahore meeting.

At a local level, faith communities are already talking to each other, attempting to curb inflammatory statements and running seminars on
conflict resolution.

Rev Stuart Windsor, national director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "We welcome the courageous steps taken by President
Musharraf in the past few months to curb fundamentalist activities within Pakistan. We are also grateful that he has taken the initiative to
meet with Christians and members of other minority faiths and welcome his pledge to safeguard their lives and property. We continue to call
on the Government of Pakistan to protect the rights of religious minorities and to reform the law relating to blasphemy which has left
Christians like Ayub Masih on death row."

------------------------------------------
August 23, 2001 Urgent Plea for Ayub Masih
Dear Friends,

We have an urgent follow-up to Monday's posting on the death penalty case of Ayub Masih, a 35 year-old Christian man who is sentenced
to hang in Pakistan for blasphemy against Islam. We strongly urge you take action as outlined below.

Ayub is being held in solitary confinement with no light, no toilet facility and no fan to cool him from the heat. The temperature in his four-by-
six foot cell (2-by-1.3 meters) can reach 120 degrees F (49 C) during the day.

Our contacts in Pakistan have confirmed that Ayub's appeal to the Pakistani Supreme Court was filed on Wednesday, August 22nd. There
is no hearing date yet, but the defense has requested that the case be expedited. The court convenes for its fall session on September 1st.

If his conviction and death sentence for blaspheming Islam and the Prophet Muhammad is upheld by the Supreme Court, only international
intervention and clemency from Pakistan's President Musharraf will stop the public hanging of Ayub Masih.
This is the first time a blasphemy case has reached the Supreme Court, which makes it extremely important, as no one has yet been
executed for blasphemy in Pakistan (as the law decrees), and it will establish a very bad precedent if his conviction is upheld and he is put
to death.

Moreover, the case against Ayub is very weak. In both his trial and his recent appeal no substantial evidence has been provided to prove
that he is guilty of blasphemy.

Pakistan is quite sensitive to international opinion. It is important that the international human rights community keep the pressure on and
continue to call for Ayub's release and for legislative and procedural reform.

Below is a good summary of the case from Christian Solidarity Worldwide, followed by fax numbers of key officials in Pakistan and the U.N.
We urge you to fax because the case could be decided by the Supreme Court when they hear cases during the first week of September.

***We strongly encourage you to fax one or more of the following as soon as possible and strongly but respectfully insist that Ayub Masih's
conviction be reversed and that he be set free. He has already suffered five years of detention under deplorable conditions, and there
appears to be no legal basis for the conviction. Use your letterhead if appropriate. You may also wish to fax the Pakistani embassy in your
country of residence. Additional points from CSW's appeal above may be included in your letter.***

(Note: 92 is the telephone country code for Pakistan. It is often difficult to connect to Pakistan due to the overloaded phone system, so
keep trying.)

General Parvez Musharraf

President
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Aiawan-e-Sadar
Islamabad
Pakistan
Fax : 92 51 811 390 or 92 51 211 018

UNITED NATIONS:
PERMANENT MISSION OF PAKISTAN
56, rue de Moillebeau,
1209 Geneva, Switzerland
Fax: 41 22 734 8085

Ms Asma Jahangir
United Nations Special Rapporteur
for Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Execution
Geneva, Switzerland
Fax: 41 22 917 9006

Mr Abdelfattah Amor
United Nations Special Rapporteur
for Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief
Geneva, Switzerland
Fax: 41 22 917 9018

Embassy of Pakistan in the United States:

2315 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
USA
Fax: 1 202 387-0484

UK:
His Excellency Mian Riaz Samee
Pakistan Ambassador to the UK
High Commission for Pakistan
35-36 Lowndes Square, London SW1X 9JN
Fax.: 44 20 7664 9224

(OR The diplomatic representatives of Pakistan in your country of residence.)

----------------------------------------
August 17, 2001 Ayub Masih - Death Penalty Verdict for Blasphemy Upheld by
High Court
Ayub Masih has been convicted of blasphemy under section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code. His appeal against conviction and the
mandatory death sentence was rejected by the Multan Bench of the Lahore High Court on 25th July 2001.

This is the first time since the blasphemy laws were introduced that a bench of the High Court has upheld the mandatory death sentence. In
the past, the rulings of lower courts were overturned by the High Court.

The current verdict in the case of Ayub Masih is probably the result of immense extremist pressure. On the day of his appeal, it was
reported that extremists once again gathered outside court threatening the court and defense advocate.
An appeal to Pakistan's Supreme Court has been made.

URGENT ACTION:

Please write a polite brief letter to your Congressperson to put the case of Ayub Masih on the agenda, and to call upon the Pakistan
Government to:

a. Immediately release Ayub Masih

b. Revise the blasphemy laws and its legal procedures to protect against obvious abuses;

c. Set up an independent investigation body, to formulate and put into practice proper investigation procedures;

d. Remove the most commonly-used blasphemy provision (s.295A) from the list of crimes that are tried by the special anti-terrorist courts,
where the accused has fewer procedural protections and more restricted rights to appeal than in normal criminal courts;

e. Abolish the death penalty for s.295C and repeal this section altogether;

f. Take steps to curb Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan;

g. End threats to political and religious organizations and institutions, judges, lawyers and spokesmen of NGOs who advocate a change in
the law;

h. Protect Muslims who choose to embrace other faiths.

Please also continue to pray for:

· The safety of Ayub Masih, his family and those representing him

· The appeal to the Supreme Court to be expedited

· His early release and for justice to prevail.

Background

Ayub Masih was accused of making a reference to Salman Rushdie's book, The Satanic Verses. He was arrested on 14th October 1996 at
his village of Arifabad, after a complaint filed by a Muslim, Muhammad Akam, who alleged that he heard Ayub saying, "If you want to know
the truth about Islam, then read Salman Rushdie."

According to reliable local sources, however, the charges were fabricated and made vindictively to force 15 Christian families to drop a local
land dispute in Ayub's village. The case also appeared to have been registered without proper investigation, based merely on a statement
made by the complainant, Muhammad Akam.

Typically, throughout the entire legal proceedings, the case was heavily influenced by intense pressure from Islamic fundamentalists.

On the day of the initial trial, extremists gathered outside the court to intimidate the judge and the defense lawyers. The case was
transferred from Arifwala to Sahiwal for fear that pressure from extremists would jeopardize the legal process.

On 6th November 1997, Ayub was shot at in Sahiwal Court by the complainant. No arrest was made but the trial thereafter was held 'in
camera' as the court realized the danger.

The closed prison trial, at which Ayub was denied the right to a defense, concluded on 27th April 1998 with the Session Court judge of
Sahiwal district sentencing Ayub to death by hanging.

The death penalty against Ayub was suspended on the 11th May 1998, pending an appeal. Regrettably, after a long wait of over three
years, Ayub's appeal was turned down by the High Court.

CSW is calling for Ayub's unconditional release and for President Musharraf to honor his pledges to reform the law relating to blasphemy
and to introduce key reforms to improve the status of religious minorities in Pakistan.

---------------------------------------------------------------

July 31, 2001 Death penalty verdict for blasphemy upheld against
Pakistani Christian
Ayub Masih, a Pakistani Christian, had his appeal against the death penalty for blasphemy turned down last week. Ayub, from Sahiwal
district south of Lahore, was charged with blasphemy in 1996 for reportedly making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammed.

The death sentence was imposed by a session judge of Sahiwal district in 1998. An appeal supported by Amnesty International was
rejected by the Multan Bench of the Lahore High Court on July 25 2001.

Faisalabad’s Catholic Bishop Dr John Joseph was so outraged by the original verdict that he committed suicide on the steps of the Sahiwal
courthouse by shooting himself.
Ayub, who faces death by hanging, has until August 24 to appeal to Pakistan’s Supreme Court. Earlier this month Ayub complained of
frequent torture in Multan jail where he is being held. Sources in Pakistan report that after the appeal, Ayub’s lawyer received threats from
Muslim extremists.

Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code, known as the blasphemy law, is open to widespread abuse due to its vague wording and the lack
of penalties against its misuse.

Section 295C allows the courts to pass sentence on those who ‘by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, or by any
imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defile the sacred name of the Holy Prophet.’

Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "The law relating to blasphemy in Pakistan continues to be abused
with terrible consequences for Christians like Ayub. That somebody can be sentenced to death on religious grounds casts a shadow of
shame over the country of Pakistan. The contrast between the protection of Muslim feelings and the lack of safeguards for Christians is
more than striking."

CSW is calling for Ayub’s unconditional release and for President Musharraf to honor his pledges to reform the law relating to blasphemy
and to introduce key reforms to improve the status of religious minorities in Pakistan.

---------------------------------------------------------------

July 20, 2001 Christian blames Muslim extremists for robbery and rape of
his wife
A man whose two younger brothers were jailed for blasphemy is blaming Muslim extremists for raping his wife and robbing his house.

Hamid Masih’s wife was raped during the attack at their village home near Pasrur, 45 miles north of Lahore on June 25.

A man was arrested in connection with the attack, but was later released and the suspect’s family is blaming Hamid Masih for the
detention.

Hamid said: “Now I do not know whether to pursue the case or remain silent. Since the registration of the attack, the whole family has been
under extreme danger, not only from the suspect but also from Muslim extremists and we are going through a very hard time.”

Hamid Masih has been providing for the wife and eight children of Rasheed Masih, 34, who is married with five children and Saleem Masih,
30, who is married with three children.

The two were arrested on blasphemy charges in May 1999 after a row with a Muslim ice cream vendor and the family has been in hiding for
fear of retaliation by local religious zealots ever since.

The brothers faced the charges after the vendor refused to serve the two Christians from the same bowls used by Muslims.

Ice cream vendor Maqsood Ahmed filed a complaint that the brothers had uttered “bad remarks” against Islam and Mohammed.

At the hearing Muslim leaders packed the courtroom and demanded the death penalty.

In May 2000 the brothers were sentenced to 35 years imprisonment and fined 75,000 rupees each.

The accused’s lawyer, who is a member of a militant religious party, has put forward an appeal in the Lahore High Court.

Both Rasheed and Saleem are in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail pending an appeal hearing.

Tina Lambert, advocacy director at CSW said: “The blasphemy laws in Pakistan encourage militant Muslims to take the law into their own
hands. Extremists tell their followers that those who blaspheme deserve to be killed immediately. The families of those accused of
blasphemy are also targeted and that seems to be what has happened here. CSW is appalled by this latest attack on the family of two
Christians who have already suffered so much.”

---------------------------------------------------------------

June 21, 2001 Christians call on new President to honor pledge to reform
electoral system
Military ruler General Pervez Musharraf became President of Pakistan yesterday (June 20) having held the title of Chief Executive since
seizing power in October 1999. Sources close to the Government believe Musharraf has taken the role of President to boost his stature
ahead of the July 14 summit meeting with Indian Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee.

Christians and other religious minorities continue to call for the new President to reform the electoral system when replacing former
figurehead President Rafiq Tarar. The current Separate Electorate System (SES) imposed by General Zia in 1985 split the country into five
religious groupings - Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Ahmedis and Parsees, Sikhs and other non-Muslims. This system discriminates against
religious minorities as voters are not allowed to vote for candidates outside their own religion. This means Muslims can only vote for Muslim
candidates and non-Muslims can only vote for non-Muslim candidates.

Only ten seats out of a total of 217 in the National Assembly are allocated to religious minorities and only 23 seats out of 483 in the
provincial assemblies leading to a gross under representation of religious minorities.

Critics suggest the SES works against national integration and promotes religious apartheid, in turn leading to minorities boycotting the first
and second phases of the election. A spokesman for the Christian Organizations for Social Action in Pakistan (COSAP), said: "The very root
cause of this sectarianism has been the SES which has like cancer attacked the very fabric of the social and religious harmony of our civil
society."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide said: "We stand with religious minorities in Pakistan and are calling on
President Musharraf to abolish the Separate Electoral System and honor his pledge to restore the Joint Electorate System."

-----------------------------------------------------------------

January 26, 2001 Christians detained and charged for Evangelizing in

Pakistan
Two Christians who were detained because they distributed Christian literature will appear in court in Jacobabad on Tuesday 30th January,
along with others charged with them, according to the Justice and Peace Commission of Pakistan.

Khalid Masih and Nasir Masih were arrested on 11th January after distributing Christian literature and the 'Jesus' film amongst the Christian
community in the Railway Christian Colony in Jacobabad. Local Muslims showed interest in receiving the literature that the local Campus
Crusade team was distributing.

However the Muslims subsequently took the literature to local Mulvies (religious leaders) Moulana Abdul Ghani Ansari and Moulana Hafiz
Mir Mohammad Bunglani, who escalated the issue into a campaign against the entire Christian community of Jacobabad. The two young
men were arrested and taken to the District Jail in Jacobabad, where they were reported to have been badly beaten by the police. Their
cases were registered under Section 108 of the Pakistan Penal Code. They were held for eight days until a successful bail application was
made on January 19th. It is reported that the Christians had to stand bail for Rs 60,000 (around $1,000) to free the two men and avoid the
arrest of the other six members of the group.

The Mulvies led a demonstration to the Deputy Commissioner of Jacobabad and the Press Club.

They are pressuring the district and divisional administrations to lodge an FIR (First Information Report) against other Christians, including
Pastor Yousaf Masih of Christ Church Jacobabad and Principal Newton of Victor Public Secondary School. A local source reported that the
Mulvies have said that if the police do not arrest the two men, they themselves will shoot them dead. At midnight on January 14th shots
were fired at the Christian school. The following day, the locks at Christ Church were broken and some of the pastor's personal property
was stolen.

The Mulvies published a poster urging Muslims to take their children out of the school because they were being taught from anti-Islamic
books and were being given anti-Islamic tapes. The school denies these charges. The Mulvies have called on the Deputy Commissioner to
cancel the registration of the school.

Meanwhile local Christians have been unable to see the Deputy Commissioner and are left without protection from the local administration.

CSW is urging that letters of concern be sent to His Excellency Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive of Pakistan, Chief Executive's
Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan (fax: 92-51-927 0205, e-mail: ce@pak.gov.pk) and that copies of the letters should be sent to Gen. (R)
Moin Uddin Haider, The Interior Minister, Islamabad, Pakistan (fax: 92-51-9202642), Mian Mohammad Somro, Governor of Sindh, Governor
House, Karachi, Pakistan (fax:92-21-9201218) and Pakistani embassies.

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Peru
March 9, 2005 Mistaken identity leads to arrest of church leader for
terrorism
A Protestant pastor was arrested and detained on March 3 2005 in Lima , Peru on false charges of terrorism.

Pastor Jose Garcia Pena, who pastors an evangelical church in Cuzco , was visiting Lima with his wife and planned to meet with a
Peruvian congressman, Walter Alejos, to discuss a business matter. But when Pastor Garcia presented himself for security clearance, he
was informed there was a warrant for his arrest and was promptly arrested and imprisoned. His name apparently appeared on wanted lists
for crimes of terrorism issued by courts in the northern cities of Piura and Lambayeque. According to Pastor Garcia he has never visited
the area, which is hundreds of kilometres to the northwest of Cuzco and he has never been involved in any terrorist activity. It appears that
he is a victim of mistaken identity, as the warrants carry only a name and no other identifying information to avoid arresting someone with
the same name.

CSW’s Peruvian partners at Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope), who work for the release of those unjustly held on terrorism offences, say
Pastor Garcia’s arrest highlights ongoing problems in the Peruvian justice system. These problems date from disgraced ex-President
Alberto Fujimori’s anti-terrorism campaign, and have yet to be addressed by the Peruvian government.

According to Paz y Esperanza, more than 12,300 Peruvians have warrants out for their arrest, dating from Fujimori’s crackdown on
terrorism.

Wuille Ruiz, a lawyer who works for Paz y Esperanza, said: “With this situation, it is possible that any one of us might lose our freedom and
find ourselves in this unjust situation. We can be arrested just because there is a warrant or a detention order against us, with no other
information against us apart from our name. No other details like our national identity number, date of birth, marital status, etc, are held to
check the name against, making this situation simply absurd.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:

Former President Fujimori implemented a series of draconian policies, including the use of faceless judges and civilian informers, to wipe
out militant leftist groups the Shining Path and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement. While this was successful in capturing many
guerrillas, including those in key leadership positions, hundreds of innocent people were also caught up and imprisoned, a fact the Peruvian
government has recognized in the face of condemnation from the international community. While prisoners are able to submit their cases
for review, many of the 12,300 Peruvians on the wanted list have no idea that their names are included and it is virtually impossible to have
one’s name removed.

----------------------------
February 17, 2005 Urgent prayer for Peruvian human rights defender
Dear Friends,

We have received the following message asking for urgent prayer from our partners in Peru , Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope). We
would be very grateful if you could spare a few moments to pray. Please accept our apologies if you received this message earlier this
week – we have been experiencing some technical difficulties with our urgent action email list.

Thank you for your continued support.

CSW Advocacy Team.

The message reads:

“Peace & Hope Partnership International and Paz y Esperanza in Peru ask that you pray for the safety of Cristina Olazabal. Ms. Olazabal
is the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights in Ayacucho , Peru . She is in charge of prosecuting human rights cases that occurred the
Peruvian Province of Ayacucho throughout the last 25 years.

“She recently brought charges against ex-President Alan Garcia and other military officials for allowing the massacre of 62 peasants in
1985. She is receiving threats from several sectors because she is carrying out her duties to uphold the law.

“Paz y Esperanza, an evangelical human rights organization in Peru that serves the Lord in the poorest areas of the country, has come to
know Ms. Olazabal as a woman of integrity with a strong sense of justice. However, she is fearful for her life. We prayed with her and her
staff at that time. Please pray for her now.

· Ms. Olazabal, her staff, and other officials who struggle to uphold the law in Peru despite the danger to their lives—pray for their
safety, perseverance, integrity and peace of mind that comes from Jesus Christ and transcends all understanding.

· The family members of the victims of this crime and other similar crimes in Peru —pray that they would be comforted and consoled
and receive healing.

· The perpetrators of these crimes—pray that they would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness for
their sins and ask for forgiveness from society and the victims’ family for the damage they have caused.

· Pray for a cleaning up of the Peruvian justice system, for an end to corruption and intimidation of honest public officials.

Thank you for your prayers! Please share this with others!”

-------------------------
May 11, 2004 Prayer for Peruvian Christian
Dear Friends,

Many of you will be familiar with the case of Walter Cubas Baltazar a Peruvian Christian who has spent the last 11 years in prison after
being wrongly accused and convicted of terrorism.

CSW has supported Walter's case for more than five years through our Peruvian partners Peace and Hope. His lawyer, Wuille Ruiz
Figueroa, is himself a former prisoner who was found innocent and released after spending five years in prison.

Wuille has written to us asking that we pray on Friday, May 14th, when Walter will have a critical hearing in the national terrorism courts.
The case could then go on for up to four months before the judge hands down a decision. The public prosecutor is asking that he be given
a 20 year sentence.

Please pray for the hearing and for the outcome of the case. The following points may help as a guide:

* Pray for wisdom for Wuille and for Walter as they present their case. Ask God to speak through Wuille as he represents Walter.
* Pray for the judges and other government officials who will have an influence on how the case is decided. Ask God to give them open
hearts and minds and to come to a decision with integrity.
* Pray for Walter as he continues to wait inside the prison. Ask God to give him strength and hope for the future.
* Pray for Walter's family and especially his teenage children who have now spent more than a decade without their father at home. Ask
God to take away any anxiety they may be feeling and to fill them with hope. Pray that their family will be reunited soon.

Thank you

Background:

Walter Cubas Baltazar

Miguel Castro Castro Prison, Lima
Married, Four children, three grandchildren
Sentenced to Life in Prison, 11 years served

As a child Walter was very active in the Roman Catholic Church and believed in God. Later in life he began to attend a Pentecostal church
regularly. He told CSW that he used to take his Bible to the fish factory where he worked, to share his faith with his friends and co-workers.

He also participated in union activity, focused on bettering work conditions for the employees who worked excessive hours - from early
morning until late at night. As a result of this activity he was considered a troublemaker by some. He believes this may be the motive behind
his arrest. When he was detained he was deeply shocked at accusations that he was violent. He didn't even know how to use a weapon.
Everyone knew he was always in church and the thought of using violence against anyone had never occurred to him or others. Even his
boss at the factory spoke up on his behalf.

When he was detained and tortured he remembered a song taken from the verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,"
and another song from Joshua 1:9-10: "This is my command, be strong, be resolute; do not be fearful or discouraged, for wherever you go
the Lord your God is with you." Walter testified that God gave him strength through this ordeal. Although prison conditions have become
relatively better in recent years, Walter's cell, built for two, is shared by three men. They take turns rotating beds - and one sleeps on the
cold cement floor every third night. Walter shared that his family has suffered greatly because of his imprisonment. They sell fish to make
ends meet but are badly in need of the financial support he would have liked to provide. His wife, Vilma has been left to raise their children
along with the help of his elderly mother,

Maria: Vladimir, age 15, Milusca, age 13, Richard age 21, now married to Ruth with one baby, and his adult step-daughter Guisela age 25
who has presented him with two more grandchildren. A fifth child died of leukemia.

-----------------------------
November 4, 2003 Human Rights Conference venue for book launch
Biggest ever International Christian Human Rights Conference venue for launch of book of testimonies of Christians imprisoned in Peru

(United Kingdom) A book of testimonies from Christians imprisoned in Peru is to be launched at the International Christian Human Rights
Conference in London on November 15.

Tried by Fire, published by Monarch and priced at £6.99, is a collection of testimonies from seven innocent Christians all arrested and
imprisoned in Peru during the 1980s and 1990s.

Hundreds of innocent Peruvian Christians were rounded up and convicted by 'faceless judges' of terrorism offences in the attempt to crack
down on the Shining Path guerrillas. Many served five to ten years in prison before their cases were reviewed and they were released.
CSW continues to work with Peruvian human rights lawyers to secure freedom for the remaining innocent prisoners.

Wuille Ruiz Figueroa, who wrote one of the testimonies in the book, will be speaking at the International Christian Human Rights
Conference.

Anna Lee Stangl, CSW Advocacy Officer for Latin America, translated the testimonies after visiting Peru several times to work with the two
partner agencies of Paz y Esperanza and CEAS.

She said: "I am thrilled to see the stories of these seven humble men and women from the poorest areas of Peru finally presented to an
international Christian audience. It is vital that we Christians in the Northern Hemisphere know and understand what our Christian brothers
and sisters in Peru have gone and are going through even as this book is launched. At the same time, I hope that these stories will
challenge readers in how we react to adversity and injustice in our own lives as they present the beauty of God's faithfulness and the
ultimate rewards of trusting God."

The UK's largest ever International Christian Human Rights Conference, featuring speakers from all over the world, is expected to attract
more than a thousand Christians.

The conference will be on November 15 from 9.30am to 5pm at Westminster Chapel, Buckingham Gate, London SW1. Tickets at £5 and £3
concessions are available by calling 020 8329 0010 or visiting the CSW website at www.csw.org.uk or by emailing
sarah.armitage@csw.org.uk

Co-hosted by Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Release International in association with Premier Christian Radio, the conference will
feature presentations by persecuted Christians from around the world. Delegates will be urged to respond with prayer and through writing
campaign letters in support of the persecuted Church.

--------------------------------
August 26, 2003 Innocent Christian prisoner released from prison in Peru
after seven years
Dear Friends,

We are writing to share the good news that Julian Jorge Godoy, a Christian widower in Peru, has been reunited with his seven children in
freedom after spending almost eight years of a ten-year sentence in prison. Some of you may have participated in a campaign on his behalf
that we began in January 2003.

Julian, 42, is from a small village in rural Ayacucho, 400km south east of the capital Lima. From 1986 to 1987, as he was one of the few
villagers who could read and write, he acted as Lieutenant Governor of the community, until the Shining Path guerrillas swept into the area
and took over the town. The guerrillas appointed him 'commissariat', a position he was unable to reject as it would have meant death not
only for him but also for his wife and young children. Like the others in the town, he was also forced to attend the guerrilla ideological
meetings.

Julian wanted to escape but this was virtually impossible because the guerrillas controlled the entire region. However in 1991, Julian and
his family managed to flee to Huamanga, the capital city of Ayacucho District. In 1995, when a captured Shining Path terrorist accused
Julian of participating in subversive activities, he voluntarily presented himself to the police station believing that when they heard his story
they would understand what had happened to him. He was detained for 11 days and tortured for five of those days.

He was sentenced to six years in prison but after an appeal this was extended to ten years even though he had been considered an
exemplary prisoner. Julian's family suffered yet another tragedy when his wife was hit by a car and instantly killed. Their seven children,
ranging in age from four to 16 years old, were looked after by their impoverished 74-year-old grandmother in Julian's absence. While in
prison, however, Julian shared a cell with another CSW-supported former- prisoner- turned- prison minister, Julio Cusihuaman Ccorahua.
According to Julio the two often prayed together and after his release, Julio regularly visited Julian's children, bringing much needed food
and clothing.

The Peru based human rights organization, Peace and Hope (Paz Y Esperanza), a Christian Solidarity Worldwide partner, took up Julian's
case, petitioning for an emergency release on humanitarian grounds pointing to the serious situation of his family, but this was at first
refused and continued to face obstacles. He was represented by another former prisoner, Wuille Ruiz Figueroa, a Christian who spent five
years in prison before being declared innocent. CSW has visited Julian in the Ayacucho prison for three years - a delegation visited the
area in July and was delighted to find Julian a free man. He expressed his appreciation to all CSW supporters for the campaign run on his
behalf and said that he was now in the process of rebuilding his house, which had fallen down in his absence, so that he and his children
could all live together as a family once more. In response, CSW supporters with the staff delegation took a collection and offered Julian
$120 to buy a new roof.

----------------------------
October 16, 2002 Seventeen prisoners to be freed in Peru gives new hope
Dear Friends,

A little under a month ago, CSW sent out an Urgent Action Appeal asking you to pray for the release of Darwin Aquino Ortiz and Wilbert
Apaza Vargas and to write letters to President Toledo asking him to sign their release papers. We would like to thank you for all your hard
work and prayers as we are overjoyed to report that seventeen innocent men and women in Peru, some of whom had been imprisoned for
over ten years, will be freed from prison this weekend. The men and women had all been recommended for release as early as May but
were unable to walk free because Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo did not sign their pardons until this week.

Four of the pardoned prisoners, Darwin Aquino Ortiz, Wilbert Apaza Vargas, Niger Gonzalez Guerra and David Espinoza Monge, were
represented by former prisoner and CSW partner Wuille Ruiz Figueroa of the Evangelical Human Rights NGO, Paz y Esperanza (Peace
and Hope). The four men have been leaders of the Christian communities in their respective prisons throughout their incarceration.

CSW representatives met with Aquino and Apaza during two visits to the Miguel Castro Castro Maximum Security Prison in Lima in 2001
and 2002. In July, they both expressed frustration at knowing they had been found innocent, yet still finding themselves imprisoned, with no
idea when they would be released.

Apaza described the agony of waiting each day to hear whether or not his pardon had been signed. Both he and Aquino have wives and
young children who have been left virtually destitute. Apaza's children have been forced to eat at a community feeding center and are
suffering from malnutrition.

Apaza was a university student when he was arrested on March 22, 1995. The charges against him were based on his friendship with his
former professor whom the police suspected of sympathy towards the terrorist group The Shining Path. His home was invaded by security
agents who not only detained Apaza, but also took his younger brother and sister, her husband and two-year-old son into custody. The
arrest of his family was meant to exert psychological pressure on Apaza in an effort to force him to 'confess'. Apaza, now 34, was
sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment by anonymous judges. While in prison he was a leader of the literary workshops where he wrote
poetry in an effort to express his pain at being forcibly separated from his family, including the agony of being unable to say goodbye to his
father who died last winter and of the feelings of impotency at being unable to help his wife and children as they suffered from illness and
malnutrition.

He said: "I have in my memory beautiful stories which I have lived through these more than seven hard and difficult years. The glory of our
Redeemer fills me with the blessing of being helped by brothers and sisters whom I never imagined would worry about this humble
servant...I will never forget this beautiful experience and it will always be a blessing that Christ gave me in the midst of this familiar pain,
pain that unfortunately still continues as I am waiting, a tortuous wait, this martyring and dramatic wait for the signature of the President of
Peru."

Apaza was taken on as an Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience and plans to return to university to study law.

Aquino, now 34, was a teacher at the pre-university academy, ADUNI, when he was arrested on April 23, 1993. The police believed that the
academy was sympathetic to left wing terrorists and ignored Aquino's pleas of innocence. A tribunal of anonymous judges sentenced
Aquino to 20 years' imprisonment without examining the evidence in his favor. His wife Mirtha and two-month-old daughter were left on their
own - Aquino has only been able to see his daughter grow up from behind bars. While in prison, Aquino has been one of the most dynamic
members of the Christian community - leading daily 4am prayer sessions and preaching throughout the prison.

Guerra came from a rural area in the Tabalosas District in Lamas Province. Far from being part of a terrorist organization, he actually
participated in a civilian defense unit meant to protect their village from terrorist attacks. He was arrested on January 19, 1994 and even
under torture maintained his innocence. Anonymous judges sentenced him to 20 years in prison. Now age 40, Guerra plans to return to his
home to restart his life in freedom.

Espinoza was a medical student when he was arrested on April 12, 1992. He was taken by security agents to a military base where he was
severely tortured. For more than a week after his arrest, his family did not know where he was or why he had been taken. He maintained
his innocence but a tribunal of anonymous judges, ignoring the physical evidence of torture on his body, sentenced him to 20 years in
prison. While still maintaining his innocence, Espinoza, with the help of lawyers at Peace and Hope, has taken advantage of a law allowing
prisoners who have served over half of their sentence with good behavior to apply for early release. After he is freed he plans to return to
his study of medicine while also pursuing his case at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights until his name is totally cleared.

A system of anonymous judges, initiated by former President Fujimori, now in exile in Japan, was created ostensibly for the judges' own
protection during a time of national turmoil. The lack of accountability, however, resulted in over 800 wrongful imprisonments. According to
Paz y Esperanza, at least 100 innocent men and women still remain behind bars. This number includes many other practicing Christians
like Aquino, Apaza, Gonzalez, and Espinoza.

We would like to ask you to continue to pray for these men and women, including Walter Cubas Baltazar, Olga Gonzalez Zevallos, Jorge
Julian Godoy and Carlos Yalle Laura. You might also consider writing to President Toledo about all the prisoners and specifically the four
mentioned above. His address is: President Alejandro Toledo Manrique, Presidente de la Republica del Peru, Plaza de Armas, Lima 1.

For a more complete list of innocent prisoners supported by CSW and our Peruvian partners please contact the CSW office and request a
Peru Prisoner Information Pack and a Peru fact-finding trip report. Alternatively you could review our letter writing guide on the internet.

Thank you again for your persistent prayer and letter writing on behalf of our Christian brothers and sisters in Peru.

---------------------------------
September 20, 2002 Christians in Peru Still Awaiting Freedom
A number of Christians in Peru, unjustly imprisoned for almost a decade, are in urgent need of your prayers and action.

Three innocent Peruvian men and women, imprisoned and separated from their families since the early 1990s, are only one step away from
release. Wilbert Apaza Vargas, Darwin Aquino Ortiz, and Olga Gonzalez Zevallos, among others have been recommended for release by
the Peruvian government Pardoning Commission, but need President Toledo's signature in order for the process to go forward.

Due to political pressure, President Toledo has not signed any pardons for men and women, already found innocent, since April. CSW is
calling on him to sign these as quickly as possible.

CSW representatives have met all three on various visits to Peruvian prisons and spent time with them most recently in July 2002. They
each expressed frustration at knowing they had been found innocent after so many years of waiting, but finding themselves still imprisoned
with no idea when they would be released. Wilbert Apaza Vargas described the agony of waiting each day to hear whether or not his
pardon had been signed. Both he and Darwin have wives and young children who have been left virtually destitute. Wilbert's children are
forced to eat at a community feeding center and are suffering from malnutrition.

Under former President Alberto Fujimori during the 1990s, hundreds of innocent Peruvians were rounded up and convicted by 'faceless
judges' whose identity was hidden. The accused were unable to cross-examine witnesses, challenge government evidence, or call
witnesses in their defense. Hundreds were convicted on the flimsiest of evidence and remain in prison, often in appalling conditions, with
little hope of justice. Christian Solidarity Worldwide works closely with two partner organizations in Peru to offer legal, psychological and
spiritual support to those who have been falsely accused and imprisoned. One of these, Peace and Hope, has taken up the cases of
Wilbert, Darwin and Olga and former prisoner Wuille Ruiz Figueroa is legally representing them all.

Darwin and Wilbert are active members of the Christian community in the Miguel Castro-Castro Maximum Security Prison in Lima. They
told CSW how they get up at 4am each morning to pray for Christians around the world. Olga is housed in the Maximum Prison for Women
at Chorrillos where she also participates in the Christian community.

Please pray for the swift pardon and release of Wilbert, Darwin and Olga and consider writing a letter to President Toledo, urging him to
sign their papers to allow them to go free. In your letter express appreciation for the work he has done in the field of human rights and
express your hope that he will continue to sign the pardons of innocent men and women with the utmost speed.

President Alejandro Toledo Manrique

Presidente de la Republica del Peru
Plaza de Armas
Lima 1

---------------------------------------
July 4, 2002 Invitation to join the Peruvian Day of the Prisoner
On July 16th a CSW delegation to Lima, Peru will join with partners at Peruvian organizations CEAS and Peace and Hope to celebrate El
Dia del Interno - The Day of the Prisoner. We invite you to join with us in a worldwide day of solidarity with the hundreds of Peruvian men
and women who have suffered unjust imprisonment.

The events in Lima and in the mountain provinces of Peru will combine activities to raise awareness of the problem of wrongful
imprisonment, to support the families of the imprisoned, to encourage the men and women inside the prisons, and to celebrate with those
who have been exonerated and released. You can participate by organizing an event at your church or school - or even gathering together
with some friends to pray or write letters of encouragement to the prisoners and their families.

History:
Throughout the 1980's and early 1990's Peru's population found itself under internal attack by violent terrorist groups El Sendero Luminoso
(The Shining Path) and the Movimiento Revolucionario de Tupac Amaru (MRTA). The militantly Maoist Shining Path in particular was
responsible for a huge number of human rights atrocities committed against civilians and led the country into crisis, threatening social
stability.

After his election early in the 1990's President Alberto Fujimori made the eradication of all guerrilla movements in Peru his top priority.
Fujimori's tactics, however, left much to be desired as he proceeded to authorize the military and police to detain and summarily imprison
anyone remotely suspected of involvement, co-operation or even sympathy with the leftist guerrilla groups.

Although Fujimori's tactics were largely successful in stamping out the revolutionary groups, the methods he employed resulted in the
unjust imprisonment of many innocent people. Most suffered severe torture to force them to sign "confessions" and then were convicted by
"faceless judges" who wore balaclavas or sat behind a two-way mirror to prevent identification. The accused were unable to cross-examine
witnesses, challenge government evidence, or call witnesses on their own behalf. Many were convicted on the flimsiest of evidence and
sentenced to life in prison with little or no opportunity to appeal. Those who did appeal their sentences frequently had their sentences
increased in what seems to have been a government strategy to discourage prisoners from further appeals.

In late 2000, after evidence of extensive corruption throughout Fujimori's government came to light Fujimori was forced to resign. He is now
in exile in Japan, evading criminal prosecution in Peru. His successor, interim President Valentin Paniagua faced a monumental task.
During his eight months as president upwards of seventy men and women were found to have been wrongly convicted and sentenced and
were pardoned by Paniagua. Many had spent a decade of their life in prison for a crime they did not commit. In addition, Paniagua lent his
support to the establishment of a Truth Commission that will investigate human rights atrocities committed by both the government and
guerrilla groups throughout the violent years.

Dr. Alejandro Toledo took office on July 28, 2001. Since his inauguration he has signed the release papers of a number of wrongly
convicted prisoners. At the beginning of 2002 he took the enormously significant step of offering a personal official apology on behalf of the
nation to all 726 wrongfully imprisoned men and women who have received pardons and been released. He also promised that the 1741
pending applications would be reviewed. Perhaps most importantly, President Toledo announced the creation of a 180-day commission to
investigate the possibility of non-monetary reparations to the victims of wrongful imprisonment on charges of terrorism and treason. These
reparations might include health and education subsidies.

Pray for the Families

The effect on the families has been devastating. Often the biggest source of worry for a prisoner is the fate of his or her family. In most
cases - if a man was arrested, the wife and children were left destitute - with little or no source of income. Even worse, in many cases both
the husband and wife were arrested, leaving their children virtually orphaned. Until the late 1990's the prisoners were only allowed visits
from immediate family members once each month for thirty minutes. Family members who were younger than 18, were only allowed to visit
once every three months for thirty minutes. They were never allowed any physical contact. These harsh conditions have eased in recent
years but they took an emotional and psychological toll. Many prisoners who were released in recent years testify of the difficulty of re-
entering into a family unit after so many years of almost complete separation.

1. Please pray for the families of those still in prisons. Ask God to meet their physical, spiritual and emotional needs. Pray that he would
protect their relationships with their loved one in prison.
2. Please pray for the families of the released prisoners. Ask God to bless their families, healing wounds and rebuilding the bonds of father,
mother, son and daughter. Pray for reconciliation within the family unit.

Pray for the Prisoners

Although conditions in the Peruvian prisons have improved somewhat in the last few years they continue to fall far below humane
standards. Prisoners convicted of terrorist acts are kept in special Maximum-Security Prisons. Prison guards are trained by the military and
are underpaid which leads to a high incidence of prisoner maltreatment and corruption. Sexual abuse and torture within the prisons has
also been reported.

Prisoners are not issued uniforms and often suffer from cold, especially in provincial prisons at high altitudes. Food and medicine are highly
inadequate and sanitary conditions are in need of much improvement. Many prisoners are forced to share a cell made for two inhabitants
between three, meaning one has to sleep on the cement floor. A number of prisoners report long-term health consequences because of
this. The prisons also house a number of men and women who are seriously disabled, physically and psychologically - appropriate
accommodations and treatment are almost entirely absent and many are kept in appalling conditions that only serve to worsen their health.

Christians in particular have been increasingly granted a special freedom of movement not enjoyed by other groups. In some prisons a
cellblock may be set aside for Christians, the doors remaining unlocked. The prisoners may be permitted to move around at will, keep tools
and crafts and hold Bible studies and church services. These freedoms, however, vary from prison to prison. Many Christians, however,
have taken the opportunity to minister to their fellow prisoners - holding outreaches and prayer services.

1. Thank God for the new freedoms within the prisons. Pray for the guards and the prison authorities. Ask God to give them sensitivity and
a sense of justice. Pray that God would meet their needs - physically and spiritually.
2. Pray for the Christian fellowships within the prisons. Pray that God would strengthen and nourish them - ask Him to make them a light
within the prisons, so that the prisoners might find "Freedom Behind Bars" (the name of the fellowship in Huancayo Prison)
3. Ask God to protect the health of the prisoners - they need protection from disease, from the cold and from abuse from the guards and
fellow prisoners.
4. Pray that the prisoners' cases would be heard swiftly - ask that those who are innocent would be pardoned, released and allowed to
return to their homes and their families.

Pray for their Defenders

CSW supports two human rights groups working on behalf of the prisoners and their families. CEAS, a Catholic agency, and Peace and
Hope, an Evangelical group, both provide legal, spiritual, physical and psychological support for the prisoners and their families, many of
whom are financially destitute. The two groups often work together on campaigns and education of the general population. If it were not for
the tireless lawyers, psychologists and pastoral agents that work for the two organizations many prisoners would have no hope of release.
Some of them are actually ex-prisoners themselves who have been exonerated and released in the past few years - and are now defending
those who are left behind in prison.

1. Pray for the protection of CEAS and Peace and Hope - both offices have suffered break-ins in the last year, the circumstances of which
point to people in powerful positions who do not like their work on human rights as the culprits.
2. Pray for the morale of the workers at CEAS and Peace and Hope. They are dealing day after day with people who have suffered
tremendously - and often find themselves sapped emotionally, spiritually and physically. Ask God to fill them with His Spirit, strength and
light.
3. Pray for the work of both groups - ask God to bless their efforts - to give them favor with people in positions of power. Pray that they
would see more and more fruit, that they might be encouraged and that more might be added to their number.

Pray for the Government

Much of the Peruvian population continues to live below the poverty level. Many are classified as living in "extreme poverty". This poverty
leads to social instability and makes the work of the government, still recovering from the massive corruption scandal of 2000, extremely
difficult. Public confidence in the government is understandably extremely low.

The government of Alejandro Toledo is also still investigating the extent of the corruption - which implicates hundreds of government
workers, judges, and members of the military. He has come up against serious opposition from those who would rather see this swept
under the carpet. All of this combines to make the future of Peru uncertain. It is in need of strong and righteous leaders whose first concern
is for the welfare of the country - for justice, freedom, and integrity.

1. Please pray for Dr. Alejandro Toledo. Ask God to guide him in his work. Pray that God would put His priorities on Toledo's heart (see
Isaiah 58)
2. Pray for those in charge of investigating and bringing to justice the men and women involved in the corruption. Pray that God would
expose what is evil and bring about true justice. Pray for the protection of these workers.
3. Pray for the future of Peru. Ask God to raise up new leaders with integrity who will put the interest of the country before their own
interests. Ask God to give these men and women courage and strength.

If you would like additional materials - please check the CSW website at www.cswusa.com where a Peru Country Profile and Peru Prisoner
Letter Writing Guide are available. Alternatively you can call the office to request these materials at (877) 450-4516.

----------------------------------------
June 6, 2002 Urgent Prayers and Action Needed for Peruvian
A Christian in Peru, unjustly imprisoned for almost a decade, is in urgent need of your prayers and action.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is calling on the Peruvian Human Rights Commission to recommend Walter Cubas Baltazar for pardon.
Cubas Baltazar, who has spent almost 10 years in a maximum security prison for terrorist crimes he did not commit, continues to wait for
the Commission's decision, despite the fact that his lawyer, presented his case in March.

The 38 year old man was arrested on January 20, 1993 and accused of various terrorist activities including painting graffiti and taking part
in a riot. He was then tortured by anti-terrorist security agents until he "confessed". CSW representatives met with Cubas Baltazar in June
2001, where he recounted how when he was detained and tortured he remembered a song taken from the verse, "I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me," and another song from Joshua 1:9-10: "This is my command, be strong, be resolute; do not be fearful
or discouraged, for wherever you go the Lord your God is with you." Walter testified that God gave him strength through this ordeal. A
military tribunal sentenced him to life in prison - leaving his wife an four young children virtually destitute.

Under former President Alberto Fujimori during the 1990s, hundreds of innocent Peruvians were rounded up and convicted by 'faceless
judges' whose identity was hidden. The accused were unable to cross-examine witnesses, challenge government evidence, or call
witnesses in their defense. Hundreds were convicted on the flimsiest of evidence and remain in prison, often in appalling conditions, with
little hope of justice.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide works closely with two partner organizations in Peru to offer legal, psychological and spiritual support to
those who have been falsely accused and imprisoned. One of these, Peace and Hope, has taken up Cubas Baltazar's case - former
prisoner Wuille Ruiz Figueroa is representing him.

According to Ruiz Figueroa, Cubas Baltazar was targeted because of his union activity. He had been a labor leader at the clothing factory
where he worked. They worked excessive hours and when the factory shut down without paying its workers, Cubas Baltazar led the
protest. Cubas Baltazar is convinced that this led to the motive behind his arrest.

Cubas Baltazar is currently held in the Miguel Castro-Castro Maximum Security Prison in Lima where he is active in the Prison Christian
Community. Conditions in Peruvian prisons are deplorable with diseases like Hepatitis and Tuberculosis rife. Cubas Baltazar explained to
CSW representatives last year how he and his two cellmates share the tiny concrete cell built for two. They rotate every three nights - two
sleeping on each of the cement beds and one on the floor. This has had damaging effects on their health.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "We continue to stand together with Walter Cubas Baltazar and
his family and strongly urge the Peruvian government to redress this terrible miscarriage of justice without any further delay."

Please pray for the swift pardon and release of Walter Cubas Baltazar and consider writing a letter to the Peruvian Ministry of Justice,
urging them to recommend his pardon to allow him to go free. Please also remember his wife, Vilma, and his children: Jacinto, 12; Genesis
11, Richard 18, and Graciela 22 in your prayers.

Write to:
Dr. Diego Garcia Sayan
Ministro de Justicia
Jr. Scipion Llona 350
Miraflores, Lima
Peru

Good News! CSW is overjoyed to report that Elizabeth Marlene Zuñiga Porras, Teofilo Naula Ortiz, Manuel Collqui Pontencial, Melanio
Torres Vallejos, Gilberto Quispe Figueroa, Eleazar Mendoza Huachaca, and Alejandro Lopez Urbano were all found innocent and released
in the months of March and April. Thank you for your continued prayers and support - they really do make a difference!!!

---------------------------------------------
June 6 2002 PERUVIAN PRISONER FALSELY SENTENCED FOR
TERRORIST CRIMES HAS FURTHER WAIT FOR JUSTICE
A prisoner who has spent nearly ten years behind bars in Peru for terrorist crimes he did not commit has now had to wait an additional three
months for the result of his appeal.

Walter Cubas Baltazar, is waiting for the Peruvian Human Rights Commission, who heard his case in March, to make their decision and
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is calling on the Commission to recommend him for pardon. Cubas Baltazar, 38, was arrested on January
20, 1993 and accused of various terrorist activities including painting graffiti and taking part in a riot.

He was then tortured by anti-terrorist security agents until he "confessed". CSW representatives met with Cubas Baltazar in June 2001,
where he recounted how he sang Christian songs to withstand the pain. A military tribunal sentenced him to life in prison, leaving his wife
and four young children virtually destitute.

Under former President Alberto Fujimori during the 1990s, hundreds of innocent Peruvians were rounded up and convicted by 'faceless
judges' whose identity was hidden. The accused were unable to cross-examine witnesses, challenge government evidence, or call
witnesses in their defense. Hundreds were convicted on the flimsiest of evidence and remain in prison, often in appalling conditions, with
little hope of justice.

CSW works closely with two partner organizations in Peru to offer legal, psychological and spiritual support to those who have been falsely
accused and imprisoned. One of these, Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope), has taken up Cubas Baltazar's case and former prisoner
Wuille Ruiz Figueroa is representing him.

According to Ruiz Figueroa, Cubas Baltazar was targeted because of his union activity. He had been a labor leader at the clothing factory
where he worked. They worked excessive hours and when the factory shut down without paying its workers, Cubas Baltazar led the
protest. Cubas Baltazar is convinced that this led to the motive behind his arrest. Cubas Baltazar is currently held in the Miguel Castro-
Castro Maximum Security Prison in Lima where he is active in the Prison Christian Community. Conditions in Peruvian prisons are
deplorable and are rife with diseases like Hepatitis and tuberculosis.

Cubas Baltazar told CSW representatives last year how he and his two cellmates share the tiny concrete cell built for two. They rotate
every three nights, two sleeping on each of the cement beds and one on the floor. This has had damaging effects on their health.

--------------------------------------------------------
January 18, 2002 President Toledo of Peru apologizes to freed prisoners
and offers them compensation
President Alejandro Toledo of Peru took the historic step of apologizing to all those who have been released after being wrongfully
imprisoned for terrorist offenses.

He invited 726 people who were condemned for terrorism or treason and who had served long prison sentences to the Presidential Palace
on January 15. Priests, nuns and other human rights activists along with volunteers who work with the prisoners were also invited.

During the ceremony, President Toledo asked for forgiveness in the name of the nation for the harm inflicted on them. He emphasized that
his government did not create the situation, but that now Peru was ruled by a democracy, justice had to be seen to be done.

In addition he ruled that the 1,741 applications for pardon which are still outstanding would be reviewed. He assured people that the review
of these cases did not mean that terrorism would be tolerated in Peru.

He also announced the creation of a 180-day commission which will present a recommendation for non-monetary benefits including health,
education and the basic needs of those who have received pardons.

A spokesman for CSW-partner the Catholic Episcopal Commission for Social Action (CEAS), said: “We are extremely happy with this act
and initiative and believe that it will open new doors to all of our brothers and sisters who are still in prison. Even though it is true that the
harm caused to all of these families is incalculable, we are happy that they are trying to help these brothers and sisters in some form at
least.”

CSW is really pleased with this latest development for those in prison in Peru and we want to thank all our supporters for writing to both
President Toledo and the prisoners themselves.

Hundreds of Christmas cards have been forwarded onto the prisoners and hundreds of letters have been written to the President to get him
to review these cases as a matter of urgency.
CSW Advocacy Director Tina Lambert, who was part of the team which visited those in prison in Peru last July, said: “This is brilliant news
and we commend President Toledo for making this compassionate and generous gesture of solidarity with those who have suffered in
silence for so long.

“We are also pleased that a commission has been set up to explore what sort of compensation the government can offer its citizens.

“CSW and its partners in Peru will continue to speak up for the freedom of those who are still wrongfully imprisoned, but these events give
us all hope that this is a priority of President Toledo’s government.”

--------------------------------------
December 20, 2001 Husband and wife freed after being wrongfully
imprisoned for eight years in Peru
A Christian couple have been reunited with their son after spending eight years in separate prisons for crimes they did not commit.

In 1993 Victor Navarte and Juana Ramirez, then in their twenties, were finishing their law degrees at San Marcos University in Lima when
Juana was arrested.

She was taken to the Dincote interrogation center before police searched their home and arrested her husband, claiming they had found a
book on Marxist philosophy.

Later the police claimed to have found a cache of weapons under the stairway. Both Juana and Victor were tortured.

They were convicted of terrorism by judges who hid their identity and were sentenced to life in prison. This was later lowered to 30 years on
appeal.

During the last eight years they have seen each other twice, once right at the beginning of their ordeal, when a battered Victor was shown
to Juana in a bid to get them to ‘confess’.

The only other time they had met in eight years was in June this year when they were allowed a short face to face meeting.

They kept their relationship strong by writing to each other. Their son Alvaro, who is now 12, was looked after by Victor’s mother Graciela
during their imprisonment.

Victor and Juana were freed on December 15 after President Toledo signed their release papers, following the recommendation from the
Pardoning Commission, set up to investigate false imprisonments over the last 20 years.

They both hope to resume their law studies so they can campaign for the release of the remaining innocent prisoners.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been working for their freedom with the evangelical organization Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope) as
well as the Catholic Episcopal Commission for Social Action (CEAS).

An estimated 300 plus innocent prisoners are still in prison in Peru having been convicted of terrorism with no real evidence.

A hunger strike by more than 30 prisoners, in protest against the reduction in lawyers working on their cases from 14 to two, took place in
November.

Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, who met with Victor and Juana in July this year, said: “It’s fantastic that
such a special family can be reunited in time for Christmas.

“Tragically there are still hundreds of innocent men and women suffering in prison in Peru. We are calling on the Pardoning Commission
and President Toledo to devote more resources to the speeding up of proper investigations into these cases that the innocent may go free.”

---------------------------------------
December 13, 2001 Three prisoners released but hundreds more still
await justice
Three prisoners supported by Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s partners in Peru have been pardoned by President Toledo in the last two
months.

Rody Sanchez Chileno, 36, Lidia Vilca Santos and Julio Cesar Culqui Rojas, 44, were among the 21 prisoners released in September and
October.

Rody Sanchez Chileno, a nurse, was arrested in Huancayo in 1997. Like many others, she was treated brutally by her interrogators and
tortured so badly that her three and a half month pregnancy aborted.

The torture was an attempt to force her to confess that she belonged to the terrorist group MRTA (Movimiento Revolucionario de Tupac
Amaru). The only evidence against her was the testimony of a “repented” terrorist who would normally be promised a sentence reduction in
return for testifying.

She was sentenced to 30 years in prison by judges who hid their identity, but she appealed her case to a court in Lima. The military judge
reduced her sentence to 20 years, but upheld her conviction. This left her three daughters, aged 14, 12, and nine, virtually destitute as her
first husband had been killed by the police in 1988 and her second husband abandoned the girls and her when she was detained.

A CSW representative met with evangelical Christian Rody in the Santa Monica Maximum Security Prison where she maintained her
innocence and expressed her anxiety regarding the fate of her daughters.

Julio Cesar Culqui Rojas, a farmer from the northern province of Chiclayo, was detained on December 12, 1994 and accused of terrorism.
Like many Peruvians who lived in guerrilla-controlled territory, he had been forced to participate in meetings and to read a book on Mao Tse
Tung.

The fact that he had only done these things because the terrorists had threatened to kill his family was disregarded in his trial and he was
sentenced to 20 years on charges of “Association with Terrorism.”

CSW works closely with Evangelical organization Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope) and the Catholic Episcopal Commission for Social
Action (CEAS) in raising awareness of more than 300 wrongly imprisoned Peruvians, including many practicing Christians.

CSW calls upon President Toledo to give his full support to judicial reform mechanisms to ensure the continued release of all innocent
prisoners and the work of the Truth Commission, which investigates human rights atrocities committed by the government and guerrilla
groups throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

A CSW delegation visited Peru at the end of June to meet and express solidarity with those still in prison and to encourage the new
government to make their plight a priority.

Wuille Ruiz Figueroa of Paz y Esperanza said that 20 more government recommendations for pardon given to President Toledo three
weeks ago are still awaiting his signature.

In addition, Paz y Esperanza and CEAS representatives remain concerned that the issue of wrongly imprisoned Peruvians is still not being
given priority by the government.

Wuille Ruiz Figueroa said: “Thirty inmates at the Castro Castro Prison [in Lima] went on a hunger strike that lasted for about fifteen days.
This motivated the authorities at the Ministry of Justice to seek a more direct relationship with the human rights organizations in Lima, but
unfortunately, this does not make up for the shortage of funds and personnel that the Ministry of Justice has designated for this work.”

----------------------------------------
December 13, 2001 Petition for a Peruvian Couple
Dear friends,

A husband and wife, imprisoned and separated from each other and their young son since 1993, are only one step away from release.

Victor Maco Navarte and Juana Lazo Ramirez have been recommended for release by the Peruvian Government’s Pardoning Commission,
but need President Toledo’s signature in order for the process to go forward.

CSW is calling on President Toledo to sign the pardons as quickly as possible so that Victor and Juana can spend Christmas together with
their son Alvaro for the first time in almost a decade.

The couple, married in 1988 and the parents of a four-year-old son, were arrested on charges of terrorism in January 1993. Both were
studying law at San Marco University at the time which was enough to make them suspect in the eyes of the authorities. A textbook on
Marxism found in Victor’s library was used as “evidence” against them. In addition, police claimed that they had discovered an arsenal of
weapons under the stairwell in their home. Sadly in Peru such police tactics are not uncommon in the bid to secure convictions.

Both Victor and Juana were taken to the notorious police interrogation headquarters, known as DINCOTE, where they were subjected to
severe torture. The authorities arranged a “confrontation” between the two at one point so each could see how badly the other was injured
in an effort to force them to confess. Juana told CSW representatives who visited her last July in the Santa Monica Prison how she wept as
she saw his battered and bruised body. She herself suffered partial facial paralysis as a result of the torture.

They were both convicted by faceless judges and sentenced to life in prison. Juana’s sentence was later reduced to thirty years. They were
sent to separate prisons in Lima where their only contact for eight years was through letters. They were finally allowed a face-to-face
meeting in June 2001. Visits from their young son were also severely restricted for most of their stay in prison and visiting rules have only
recently been relaxed.

In addition to visiting Juana, CSW representatives also met with Victor in Castro-Castro Prison and with his mother Graciela who has
looked after their son while the couple has been in prison.

She has campaigned tirelessly on the couple’s behalf throughout their imprisonment and each of them expressed hope that they would
soon be released and reunited.

Juana spoke of her sustaining faith in God, saying: “He knows what I have gone through. Thanks to God I know He understands. In the
midst of darkness you need something. I’m not a dangerous person - you can see that. After nine years I know I can find my hope in God.”

Please pray for the swift pardon and release of Juana and Victor and consider writing a letter to President Toledo, urging him to sign their
papers to allow them to go free.

A sample letter followed by a translation is set out below:

President Alejandro Toledo Manrique

Presidente de la Republica del Peru
Plaza de Armas
Lima 1

Señor Presidente,

Nosotros cuidadanos de paises amigos nos encontramos muy preocupados por el hecho de que personas inocentes aún se encuentran
encarcelados, en particular los casos de Juana Lazo Ramirez y Victor Maco Navarte, quienes ya han recibido una recomendación de la
Comisión de Indultos y solamente esperan que Usted firme la autorización de su liberación.

Una persona declarada oficialmente inocente no merece estar ni un momento más en la carcel. En este caso Ramirez y Navarte han
esperado casi nueve años para que les declaren inocentes y para que haya justicia. Confiamos que Usted valora la justicia, y por eso le
solicitamos su apoyo en ese caso.

Nuestro deseo es que Juana y Victor pasen las fiestas navideñas con su hijo de 12 años. Confiamos que esto será posible a condición de
que Usted dé la prioridad apropiada a este caso.

Le agradecemos por su atención, y deseamos que Dios le bendiga en el trabajo que Usted realize a favor de las personas más
necesitadas y que estas fiestas navideñas sean de dicha y prosperidad. En el nombre de nuestro señor Jesucristo, firmamos unidos en
esta carta.

+++
Alejandro Toledo
President of the Republic of Peru
Plaza de Armas
Lima 1

Senor President,

As citizens of a friendly country we are concerned about the innocent men and women who are still in prison, in particular the cases of
Juana Lazo Ramirez and Victor Maco Navarte. The two have received a recommendation from the Pardoning Commission and now await
your signature in order that they might be allowed to leave the prison.

An innocent person cannot be in prison for even one more minute. They have waited nine years to receive justice and their liberty. We are
sure that you are concerned about this, and that is why we are asking for you support in this case.

We desperately hope that Juana and Victor might spend the Christmas holidays with their 12-year-old son. We are sure that this will be
possible if you make this a priority.

Thank you for your time and attention. May God bless you and the work you are doing on behalf of the people who need it most. May the
Christmas holidays bring you blessings and prosperity in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. We bid farewell.

----------------------------------
November 30, 2001 Peruvian Prisoners End Hunger Strike, but Hundreds
of Innocent People Are Still in Prison
Dear friends,

More than 30 Peruvian Christians who had been on hunger strike since November 12, ended their protest after the President of the
Pardoning Commission visited them in prison.

The hunger strike was started at the Miguel Castro Castro Prison in Lima after the prisoners felt their cases had been ignored for too long
by the current government.

The strike, which officially ended on November 22, aimed to highlight the injustice felt by about 300 prisoners sentenced by ‘faceless
judges’.

Under former President Alberto Fujimori during the 1990s, hundreds of innocent Peruvians were rounded up and convicted in summary
hearings.

They were unable to cross-examine witnesses, challenge government evidence or call witnesses in their defense.

Those convicted have spent between three and ten years in prison already and have seen the number of lawyers working on their appeals
cut from 14 to two.

CSW was told by the Peruvian human rights agency Comision Episcopal de Action Social (CEAS), that the men called off the strike as they
felt their cases had been highlighted by the President’s visit.

Senor Carlos Zamorano, President of the Pardoning Commission, asked the men to end their strike as three men were already being
treated in hospital as a result of their action.

Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director of CSW-UK, said: “The visit of the President of the Pardoning Commission is to be commended, but now
this action needs to be followed through with concrete measures to right this injustice. This intolerable suffering must be brought to an end.”

Please email the Ministry of Justice and the Ombudsman with the suggested letter: (translation follows)

Ministry of Justice: webmaster@minjus.gob.pe,

Ombudsman: defensor@ombudsman.gob.pe

Senor Fernando Olivera

Ministro de Justicia

Presente.-

Nosotros cuidadanos de paises amigos, que tenemos presente a nuestros hermanos peruanos, nos encontramos muy preocupados por un
tema en particular, los inocentes que aun se encuentran en prision. Como cristianos no podemos ser indiferentes a este tema tan doloroso
que estan atravesando nuestros hermanos encarcelados.

Durante el gobierno del Senor Fujimori muchos inocentes sufrieron prision al ser sentenciados por Terrorismo o Traicion a la Patria, por
ello se creo una comision que se encargo de evaluar estos casos. Sabemos que la Comision culmino su mandato, pero se designo otra
comision que supliera sus funciones, la cual hasta el momento sigue realizando dicha labor pero con la disminucion de abogados para la
evaluacion de casos, lo que ocasiona gran demora.

Un inocente no puede estar ni un minuto mas en la carcel. Estamos seguros de su gran preocupacion por este tema, por ello le
solicitamos:

1.- Aumentar el numero de profesionales (abogados) para que evaluen las solictudes que faltan.
2.- Otorgar indultos a los inocentes que aun se encuentran en prision a la brevedad posible.Si bien es cierto que esta es una facultad del
Presidente de la Republica, es necesario que desde su ministerio se impulse este tema.

Anhelamos que muchos inocentes puedan pasar las fiestas navidenas con sus familias. Estamos seguros que esto sera posible si su
ministerio da prioridad a este tema.

Agradeciendo la atencion prestada, Dios bendiga el trabajo que viene realizando a favor de las personas mas necesitadas y que estas
fiestas navidenas sean de dicha y prosperidad, en presencia de nuestro senor Jesucristo, nos despedimos

Los abajo firmantes nos unimos a este pedido:

+++
Mr. Fernando Olivera
Minister of Justice

Dear Sir-

As citizens of a friendly country who are thinking of our Peruvian brothers, we are very worried that innocent men and women are still in
prison. As Christians we cannot be indifferent to this painful ordeal that our brothers and sisters in prison are enduring.

Throughout the administration of Mr. Fujimori, many innocent men and woman suffered imprisonment, condemned for terrorism or treason
against the state. A commission was created to review these cases. We know that the Commission came to the end of its mandate, but
another commission was designated to take up its functions. This commission has been carrying out this work despite the very
demoralizing reduction in the number of lawyers working on the case reviews.

An innocent person cannot be in prison for even one more minute. We are sure that you are concerned about this, and for this reason we
ask you to:

1. Increase the number of professionals (lawyers) to review the remaining petitions.

2.Grant pardons to those innocent people who remain in prison as soon as possible. If it is true that this is a responsibility of the President
of the Republic, then it is necessary for the Ministry to push this subject forward.

We desperately hope that many of these innocent people might spend the Christmas holidays with their families. We are sure that this will
be possible if your Ministry makes this a priority.

Thank you for your time and attention. May God bless you and the work you are doing on behalf of the people who most need it. May the
Christmas holidays bring you blessings and prosperity in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. We bid farewell.

--------------------------
November 22, 2001 Christian prisoners in Peru go on indefinite hunger
strike
An indefinite hunger strike has been started by 30 inmates in the Christian cellblocks of the Miguel Castro Castro Prison in Lima, Peru in
protest against the lack of progress in their appeals.

The prisoners began their protest on November 12 and their leaders, known as the Committee for Innocent Detainees, said in a statement:
“We as innocent prisoners hoped that the present democratic government would find a solution for our cases.

“One of its fundamental platforms before gaining power was that it would respect and reinstate those human rights trampled upon by the
previous government.

“However, these speeches stand in contrast to the current situation as the circumstances for the innocent prisoners not only continue to be
the same, but there seems to be a profound indifference and forgetfulness regarding a judicial resolution to our cases – the proof is that
today the Commission’s budget has been scaled back, even after the protests by almost all of the lawyers who were working on the
revision of our cases.

“Under the dictatorship there were 40 lawyers, with the transitional government there were 12 lawyers, and with the present government,
the so-called ‘Defender of Human Rights’, there will only be two lawyers.

“They promised and assured us that they would take care of our requests for freedom, but these are only empty promises that remain
merely words.”

The group is demanding that the budget of the Pardoning Commission be proportionate to the number of lawyers needed and that their
cases would be reviewed.

In addition, they are calling on the Minister of Justice to make good his promise that “The innocent do not have to stay in prison another
minute longer.”

Finally they are asking that Senor Carlos Zamorano, President of the Pardoning Commission, would come and speak to them in prison.

The men have stated that they are carrying out the protest in a peaceful way and without affecting the internal order of the prison.

Under former President Alberto Fujimori during the 1990s, hundreds of innocent Peruvians were rounded up and convicted by ‘faceless
judges’ whose identity was hidden.

The accused were unable to cross-examine witnesses, challenge government evidence, or call witnesses in their defense.

Hundreds were convicted on the flimsiest of evidence and remain in prison, often in appalling conditions, with little hope of justice.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide works closely with two partner organizations in Peru to offer legal, psychological and spiritual support to
those who have been falsely accused and imprisoned.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “It is tragic that these men have to go to such lengths to get their
voice heard.

“We are standing with them in solidarity and in prayer and call on the Peruvian Government to review all their cases as matter of urgency.”

----------------------------------------------
August 15, 2001 Peruvian Prisoner Released on Interim President's Last
Day:
Hundreds Anxiously Hope for Justice under New President
On his last day in office, Interim President Valentin Paniagua authorized a release from prison for Edgar Cahuana Curi. Cahuana Curi,
whose case was represented by Peruvian human rights organization Peace and Hope, was found to be wrongly imprisoned after spending
eight years in Miguel Castro-Castro Prison on charges of terrorism. It is believed that hundreds more like him continue to languish in prison,
awaiting justice.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) commends the release of Cahuana Curi and, in conjunction with Peace and Hope, calls upon the
new Peruvian President, Alejandro Toledo, to give his full support to reform mechanisms that Paniagua put in place. These reforms include
continuing the release of all innocent prisoners and the work of the Truth Commission, investigating human rights atrocities committed by
the government and guerrilla groups throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Cahuana Curi, aged 29, was arrested in 1993 along with both his parents when police found a packet of subversive material in his garden.
The fact that Cahuana Curi had consented to hide the packet only under threat was disregarded in his trial and he and his parents were
sentenced to 20 years in prison by "faceless judges" who wore balaclavas or sat behind a two way mirror to prevent identification.

Two years later his mother was absolved and in 1997 his father was also pardoned and released by then President Fujimori. Throughout
his time in prison Cahuana Curi's already impoverished wife and children suffered severe financial difficulties in the absence of husband
and father.

CSW has regularly followed cases like that of Cahuana Curi and works closely with Peruvian human rights groups Peace and Hope and
CEAS in raising awareness and campaigning on behalf of the wrongly imprisoned Peruvians. A CSW delegation visited Peru at the end of
June to meet and express solidarity with those still in prison and to encourage the new government to make their plight a priority. During
this visit they met and spoke with Cahuana Curi in Castro-Castro Prison.

CSW's European Liaison Officer Anna Lee Stangl says, "We strongly encourage President Alejando Toledo to make a sincere commitment
to eradicating corruption and ensuring the protection of basic human rights to all Peruvians. These innocent men and women who are still
languishing in prison must be a priority for his administration."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

July 24, 2001 Calls for new President to pledge support for newly formed
truth commission
The election in June of Alejandro Toledo as President of Peru has prompted calls that he commit the incoming administration to upholding
and promoting human rights in Peru. Toledo will take over from interim President Valentin Paniagua under whose guidance scores of
innocent men and women were released from prison. CSW is taking this opportunity to call on Toledo to pledge his support to the newly
established Truth Commission and to seeing that all wrongly imprisoned men and women are vindicated and released from prison.

Over the last decade hundreds of innocent Peruvians were summarily tried and imprisoned on charges of terrorism. In his fervent quest to
stamp out terrorist groups in Peru, former President Alberto Fujimori implemented a legislative system of faceless judges. Under the
system, judges wore balaclavas or sat behind two way mirrors to prevent identification, ostensibly for their own protection. The accused,
however, were unable to cross-examine witnesses, challenge government evidence, or call witnesses on their own behalf. Many were
convicted on the flimsiest of evidence and sentenced to life in prison with little or no recourse for appeal.

In 1996, the Peruvian government, with Fujimori at the helm, sought to make amends through the introduction of the "Amnesty Law," by
which Peruvians who claimed they had been unjustly imprisoned under the emergency anti-terrorist laws could have their cases reviewed
by a Special Ad Hoc Commission. However, progress was painfully slow, with only a few of the hundreds of cases reaching review by the
end of 1999. Adding insult to injury, from 1998 to July 2000 President Fujimori refused to sign any release documents for prisoners found
innocent by the Ad Hoc Commission after December 1998.

It was only with his removal from office by the Peruvian Congress in late 2000 and the inauguration of Valentin Paniagua as interim
president that hope was truly renewed for the hundreds of innocent men and women who continued to languish in prison. Since that time,
investigations of major corruption and human rights abuses by the government have been instigated under the leadership of President
Paniagua and many innocent men and women have been vindicated and released from prison.

CSW has regularly followed these cases and works closely with the Peruvian human rights group 'Paz y Esperanza' (Peace and Hope) in
raising awareness and campaigning on behalf of wrongly imprisoned Peruvians. CSW sent a delegation to Peru at the end of June to meet
and express solidarity with those still in prison and to encourage the new government to make their plight a priority.

Those still languishing in prison must be a priority for the next President of Peru. Unfortunately, even with all the progress of the last few
months, a large number of innocent men and women remain behind bars in the Peruvian prison system.

Little is known about newly elected Toledo's position on human rights, as it was not made a major issue during the campaign.

CSW's Anna Lee Stangl says, "We strongly encourage Alejando Toledo to make a sincere commitment towards eradicating corruption and
ensuring the protection of basic human rights for all Peruvians. These innocent men and women who are still languishing in prison must be
a priority for the next President of Peru."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 25, 2001 Peru prisoners released

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has learned that Roberto de la Cruz Mallqui, age 33, has been released from prison in Peru after
serving ten years and four months on charges of terrorism. A four man commission, newly created by the interim government of President
Paniagua, found Roberto to have been unjustly imprisoned and has signed his release documents. Roberto, first imprisoned at age 23, now
wants to pursue a degree at the university in Lima after first being reunited with his widowed mother and five younger siblings.

Over the last decade hundreds of innocent Peruvians were summarily tried and imprisoned on charges of terrorism. In his fervent quest to
stamp out terrorist groups in Peru, former President Alberto Fujimori implemented harsh anti-terrorist legislation.

The accused were tried by 'faceless' judges, who wore balaclavas or sat behind two way mirrors to prevent identification - theoretically for
their own protection. They were unable to cross-examine witnesses, challenge government evidence, or call witnesses on their own behalf.
Many were convicted on the flimsiest of evidence and sentenced to life in prison with little or no recourse for appeal.

In 1996, the Peruvian government, with Fujimori at the helm, sought to make amends through the introduction of the "Amnesty Law," by
which Peruvians who claimed they had been unjustly imprisoned under the emergency anti-terrorist laws could have their cases reviewed
by a Special Ad Hoc Commission.

However, progress was painfully slow, with few of the hundreds of cases reviewed by the end of 1999.

Adding insult to injury, from 1998 to July 2000 President Fujimori refused to sign any release documents for prisoners found innocent by the
Ad Hoc Commission after December 1998. It was only with his removal from office in late 2000 by the Peruvian Congress and the
inauguration of Valentin Paniagua as interim president that hope was truly renewed for the hundreds of innocent men and women who
continued to languish in prison.

CSW representatives met with Roberto's family last March on a visit to Peru.

His Quechua speaking mother wept as she recalled how masked men raided their home in the shantytowns outside Ayacucho over ten
years ago - murdering her husband.

Shortly thereafter, police raided the home in much the same way, in the dead of night, this time arresting Roberto, a member of the
Assemblies of God Church in Peru. His mother, Rosa, was tricked into signing documents accusing her son of the murder of his stepfather.
The documents were written in Spanish, a language she could neither speak nor understand. According to the testimonies of Roberto and
others arrested with him, mutual accusations and "confessions" were made only under extreme torture applied by the police.

"Evidence" of Roberto's guerrilla activity consisted of two "subversive" flyers found in his family's home among other newspapers and
magazines being used as toilet paper - a common practice among the poor of Peru.

Roberto was convicted of terrorism by unseen judges and incarcerated in the maximum-security prison of Castro-Castro, more than a days
journey by bus from Ayacucho.

His already impoverished mother, who suffers from health problems, and siblings were unable to visit him because of the expense of the
trip. The loss of both husband and eldest son - the two main breadwinners of the family - had an devastating impact on the family.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide rejoices with Roberto and his family in seeing the fruit of much prayer and campaigning on his behalf.

Anna Lee Stangl of CSW states, "We commend President Paniagua on the vigorous efforts he has made to address the issue of the
hundreds of innocent men and women imprisoned on terrorism charges in Peru. It is our hope that this newly created commission will have
the full support of the Peruvian government as they seek to examine each case expeditiously."

Please remember Roberto and his family in your prayers as he begins to readjust to life in freedom, pursues a university degree, and is
reunited with his mother, Rosa, and five younger siblings: Victor, Luis, Herman, Lidia, and Jorge.

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Philippines
June 11, 2002 Update on Burnhams, Missionaries to the Philippines
Dear Friends,

As you may have heard, Martin Burnham, who was a missionary in the Philippines, was killed on June 7 during a bid to set him free. His
wife Gracia, who was captured with him just over a year ago, left hospital yesterday after treatment for a bullet wound in her leg, to be
reunited with her children in Kansas City, USA.

Both of them were working for New Tribes Mission (NTM) when they were captured by Abu Sayyaf, rebels who are fighting for an Islamist
state in the southern Philippines.

Just before boarding a plane for the US, she said: "We want to thank each and every one of you for every time you remembered us in
prayer. We needed every single prayer you said for us during our ordeal in the jungle."* She also thanked the soldiers who risked their lives
to rescue her and Martin.*

One of those who was with Gracia the day after her rescue said this about her. "Gracia is a strong woman of deep faith." Her clarity of mind
as she testified of how God carried her and Martin through this long ordeal amazed all who heard her.*

NTM ask for prayers for all the family members. They will be holding a memorial service for Martin at Central Christian Church in Wichita,
Kansas at 10am US central time (5pm BST) on Friday.*

Lucille Sanford of NTM told CSW: "Thank you for your prayers for the Burnham family through this most difficult time. We appreciate so
much the Body of Christ who have stood with them so faithfully. We know the Lord has and will receive much glory from the lives of these
dear ones. We know you will continue to pray for Gracia and all the family in the days and months ahead. God bless you."

A Martin Burnham Memorial Fund has been established for the benefit of Gracia and their three children. If you wish to contribute, make
checks payable to New Tribes Mission with the designation "Martin Burnham Memorial Fund." Send to NTM, 1000 E. First Street, Sanford,
FL 32771-1487. Any cards or letters for Gracia should be sent to Gracia Burnham c/o NTM at the same address.

For more information, please go to the NTM website at www.ntm.org/index.shtml

(*From the NTM website)

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Russia
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

May 16, 2002 President Bush Should Meet With Non-Orthodox Christians
During Trip to Russia
While acknowledging major improvements in the situation of religious freedom in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet regime, the U.S.
Commission on International Religious Freedom is concerned about numerous unfavorable developments since the passage of the 1997
law on religion that restricts religious activity and grants unfair advantages to so-called "traditional" religions. "Particularly ominous is the
role of the Russian federal government in recent official discrimination against religious minorities," said Michael K. Young, Chair of the
Commission, a federal agency advising the Administration and Congress.

"During his upcoming summit in Moscow, President Bush must meet with non-Orthodox Christian leaders as well as with the leaders of the
Russian Orthodox Church and non-Christian religious groups," said Chairman Young. "Meeting only with Russian Orthodox leaders at this
sensitive time for religious freedom in Russia will very much send the wrong signal. The President must also make it clear to Russian
President Vladimir Putin that religious freedom has to be fully protected in order to build closer ties between Russia and the United States,"
Young continued.

Last month, Russian officials revoked the visa of Roman Catholic Bishop Jerzy Mazur, one of only four Catholic bishops in the country.
Bishop Mazur, who heads the diocese of Irkutsk, was also apparently put on a list of persons permanently barred from entering Russia. The
visa of at least one other Catholic priest has also recently been revoked, and Russian officials are reportedly trying to expel another foreign-
born priest who resides in Magadan. After decades of repression during the Soviet period, the Catholic Church in Russia is still highly
dependent on foreign-born clergy. This pattern of harassment has emerged following a decision by the Church in February to establish
formal dioceses in Russia, and has coincided with demonstrations against Catholics, reportedly organized by a coalition of Russian
lawmakers and nationalist activists, and proposals in the Duma (lower house of parliament) to favor the Russian Orthodox Church and
repress other Christian Churches.

Roman Catholics are not the only group experiencing problems in Russia. Some two thousand religious organizations face liquidation
under a restrictive 1997 law requiring registration with the state. Dozens of groups have already been liquidated, including several that
apparently were functioning actively. Local officials have refused to register several other groups, exposing them to potential liquidation and
other forms of harassment. These problems affect Jehovah's Witnesses, Evangelical Christians, Pentecostals, the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, and others. There has also been a recent upswing in anti-Semitic incidents.

The Commission is also concerned that the Russian government continues to attempt to justify its human rights abuses in Chechnya as
necessary to combat terrorism, while at the same time it has not taken effective steps to control its security forces or investigate and hold
accountable those responsible for past abuses

The Commission welcomes President Bush's upcoming visit to Russia as an opportunity for him to raise these concerns publicly and at the
highest levels of the Russian government. The Commission urges the President to meet with representatives from a variety of religious
communities in Russia, including those groups that have come under pressure recently. The Commission also urges President Bush to
raise these concerns directly with President Putin concerns that call into question the Russian government's commitment to uphold its
international obligations to protect religious freedom and other human rights for all in Russia.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to give
independent recommendations to the executive branch and the Congress on policies to promote international religious freedom.

Visit our Web site at www.uscirf.gov

800 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW SUITE 790 WASHINGTON, DC 20002 202-523-3240/ 202-523-5020 (FAX)

--------------------------------------------
October 10, 2001 Revolutionary new model in foster care in Russia seeks
support from UK social services
A REVOLUTIONARY new model for childcare which is sweeping through the Russian Federation has approached local councils for
support.

Childcare professionals from 11 local authorities gathered at Westminster Chapel in London on October 8 to hear from UK and Russian
experts how they could support the plan.

The Our Family Project, run by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a charity based in London, has placed 136 children with foster families since
it began five years ago.

The plan offers hope for abandoned children who were previously diagnosed as mentally retarded left on the scrap heap.

It began after Baroness Caroline Cox, a deputy speaker of the House of Lords and president of CSW, visited Russia in 1990 and found
thousands of children had been misdiagnosed.

Children are looked after in a family environment before being placed with carefully-vetted families who receive support from Russian Our
Family childcare professionals.

Andrew Jacobson, International Projects Director at CSW, said: "This was a really good opportunity to highlight CSW's work with a view to
developing partnership between UK local authorities and Russian childcare professionals.

"The aim is to exchange ideas and practices as there are a lot of lessons to be learned from both sides. It was fantastic to have all those
well-respected in their professions speaking so highly of the project and exchanging ideas.

"I'm very hopeful it's going to lead to future partnerships between childcare professionals in the Russian Federation and over here."

The Our Family Project in Moscow received a glowing assessment from Professor Christina Lyon and Professor Chris Jones of the Center
for the Study of the Child, the Family and the Law at Liverpool University.

Following this assessment, Russian professionals developed an in-service training program to enable the Our Family model to be adopted
across the country.

The plan looks set to be the model for childcare in the Russian Federation after representatives from ten regions took the five week training
course with a further ten showing interest.

----------------------------------------
August 1, 2001 Brighter outlook for orphans in Russia as CSW pilots new
foster care plan
CSW has teamed up with Songs of Praise host Pam Rhodes to help transform the care of orphans and abandoned children across the
Russian Federation. Pam also made an appeal through Premier Radio for more funds for this vital work to change the country’s entire
system of child care. Until recently, Russian orphans were thrown into institutions, where they were subdued with drugs and left to rot. But a
fact-finding visit by Caroline Cox and action by CSW and others has begun to change all that.

CSW has piloted an entirely new foster care plan to give orphan children the love they need and restore their dignity and place in society.
More than 130 children have been cared for at Christian Solidarity’s Our Family orphanage in Moscow since the project began five years
ago. Among them is Alyona, who was sent out on the streets at the age of three to pick up cigarette ends.

She lived in a single room, sharing her mother’s bed with a constant stream of different men. One day Alyona fell from the window of her
fourth floor flat, suffering multiple fractures. She may have been pushed. A hospital referred her to the Our Family project, run by CSW in
Moscow. After a year’s rehabilitation she was placed in a foster home and given professional support and loving care. Four years later
Alyona is a healthy child who is doing well at school.

CSW’s foster plan is rapidly taking hold across Russia. New laws and decrees have been passed to set up facilities. Our Russian staff have
trained groups of professionals from 10 regions, who are now developing their own care and family support services. As a result, more than
330 children in Novgorod have been able to remain with their own families. It now seems increasingly likely that the CSW plan could
become the main model of care for abandoned and orphaned children across all 89 regions of the Russian Federation. More training will be
given to child care professionals, as funding permits.

Says Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s Chief Executive: ‘Children in Russia depend on the Our Family project and we, in turn, depend on the
generosity of our supporters to help them. We are delighted to have been able to team up with Pam Rhodes to let a wider audience know
about our work, and we hope for a fantastic response.’

------------------------------------------------------
August 1, 2001 Moves against "Missionary threat."
Russian proposals for a new state policy on religion would give broad social access solely to those confessions deemed ‘traditional’ there.

An earlier state policy on national security adopted shortly after Vladimir Putin became acting president last January refers to the need to
‘counter the negative impact of foreign missionaries,’ who, some state officials believe, are western agents bent on destabilizing the nation
and seizing control of Russia’s Far East.

When the Moscow municipal authorities recently refused to renew the legal status of the Salvation Army in the capital, a local court cited
the church’s subordination to a foreign center of authority among the grounds for the decision. Put forward by the Moscow-based Institute
for State-Confessional Relations and Law, the draft policy specifically names the Russian Orthodox Church and ‘historically-formed’ spiritual
directorates of Muslims as traditional, and representatives of both those organizations have warmly welcomed the document.

Source: Keston Institute

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Saudi Arabia
September 16, 2004 Indian Christian falsely accused
CSW has received a further update from Middle East Concern regarding Indian national Brian O'Connor, currently being detained in Saudi
Arabia .

Yesterday (Wednesday 15) we asked for prayer for the pending court appearance of Brian O'Connor, an Indian Christian who has been
detained in Riyadh since March.

Brian's court hearing took place yesterday and lasted for about 90 minutes. The following charges were presented against him:

1. Possession of 12 bottles of alcohol at the time of his arrest

2. Possession of money received from the sale of the bottles to an undercover agent
3. Possession of pornographic videos
4. Being a preacher of Christianity and in possession of Bibles

No verdict was given and a further hearing will be held at a later date. Brian has not been notified of the date of the next hearing.

Of these charges only the final one is partially true. Brian was indeed in possession of Bibles, including one in Arabic, as he led a Bible
study group for expatriate Christians of different nationalities, including (non-Saudi) Arab Christians. However, he only started this study
group in his home after the Saudi Arabian authorities announced in the press that non-Muslims could practice their religious beliefs in
private.

Christians in Saudi Arabia are convinced that the other charges are not true, and that Brian has been falsely accused because of his
Christian faith.

Please continue to pray that Brian will be strong, firm and steadfast in his faith. Pray for those that will hear the charges against him, that
they will uphold the truth and be just. Pray for Brian's swift release.
Background:

Brian is an Indian Christian, aged 36, who was arrested on March 25th by the Muttawa'een, Saudi Arabia 's religious police. He has been
falsely accused of selling alcohol and drugs. The Muttawa'een beat him severely during the first 24 hours of detention before transferring
him to the regular prison service. In late July he was told that he would either be deported or released back to his job within two weeks.

----------------------------------
September 15, 2004 Urgent Action for Brian O'Connor
CSW has received the following update from Middle East Concern regarding Indian national Brian O'Connor, currently being detained in
Saudi Arabia .

Brian O'Connor was informed yesterday (Tuesday 14) that he would be taken to court today (Wednesday 15). He was told that he would be
taken at 6am local time and would be returned to his cell by the afternoon.

Background:

Brian is an Indian Christian, aged 36, who was arrested on 25th March by the Muttawa'een, Saudi Arabia 's religious police. The
Muttawa'een beat him severely during the first 24 hours of detention before transferring him to the regular prison service. He has been
falsely accused of involvement in selling alcohol and drugs. He has freely admitted that he led a Bible Study in his home for expatriate
Christians, something that he started doing only after the authorities published announcements in local newspapers stating that non-
Muslims were free to practice their religion in private. In late July he was told that he would be either deported or released back to his job
within two weeks.

Please pray with us that:

- today's court hearing will result in a swift end to Brian's detention and that he will either be free to return to India or continue working in
Saudi Arabia
- his faith will continue to remain strong and steadfast
- for those who are bringing this case against Brian

----------------------------------------
March 16, 2004 CSW Welcomes New Saudi Arabian Human Rights
Association
CSW welcomes the establishment of the first human rights Non-Governmental Organization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

King Fahd bin Abd al-Aziz has approved the establishment of the National Human Rights Association according to the Saudi Press Agency.

CSW hopes the National Human Rights Association will be effective in spearheading the promotion and protection of human rights.

In light of this initiative, CSW calls upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to pave the way for the respect of the rights of all its citizens, by
acceding to and ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Cultural and
Social Rights.

In addition, CSW continues to call on the Kingdom to safeguard the freedom of all people resident in the Kingdom to worship according to
their professed religion in the privacy of their own homes, as publicly guaranteed by senior Saudi officials.

CSW is a human rights charity working on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs. We also promote religious liberty for all.

----------------------------------
International Christian Concern
June 28, 2002 NEW ICC PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT
Please find attached the text for a new ICC "Petition to the President about Saudi Arabia." ALL CONCERNED CHRISTIANS ARE ASKED
TO HELP by logging on to the ICC web site where the petition will immediately appear. The petition will be automatically forwarded to the
President.

www.persecution.org

ICC learned today from an ICC contact at the Washington Post that the Saudi Arabian Embassy is "very angry" because of ICC organizing
lobbying along with former Saudi prisoner Dennis Moreno. ICC has apparently attracted attention at high levels and, according to the Post
contact, ICC has "drawn blood". Praise God, for this means that our efforts to bring attention to the imprisoned Christians in Saudi Arabia
has been effective. The Washington Post is planning to publish an article on Saudi Arabia's persecution of Christians in the Washington
Post either on July 2 or 3rd.
Dear President Bush,

We, the undersigned, are concerned about US foreign policy toward Saudi Arabia. The government of Saudi Arabia has shown nothing but
hypocrisy since the September 11th attacks. While claiming to be allies against terrorism, they have done little to stop the dissemination of
fundamentalist Islamic indoctrination. It is not surprising that most of the September 11 hijackers were Saudi citizens, as was Osama bin
Laden. To deny that terrorism is fostered by the Saudis is to ignore the obvious. In fact, Christians imprisoned in Saudi Arabia during
September reported to the human rights group, International Christian Concern, that following the attacks on America, Al-Qaeda members
in the prison, as well as Saudi prison employees, celebrated, even sponsoring a buffet lunch in honor of the terrorists.

Another blatant act of hypocrisy on the part of the Saudis was a media campaign carried out by the Saudi Embassy this past January. At
that time the embassy sent information packets to schools across the nation with videos explaining the Islamic religion (see Washington
Post article January 30, 2002). In their own country, however, Jesus films would be immediately confiscated and the owners arrested.
Christians cannot even so much as meet in their own homes for prayer and worship without risking imprisonment, despite public claims to
the contrary. At the same time, the Saudis spend millions of dollars to spread Islam in the US, but they will not allow missionaries of other
faiths to step foot in their country. This double standard is unacceptable.

Mr. President, you have gone above and beyond the call of duty to show respect for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its religion, Islam.
However, this respect has not been reciprocated. Why should the US government go out of its way to be “tolerant” of Saudi Arabia when
the Saudis make no pretense about being intolerant of all faiths other than Islam?

We, the undersigned, request that the US government adopt a no-tolerance policy toward religious freedom violations in Saudi Arabia. The
Saudis need to be reprimanded for their repressive policies against non-Muslims who choose to practice their faith in private. The US
government must also demand that the Saudi government release all Christian prisoners who have been arbitrarily arrested and never
charged with a formal crime. Some of these people have been mentally and physically tortured and denied consular access. This is
inhumane, to say the least, and flies in the face of several international conventions signed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This shameful
conduct on the part of Saudi Arabia must be exposed and dealt with before it is allowed to escalate.

Respectfully yours,

------------------------------------------------

May 20, 2002 Two men deported from Saudi Arabia for owning a Bible and
Christian CDs
Filipino Christians, Danilo de Guzman, 38, and Benjamin Diaz, 40, were deported to the Philippines last Saturday after spending more than
a month in prison.

The men were caught in possession of a Bible and some Christian CDs (including a gospel of Luke and two Christian music CDs) when
police raided their room on March 29 2001 in Abqaiq, about 350km north-east of Riyadh.

A local court sentenced them to a month's imprisonment in April 2001 and a higher court increased their sentence to include 150 lashes in
January 2002. De Guzman told CSW today that he was not given a lawyer and that only his company liaison officer was present during the
hearings.

The two men were taken from their flat on April 10 this year and de Guzman's wife Evelyn told CSW that he spoke with her hurriedly on the
phone: "He just said, 'Don't worry, God will help us. Take care of the children.'"

They were taken to prison in Abqaiq and were spared the lashes, but told they would be deported instead. In addition, de Guzman paid a
fine of 3,500 Saudi Riyals (about $933), which was made up of 500 Riyals ($133) for the pocket Bible and 500 Riyals for each CD.

They were later transferred to a deportation center in Dammam. After their papers were cleared, they were deported together on a flight to
the Philippines, arriving in Manila on Sunday morning.

"I'm glad we're all together now", Evelyn said, "and that he is safe and in good health".

De Guzman went to work in Saudi Arabia as an electrical engineer in September 2000, leaving his wife and children, aged ten, two and
one, in the Philippines.

He said: "Thank you so much for your prayers. Please pray for my family, as we are now without an income until I find a new job.

"We are afraid we won't be able to send my son to school this year, as the admission fees, uniform and books are so expensive. Please
pray that I would find a job soon. It is very difficult to find a job in the Philippines and I am going to try to get work abroad again."

The public expression of religious belief other than Islam is forbidden in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but senior Saudi officials have
repeatedly stated that non-Muslims are free to practice their faith in the privacy of their own homes.

Over the summer months of 2001, 14 expatriate Christians were detained in connection with their Christian faith in a spate of arrests in
Jiddah. The last of these detainees was finally deported at the end of March this year. Three men suffered 80 lashes each, even though
none appeared before a court and they were not formally charged with any crime.

CSW condemns the prison terms and the fine imposed on these men. CSW-UK's Advocacy Director Tina Lambert, said: "De Guzman and
Diaz were imprisoned for exercising their right to worship in private. It is inexcusable that the mere possession of religious materials can
lead to job loss and deportation in the Kingdom."

CSW is calling on the international community to speak out against breaches of freedom of religion and other fundamental human rights
abuses in Saudi Arabia.

---------------------------------------
January 30, 2002 Christian to be deported from Saudi Arabia after months
in prison
Indian Christian, Prabhu Isaac, is due to be deported from Jiddah tonight after spending more than six months in Saudi prisons in
connection with his Christian faith.

A spokesman at the Indian Consulate in Jiddah told CSW earlier today that Mr Isaac was booked on a flight to India tonight.

Mr Isaac has already been refused exit at the airport twice this month. On January 17, the airport computer registered his wife as still being
in Saudi Arabia and on January 27, it was found that he had an outstanding traffic penalty.

The spokesman from the Indian Consulate said both these issues had now been successfully resolved and added: “We are very hopeful
that he will leave today.”

Mr Isaac, an employee in the Kingdom for more than 17 years, was arrested on July 19, 2001, after complaints were lodged concerning a
farewell party held in his honour in a public hall.

Religious police raided his home late at night and interrogated Mr Isaac and his wife separately for more than three hours. His computer,
photographs, Bibles, songbooks, and audio and video tapes were confiscated by the authorities.

His arrest led to the detention of a further 13 men of Eritrean, Ethiopian, Filipino and Nigerian nationalities, who were taken into custody
between July and September. All were involved in private Christian worship in Jiddah. One man, an Ethiopian known only as Tishome, was
released after he allegedly converted to Islam. A fifteenth man, Suleiman Keder also from Ethiopia, was mistaken for a Christian by the
Saudi authorities and detained along with the others.

It is alleged that Christian songs were sung at the farewell party and there have been reports that Saudi nationals may have been present.
It is feared that the arrests may have been part of an attempt to track down any Saudi nationals with Christian sympathies.

The men were never formally charged and were denied consular access for the duration of their imprisonment. Only when they were
transferred to a deportation center were consular visits permitted. Three of the men were beaten with rods during one of the interrogation
sessions.

Kebrom Haile, an Eritrean, was the first to be deported on January 12, followed by a further seven men on January 18, 25 and 26. The
remainder continue to be held in the Breman deportation center in Jiddah, while their outstanding affairs are settled, according to human
rights agency Middle East Concern.

The remaining detainees are Ethiopians Tinsaie Gizachew, Bahru Mengistu, Gabayu Tefera, and Filipino Dennis Moreno. Ismail “Worku”
Abubaker, another Ethiopian, was transferred to a prison in Mecca on January 8, in order to settle his affairs there before deportation.

Just days after the men began to be deported, CSW received unconfirmed reports that religious police have arrested a further ten Indian
Christians gathered in their private quarters to read the Bible in Riyadh.

The ten were reportedly taken into custody by religious police on January 16 and have been detained without charge since then. The men,
from the poorer segment of the expatriate population, will be without an income whilst they are held, which could cause great financial
strain on their families.

Stuart Windsor, CSW’s National Director, said: “This shocking cycle of arrest, detention and deportation of innocent men on account of their
religious faith must be brought to an end. As Saudi officials raise concerns for their citizens held in Camp X-Ray, they must re-examine their
own treatment of foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia”.

CSW calls upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to safeguard the freedom of all people resident in the Kingdom to worship in private
according to their professed religion, as publicly guaranteed by senior Saudi officials. CSW further calls on the Kingdom to bring to an end
the arbitrary arrest and detention of peaceful, law-abiding residents.

---------------------------------------
December 31, 2001 13 Christians to see in the New Year behind bars
Thirteen Christian foreign nationals incarcerated in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia will remain behind bars over New Year, despite hopes that they
might have been released in time for Christmas.

The men, allegedly charged with propagating Christianity, were arrested as part of a crackdown on Christians in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia,
between July and September this year and have been held in Sharafiah prison ever since.

A fourteenth man, an Ethiopian known as Suleiman, has also been implicated with the 13 after Saudi officials mistook him for a Christian.

The men had been told on December 19th, during the Eid celebrations marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, that they
would all be transferred to a deportation center ready for their imminent departure.

But their hopes were dashed when only nine of their number were transferred to Trahyl deportation prison on December 24th.
The nine comprise Gabayu Tefera, Tinsaie Gizachew, Bahru Mengistu and Beferdu Fikri, Ethiopian; Eskinder Menghis and Kebron Haile,
Eritrean; Prabhu Isaac, Indian; Benjamin Buliamin, Nigerian and Filipino Dennis Moreno.

A source in Jiddah told CSW that conditions in the deportation center were like "a pig pen".

"Rain is seeping into the cells, food and leftovers are served from one cooking pot which is never cleaned, toilet facilities are flooded and
overcrowded and family visits are not permitted," the source said.

Some of the men have received visits from their consular representatives since their transfer, but none have been told when they are to be
released.

However, there are fears that their stay in the deportation prison could be lengthy as other inmates have been detained for up to six
months.

The men are requesting permission to leave the deportation prison in order to be able to settle their affairs quickly before their inevitable
departure from the kingdom.

In addition, Mengistu, Menghis and Buliamin are voicing concerns over calls made by the authorities to bring their families, resident in
Jiddah, to the unsanitary deportation prisons.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "We remain appalled at the way these men have been treated.
They are guilty of nothing more than the private practice of their Christian faith, but have been imprisoned and ill-treated as if they were
criminals."

Arrests and deportations on grounds of religious conscience have been on-going for decades in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with little
response from the international community.

CSW is calling on the UK government and the EU to priorities religious freedom in all their discussions with Saudi Arabia.

--------------------------------------------
November 1, 2001 Petition for Saudi Arabia Detainees
Dear Friends,

Those of you who receive our bi-monthly magazine, Response, will have been reading about the 13 foreign nationals imprisoned in Jiddah,
Saudi Arabia in connection with their Christian faith.

May I take this opportunity to thank you on their behalf for all your prayers and to encourage you to continue praying for them and their
families.

Some of these men have been detained since July of this year, bringing their time behind bars to four months, simply for being Christians.

Their families, who are still living in Saudi Arabia, are without an income while their husbands and fathers are imprisoned.

They have asked people to write to the Saudi authorities requesting that the men be included in the “Ramadan pardon” which is customarily
granted in Islamic countries.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan has now started. Would you consider writing to the Saudi Arabian Ambassador in your country, asking
that the following men be included in the amnesty?

1. Prabhu Isaac, Indian

2. Eskinder Menghis, Eritrean
3. Gabayu Tefera, Ethiopian
4. Kebrom Haile, Eritrean
5. Tinsaie Gizachew, Ethiopian
6. Afobunor Okey Buliamin (Benjamin), Nigerian
7. Mesfin Berhanu, Ethiopian
8. Bahru Mengistu, Ethiopian
9. Beferdu Fikri, Ethiopian
10. Joseph Girmaye, Eritrean
11. Dennis Raymund Rodriguez Moreno Lacalle, Filipino
12. Worku (last name not known), Ethiopian
13. Genet Haileab, Ethiopian

Please also send a copy of your letter with the appropriate salutation to King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. The addresses are:

King Fahd of Saudi Arabia:

The Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines, His Majesty King Fahd bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud, Office of H.M. The King,
Royal Court, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

(Salutation: Your Majesty)

+++
Many thanks to all of you for your continued, faithful, support for our suffering family.
If you are unsure of what to write, here is a suggested letter format to help you:

Your Majesty/Your Excellency,

Peace be with you during this holy month of Ramadan.

I beseech Your Majesty/Excellency at this special time during the Islamic year to look favorably upon the following men who are imprisoned
in Sharafiah prison, Jiddah in connection with their Christian faith. May I petition you to grant them a pardon to return to their families and to
continue to work for the prosperity of your Kingdom.

Their names are: Prabhu Isaac, Indian; Eskinder Menghis, Eritrean; Gabayu Tefera, Ethiopian; Kebrom Haile, Eritrean; Tinsaie Gizachew,
Ethiopian; Afobunor Okey Buliamin (Benjamin), Nigerian; Mesfin Berhanu, Ethiopian; Bahru Mengistu, Ethiopian; Beferdu Fikri, Ethiopian;
Joseph Girmaye, Eritrean; Dennis Raymund Rodriguez Moreno Lacalle, Filipino; Worku (last name not known), Ethiopian; Genet Haileab,
Ethiopian.

I am very grateful for your generous consideration of this request.

Yours faithfully,

-----------------------------
October 30, 2001 Crackdown on Christians intensifies in Osama Bin
Laden's home country
A FURTHER six Christian men have been arrested in the coastal city of Jiddah, Saudi Arabia as the crackdown on believers in the city
escalates.

Four Ethiopians, an Eritrean and a Filipino were detained by the Saudi Arabian authorities between August 21 and September 4.

This brings the total number of arrests of Christians in Jiddah this summer to 15 according to reports from human rights agency Middle East
Concern.

CSW believes one reason for the continued arrests of ex-pat believers in the city is an attempt to track down Saudis who have Christian
sympathies.

Of the fifteen, two have been released – Tishome, one of the Ethiopians, and Wilfredo Caliuag, who was deported to the Philippines on
August 9, having spent two days in a coma in a Jiddah Hospital as a direct result of the appalling conditions in which he was held.

The remaining 13 have been denied consular access, although some of the men have been permitted to see their families.

Prabhu Isaac, arrested on July 19 , has now been held for over 10 weeks and sources report that the Indian consulate has never been
officially notified of his arrest.

According to reliable reports, CSW believes that all those detained are being held solely in connection with their Christian faith.

Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of CSW, said: “Recent international events have led to a global call for the eradication of radical Islamic
terrorism. At the same time, intolerance against peace-loving Christians quietly continues in Islamic regimes and must also be stamped
out.”

CSW appeals for tolerance in calling for the immediate release of these men, whom we believe to be prisoners of conscience.

According to Saudi law, its citizens must be Muslim, but officials have said that ex-patriot non-Muslims are free to worship in private.

CSW urges the rulers of Saudi Arabia to protect the freedom of non-Sunni Muslims to worship in private.

---------------------------------
August 23, 2001 Crackdown on Christians in Saudi Arabia Worsens After
Six More Arrests
ANOTHER six Christians have been arrested in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia as part of a new crackdown. Tinsaie Gizachew, an Eritrean, and
Afobunor Okey Buliamin, a Nigerian, were arrested on August 19. A day later, Baharu Mengistu, an Ethiopian, was also arrested. On August
19, three other Eritrean Christians were arrested, known only by their first names of Gabayu, Kebrom and Mesfin. There are reports of
more arrests, but these have not been confirmed.

There is particular concern for Mr. Buliamin, a Christian whose passport says he is a Muslim. This means he could face the charge of
apostasy from Islam, the penalty for which is death under Sharia law. The Saudi authorities appear to have launched a crackdown on ex-
pat believers in a bid to track down Saudis who have links with Christians according to these reports from human rights agency Middle East
Concern.

Reports from the coastal city of Jiddah suggest the authorities believe that Saudi nationals were present at the farewell party for Prabhu
Isaac, an Indian who was arrested at the end of July. Mr. Isaac was arrested on July 18 after a visit from the muttawa, Saudi’s religious
police, who confiscated bibles, songbooks and a personal computer which contained lists of other Christians in the city.
He is being held at Sharafiah Prison near Jiddah and is being denied access to consular officials and relatives. His wife Socilia, who was
also questioned on July 18, has been told to have no outside contact. Another Eritrean believer, Eskinder Menghis, was arrested after his
name was found on Mr. Isaac’s computer. He is being held at Ruais prison in Jiddah on charges of bringing people into his home for
religious practices.

Wilfredo Caliuag, a Filipino Christian, was arrested on July 5 on charges of the illegal use of an alias. During his detention, Wilfredo was
accused of being a religious teacher and was interrogated to give information about other Christians in the city.

On July 31, Wilfredo was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Red Sea King Abdul Aziz Hospital where he was on a life support
machine. Clinical records said he had suffered from severe heat stroke, but bruises suggested he had also been ill-treated at the hands of
the authorities. Wilfredo was deported on August 9.

CSW’s advocacy director Tina Lambert said: “There have now been at least nine Christians arrested and ill-treated in Saudi Arabia in the
last few weeks. It is time the international community sat up and took notice of this fundamental abuse of human rights. These people have
been arrested and jailed and in some cases tortured for their religious beliefs.”

CSW is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all eight men and are urging the Government of Saudi Arabia to protect the
freedom of non-Sunni Muslims to worship in private.

---------------------------------------------
August 13, 2001 Christian "Coma Victim" Deported from Saudi Arabia
A man was hurriedly deported from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday after lying in a coma for two days following brutal
mistreatment in a Saudi prison.

Wilfredo Caliuag, a Filipino Christian and resident of Jiddah on the south-west coast of Saudi Arabia, was arrested on July 5th 2001 on
fabricated charges of the illegal use of an alias.

During his detention, Wilfredo was accused of being a religious teacher and was interrogated to try to extract information about the
underground network of Christian believers in Jiddah.

Wilfredo complained of the severe heat inside the detention cells, which reached well over 40 degrees centigrade. No medicines were
provided to treat scratches and skin conditions from which he suffered.

Wilfredo testified to the deaths of two inmates during his incarceration.

On 31st July, Wilfredo was suddenly admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Red Sea King Abdul Aziz Hospital where friends, who were
allowed access to visit him the next day, found him on a complete life-support system. Clinical records revealed Wilfredo had suffered a
severe heat stroke but tell-tale bruises were also unofficially reported. Wilfredo was later transferred to a ward where his feet were kept in
chains.

This shocking story comes at a time when the authorities in Jiddah have launched what appears to be a crackdown on expatriate Christian
residents of city.

Prabhu Isaac, an Indian, and Eskinder Menghis, an Eritrean, were both remanded in custody when Saudi police stormed into their homes
late at night and interrogated them in connection with their Christian activities.

Prabhu Isaac, 46, a hospital worker and resident of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for seventeen years received an unexpected visit by seven
members of the muttawa, Saudi Arabia's religious police, at 11pm on July 18th, 2001.

Bibles, songbooks, photographs, cassette tapes and Prabhu's personal computer which was believed to contain the names and addresses
of other Christians in the city were seized in the raid.

Eskinder Menghis, father of three, was arrested on July 25th, when five agents of the Ministry of Interior raided his home at midnight. It is
believed that Eskinder's name was among those listed on Prabhu Isaac's computer.

Both men have been held incommunicado in separate prisons since their arrest.

The men's wives are desperate to be able to visit their husbands. Prabhu's wife, who was scheduled to leave the Kingdom on July 22nd
reportedly said, "What do I do? I am not leaving without my husband."

A source in Jiddah described the situation as "very tense".

Saudi Arabia prohibits the public practice of any religion other than Islam, even by foreign nationals. Although senior Government officials
have repeatedly guaranteed the protection of individuals who worship privately in their own homes, Christians continue to be arrested.

Stuart Windsor, national director of CSW-UK said, "Saudi Arabia continues to violate even the most basic human rights standards. The
international community must make a stand for these innocent victims who face imprisonment solely on account of their religious beliefs."

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Prabhu Isaac and Eskinder Menghis, whom they
believe to be prisoners of conscience. CSW also strongly urges the government of Saudi Arabia to safeguard the freedom of non-Sunni
Muslims to worship in private.

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Sri Lanka
December 6, 2004 Churches attacked while extremists aim to make
Buddhism state religion
The 'Believers' Church' in the village of Kammalawa in Kuliyapitiya came under attack on December 2. At about 5pm more than 100 people
arrived at the church in western Sri Lanka and told the pastor to stop holding worship services.

He was warned that if he did not close down the church, they would kill him. Later that night, the church came under attack with a barrage
of stones and rocks. The roof tiles of the church were broken, one door and several windows were also damaged. The police took three
people into custody.

An Assemblies of God church in Yakkala (26km north east of Colombo ) has been attacked several times by people throwing excrement
against the walls of the church. The latest incident happened on November 14 at 2.30am. Engine oil was also poured into their well.

Meanwhile a constitutional amendment is being proposed by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party, declaring Buddhism to be the state
religion.

The purpose of the bill (the 19th Amendment) as stated in the Gazette notification of October 29 is "A Bill to amend the Constitution of Sri
Lanka; to provide for declaration of Buddhism as the official religion of the Republic; to provide for binding persons practicing Buddhism to
bring up their offspring in the same (faith); to provide for prohibiting conversion of Buddhists; to provide for establishing a council to advise
the President on such matters and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto."

While declaring Buddhism to be the State religion, the bill goes on to say that other forms of religion may be practised, "in peace and
harmony with Buddha Sasana". Freedom of worship for other religions is subject to public order and morals. Section 9.5 explicitly prohibits
converting Buddhists into other forms of worship or to "spread other forms of worship among the Buddhists".

The Venerable Omalpe Sobhitha MP of the JHU, made a statement on television on December 1 making three demands of the
government. These were the appointment of a Presidential commission into the death of Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero, closing down all
alcohol outlets in supermarkets and specifying a time frame for taking up the government's 'Prohibition of forcible conversions' bill in
Parliament for voting.

The JHU issued an ultimatum to the government that if these demands are not met by 6am on December 12, the JHU will begin a fast-
unto-death.

December 12 is a day of special significance, as it marks the first anniversary of the death of Buddhist monk, the Venerable Gangodawila
Soma Thero. The JHU has made clear their intention to select this day to lay down their lives, as a mark of respect for the late monk.

There is growing concern that the anniversary of Ven. Soma Thero and the JHU's ultimatum will precipitate more violence against Christian
churches, following the pattern of the aftermath of his funeral on Christmas Eve 2003. At that time dozens of churches were attacked.

CSW partners, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka said in a statement: "There appears to be a deliberate attempt to re-
kindle anti-Christian sentiments, disrupting the celebration of Christmas by the Christian community. There may also be those who wish to
monopolize on this situation and create trouble. Please pray for the Church and for Sri Lanka ."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The NCEASL has recorded 164 acts of violence against Christian churches in the past two years. At least 73 incidents have been reported
this year alone. Over 140 churches have been forced to close down due to attack, intimidation and harassment. The violence has mainly
affected evangelical churches, but mainline Protestants and Roman Catholics have also been targeted.

The death of the Ven. Soma Thero during a visit to Russia was blamed on a Christian conspiracy. Despite independent medical
examinations, his death was used to stir up anti-Christian sentiments in Sri Lanka and seen as part of a wider plot.

------------------------------
November 11, 2004 Urgent prayer request for Sri Lanka
Dear Friends,

I am writing to ask you to pray for Sri Lanka this weekend, where Buddhist extremists plan to hold a protest against churches in
Udugampola town, Gampaha District, on Sunday, 14 November.

Buddhist groups have already staged a demonstration in Matugama, on November 8, and delivered a petition to the Divisional Secretary
naming various churches in the area and threatening violence if immediate action was not taken to stop their activities. They reported that
the Buddhists' patience with Christian activities was running out, and warned that they may erupt into violence similar to the anti-Muslim
riots of 1915. They also distributed literature urging Buddhists in the area to rise up against the Church.

These threats follow another attack, on November 1 against an independent church in Korakandamulla, Matugama. A group of masked men
attacked the church during the night, and at 3.15a.m they broke through into the pastor's home adjoining the church building. Fearing for his
life, the pastor fled. The mob slapped the pastor's wife, and cut off her long hair with a sword, in front of her 8 year-old son and 3 year-old
daughter, in an effort to humiliate her. They then burned the family's furniture, books and documents.

Over the past two years, 160 churches have been attacked in Sri Lanka , some completely burned down. Over 140 churches have been
forced to close. Buddhist extremists are attempting to introduce an anti-conversion law, and a bill to amend the constitution to make Sri
Lanka a Buddhist state and prohibit Buddhists from changing their religion.

------------------------------
September 30, 2004 Extremists attempt to make Buddhism Sri Lanka's
state religion
Buddhist extremists in Sri Lanka have drafted an amendment to the country's constitution, changing the status of Buddhism from the
'foremost' religion to the State religion. One clause in the constitutional amendment would prohibit Buddhists from converting to another
religion.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) obtained a draft copy of the so-called 18th Amendment, which has not yet been tabled, on a recent
visit to Sri Lanka . While the amendment contains an article providing freedom for the practice of other religions, this is qualified by the
requirement that they are practiced "in peace and harmony with Buddha Sasana [Buddhist teachings]". Article 9.5 of the proposed
amendment states explicitly: "To convert Buddhists into other forms of worship or to spread other forms of worship among the Buddhists is
prohibited."

CSW also heard fresh evidence of anti-Christian violence. Although the number of attacks on churches and Christians has decreased in
recent months, it has not stopped. On September 17, for example, a pastor was attacked by a mob armed with oars in Kiribathagoda, 20
km north-east of Colombo . Mud was thrown at him, and he was told: "If you come back, we will kill you." On August 20, the annual
conference of the Four Square Gospel Church , with 1,400 participants, was attacked. A group threw five homemade bombs into the venue
near Kandy , injuring one person. The bombs were made from firecrackers, which contained nails and pins. "We fear the future will be
tough, tougher than in the early days," Pastor Niranjan, Vice-President of the Four Square Gospel Church told the CSW team.

During the ten-day visit, CSW met representatives of all major Christian groups, including the Catholic Bishops Conference, the National
Christian Council (NCC) and the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), constitutional lawyers, media and a senior
Government official. CSW also met Buddhist and Hindu groups, including the President of the Hindu Council, the Director of the Dharma
Vijaya Foundation, and the founder of the Sihala Urumaya party, which became the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a party of Buddhist
monks with nine seats in Parliament. As well as working on the constitutional amendment, the JHU is proposing the introduction of an anti-
conversion law.

As part of its fact-finding, the team also visited a church in Kesbewa, a suburb of Colombo , which had been completely burned down in
September 2003. Evidence of anti-Christian propaganda was also presented to CSW. Inflammatory posters are displayed on street corners
with slogans such as "Buddhists, Sinhalese, stand up and protect Buddhism for future generations", and leaflets distributed with headlines
such as "Buddhists wake up! Protect Buddhism from the Christian invaders!" Newspaper articles with distorted reports and provocative
headlines are also regularly published, and one reporter told CSW that the media was generally not very balanced in its coverage of the
issues. Some newspapers, she added, have promoted the Buddhist viewpoint and justified attacks on Christians.

CSW understands some of the grievances that Buddhists and Hindus have against Christians, and those concerns are shared by the major
Christian groups. Godfrey Yogarajah, General Secretary of the NCEASL, told CSW that the church in Sri Lanka had "made mistakes" in the
past and sometimes behaved in ways that were "insensitive to the culture". However, much of the evidence of allegations of "unethical"
conversions is purely anecdotal, and often exaggerated. In its report, CSW reflects the concerns that Buddhists and Hindus have, urges
Christians to adopt methods of mission which are more sensitive and respectful to the local culture and encourages Christian efforts to find
non-legislative measures to address these concerns.

CSW firmly opposes anti-conversion laws and the proposed constitutional amendment as they directly contravene Article 18 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. CSW also strongly condemns acts of violence against Christians.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

On September 23, it was reported in the Daily Mirror, a Sri Lankan newspaper, that the JHU had accepted the Supreme Court's ruling that
two clauses of their proposed legislation were unconstitutional. The JHU announced it would redraft the bill and expects to table the new
draft within six months.

The NCEASL has recorded 146 acts of violence against Christian churches in the past two years. At least 66 incidents have been reported
this year alone. Over 140 churches have been forced to close down due to attack, intimidation and harassment. The violence has mainly
affected evangelical churches, but mainline Protestants and Roman Catholics have also been targeted.

The NCC, NCEASL and the Catholic Bishops Conference are exploring alternative means of addressing the concerns of Buddhists and
Hindus, instead of legislation. One option is to establish an inter-religious council, with representatives of the major faiths, to investigate
allegations of so-called 'unethical' conversions. An alternative proposal is to form a Religious Harmony Commission consisting of eminent
persons not affiliated with any religious grouping. Both the NCC and the NCEASL have also prepared sets of guidelines and ethics for
Christian mission.

--------------------------------
August 23, 2004 Supreme Court rules parts of anti-conversion bill
unconstitutional
In a ruling handed down last week, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court has determined that two clauses of a proposed anti-conversion bill
violate the Constitution.

The Private Member's Bill by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party of Buddhist monks, seeking to curtail religious conversions, was
challenged in the Supreme Court by Christian and civil rights groups.

In order for the JHU to proceed with the Bill as it stands, it will need to be passed in in Parliament by at least a two thirds majority, and then
be approved by a majority of the people in a referendum.

The alternative is for the JHU to amend the offending clauses; in which case the bill will require only a simple majority in Parliament.

The Court ruled that sections 3 and 4(b), violated article 10 of the constitution, which guarantees the freedom of thought, conscience and
religion, including the freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief of one's choice.

Sections 3 and 4(b) required anyone wanting to convert to another religion to report to the Divisional Secretary of the area and stipulated a
fine and prison sentence for anyone not complying.

Despite the fact that the Court also found fault with other sections in the Bill, and suggested amendments, the remainder of the Bill was
deemed constitutional. This has led to concern from Christian and civil rights groups. In particular, the Bill's definitions of conversion by
'allurement' 'force' and 'fraudulent means' are open-ended, and it is feared that all religious conversions will be encompassed by it.

The next step is for the Bill to be referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for discussion. It will then be sent to the Legal Draftsman
for any amendments or re-drafting, and returned to Parliament for a second reading and finally a vote.

It is not yet clear whether the JHU will remove the offending sections of the Bill or proceed in its present form.

Either way, waiting in the wings is the Government, who, according to reports, are planning to bring in a Bill banning all conversions.

---------------------------
August 23, 2004 Update and prayer for Sri Lanka
As you know from previous mailings from CSW, there has been a concerted move in Sri Lanka to ban religious conversions.

As we reported on 10 August, the Private Member's Bill by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party of Buddhist monks, seeking to curtail
religious conversions, was challenged in the Supreme Court by Christian and civil rights groups. The Supreme Court heard the case in
early August and conveyed its ruling to the Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament last week.

The Supreme Court determined that two clauses of the Private Member's Bill violate the Constitution.

The Court declared that if the JHU party wished to proceed with the Bill as it stood, it would need to be passed in Parliament by at least a
two thirds majority, and then be approved by a majority of the people in a referendum. Alternatively, the JHU can amend the bill, according
to the Supreme Court ruling, in which case it can be passed by a simple majority.

The Court decided that two sections of the Bill, sections 3 and 4(b), violated article 10 of the constitution. Article10 of the Constitution
guarantees the freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief of one's choice.

Sections 3 and 4(b) required anyone wanting to convert to report to the Divisional Secretary of the area and stipulated a fine and prison
sentence for anyone not complying.

Despite the fact that the Court also found fault with other sections in the Bill, and suggested amendments, the remainder of the Bill was
deemed constitutional. This has led to concern from Christian and civil rights groups. In particular, the Bill's definitions of conversion by
'allurement' 'force' and 'fraudulent means' are open-ended, and it is feared that all religious conversions will be encompassed by it.

Certainly this seemed to be the case in Tamil Nadu in neighbouring India , where an anti-conversion law was brought in during 2002. The
present Sri Lankan Bill was partly modelled on this. In the case of India , militant Hindus who backed such Bills openly admitted that they
considered all conversions away from Hinduism to be by force, allurement or fraudulent means.

Ironically, the anti-conversion law in Tamil Nadu was repealed a few months ago, after the militant Hindus fared badly in the Indian General
Election. Let us pray that the Sri Lankan Bill goes the same way as its Indian parent!

The next step is for the Bill to be referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for discussion. It will then be sent to the Legal Draftsman
for any amendments or re-drafting, and returned to Parliament for a second reading and finally, a vote.

It is not yet clear whether the JHU will remove the offending sections of the Bill or proceed in its present form.

Either way, waiting in the wings is the Government, which, according to reports, is planning to bring in a Bill banning all conversions.

So there remains much to pray about! We are very grateful for all the prayer and action that you have undertaken on behalf of the situation
in Sri Lanka . The outcome of the Supreme Court's deliberation could have been much worse, so we have something to be thankful for.
Please do continue, though, to pray that this Bill will not be passed. Pray for strength, wisdom and grace for the National Christian
Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, the National Christian Council, the Catholic Bishops Conference and other organizations involved in
challenging these anti-conversion laws. Pray too for reconciliation and religious tolerance in Sri Lanka .

With many thanks.

CSW Advocacy Team

----------------------------
July 22, 2004 Christians launch legal challenge to anti-conversion bill as
Sri Lankan parliament resumes
Christians in Sri Lanka are preparing a legal challenge to a new anti-conversion bill tabled in the Sri Lankan Parliament today.

The Private Member's Bill, presented by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party of Buddhist monks, has been anticipated for some months.
Parliament was suspended in June just days before it was expected to be tabled, and it resumed again on July 20. The JHU tabled the bill
on July 21.

The bill, known as the "Prohibition of Forcible Conversions of Religions Bill", if enacted would require individuals who convert from one
religion to another to inform the local authorities within a prescribed period. Those who fail to notify the authorities can be imprisoned for up
to five years or fined up to 150,000 Rupees ($1500).

The law also states that: "No person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religion to another
by the use of force or by allurement or by any fraudulent means, nor shall any person aid or abet any such conversions." Anyone who
breaches this law would be subject to up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to 150,000 Rupees. If a minor, a woman, a physically
or mentally disabled person, a prisoner, a student, a refugee or a hospital patient is converted by "fraudulent means", the penalty is seven
years imprisonment and 500,000 Rupees ($4900) fine.

In addition to this Private Member's Bill by the JHU, the Minister of Buddhist Affairs is expected to table a Government bill, with Cabinet
support, which goes even further. The so-called "Act of Safeguarding Religious Freedom" is not limited to 'forced' conversions. The draft
states: "No person shall convert or attempt to convert or aid or abet acts of conversion of another to a different religion". Converting to
another religion, under this law, would be punishable by up to seven years in prison, and heavy fines.

The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) and other Christian groups in Sri Lanka have been campaigning against
these proposed laws, and will launch a legal challenge this week in the Supreme Court. The NCEASL is also seeking ways to pursue
reconciliation with the Buddhist community.

CSW's assessment is that 'forcible' and 'unethical' conversions, if they take place, are of course wrong. However, impartial prosecutions in
the midst of inter-religious tensions would be difficult to guarantee. In essence CSW fears that the law would adversely affect the activities
of many genuine religious groups, including those providing social and humanitarian services. Evidence of the divisive nature of the
legislation can be found in neighboring India where five states have passed similar laws. As feared, false charges of forced conversions
have been brought to the courts. Encouragingly though, the law in Tamil Nadu State on which one of the Sri Lankan bills is considered to be
based, was recently withdrawn following a change in government. CSW worked with MPs to draft Early Day Motion (EDM) 210 on religious
freedom in Sri Lanka and is urging supporters to ask their MPs to sign.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The anti-conversion laws are being introduced after a period of rising anti-Christian violence. Over 45 churches have been attacked since
January, and during the past year more than 140 churches have been forced to close, due to attacks, intimidation and threats.

Members of Parliament in the UK have expressed concern over the anti-Christian violence, with an EDM which has so far attracted almost
150 signatures. Part of EDM 210 reads: "That this House recognizes that the people of Sri Lanka have a long-standing reputation for
tolerance and respect; notes however that the plight of one of the religious minorities in Sri Lanka, Christians, is getting worse; is also
aware that anti-conversion legislation, modeled on the controversial and divisive anti-conversion law in Tamil Nadu, India, is about to be
presented to the Sri Lankan Parliament; and calls upon the Sri Lankan Government to give full protection to religious minorities, to bring to
justice those found to have participated in attacks upon religious minorities, and to promote genuine and lasting inter-faith harmony in Sri
Lanka."

--------------------------
June 7, 2004 Sri Lanka's Christians to contest proposed anti-conversion
laws
Two new laws threaten to put further pressure on Christians in Sri Lanka who have already suffered dozens of violent attacks this year.

Buddhist nationalist party the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) is to present an anti-conversion bill to Parliament which could be passed within
two weeks of being placed on the Parliamentary Order Paper. In addition, Sri Lanka's new Minister of Buddhism announced last week that
he will introduce legislation to ban 'deceitful' spreading of the Christian message.

The Buddhist monks of the minority JHU party won nine seats in the April 2004 elections and promised to introduce an anti-conversion bill
to protect Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) is to challenge the bill before the
Supreme Court in a bid to stop it becoming law as soon as it appears on the Parliamentary Order Paper.

In addition to this bill, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, who was recently appointed Minister of Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka's new Government,
confirmed on May 31 he would enact the recommendations of the Buddha Sasana Commission, established two years ago. These include
legislation to create courts, known as 'Sanghadhikarana', presided over by Buddhist monks, to settle disputes affecting monks and
villagers, without involving the police or a court of law.

"People need not go to police stations as often as they do now, once this has been established," Mr. Wickremanayake said, according to a
report in Sri Lankan newspaper, The Daily News. "They can go and seek the help of the temple in most of their matters. This system
existed in the past until people turned away from their village temples, much to their financial constraints."

Anti-Christian violence has risen in Sri Lanka in recent years. In the first six months of this year alone there have been 48 reported attacks
on churches, pastors and congregations, and last year 91 incidents were reported. These include the destruction of church buildings and
pastors' houses, and the beating up of pastors and congregations. There is concern that if Sanghadhikarana are used to resolve disputes,
Christians will be denied justice and further marginalized and persecuted.

"It is disheartening to see Buddhist extremist groups becoming increasingly intolerant of minority religious groups," said Godfrey Yogarajah,
General Secretary of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL). "We are concerned that these intended bills will be
abused in application, denying minority religious groups their right to a fair hearing before the law, equality before the law and justice."

Christians are not only facing the threat of violence and legislation to ban conversions. They have also faced discrimination in the Supreme
Court, with the incorporation of three Christian charities being refused.

"The collective effect of all the above developments predict a very dark time ahead for the Church in Sri Lanka," a NCEASL report claimed.
"The Supreme Court decisions will definitely be a strong platform for launching the anti-conversion bill."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Buddha Sasana is the Ministry of Buddhism. The Presidential Commission on Buddhism (Buddha Sasana) of 2002 was appointed to look
into the grievances of the Buddhist community. Its recommendations included legislation to restrict conversions.

Anti-Christian violence has risen significantly in the past year. On January 20, a mob of militant Buddhist protestors set fire to the doors of
St. Anthony's Catholic church in the capital, Colombo, and vandalized a cross. A week earlier, another Catholic church in the suburbs of
Colombo had been attacked. A police investigation is underway, and a man has reportedly been arrested in connection with the arson.

On January 13, the Calvary Church in Wattegedara was attacked by a mob of about 20 people armed with bicycle chains at midnight. They
attempted to cut the church's telephone line. The police were alerted and the mob was dispersed. On the same day in Thalapathpitiya, a
trishaw parked in the grounds of Calvary Church was set on fire.

Two days later, in Weliweriya, Gampaha District, a member of the local Assemblies of God (AoG) church was denied burial at a public
cemetery, and hundreds of people led by monks organised to prevent entry into the cemetery. The family were denied entry, despite the
deployment of police, and eventually the deceased person was buried in the family garden.

On May 25, the Assemblies of God (AoG) church in Navatkerny, Batticoloa District was set ablaze during the night, and completely
destroyed.

Christians are sometimes affected by conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils as well as overt anti-Christian violence. On May 28, communal
violence resulted in 400 families being left homeless after homes were destroyed in Bulathsinhala, Millakanda Estate Division in Kalutara
district as a result of a personal dispute between Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus and Christians. At least 14 people were injured. It
was reported that two Buddhist monks were instrumental in instigating the mob attack on the homes. While the majority of the Tamil families
left homeless were Hindus, 35 families were from the Methodist Church, 30 families from the Baptist Church and 10 families from the
Roman Catholic Church. The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka has provided emergency relief to all 400 families
displaced as a result of this incident.

The Early Day Motion proposed by UK Members of Parliament calls on the Sri Lankan authorities to respect religious freedom. Part of EDM
210 reads: "That this House recognizes that the people of Sri Lanka have a long-standing reputation for tolerance and respect; notes
however that the plight of one of the religious minorities in Sri Lanka, Christians, is getting worse; is also aware that anti-conversion
legislation, modeled on the controversial and divisive anti-conversion law in Tamil Nadu, India, is about to be presented to the Sri Lankan
Parliament; and calls upon the Sri Lankan Government to give full protection to religious minorities, to bring to justice those found to have
participated in attacks upon religious minorities, and to promote genuine and lasting inter-faith harmony in Sri Lanka."

Within the past two years, according to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, three petitions have been presented to the
Supreme Court challenging the right of Christian ministries to be incorporated under an Act of Parliament. Last August, the Supreme Court
ruled against the registration of an order of Catholic nuns, the Sisters of the Holy Cross of the Third Order of St. Francis in Menzingen. The
Supreme Court has also ruled against the incorporation of New Harvest Wine Ministries and Sahanaye Doratuwa ministry, arguing that the
incorporation of a Christian organization that spreads the Christian message is unconstitutional.

---------------------------------
May 12, 2004 Anti-Christian violence continues in Sri Lanka
Christians in Sri Lanka continue to face violent attacks and intimidation following the parliamentary elections in early April. Over 45
churches have been attacked since January, and during the past year more than 140 churches have been forced to close, due to attacks,
intimidation and threats.
In the latest incident, the house of Pastor Kumarasiri of Peniel Evangelical Church in Hali-ela, Badulla, a predominantly Buddhist area in
Uva province, was attacked at 11:30pm on April 29th by a gang which threw kerosene and prepared to set fire to the building. While arson
was prevented by neighbors shouting at the attackers, the group destroyed the temporary structure in which services were held, and pulled
down the concrete pillars of the new church building under construction. The incident was reported to the police, but so far no investigation
has been conducted.

A few weeks previously, on April 12th, another pastor's house was attacked at 3:30am by a gang also using kerosene bombs. The
Assemblies of God church in Mahaoya, Ampara district, has been the focus of intense opposition from the village Buddhist temple, and
villagers have demanded that the pastor leave the area.

On Easter Sunday, a Christian Fellowship Church in Kalutara district was attacked, and ten people were injured. The church had been
closed for three months following an initial attack in late December, when a mob of 300 villagers prompted a riot at the church. The pastor
resumed services on Good Friday, and on Easter Sunday, a mob demanded that church members leave the building. They threw stones,
damaging the windows, and beat the pastor and other church members as they emerged. According to news agency Compass Direct,
'parents tried to shield their terrified children, but despite this, a few children were among the ten or so people injured in the attack.'

In the parliamentary elections on April 2, the United National Freedom Alliance won a majority of seats, but the Jathika Hela Uramaya (JHU)
party of the Buddhist monks emerged as the third largest political force in the country, winning over 500,000 votes and nine seats in
Parliament. After the results were declared, the JHU reiterated its objectives of establishing a Buddhist kingdom in Sri Lanka and
introducing anti-conversion legislation.

CSW is in contact with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the US State Department, the US Commission on International Religious
Freedom and the European Commission in regard to the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka. CSW has also been working with Members of
Parliament to introduce an Early Day Motion (EDM 210) on Sri Lanka in the House of Commons. CSW urges the international community to
raise these concerns with the Sri Lankan authorities.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Sri Lanka is a majority Buddhist nation and although not recognized as the state religion, the constitution accords Buddhism the 'foremost
place'. About 70 percent of the population of 20 million is Buddhist with another 15 percent Hindu. The Christians, who number just under
1.5 million or about eight percent, mostly live in the west of the country.

In recent years, there has been an increased intolerance by the Sinhalese nationalists towards faith minorities. Christianity is often
perceived as a threat to undermine Sri Lankan cultural and religious unity. Anti-Christian elements regard conversions with skepticism
believing that they can be coerced and unethical. The Anti-Conversion Bill, if it comes into force, will be a powerful tool to repress the
religious minorities, particularly the Christians.

Part of EDM 210 reads: "That this House recognizes that the people of Sri Lanka have a long-standing reputation for tolerance and respect;
notes however that the plight of one of the religious minorities in Sri Lanka, Christians, is getting worse; is also aware that anti-conversion
legislation, modeled on the controversial and divisive anti-conversion law in Tamil Nadu, India, is about to be presented to the Sri Lankan
Parliament; and calls upon the Sri Lankan Government to give full protection to religious minorities, to bring to justice those found to have
participated in attacks upon religious minorities, and to promote genuine and lasting inter-faith harmony in Sri Lanka."

Pastor Kumarasiri of the Peniel Evangelical Church in Hali-ela, Badulla, Uva province, has faced opposition to the construction of a new
church building since December. On April 29, a senior Buddhist monk complained to the local police, accusing the pastor of building an
unauthorized structure. The pastor, however, claims to have obtained approval and a permit last August. That night at 11:30pm, a group of
people attempted to enter the pastor's house by breaking down the doors. When that failed, they threw kerosene at the building.

------------------------------
March 1, 2004 Anti-Christian Violence Escalates in Sri Lanka
Christians in Sri Lanka are facing mounting pressure, with an escalation of violent attacks and an increase in demands for anti-conversion
legislation.

Last year, a total of 91 attacks on Christians and churches were recorded, and so far this year 41 incidents have already been documented.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is increasingly concerned about the deteriorating situation.

On February 15th three churches came under attack in one night.

The Pastor of the Apostolic Church in Boraluwewa was warned that his church would be attacked. The police were notified, but they failed
to provide protection, or to investigate the threats. That night, a crowd of about 100 people with two vehicles completely demolished the
church and the staff living quarters and all their personal belongings were set on fire. Five people were later arrested.

The same mob also attacked Gethsemane Church in Boraluwewa, demolishing their worship centre.

The third incident took place in Kurundugaha Hathapma Anuruddhagama (Karandeniya), in Galle. A gang of 10 attacked the home where
the Calvary Church worshipped, armed with five swords and a gun. The homeowner was attacked with a sword, but he escaped with minor
injuries. His wife was trapped in the house and the intruders threatened to kill her if the worship service continued. The family informed the
Elpitiya police the next day and asked for protection, but so for none has been provided.

These incidents in February are the latest in a catalog of anti-Christian violence that has developed in Sri Lanka in recent years. In January,
CSW received reports of at least six attacks by militant Buddhist mobs on Christian churches.

Extremists, stirred up by the death of anti-Christian Buddhist nationalist monk the Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero, have intensified
their calls for the introduction of anti-conversion laws modeled on legislation introduced in five states in neighboring India. Demand for anti-
conversion legislation in Sri Lanka has been developing over the past year.

In January, Buddhist monks launched a "fast-unto-death" campaign demanding that the government enact anti-conversion legislation within
60 days. The government agreed to this demand, and the fast was called off. Subsequently, however, the Parliament was dissolved and the
legislation has not been introduced. In the forthcoming elections, however, the Supreme Council of Monks will contest seats on a religious
platform, with the objective of introducing anti-conversion laws.

CSW is increasingly concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka. We have recently worked with a cross-party group of UK MPs to table an
Early Day Motion (EDM No. 210 Attacks upon Christians in Sri Lanka) in the House of Commons. CSW has urged the public to write to their
MPs in support of the EDM.

"The persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka, through both violent and legislative means, causes us deep concern," said Stuart Windsor,
CSW-UK's National Director. "The rise of militant, violent Buddhism, and the disregard for human rights, must be stopped before it spreads
further. We urge the government of Sri Lanka to take action to stop the violence and to reject anti-conversion legislation, and we encourage
efforts by moderates to engage in reconciliation between the Christian and Buddhist communities."

NOTES TO EDITORS:
On January 20th, a mob of militant Buddhist protestors set fire to the doors of St. Anthony's Catholic church in the capital, Colombo, and
vandalized a cross. A week earlier, another Catholic church in the suburbs of Colombo had been attacked. A police investigation is
underway, and a man has reportedly been arrested in connection with the arson.

On January 13th, the Calvary Church in Wattegedara was attacked by a mob of about 20 people armed with bicycle chains at midnight.
They attempted to cut the church's telephone line. The police were alerted and the mob was dispersed. On the same day in
Thalapathpitiya, a trishaw parked in the grounds of Calvary Church was set on fire.

Two days later, in Weliweriya, Gampaha District, a member of the local Assemblies of God (AoG) church was denied burial at a public
cemetery, and hundreds of people led by monks organized to prevent entry into the cemetery. The family were denied entry, despite the
deployment of police, and eventually the deceased person was buried in the family garden.

The Early Day Motion proposed by UK Members of Parliament calls on the Sri Lankan authorities to respect religious freedom. Part of EDM
210 reads: "That this House recognizes that the people of Sri Lanka have a long-standing reputation for tolerance and respect; notes
however that the plight of one of the religious minorities in Sri Lanka, Christians, is getting worse; is also aware that anti-conversion
legislation, modeled on the controversial and divisive anti-conversion law in Tamil Nadu, India, is about to be presented to the Sri Lankan
Parliament; and calls upon the Sri Lankan Government to give full protection to religious minorities, to bring to justice those found to have
participated in attacks upon religious minorities, and to promote genuine and lasting inter-faith harmony in Sri Lanka."

Christians account for about 7.5 percent of the population in Sri Lanka.

----------------------------
January 19, 2004 Sri Lankan president warns against anti-Christian
violence
The Sri Lankan President has warned that anyone who incites the Buddhist public to attack Christians and their places of worship would be
dealt with firmly.

In a public statement, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga appealed to the media to act responsibly and help promote ethnic and
religious harmony. The warning came after the government received intelligence indicating organized Buddhist lobby groups with political
patronage were preparing to incite anti-Christian attacks.

This latest wave of anti-Christian hostility was sparked off by the sudden death of one of Sri Lanka's most revered monks. Venerable
Gangodawila Soma Thero, a champion of Buddhist nationalism, died in mid-December last year while visiting Russia. Although an autopsy
confirmed he died of natural causes, the Sri Lankan media has speculated on the 'mystery' surrounding his death, indicating a possible
Christian conspiracy. Some of Ven. Soma's supporters even claimed that he was number four on a 'hit list' of an unnamed Christian group.
Tamils were also targeted after false rumors that some Tamils denigrated the deceased monk.

At the state funeral of Ven. Soma on Christmas Eve, a small number of nationalist monks reportedly called for a 'holy war' against
Christians.

In the five days between December 24 and 29, the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka documented 20 incidents of violent attacks against
Christians and Tamils. At least 15 people were injured. One man at the state funeral was reportedly badly beaten by the crowd after being
identified as a Christian. Two churches in a district east of the capital Colombo were also attacked and extreme nationalists took to the
streets.

On December 29, 2003, dozens of Buddhist monks protested against 'unethical conversions' by Christians and demanded that anti-
conversion laws be enacted immediately. Thousands of color posters bearing anti-Christian slogans appeared on the streets of Colombo.
Christian charities, such as World Vision, were particularly targeted.

Protesters carried pictures of the late Ven. Soma walking with the Sri Lankan Army. The image symbolized an expectation that along with
Sri Lanka's monks, the state army should be a protector of Sinhala Buddhism. Some one hundred monks also staged a hunger strike 'unto
death' outside the government's Buddha Sasana Ministry.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Venerable Soma was the founder of a prominent Buddhist lobby group, the Sasana Sevaka Sangamaya. He referred to Christian charities
as 'the instruments of a diabolical conspiracy by Christian powers to convert and corrupt the Sinhalese Buddhist public'.
Sri Lanka is a majority Buddhist nation and although not recognized as the state religion, the constitution accords Buddhism the 'foremost
place'. About 70 percent of the population of 20 million is Buddhist with another 15 percent Hindu. The Christians, who number just under
1.5 million or about eight percent, mostly live in the west of the country.

In recent years, there has been an increased intolerance by the Sinhalese nationalists towards faith minorities. Christianity is often
perceived as a threat to undermine Sri Lankan cultural and religious unity. Anti-Christian elements regard conversions with skepticism,
believing that they can be coerced and unethical. The Anti-Conversion Bill, if it comes into force, will be a powerful tool to repress the
religious minorities, particularly the Christians.

Part of EDM 210 reads: "That this House recognizes that the people of Sri Lanka have a long-standing reputation for tolerance and respect;
notes however that the plight of one of the religious minorities in Sri Lanka, Christians, is getting worse; is also aware that anti-conversion
legislation, modeled on the controversial and divisive anti-conversion law in Tamil Nadu, India, is about to be presented to the Sri Lankan
Parliament; and calls upon the Sri Lankan Government to give full protection to religious minorities, to bring to justice those found to have
participated in attacks upon religious minorities, and to promote genuine and lasting inter-faith harmony in Sri Lanka."

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Sudan
July 23, 2004 CSW welcomes US Congress declaration that genocide is
occurring in Darfur
The US Congress unanimously passed a resolution yesterday declaring that genocide is occurring in the Darfur region of western Sudan .

The resolution was introduced a month ago by New Jersey Democrat Congressman Donald Payne, and was passed by a vote of 422 to
zero. It urges the US Administration to 'call the atrocities by their rightful name: genocide' and to lead an international effort to prevent it. It
also calls on the Administration to intervene unilaterally 'to prevent genocide should the United Nations Security Council fail to act'. The
resolution demands the imposition of targeted sanctions 'including visa bans and the freezing of assets of the [Sudanese regime] and
affiliated businesses and individuals' directly responsible for atrocities in Darfur and appeals for USAID to assist refugees to resettle and
rebuild their communities.

The US resolution could add to pressure on the United Nations to take more decisive action to end the violence in Darfur . The UN Security
Council is currently considering a US-sponsored resolution that threatens sanctions against Sudan if it does not prosecute such Janjawid
leaders as Musa Hilal who are deemed responsible for atrocities in Darfur . However, action on Sudan could be made difficult by the
vested interests of several members of the Security Council. China has extensive oil interests in Sudan . Pakistan , acting out of solidarity
with a fellow Muslim government, is requesting that the Sudanese be given more time. Finally, as well as having oil investments in the
country, Russia is a major arms supplier to Sudan and recently fulfilled a contract estimated at $200million for 12 Mig-29 Fulcrum fighter
aircraft ahead of schedule.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW said: "CSW welcomes the strong response of the US Congress to the crisis in Darfur . We hope
this will serve to underline the urgent need for effective international action to pressurise the Sudanese government to end the attacks on its
African civilians, and will contribute towards bringing a swift conclusion to the ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity
which are currently underway in Darfur ."

30,000 people are estimated to have been killed since February 2003 when two rebellions broke out in Darfur in protest at the area's
marginalisation by the government. In addition, 800,000 to 1 million people have been displaced internally, and at least 110,000 Darfurians
have fled to Chad . Government forces and allied Arab militias, known as Janjawid, have responded to the rebellions with a campaign of
ethnic cleansing against African tribes. This has targeted civilians and has been characterised amongst other things by large scale looting,
the destruction of villages, summary executions, systematic rape and forcible displacement.

The government of Sudan denies responsibility for the actions of these militias, but evidence has emerged that Sudan's first vice-president
Mohammed Taha may have facilitated the release of the most notorious Janjawid leader, Musa Hilal, a convicted murderer who was serving
time for armed robbery. The Sudanese airforce has bombed civilians in Darfur . In its latest news release, the Sudanese Organisation
Against Torture states that at least 475 civilians were killed and 160 wounded between July 1 and 3 when the Sudanese airforce provided
air cover for the Janjawid as they destroyed 34 villages belonging to Birgid and Mema tribes in eastern Nyala province, Southern Darfur
State.

The Sudanese government has also been obstructing the delivery of aid and the granting of visas to humanitarian workers. This has
occurred despite warnings that at least 100,000 people are now at risk of dying of starvation.

For more information, please contact Richard Chilvers, Communications Manager, CSW at richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk or ring 020 8329
0045 or visit www.csw.org.uk CSW is a human rights charity working on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs. We also
promote religious liberty for all.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Recently the NGO Human Rights Watch revealed that Sudanese government documents had come into its possession that
"incontrovertibly show that government officials directed recruitment, arming and other support to the ethnic militias". One document directs
"all security units" to tolerate the activities of Janjawid leader Musa Hilal in North Darfur, highlighting "the importance of non-interference so
as not to question their authority" and authorising security units in a North Darfur province to "overlook minor offenses by the fighters
against civilians who are suspected members of the rebellion...."

In the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, genocide is defined as certain actions undertaken 'with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a
national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such'. These actions include 'killing members of the group', 'causing serious bodily and
mental harm to members of the group' and 'deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical
destruction in whole or in part.'

There has been much debate in the international circles as to whether events in Darfur constitute ethnic cleansing, genocide or war crimes.
Recently UN Secretary General Kofi Annan caused consternation when he stated that he would stop short of describing the state of affairs
in Darfur as genocide or ethnic cleansing but would instead describe it as 'a tragic humanitarian situation'. This contrasted with the
statements of UN Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Jan Egland and Mukesh Kapila, the former UN humanitarian coordinator for
Sudan , both of whom have used the term ethnic cleansing in connection with Darfur , and the UNHCHR, which has stated that crimes
against humanity and war crimes have been committed in the area. Mukesh Kapila, went further by adding that these events were 'an
organised attempt [by Khartoum ] to do away with a group of people. The only difference between Rwanda and Darfur now is the numbers
of dead, murdered, tortured and raped involved.'

------------------------------------
May 28, 2004 Breakthrough in Sudan peace talks must pave way for end to
Darfur crisis
Three peace protocols have cleared the way for the conclusion of a comprehensive peace treaty that could end a war that has raged in
Sudan for more than two decades.

At peace talks in Naivasha, Kenya on May 26, the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) exchanged
protocols dealing with the outstanding issues of power sharing, the two disputed areas of Nuba and Southern Blue Nile, and a third
disputed area, Abyei. It is hoped this will mean the end to a war which has cost some two million lives and left four million internally
displaced.

News of the breakthrough caused hundreds of people who had gathered outside the talks to shout with joy and offer prayers of
thanksgiving according to the BBC and Reuters.

However, while expressing a yearning for peace, some within the southern Sudanese community say they have seen many false dawns
and remain wary of the government's ultimate commitment to peace. Others express concern that government-backed militias that were not
party to the peace talks may continue to cause problems in the south once peace is concluded. They point to events this year in the Shilluk
Kingdom, Upper Nile where at least 70,000 people have been driven from their homes following attacks by GoS troops and allied militias
that are said to have deliberately targeted civilians.

The peace talks in Naivasha are taking place under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)). The
Naivasha talks do not cover the area of Darfur, where a civil war characterized by systematic attacks on civilians by government forces and
allied Arab militias has led to an estimated death toll of 30,000 since February 2003. The International Crisis Group (ICG), a Brussels-based
NGO, recently quoted experts as warning that in the absence of a swift international response, an additional 350,000 people could die in
the next nine months, mainly from famine, disease and malnutrition in Darfur.

While welcoming the signing of the protocols and reiterating its readiness to normalize relations with Sudan, the US, a major player in the
peace process, made it clear that normalization was dependent on the resolution of the conflict in Darfur 'including the ending of violence
being perpetrated by militias, protecting civilians, facilitating unrestricted humanitarian access and cooperation in the deployment of
international monitors and creation of conditions for the same return of displaced people.'

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan made a similar appeal. A spokesman said that at the same time as welcoming the significant
breakthrough in the IGAD Peace Process, the Secretary General was calling on the GoS and the armed opposition in Darfur 'to seize the
momentum created in Naivasha to reach a political solution in western Sudan, putting an end to the grave humanitarian and human rights
situation there.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The GoS and SPLA have agreed that the south should be autonomous for six years, followed by a referendum on the key issue of
independence. Protocols have been agreed on how to divide oil revenues and security arrangements for the two armies.

-------------------------------
April 26, 2004 Sudan again escapes condemnation from UN for human
rights abuses
Despite a leaked report that Sudanese government troops and allied militias have unleashed 'a reign of terror' in Darfur, the United Nations
Commission on Human Rights has overwhelmingly adopted a mildly worded resolution on human rights abuses.

Sudan escaped strong censure of its poor human rights record for the second successive year when the resolution was passed on April 23.

Many observers consider the Islamist Government of Sudan (GoS) to be conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing against African tribes
in Darfur in the west of the country. Following attacks by government forces and allied Arab militias on local African peoples, an estimated
10,000 people have been killed, one million internally displaced and 120,000 have fled to neighboring Chad since February 2003.

The resolution was condemned by the US government, the only government to vote against it, and by human rights advocates and NGOs.
The US and most NGOs had supported a strongly worded European Union (EU) draft resolution which referred to 'the grave violation of
human rights and international humanitarian law' in Darfur and drew attention to 'the widespread recourse to rape and other forms of sexual
violence, including against children, as a means of warfare'. It had called on the Sudanese government to take specific actions in order to
end attacks on civilians and 'the forced depopulation' of parts of Darfur, urging an end to the violence and the appointment of a special
rapporteur with a one year mandate to monitor the situation.

However, African states closed ranks around Sudan, and persuaded the EU to agree to a milder text. The final document expressed
concern at 'reported abuses' but stopped short of a formal condemnation of Sudan for its human rights abuses in Darfur.

The vote on a resolution on Sudan had been delayed until the final day of the Commission and was passed in an atmosphere of
recrimination following the leaking to the press of a report from a team from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) that stated that Sudanese government troops and allied militias have unleashed 'a reign of terror' against the African tribes
of Darfur.

The report, which was meant to have been published prior to the vote at the UN Commission, concluded that the GoS has allowed Arab
militias to commit atrocities in the area and has also sent its air force and ground troops to take part in these atrocities. The OHCHR team
interviewed several thousand refugees from Darfur in Chad and identified patterns of 'massive human rights violations in Darfur, many of
which constitute war crimes and/ or crimes against humanity.' The investigators concluded by recommending that the Commission should
compel the Sudanese government to adopt 'measures to ensure that such human rights abuses, war crimes and crimes against humanity
are not repeated'.

The same OHCHR fact finding team that went to Chad had been scheduled to visit Darfur also, but Sudan had obstructed this by delaying
the issue of visas for the team. However on the evening of April 19, and in a move denounced by human rights groups as a cynical ploy, the
visas were suddenly granted. Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan announced he would delay the release of
the document until the team returned with its findings. This had the effect of preventing a full assessment of the atrocities and thus an
appropriate resolution of condemnation.

The document was leaked just before the Commission, to the fury of the GoS and other Muslim delegations who demanded an
investigation into the leak. Speaking for the Muslim contingent Pakistani Ambassador Shaukat Umer described it as 'a matter of grave
concern to us all', but conspicuously failed to express similar concern for the victims of the 'crimes against humanity' outlined in the
document. The US subsequently called for a Special Session of the Commission once the OHCHR team returns with the results of its
investigations.

At the same time as international attention is focusing on Darfur, government forces and allied militias have resumed a scorched earth
policy in southern Sudan. Up to 75,000 people have been driven from their homes in the Shilluk Kingdom in the Upper Nile region following
attacks by GoS troops and allied militias that are said to have deliberately targeted civilians. This was recently confirmed by the Verification
and Monitoring Team (VMT) created to monitor the ceasefire in the south, which stated that it had uncovered evidence of 'a campaign of
violence by forces allied to the government of Sudan against civilians in the Shilluk Kingdom'.

----------------------------
April 21, 2004 Please pray for Sudan
Dear Friends,

Please would you consider praying for the people of Sudan.

We have detailed below summaries of the peace talks in Kenya, the genocide in Darfur, the attacks on civilians in the Upper Nile region and
tomorrow's vote at the UN. These are followed by prayers.

Thank you for your continued support for those who are suffering in Sudan.

PEACE TALKS IN NAIVASHA, KENYA

Peace talks for the south are in their final stages but appear to have stalled over the issue of of Shar'ia Law. The imposition of Shar'ia
throughout this ethnically and religiously diverse country was a major

factor in the resumption of civil war in 1983. The Sudan Peoples

Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), the main southern rebel group, has asked for the south to be exempt from Shar'ia law along with
Khartoum, since the city will function as the capital of a unified and not exclusively Islamic state during the post war period. However, the
Government of Sudan (GoS) is determined to maintain Shar'ia throughout northern Sudan.

DARFUR

Even as peace talks have been underway, the GoS has conducted a campaign of violence against African tribes in western Sudan that
many observers are classifying as genocide. In Darfur government forces and allied Arab militias are adopting the scorched earth tactics
they perfected in the killing fields of southern Sudan. They are bombing and raiding villages, killing men, abducting and systematically
raping women and children, looting or destroying foodstuffs and crops and even poisoning communal water sources. An estimated 10,000
people are believed to have been killed in Darfur since February 2003. Over 750,000 people have been displaced within Sudan, and many
of these Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are now confined to concentration camps. Moreover, at two such camps near the capital
Nyala, Al Intifada Camp and Belail Camp, 20,000 IDPs are currently facing what the African Society of International and Comparative Law
has termed 'the imminent danger of extermination'. Another 120,000 people have sought refuge across the border in Chad where Arab
militias continue to attack them in cross border raids. In the meantime the GoS is said to be importing members of allied Chadian Arab
tribes into areas abandoned by displaced African peoples. International pressure has led to a ceasefire and caused the government to
agree to allow a UN fact finding mission to visit Darfur. However, reports indicate that the GoS continues to attack civilians, to obstruct
international efforts to investigate events in Darfur by delaying visas to UN team members, and to generally hinder humanitarian access to
the region.

ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS IN UPPER NILE

While international attention is now on Darfur, government forces and allied militias have resumed a campaign of violence in southern
Sudan. Up to 75,000 people have been driven from their homes in the Shilluk Kingdom in the Upper Nile region following attacks by GoS
troops and allied militias that are said to have deliberately targeted civilians. This was recently confirmed by the Verification and Monitoring
Team (VMT) created to monitor the ceasefire in the south, which stated that it had uncovered evidence of 'a campaign of violence by forces
allied to the government of Sudan against civilians in the Shilluk Kingdom'. VMT teams reported the destruction of entire villages, large
areas of scorched ground, and thousands of IDPs. According to a UN statement, 'villages have been burnt down while looting and rapes
have gone on, civilian infrastructures, including schools and clinics have been destroyed and international non-governmental organizations'
compounds in Nyilwak have also been burnt in the attacks'.

VOTE AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, GENEVA

On Thursday (tomorrow) a vote at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights will determine whether or not human rights monitoring
at an international level will be resumed in Sudan. Last year, following political dealings, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for Human
Rights in Sudan was defeated by a vote of 26 to 24 despite the fact that the GoS had shown no improvement in its human rights record. It
is probably no coincidence that the situation in Darfur deteriorated rapidly after this event, yet it is likely that Sudan will again manage to
see off efforts to pass a resolution that will reinstate a special rapporteur.

Please pray

* Pray for a breakthrough on the issue of Shar'ia law and for the establishment of a genuine and lasting peace. Pray particularly that those
in the government who are not truly committed to peace would lose influence

* Pray for an end to the attacks on civilians in Darfur and for the safety of those who have fled into Chad. Pray also that GoS efforts to
obstruct international investigations in Darfur would end, and that the UN fact finding team will be able to uncover the truth regarding events
in Darfur

* Pray that the international community would take urgent action to protect the 20,000 IDPs in Al Intifada Camp and Belail Camp and others
who may be facing 'the imminent danger of extermination'

* Pray for effective international pressure to end the fighting in the Shilluk Kingdom and ensure that aid reaches the displaced in Upper Nile

* Pray for the passing of a strong resolution at the UN Commission in Geneva condemning human rights violations by the Sudanese
government and allow the reappointment of a special rapporteur

-----------------------------
January 16, 2004 Student Sentenced to 100 Lashes for Adultery
Dear Friends

We are asking you to pray and act urgently on behalf of Intisar Bakri Abdulgader.

Intisar is a teenage student from Yambio in southern Sudan who has been sentenced by a court in the Kalaka suburb of Khartoum to 100
lashes for adultery after giving birth to a child out of wedlock - Article 145 of the Sudanese Penal Code defines intercourse outside of
marriage as adultery. Her case has been highlighted by Amnesty International and by CSW President Baroness Cox during a recent debate
in the House of Lords.

Intisar was originally sentenced in July 2003, while seven months pregnant. She appealed against the sentence, but the appeal court
upheld it in August. Intisar's baby was born in September, and her sentence would have been carried out on 20 December, but was
postponed due to her deteriorating health. Intisar is said to be terrified and is not eating, sleeping, or going to school. Her mother is reported
to have told Amnesty International that she is 'becoming very weak' and is too ashamed to leave the house.

The alleged father of the child, a 23-year-old former policeman, is said to have promised to marry Intisar and take her to live abroad. In an
interview with the news agency Agence France Presse, Intisar said her mother had tried in vain to persuade the man to marry her and to
sign a statement admitting responsibility for the child. Instead he denied ever having met her, and according to the version of Islamic law
practiced in Sudan this denial was sufficient to exonerate him, since Intisar was unable to produce four male witnesses to verify her version
of events.

Both of Intisar's parents are of African, southern Sudanese descent. Although her father is a Muslim, she and her siblings were brought up
to follow Christianity, their mother's religion. Unfortunately, under Sudanese Shar'ia law, if a father is Muslim, then his children are
automatically regarded as Muslim. Moreover, in northern Sudan Shar'ia applies to everyone, regardless of his or her religious creed.

Intisar is due to be flogged on 23 January 2004. If carried out, the sentence would constitute a violation of Sudan's undertakings under
several international conventions, including the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (CAT- which Sudan has signed but has yet to ratify), and such binding legislation as the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Sudan is currently engaged in internationally sponsored peace talks with the southern rebel group, the Sudan Peoples Liberation
Movement/Army (SPLM/A). Both the US and the UK governments are playing major roles in these negotiations. The country is particularly
keen to normalize relations with the US government, which recently stated that visible progress in Sudan's human rights performance
would be the determining factor in any improvement in America's relations with that country.

Please pray:

* That Intisar's sentence will be commuted in response to domestic and international pressure
* That God would comfort Intisar, heal her emotionally and restore her sense of self worth

Also, please address polite emails to the following officials requesting their urgent intervention on Intisar's behalf:

Charles R. Snyder, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, US Department of State:

afpastaff@state.gov

Mr. Alan Goulty, UK Special Representative for Peace in Sudan:

SUDANUNIT@fco.gov.uk

Thank you!

CSW Advocacy Team

-------------------------
June 4, 2003 Christian leader burned to death with wife and children as 59
are killed in raid
At least 59 people were killed, 15 were injured, and ten children and six women abducted when armed Sudanese government forces
simultaneously attacked ten villages in Southern Sudan on May 22.

The attacks happened in eastern Upper Nile in violation of internationally agreed ceasefire provisions.

Government militia attacked the village of Longchok in eastern Upper Nile using a combination of rocket-propelled grenades, heavy
machine guns and assault rifles, according to information received by the US NGO Servant's Heart. The NGO reported that the troops were
under the command of Second Lieutenant Mohammed Idris of the Sudanese regular army.

Huts were set ablaze and many villagers were burned to death in their homes, including Presbyterian minister Jacob Gadet Manyiel, the
region's only Christian pastor. He was burned to death along with his wife and four children as government troops surrounded their home,
threatening to shoot any family member attempting to escape the flames.

The latest attacks are part of a continuing violation of current ceasefire agreements by the Sudanese government.

Despite having signed an initial Memorandum Of Understanding for the Cessation of Hostilities (MOU) with the Sudan Peoples Liberation
Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in October 2002, the Sudanese government began purchasing military hardware from Eastern Europe and
elsewhere and launched a massive military offensive in the oil regions of Upper Nile on December 31, 2002.

Attacks have continued unabated in both eastern and western Upper Nile despite the signing of a second and supposedly more
comprehensive MOU in February 2003 and the National Islamic Front (NIF) government has actively hindered international attempts to
monitor events in the area.

The NIF's illegal military activity has not been confined to Upper Nile. In January 2003 reliable sources reported a steady flow of barges
down the White Nile that have greatly augmented military equipment and manpower in Juba, Southern Sudan, again in clear violation of
both MOUs. Humanitarian agencies have since reported the continued movement of barges along the Nile south of Bor carrying a
suspected cargo of military hardware, while there has also been a large increase in Antonov cargo flights into the southern military garrison
town of Wau.

The attacks on May 22, also violated a US-brokered agreement for the protection of civilians and non-combatants. However, even as the
attacks were occurring, the Sudanese Foreign Minister was meeting in Washington with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, stating that a
peace agreement was in sight. Last month during its six-monthly review of the Sudanese peace process, the US government disappointed
many in the southern Sudanese community by failing to censure Sudan for its continued violations of the peace process. This failure
occurred in the wake of a decision by the UN Human Rights Commission to upgrade Sudan's human rights status and end the mandate of
the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Sudan.

CSW calls on the international community to take robust and decisive action to ensure the return of the women and children abducted
during these attacks and to immediately punish violators of the letter and spirit of internationally concluded agreements.

CSW-UK President Baroness Caroline Cox said the current situation was even worse than what she had witnessed during her most recent
visit to Sudan. She said: "The continuing attacks by the Sudanese government on unarmed civilians in eastern Upper Nile are particularly
disturbing in view of the current peace talks and raise serious questions about the NIF regime's sincerity of commitment to genuine peace."

Dennis Bennet, Executive Director of Servant's Heart stated that given the American government's reluctance to immediately and
thoroughly investigate previous well-documented atrocities in eastern Upper Nile, it was "completely understandable that the Government
of Sudan-led military forces feel they can also kill and enslave civilians in other portions of eastern Upper Nile with impunity".

He added: "The US State Department is as much at fault for these atrocities as is the government of Sudan".
-----------------------------------------------------------
Courtesy of Southern Sudanese Voice For Freedom

October 11, 2002 Southern Sudanese Voice for Freedom Hails the US
Congress for Passing the Sudan Peace Act
WASHINGTON, DC, OCTOBER 11, 2002- Southern Sudanese Voice for Freedom hails the U.S Congress for passing the Sudan Peace
Act. At a time where the radical Islamic regime has resorted to war instead of peace, bombing civilian targets, and banned humanitarian
relief efforts; there is now light at the end of the tunnel. The passage of the bill in the House of Representatives on October 7, and the
Senate unanimous consent in favor of the bill October 9, marks a new sign of hope for an end to the suffering in Sudan.

At the Press conference on the Capitol Hill, Southern Sudanese Voice for Freedom President Jimmy Mulla, thanked Senators Sam
Brownback, Senator Bill Frist, Congressmen Tom Tancredo, Congressmen Donald Payne, Congressmen Spencer Bachus and all the
members of the of Senate and the House for passing the Act. " I cannot really say much and but just say thank you, thank you thank you
commented Jimmy Mulla". Through the inspiration, encouragement, support, and guidance from Nina Shea, the Director of Freedom
House's Center for Religious Freedom, Faith McDonnell, Director for Church Alliance for New Sudan, and Religious liberty director at IRD,
Joe Madison of WOL, Michael Horowithz of Hudson institute, and all our other members of the Sudan coalition, Southern Sudanese Voice
for Freedom is grateful for being part of this historic achievement for the sake of humanity and peace.

-------------------------------------
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

July 17, 2002 Commission Urges Senate to Appoint Conferees on Sudan

Peace Act
WASHINGTON - In letters to Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle and Minority Leader Trent Lott, the U.S. Commission on
International Religious Freedom urged the Senate to appoint conferees on the Sudan Peace Act. This was communicated in a meeting with
Senator Lott yesterday. The Commission has an outstanding request for a similar meeting with Senator Daschle. The Commission is a
federal agency that advises the Administration and Congress.

Among the Commission's recommendations on Sudan in both its 2001 and 2002 reports was that foreign companies doing business there
be required to disclose the nature of that business in their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and that foreign companies
doing business in Sudan's petroleum fields be barred from listing in U.S. equity markets. (The reports are available on the Commission's
Web site at www.uscirf.gov.)

The Commission has found Sudan to be the world's most violent abuser of the right to religious freedom. The terrible civil war there has
killed more than 2 million people and displaced up to 5 million. A just peace in Sudan is not possible, the Commission wrote the Senate
leaders, unless the Khartoum regime is prevented from using the country's oil revenues to step up its brutal war against the south. The
House version of the Sudan Peace Act contains the Commission recommendations referred to above, which would address the oil issue,
while the Senate version does not.

The House has appointed conferees to iron out the differences in the competing bills, but the Senate has failed to do so. The Commission
sent the Senate leaders a summary of its recent testimony on Sudan before the House International Relations Committee. The summary
includes then-Chairman Michael K. Young's answers to questions from Committee members, in which he said the capital-market provisions
are warranted in the face of a war of genocidal proportions that is facilitated by access to U.S. capital markets. A copy is attached to this
release.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to give
independent recommendations to the executive branch and the Congress.

Visit our Web site at www.uscirf.gov

800 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW SUITE 790 WASHINGTON, DC 20002 202-523-3240/ 202-523-5020 (FAX)

(See attached file: Summary of 060502 USCIRF testimony.doc)

SUMMARY OF USCIRF TESTIMONY ON SUDAN

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

JUNE 5, 2002

Sudan was one of the first countries to become a focus of the Commission. For the past three years, the Commission has found the
government of Sudan to be one of the world’s most violent abusers of the right to freedom of religion and belief.

On May 14, the White House released Special Envoy John Danforth’s report on his efforts to end the civil war in Sudan. The Commission
was one of the first to call for the creation of a special envoy. The Commission welcomes Senator Danforth’s efforts and his willingness to
continue to pursue a just and lasting peace in Sudan.

Senator Danforth, like the Commission, has found that the development of Sudan’s oil wealth has become an increasingly important factor
in the intensification of the conflict and one that must be addressed to achieve a just and lasting peace. But Senator Danforth’s proposals
do not yet point to a serious policy by the Administration to bring peace to Sudan. Khartoum thinks it can win the war, especially with
hundreds of millions in oil revenue pouring in. Khartoum currently has no incentive to end the fighting, and neither Senator Danforth nor the
Administration has yet pointed to one.

The only way to get Khartoum’s attention is to curtail its oil revenues – the only asset that is keeping it from bankruptcy. The United States
has the means to do so through capital market reforms recommended by the Commission and included in the House-passed version of the
Sudan Peace Act. Key provisions would 1) bar any foreign company doing business in Sudan’s petroleum fields from raising funds in U.S.
capital markets, and 2) require any company doing business in Sudan to disclose the nature of that business in fillings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The Commission has further recommended that any peace agreement, or in the interim a comprehensive cease-fire, be conditioned on
placing the country’s oil revenues into an internationally-administered trust fund. These revenues would be expended solely for
developmental and humanitarian purposes on an equitable basis in both the north and the south. With such an arrangement, the regime
will be far less likely to engage in good faith bargaining over power-sharing.

Regimes in Khartoum have time and again manipulated well-meaning peace initiatives, in the process repeatedly making and later breaking
solemn promises. It has been five years since both parties agree to the Declaration of Principles under the Inter-Governmental Authority for
Development (IGAD). The people of southern Sudan cannot afford another five-year delay.

The Commission believes that any peace talks must be based on the IGAD Declaration of Principles. Core among these Principles are
self-determination for the South and a secular state that would ensure religious freedom for all individuals, North and South.

What is most needed right now is a policy on Sudan. A first step should be for the Bush Administration and the Senate to drop their
opposition to a conference committee on the Sudan Peace Act and to accept the House version of the bill.

In following Question and Answer session, Chairman Young responded as follows:

To a question by Representative Gilman on the role of religion in the conflict, Chairman Young replied that while there is no doubt that the
situation is complex, it is equally clear that religion is a substantial cause of the conflict, specifically the attempt on the part of successive
governments in Khartoum to Islamicize the South.

To a question by Representative Gilman regarding persecution of non-Muslims, Chairman Young noted that part of the problem has been
attempts to use food distribution as a way to force conversion to Islam. Chairman Young also noted that Muslims in the North have been
subject to severe persecution if they do not follow the version of Islam that the government promulgates.

To a question by Representative Leach, Chairman Young responded that the Commission strongly supports capital market sanctions.
Chairman Young described the recommended sanctions as very narrowly targeted. Not only does part of the recommended proposals
relate merely to disclosure but the range of countries to be looked at is incredibly small. As such, the Commission believes them warranted
in the face of a war of genocidal proportions that is facilitated by access to U.S. capital markets.

Elaborating further in response to a follow-up on capital market sanctions by Representative Flake, Chairman Young reiterated that at least
part of these sanctions really are not sanctions in the classic sense but simply disclosure requirements. Chairman Young recalled that, in a
written response to a Commission inquiry, Acting SEC Chairman Laura Unger had favored the notion of disclosure, at least in original SEC
filings, for countries on the OFAC sanction list already in light of the very significant political risks in these countries. Chairman Young
further explained that the House version of the Sudan Peace Act would extend disclosure to include Sudan, a country that has been
designated as one of the Countries of Particular Concern, a designation in the control of the State Department.

-------------------------------------------
June 14, 2002 BARONESS COX CRITICAL OF UK POLICY OF 'CRITICAL
DIALOGUE' WITH GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN AS MORE DIE IN BOMBING
RAIDS
Attacks on civilians in Sudan by the Sudanese Government's National Islamic Front (NIF) regime is further evidence that the British
Government's policy of 'critical dialogue' is not working according to Baroness (Caroline) Cox. In addition, alleged links between the NIF
regime and Al Qaeda have serious implications for the war on terrorism being conducted by the US and British governments. (see full
report)

CSW-UK's President was in Sudan between June 2nd and 9th, and gathered evidence of attacks by NIF forces on the villages of Yawaji,
Kawaji and Dengaji in Eastern Upper Nile on May 5.

At least 27 are known to have been killed; homes, crops and livestock destroyed; and many others have died of hunger, illness and
exhaustion while trying to flee to secure areas.

In addition, on June 8 the NIF bombed Ikotos in Eastern Equatoria where at least seven children were injured, at least two of whom have
since died; and on June 4, 5 and 6 Antonov aircraft bombed areas in Western Upper Nile.

Caroline Cox is calling on humanitarian aid organizations to respond to the imminent need for aid and for international monitoring teams to
be set up under the March 2002 Agreement and to visit the region to investigate the atrocities committed by NIF forces. In addition, she is
calling on the NIF to be held to account for these latest attacks and for Safe Havens and No Fly Zones to be considered as a matter of
urgency.

She also strongly opposes the NIF's proposal to relocate all aid operations from Lokichogkio in Kenya to El Obeid in Sudan as it will
effectively spell the end of aid for the people of Southern Sudan, the Nuba Mountains, the Southern Blue Nile and Eastern Upper Nile areas
who are in such desperate need.

She argues that sanctions should be incurred as a penalty for breaching the March Agreement and that the US Congress should pass the
Sudan Peace Act with the Bacchus Amendment which would prohibit oil companies working in Sudan from trading on the US Stock Markets
until there is peace in Sudan.

Ginar Thekie, a Sudanese man from Yawaji, told Baroness Cox: "When the NIF troops came to the village, they saw that we had blankets
and supplies, so they tried to take everything - looting, burning and leaving us with nothing.

"Some were killed by the guns, others from hunger and thirst. We have nothing - no homes, no medicines and some are ill. I have lost three
children and do not know where they are. Another of my children, aged about eight, was burnt inside our hut. His body was found when
some men went back to see what had happened."

Baroness Cox said: "The recent evidence of the NIF regime's continuing attacks on civilians must be taken very seriously by the British
Government and the international community.

"Thousands of civilians are suffering and dying with no aid. The British Government seems to be guilty of operating double standards: It is
appropriately tough with the brutal regime in Burma and inexcusably lenient with a comparably brutal regime in Sudan. Is this because oil
buys friends and reduces the value human life?"

For a full report and photographs please contact Baroness Cox on 020 8204 7336

-----------------------------------
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

May 31, 2002 Commission Chair to Testify at House Hearing on Sudan

WHAT: Michael K. Young, Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a federal agency advising the Administration
and Congress, will testify at a hearing of the House International Relations Committee on "Defining the Next Step on the Path to Peace in
Sudan."

WHEN: Wednesday, June 5, 2002, at 10:15 a.m.

WHERE: Room 2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.

BACKGROUND: The Commission has studied the civil war in Sudan since 1999, and has made recommendations to Congress and the
Administration in reports issued in 2000, 2001, and 2002. (The reports and recommendations are available on the Commission's Web site
at www.uscirf.gov.) Several Commission recommendations have become U.S. policy. With the recent release of a report by the president's
Special Envoy to Sudan, former Sen. John Danforth, debate over next steps for U.S. policy in Sudan has heated up. The Commission
backs capital-market reforms, drawn from Commission recommendations, that are included in the Sudan Peace Act as passed by the
House. The Senate has yet to go to conference on the measure.

Also testifying at the hearing will be Walter Kansteiner, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa; Roger Winter, U.S. Agency for International
Development; Francis Deng, UN Special Rapporteur for internally displaced persons; John Prendergast, Africa Director, International Crisis
Group; and Prof. Eric Reeves, Smith College.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to give
independent recommendations to the executive branch and the Congress.

Visit our Web site at www.uscirf.gov

800 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW SUITE 790 WASHINGTON, DC 20002 202-523-3240/ 202-523-5020 (FAX)

-------------------------------
Source: Eric Reeves

May 14, 2002 Report: "The Urgency of the Sudan Peace Act"
"The Urgency of the Sudan Peace Act"
Without swift passage of the Sudan Peace Act, in its House version, American capital will continue to finance the oil-driven destruction of
southern Sudan. For example, Malaysia's state-owned Petroliam Nasional Bhd., more commonly known as Petronas, is the second largest
participant in the oil projects of southern Sudan. It is thus massively complicit in the catastrophic human destruction, displacement, and
suffering that define oil exploitation in the south. Today, Dow Jones new service reports that Petronas is finalizing a $2 billion bond
offering---$1 billion to come from US investors. This means that $1 billion of US capital will be directly available for the financing of further
genocidal destruction in the oil fields of southern Sudan. Because the Sudan Peace Act remains stalled in the Senate, new US capital will
flow directly into the killing fields of the south.

Eric Reeves [May 14, 2002]

Smith College ereeves@smith.edu
Northampton, MA 01063 413-585-3326

There may be no American oil companies in southern Sudan; but without legislative intervention, massive additional American capital will
soon be moving into the oil operations of southern Sudan. Malaysia's Petronas is in the midst of finalizing a bond offering for $2 billion, $1
billion to come from US investors---possibly as much a $1.5 billion. This is capital that Petronas may use however it wishes. Once the
capital is secured, there is nothing that meaningfully governs how it will be expended. For whatever end uses may be specified, capital
obtained in a bond issue is completely fungible within the corporate coffers.

Petronas is the second largest partner in the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, the producing consortium that now sends roughly
$500 million annually to the National Islamic Front regime in Khartoum. These revenues have funded Khartoum's huge military build-up,
including its ongoing acquisition of deadly helicopter gunships (mainly from Russia). These weapons---including the ferociously destructive
HIND-24 helicopter gunship---are Khartoum's weapon of choice in attacks on civilians, attacks that are continuing at this very moment.

[A new human rights report---"Depopulating Sudan's Oil Regions"---was issued today by the European Coalition on Oil in Sudan; it confirms
yet again, in authoritative detail, the findings of the many previous human rights reports from southern Sudan's oil regions: that ongoing
scorched-earth warfare defines Khartoum's efforts to clear and "secure" the oil operations and concession areas for companies like
Petronas. The report is available from this source upon request.]

The infamous attack on Bieh is worth recalling in the context of Petronas' present securing of $1 to $1.5 billion in US capital. Bieh is in the
very center of concession Block 5a, where Petronas has as its partners Lundin Petroleum (Sweden) and OMV (Austria). In Bieh, on
February 20, 2002, Khartoum's helicopter gunships directed rockets and heavy machine-gun fire into thousands of women and children
gathered to collect food from the UN's World Food Program. Khartoum had been apprised of the food delivery; it was broad daylight and
the UN distribution site was well marked; there were no military forces in the area. And still the helicopter gunship fired from point-blank
range, killing over 50 and wounding many, many more. All this was witnessed by UN relief workers.

This is what American capital will be funding if the Petronas bond issue is allowed to proceed. Petronas supplies Khartoum with the oil-
revenues that make possible its deadly military purchases; Petronas, in turn, expects that it will be rewarded with oil concession areas
cleared of all indigenous populations.

According to a Dow Jones newswire report of today ("ASIA DEBT: Petronas May Expand Jumbo Bond Offering"; available upon request),
the American firm Morgan Stanley Dean Witter is sole global coordinator for the deal---and joint bookrunner, along with Salomon Smith
Barney. So it's hardly surprising that Wall Street political action committee (PAC) money is flooding the Senate and the White House,
opposing the Sudan Peace Act. For the Sudan Peace, in its House version, would prevent precisely this kind of American-led financing of
the oil-driven destruction of southern Sudan. Wall Street is presently determined to avert its eyes from the consequences of further
capitalizing of companies like Petronas, and is content to look simply at the profits derived from such bond issues.

Americans---if they oppose US capital flowing into the killing fields of southern Sudan's oil regions---must work energetically to oppose this
particular bond issue for Petronas; they should be sure that their investments portfolios do not contain Petronas bonds. But more
importantly, they must work to convince Senate leaders that it is intolerable to keep the Sudan Peace Act from proceeding to conference
with representatives of the House (we are rapidly approaching the one-year anniversary of the votes on the bill in the House and Senate).
Concerned Americans must contact not only the Senate Republican leadership (coordinates below), but the Senate Majority Leader, Tom
Daschle (coordinates also below).

For Senator Daschle, as Senate Majority Leader, has most to say about the agenda of the Senate. If some Republicans, and perhaps some
Democrats, oppose conferencing the Sudan Peace Act, then Senator (and aspiring Presidential candidate) Daschle must make debating
the conferencing motion a Senate priority. Such a motion is a debatable under Senate rules; Senator Daschle must feel the necessary
pressure to include this debate in the immediate future of the Senate's business.

Finally, the White House must also be put on notice that its efforts to impede conferencing of the Sudan Peace Act are not going unnoticed.
Though working quietly and behind the scenes, the White House is clearly pressuring Republican Senators not to allow the Sudan Peace to
go to conference. It is important to let President Bush know that publicly uttered strong words about Sudan's suffering are not enough: we
must have an effective policy for pressuring Khartoum to negotiate a just peace. This requires the tools provided by the Sudan Peace Act.

The Sudan Peace Act has only a couple more weeks of legislative viability. Some in Congress, and in the White House, are already
expediently using the Danforth Report as an excuse for not moving the Sudan Peace Act at all, even though the weak proposal in the
Report for oil revenue-sharing has already been categorically rejected by Khartoum. Publicly expressed concern for Sudan, by Senators
and the White House, doesn't yet extend to making the political choices that may offend some on Wall Street, but are morally imperative if
we are to respond to Sudan's agony.

There should be no mistaking the political, financial, or diplomatic realities: unless oil companies operating in Sudan feel significant capital
market pressures, they have no incentive to move Khartoum to good faith peace negotiations. They will instead continue to extract their
blood-stained profits from the suffering and destruction of southern Sudan. Only the Sudan Peace Act will prevent US capital from
becoming complicit in this ghastly state of affairs. Diplomatic pressure on Khartoum will not alone be sufficient to force meaningful
participation in a peace process.

This is the very last opportunity to use American capital market leverage for peace in Sudan. In less than a month, given the larger
legislative calendar and the looming reality of November elections, there will be no further opportunity for moving the Sudan Peace Act.
Americans who care about a just peace in Sudan must act now on the moral imperative to prevent American capital from funding genocide.

Contact information----

Senate Democratic (majority) leadership:

[1] Senator Tom Daschle, Senate Majority Leader

509 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-3602

Email via website:

http://daschle.senate.gov/webform.html

Phone: 202-224-5556
Fax: 202-224-6603

Senate Republican (minority) leadership:

[2] Senator Trent Lott, Senate Minority Leader

487 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2403

Email: senatorlott@lott.senate.gov

Phone: 202-224-6253
Fax: 202-224-2262

[3] Senator Don Nickles, Senate Minority Whip

133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-3602

Email via website:

http://capwiz.com/nyt/webreturn/?url=http://nickles.senate.gov

Phone: 202-224-5754
Fax: 202-224-6008

[4] President George W. Bush

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

The White House Phone Numbers

COMMENTS: 202-456-1111

White House E-Mail Address: for President George W. Bush

president@whitehouse.gov
---------------------------
May 06, 2002 Report: AP: Bachus calls peace talks with Sudan "a deal
with the devil"
By JEFFREY McMURRAY
Associated Press Writer

05/06/2002
Associated Press Newswires

WASHINGTON (AP) - Rep. Spencer Bachus has become an unlikely critic of the Bush administration's efforts to negotiate with the
government of Sudan, dismissing the potential talks as a "deal with the devil."

Bachus, R-Ala., agrees with Bush on most domestic policy matters, but he contends American financial greed is fueling a push for peace
talks with a genocidal regime he blames for the deaths of 2 million people.

"Every agreement they've made, they've broken," Bachus said. "They are a Hitler-style government. Any deal you make with them is a deal
with the devil."

Bachus has long been an outspoken advocate for civil rights in Sudan, a country ravaged by war, largely between Muslims and Christians,
since 1983. He knows several Alabamians who have done missionary work in the African country.

Last year, he persuaded the House to approve his measure blocking oil companies doing business in Sudan from raising capital or trading
securities

in the United States. However, under pressure from the Bush administration, the Senate's version of the Sudan Peace Act left out the key
amendment, and congressional negotiators - one of whom is Bachus - haven't completed their work.

One of the loudest critics of the Bachus proposal has been Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who has said such a law would
undercut the potential for American economic growth.

"Tell that to the 2 million people of Sudan who are no longer alive today," Bachus says. "The deal apparently being cut in Sudan is a very
lucrative deal. It's very good business for our oil companies, a good deal for those who are sharing the crop, a good deal for the investors.
But it's costing lives today."

Now that President Bush has appointed former Missouri Sen. John Danforth to try to broker peace talks with Sudan, Bachus is skeptical
about whether talking is the right course of action now. However, he stops short of advocating an American invasion.

"You can't negotiate in good faith with someone who has none," he said last week during a speech to the National Association of
Evangelicals, convened in Washington to discuss atrocities in Sudan, North Korea and China.

Bachus expected the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon would rattle the American saber against Sudan, where
alleged terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden lived openly for years. Instead, he contends it has strangely done the opposite.

Shortly after the attacks, when the Sudanese government rounded up about 30 foreign extremists, the United Nations Security Council
lifted 5-year-old sanctions against the country, with the blessing of the United States.

Democrats in the Congressional Black Caucus have teamed with Bachus and a few other conservative Republicans on the Sudan cause,
but the topic has been relatively silent in recent months with other foreign policy matters taking center stage.

Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., who has visited Sudan, compares the situation to the American civil rights movement, but on a much larger scale.
He paraphrases from Martin Luther King: "In times of trouble, the silence of an enemy is expected, but the silence of a friend can be very
devastating."

-------------------------------------------------------

February 22, 2002 Government aircraft kills 17 civilians at WFP feeding

site
Sudanese government helicopters attacked a World Food Program (WFP) feeding operation on Wednesday, February 20th, in the village of
Bieh in Western Upper Nile, killing 17 people and injuring many more.

The incident occurred less than a fortnight after the Sudanese government issued an unprecedented apology for a similar attack on a WFP
site at Akeum village in Bahr al Ghazal.

The attack on Bieh occurred shortly after the WFP had delivered food aid for 10,000 civilians. Those killed and injured were part of a group
of approximately 4000 people that had gathered to receive emergency food provisions. The victims included women and children.

According to a WFP statement, one government Hind-24 helicopter 'hovered over the WFP compound and fired five rockets into the
surrounding area'. Aid workers on the ground also reported that a soldier in the helicopter fired a machine gun into the crowd. The attack
occurred despite the fact that the food distribution effort had received government clearance.

The attack on Bieh is the third aerial attack on civilians in three weeks, and the second on a WFP feeding operation. On 9 February at least
three bombs were dropped on the village of Nimne in Western Upper Nile killing a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) health worker and 4
other civilians, including a child. The following day 2 children were killed and around 12 people were injured when a Sudanese plane
dropped 6 bombs on a UN feeding center in the village of Akeum less than 3 hours after the WFP had delivered food aid.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance in Khartoum has sent a strong letter of protest to the Sudanese
government in the wake of the attack on Bieh, and WFP chief Catherine Bertini has issued a statement calling the bombing an
'unacceptable' and 'intolerable affront to human life and to humanitarian work'.

The Norwegian and American governments have also condemned the attack on Bieh. The Norwegian Government called it 'a violation of
humanitarian principles', and pointed out that this was 'not a single incident, but rather an alarming pattern of behavior' on the part of the
Sudanese government. An unnamed State Department official concurred, telling United Press International that the attack was 'clearly
deliberate', since the feeding site was 'clearly identifiable as there were '73 tones of food on or near the drop zone, and large orange signs
clearly delineated in the area'.

The US government has now suspended discussions with the Sudanese government on resolving the country's 19-year-old civil war. State
Department Spokesman Richard Boucher called Sudanese government attacks on civilians 'senseless and brutal', and demanded an
explanation of 'how one part of the government can negotiate with the United States an agreement to end attacks against civilians while
another...is deliberately targeting civilians'.

Bieh is situated in the center of the oil concession owned by Lundin Petroleum of Sweden, the Malaysian oil company Petronas, and OMV
of Austria.

Recently Lundin was forced to suspend operations due to rebel activity in the area. The US-based Sudan expert Professor Eric Reeves
sees the attack on Bieh as part of an ongoing government strategy 'designed to destroy all civilian and humanitarian presence, thereby
creating the 'security' that will allow the oil companies to resume operations'. Other human rights researchers and NGOs have also
documented this strategy, which consists of attacking civilians in order to forcibly depopulate the areas surrounding the oil concessions and
create a cordon sanitaire for oil companies.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide said: "The bombing of the feeding center in Bieh clearly demonstrates
that the Sudanese government's previous apology lacked sincerity.

"We are pleased at the decisive action taken by the American government in response to this reprehensible act. We strongly urge the
European Union to adopt similar firm measures and put pressure on the Sudanese government to abide by international humanitarian
principles and to end it's policy of deliberately attacking non-military targets."

-------------------------------------
February 21, 2002 Six months pregnant Sudanese woman accused of
adultery given 75 lashes
An 18-year-old woman who is six months pregnant and whose death sentence was overturned by a Sudanese appeal court has received
75 lashes.

Abok Alfa Akok, a Christian living in Nyala, Southern Darfur, said that she had been raped, but was unable to produce the four male
witnesses required by Sharia (Islamic) law to validate her statement.

As a result, she was found guilty of adultery after becoming pregnant during her husband’s six-month absence in Khartoum.

An appeal court overturned Abok’s sentence following an international outcry and recommended that she receive a ‘rebuke’ sentence
instead.

The Sudanese Victims of Torture Group has confirmed that on February 12 the Nyala Criminal Court sentenced Abok to 75 lashes. The
sentence was carried out immediately, making it impossible for Abok to seek legal counsel or exercise any right of appeal. A lawyer acting
on her behalf has lodged a complaint with the High Court about the conduct of the court proceedings.

Abok’s case has caused a wave of international indignation and has even led to a call for an international campaign against the violation of
human rights from a prominent figure in the Vatican.

According to Zenit, a Rome-based international news agency, Cardinal Roberto Tucci, President of Vatican Radio’s Administration
Committee, stated that ‘for years in Sudan there has been authentic persecution by the Muslim government against the peoples of the
south with black skins’. The Cardinal went on to comment directly on Abok’s situation, pointing out that Sharia law had been applied to a
non-Muslim, adding that ‘it would be appropriate to start a campaign of protest against what is happening’.

Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, President of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, is said to
be one of several people who expressed support for the Cardinal’s suggestion.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “This woman’s inhumane treatment highlights the appalling misuse
of Sharia law in Sudan.

“This is the second time that she has been denied due process of law, quite apart from the injustice of a Christian being subject to Sharia
law.

“We are asking the international community to bring Sudan to account for the way Abok has been treated, as well as for its widespread
violation of the human rights of its citizens.”

----------------------------------
February 12, 2002 Death sentence overturned on woman in Sudan but
converts still under pressure
In response to international pressure a Sudanese Appeals Court has overturned a death sentence imposed by a lower court on an 18-year-
old illiterate woman.

Abok Alfa Akok, a Christian living in Southern Darfur, became pregnant during her husband's 6 month absence in Khartoum. She informed
the police who arrested her that she had been raped.

However, the alleged rapist, a Muslim, denied the charge and was acquitted because Abok was unable to produce the 4 male witnesses
required by Sharia law to validate her version of events.

A criminal court in Nyala City, Southern Darfur subsequently found her guilty of adultery and on 8 December 2001 she was sentenced to
death by stoning following a flawed judicial process during which she had no legal representation and was not offered the services of a
translator despite the fact that the entire proceedings were conducted in Arabic and she only speaks Dinka.

However, a higher court has overturned the sentence and recommended a 'rebuke' sentence. It is as yet unclear what a 'rebuke' sentence
will entail.

After usurping power in 1989 the ruling Sudanese regime proceeded to introduce Sharia (Islamic) Law throughout the ethnically and
religiously diverse country. This decision re-ignited Sudan's long-running civil war, and as a consequence Sharia law is now applicable to
everyone within the government's jurisdiction, regardless of their religious affiliation. As a consequence Abok was subject to Sharia despite
being a Christian.

The Sudanese government has sought to erect a facade of religious tolerance by permitting the existence of diverse churches in the north,
and its apologists frequently cite legal provisions for religious freedom that exist in the country's 1998 constitution. In reality the regime
consistently attacks Christian facilities in the rebel-held south of the country, and subjects Christian churches in the government-controlled
north to pressure and restrictions. Christian sources in Khartoum have stressed that '[President el Bashir] shows a different face to the
West, so there are Christian churches, but Christians suffer constant harassment'.

Muslim converts to Christianity are currently facing acute pressure. The human rights organization Middle East Concern has recently
expressed deep disquiet about the well-being of Ala' ad-Din Umar Agabna, a convert to Christianity who has been forced into hiding
following severe ill-treatment at the hands of the Sudanese state security police, who for the second time barred him from leaving the
country.

Mr Agabna was verbally abused and severely beaten by four airport officials as he tried to board a plane to Uganda. The officials also
confiscated his money, threatening to "eliminate" him if he told anyone what had happened to him.

Since converting to Christianity 11 years ago Mr Agabna has been subjected to continuous harassment and periodic incarcerations in the
notorious state torture facilities known as 'Ghost Houses'. According to Christian news agency Compass Direct, in the past he has had his
right hand broken, undergone torture with melting blocks of ice on his chest, and been beaten severely on several occasions.

The agency also quotes local church sources in Khartoum as stating that in late January, security police had injected Mr Agabna at least
three times with unknown substances that made him drowsy.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide said: 'CSW welcomes the decision of the court concerning Abok Akok,
but remains concerned that non-Muslims are subject to Sharia law. This and the continuing restrictions faced by Christians in the north
clearly violate Sudan's own Constitution and international standards of religious freedom.

"Furthermore, CSW urges the UN to make representations to the Sudanese government in light of this clear evidence of violations of the
Convention Against Torture to which Sudan is a signatory party'.

------------------------------------
January 22, 2002 Baroness Cox accuses British Government of
complacency over war in Sudan
As the National Islamic Front Government of Sudan continues to bomb its citizens, President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Baroness
Cox, initiated a debate calling for stronger action by the British Government.

Baroness Cox clashed with the Government in an exchange during a starred question mini-debate in the House of Lords on January 17. It
is estimated that at least 80 people have been killed by Government of Sudan bombs between July and November last year.

She accused the Government of being ‘unduly complacent’, and noted that civilian targets have continued to be bombed by the
Government of Sudan in the opening weeks of this month.

The Government was challenged by Lady Cox to provide any evidence that the British Government’s policy of what she termed ‘critical
dialogue with a regime which continues to slaughter its people’, was working.

Government Minister Baroness Amos denied that the British Government was being complacent, and asserted that continuing and
intensified dialogue was the way forward. Baroness Amos also denied that Sudan was a state sponsor of terrorism and a supporter of the
Al’Qaeda movement.

Peers from all sides of the House rallied to Baroness Cox’s support. Cross-bencher and well known Christian campaigner Lord Alton
pointed out to the Government that slavery remains one of the most serious human rights abuses in Sudan.

From the Bishops’ bench, the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford noted that the Sudanese regime had recently assassinated a key community
leader in the Nuba Mountains, as part of its ongoing campaign against the people of that area. This violated a ceasefire negotiated by US
Special Envoy to Sudan, Senator John Danforth.

Conservative front bencher Lord Astor of Hever backed up Baroness Cox’s argument that the policy of critical dialogue was having no
positive outcomes at all.

Two peers, the veteran Liberal Democrat human rights campaigner Lord Avebury and the Conservative Lord Elton, raised the case of Abok
Alfa Akok, a Christian woman who has been sentenced to death for alleged adultery by a sharia court.

Lord Elton also noted that the trial was conducted entirely in Arabic, a language of which Abok has no knowledge, and that no translator
was provided for her. He added that money from the Government’s oil revenues was being used to buy new military hardware.

CSW remains concerned that Christians are tried under sharia law in the north of Sudan.

As the British Government continues to defend its policy of ongoing dialogue with the Sudanese regime, Baroness Cox added: “The toll of
suffering in Sudan, with two million dead and five million displaced from war-related causes in recent years exceeds that of former
Yugoslavia, Somalia and the previous tragedy of Rwanda put together.

“It is imperative that the British Government and all concerned with peace and justice, respond more vigorously and with a greater sense of
urgency to this unparalleled, man-made suffering and call the National Islamic Front regime to account before many more innocent people
suffer and die.”

-----------------------------------------
Jan 11, 2002 Act on Behalf of Sudanese Woman!
Dear Friends,

CSW has received the following request for urgent action on behalf of a southern Sudanese woman, Abok Alfa Akok, who has been
sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. The information came from the OMCT (World Organisation Against Torture) and is based on a
report from the Sudanese Victims of Torture Group (SVTG). CSW has contacted the SVTG and confirmed the details of the report.

According to the SVTG Abok was convicted following a flawed trial in a Sharia Court. Mrs Akok initially admitted the charge, later adding
that the man involved had raped her. The man denied the charge and was acquitted because Abok failed to find 4 male witnesses to
validate her confession, thereby increasing the severity of her sentence. Throughout the trial Abok had no legal representation, and
according to the SVTG, she admitted to the charge in the mistaken belief that in a Sharia Court she would be compensated for what had
happened to her, as this is what occurs in the Dinka tradition. At no point was she offered the services of a translator despite the fact that
the entire trial was conducted in Arabic and she only speaks Dinka.

However, this case is not straight forward. It would appear that it was brought to court by Abok's husband. It is unclear whether Abok and
her husband were seeking reparations for what happened to her, or whether the husband brought the case to court in anger-he had been
missing for 6 months, and according to Dinka custom desertion is a form of divorce. What is clear is that in the aftermath of a flawed trial
Abok received an extremely severe sentence. Moreover, Abok later retracted her admission. According to Sharia Law, if a defendant
retracts a confession at any stage-even after sentencing, a Sharia punishment is no longer applicable, and the case should be subject to
ordinary criminal law. Clearly this did not occur in the case of Abok.

The SVTG has engaged a lawyer for Abok, and an appeal has been launched against the sentence. If this appeal is unsuccessful, the
sentence will be carried out soon after Abok gives birth. The SVTG is hoping that in the event of an unsuccessful appeal, strong
international pressure will deter the Sudanese government from proceeding with the execution. The SVTG is therefore requesting that as
many people as possible contact Sudanese officials on Abok's behalf.

The names and contact details of the Sudanese President, Minister of Justice and Minister of Foreign Affairs are contained in the
information below.

++++
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Case SDN 040102.VAW

Woman Sentenced to Death by Stoning

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Sudan.

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Sudanese Victims of Torture Group (SVTG), a member of the OMCT
network, of the sentencing to death by stoning of a young women named Abok Alfa Akok from Nyala City, Southern Darfur.

According to the information received, on 8 December 2001, Abok Alfa Akok, a Christian woman of 18 years of age from the Dinka tribe,
was sentenced to death by stoning by the criminal court in Nyala City, Southern Darfur for the crime of adultery.

The sentence was based on Article 146 of the Sudan's 1991 Penal Code, which is based upon the government's interpretation of the
Shari'a (Islamic law), and which states that whoever commits the offence of adultery shall be punished with:

1. Execution by stoning when the offender is married (muhsan);

2. One hundred lashes when the offender is not married (non-muhsan);
3. Male, non-married offenders may be punished, in addition to whipping, with expatriation for a year.

According to the information received, the lawyer has stated that Abok Alfa Akok has not received a fair trial and an appeal has been
submitted against the sentence.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned over the physical and psychological integrity of Abok Alfa Akok. OMCT
unreservedly condemns the use of such punishments, which clearly violate international human rights standards as embodied in the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, to which Sudan is a signatory and a State party respectively.

Actions requested

Please write to the Sudanese authorities urging them to:

i. immediately repeal the death by stoning sentence passed on Abok Alfa Akok;

ii. ensure that the Abok Alfa Akok has a fair and prompt appeal trial;

iii. take all necessary measures to secure the respect of the rule of law in Sudan which includes the respect of the prohibition of torture and
cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment and amend the Sudanese legislation as a matter of priority, in order to abolish the
death penalty;

iv. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Abok Alfa Akok;

v. ensure in all circumstances the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national and international
standards.

Addresses:

· His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, People's Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum,
Sudan
Telex: 22385 PEPLC SD or 22411 KAID SD- Fax: +249 11 771 7 24

· Mr Ali Osman Yasin, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Khartoum, Sudan.
Telex:22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs) - Fax: +249 11 7740 63
· Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan
Telex: 22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD - Fax: 249 11 7740 63

Please also write to the embassies of Sudan in your respective country.

Geneva, 4 January 2002

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in
your reply

Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT)

World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT)
8 rue du Vieux-Billard
Case postale 21
CH-1211 Geneve 8
Suisse/Switzerland
Tel. : 0041 22 809 49 39
Fax : 0041 22 809 49 29
E-mail : omct@omct.org
http://www.omct.org

· His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, People's Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum,
Sudan
Telex: 22385 PEPLC SD or 22411 KAID SD- Fax: +249 11 771 7 24

· Mr Ali Osman Yasin, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Khartoum, Sudan.
Telex:22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs) - Fax: +249 11 7740 63

· Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan
Telex: 22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD - Fax: 249 11 7740 63

Please also write to the embassies of Sudan in your respective country.

Geneva, 4 January 2002

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in
your reply

Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT)

World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT)
8 rue du Vieux-Billard
Case postale 21
CH-1211 Geneve 8
Suisse/Switzerland
Tel. : 0041 22 809 49 39
Fax : 0041 22 809 49 29
E-mail : omct@omct.org
http://www.omct.org

· His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, People's Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum,
Sudan
Telex: 22385 PEPLC SD or 22411 KAID SD- Fax: +249 11 771 7 24

· Mr Ali Osman Yasin, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Khartoum, Sudan.
Telex:22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs) - Fax: +249 11 7740 63

· Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan
Telex: 22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD - Fax: 249 11 7740 63

Please also write to the embassies of Sudan in your respective country.

Geneva, 4 January 2002

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in
your reply

Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT)

World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT)
8 rue du Vieux-Billard
Case postale 21
CH-1211 Geneve 8
Suisse/Switzerland
Tel. : 0041 22 809 49 39
Fax : 0041 22 809 49 29
E-mail : omct@omct.org
http://www.omct.org
-------------------------------------
News Article by PANA posted on November 15, 2001 at 10:49:42: EST (-5
GMT)
Sudan to set up special tribunals to curb slavery
Khartoum, Sudan, Nov 14, 2001 (PANA) -- The Sudanese ministry of justice said Wednesday it was launching special tribunals in the
border regions separating the south and north of the country to try persons involved in enslaving women and children from the civil war
zones.

Justice Minister Ali Yassin said that two tribunals have already started functioning in the localities of Deain and Mujald in West Kordufan
State, part of Northern Sudan.

"We are fully committed to the fight against women and children abductions," Yassin said following his return from a tour of the border
zones with representatives of the European Union (EU).

"All those found involved in such acts will be tried and punished,'' he said.

A statement by the Sudanese foreign ministry Wednesday said EU representatives to an ongoing Sudan-EU dialogue appreciated the
launch of the tribunals.

Complaints have been rising in recent years from the abduction of women and children by militias who turn their captives into virtual
slaves.

Accusing fingers have, in particular, been pointed at the Rizaigat (a Northern tribe) and the Dinka (a Southern tribe) who turn their captives
into either sex slaves or fighters in the long war.

The Dinkas constitute the backbone of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A).

UN agencies and other human rights groups have also been uneasy over the phenomenon, often dubbing it "slavery."

The UNICEF has been coordinating the reuniting of the abducted women and children with their families on both sides of the war.

Some 250 Dinka children and women were reportedly reunified with their families under UNICEF auspices last October. Similar groups
from both sides were reunited with their kin in the North and South in 2000.

------------------------------------
November 14, 2001 The Sudan Peace Act
The Sudan Peace Act, with provision for capital market sanctions against oil companies operating in Sudan, took a giant step toward
passage today, as the US House of Representatives passed a motion to create a conference committee for the bill (necessary to reconcile
the House and Senate versions). The decision to allow the Sudan Peace Act to move forward in the House was made by Speaker Dennis
Hastert, and he certainly would not have made such a decision without the approval of the White House. Given the tremendous
compression and disruption in the legislative calendar caused by the events of September 11, this is an extremely significant legislative
development. Passage of the Sudan Peace Act, with provision for capital market sanctions, is the key element in providing to Special Envoy
John Danforth---now in Sudan---the leverage necessary to negotiate effectively with the recalcitrant Khartoum regime.

Eric Reeves [November 15, 2001]

Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063 413-585-3326

News commentary on the Sudan Peace Act has been remarkably ill-informed, typically reflecting an understanding of neither the scale of
Congressional and grass-roots support for the measure, nor even the legislative process governing the bill. The simple truth is that the
Sudan Peace Act never died, or faced an end-of-year deadline. The bill would not have required re-introduction in 2002 because the
present year does not mark the end of a Congressional session. Nor has there been any diminishment of the passionate support for the
House bill that comes from a broad range of important political constituencies, in and out of Washington.

These constituencies---human rights organizations, church groups, African American political and religious organizations (including the
powerful Congressional Black Caucus), organized labor, grass-roots coalitions, and a number of others---have all been communicating
powerfully and continuously with likely members of the House/Senate conference committee. Many of those on Capitol Hill have made
clear that these voices have registered in a compelling fashion. Congressional support for the capital market sanctions provision of the
Sudan Peace Act was dramatically signaled by the 422 to 2 House vote of this past June.

But the events of September 11 did occasion a radically altered legislative calendar. In the wake of the terrorist attacks, President Bush had
previously signaled to the Congress that beyond terrorism-related legislation, he wished to see only education reform and a patients' "bill of
rights" as issues for legislative consideration. But clearly things have changed with today's House vote. It is extremely unlikely that House
Leader Dennis Hastert would have allowed the conferencing motion to go forward without a signal from the White House.

Moreover, highly reliable sources indicate that the Senate will also be voting soon on a motion to go to conference on the bill. In August
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle sent a letter to the Congressional Black Caucus, in which he declared that he would do everything he
could to insure a timely consideration of the Sudan Peace Act. Senator Daschle was responding to a letter signed by all thirty-eight
members of the Congressional Black Caucus---a letter in which the members declare their deep dissatisfaction with the Senate version of
the Sudan Peace Act (which lacks capital market sanctions against Talisman Energy and other oil companies operating in Sudan).
Movement in the House puts tremendous pressure on Senator Daschle and the Democratic leadership of the Senate to make good on this
promise to the Congressional Black Caucus.

The fact that the US Special Envoy for Sudan, former senator John Danforth, is right now in Sudan and the region, is an exceedingly
interesting coincidence. For it is clear that the US can have no hope of pressuring the intransigent Khartoum regime to negotiate a just
peace without effective tools. While the US acquiesced in the lifting of UN sanctions against Khartoum, President Bush very recently
renewed comprehensive US economic sanctions against Khartoum. So far this has not been enough to convince the regime that it must
negotiate a just peace in good faith. But legislation that targets their oil partners with excruciating capital market punishment will get
Khartoum's attention in a hurry.

On this score, there is good reason to think that Senator Danforth's experience in dealing with the National Islamic Front regime, and the
experience of a State Department team in the region two weeks ago, has already started to create a very sour taste. Certainly the fact that
Khartoum chose the eve of the arrival of the Danforth mission (November 11) to attack with artillery UN World Food Program (WFP) planes
as they landed in the Nuba Mountains must have created an especially strong impression. For ending Khartoum's brutal siege of the Nuba
is to be the key benchmark in what was announced by the Associated Press (Nov 14) and other wire services as a "Danforth plan" for
peace in Sudan.

Today's legislative event is extraordinary, however understood. And it should be clear to all that the US Congress will not avert its eyes from
Sudan's agony, and that the capital market threat to oil companies complicit in that agony is real and growing.

------------------------------
News Article by AP posted on November 14, 2001 at 15:32:31: EST (-5
GMT)
U.S. envoy to Sudan presents four-point peace plan
By MOHAMED OSMAN Associated Press Writer

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Nov 14, 2001 (AP) -- The United States' new special envoy to Sudan has presented a four-point plan to the Sudanese
government to end the country's 18-year-old civil war.

John C. Danforth, an Episcopal minister and former Republican senator from Missouri, told reporters on Wednesday that he would take the
same plan to rebel leader John Garang in Nairobi, Kenya later this week.

Danforth presented the plan during meetings on Tuesday with two senior Sudanese officials and a late night meeting with President Omar
el-Bashir.

He described his discussions as "positive."

The U.S. envoy said his plan, which should serve as a confidence-building step, included providing continuos access to the Nuba
mountains for relief purposes and creating zones and times of tranquility where humanitarian efforts can go forward.

The plan also calls for cessation of bombing or any other military attacks on civilians and the cessation of abductions.

Danforth said President George W. Bush is "very very aware of the suffering in Sudan and he is very desirous to see peace being realized
there."

The United States will not impose a solution on Sudan but "the only people who can end the war are the people of Sudan, Muslims and
Christians can play a role, the answer is right here,"

He said the Nuba mountains, 750 kilometers (600 miles) southwest of the capital Khartoum, was chosen to serve as a "test case" for
cease-fire and rehabilitation because "they are well-known within the United States and there is a lot of interest in the Nuba mountains."

Danforth said if there was progress in Nuba "it would be a test case for something that could work nationally and it would do a lot at least
within our country to indicate that this is a progress that is moving forward."

Strict security measures were in evidence outside the iron-walled U.S. embassy building where Danforth spoke to reporters. Some
reporters left the embassy before Danforth' news conference to protest against being subjected to body searches and using dogs to sniff
equipment. In appointing Danforth in September, Bush said he wanted to go beyond humanitarian efforts and try to end a war in which
more than 2 million people have died in fighting and related famines.

On Nov. 1, Bush extended for one year U.S. sanctions imposed on Sudan because of Washington's concern about Sudan's record on
terrorism and human rights violations.

Sudan, which has often accused the United States of siding with the rebel army, said the sanctions' renewal would not affect its dialogue
with Washington.

-----------------------------------
November 8, 2001 Anti-Slavery Group Announces $1 Billion Class-Action
Lawsuit against
Talisman Energy for Fueling Slavery and Genocide in Sudan
Legal team that successfully sued on behalf of victims of Nazi slave labor now targets
corporation that abetted state-sponsored terror in Sudan
NEW YORK (November 7, 2001) - The American Anti-Slavery Group today announced that board member, Attorney Carey R. D'Avino, in
conjunction with Attorney Stephen A. Whinston, will be filing a $1 billion lawsuit against Talisman Energy, Inc. of Canada. Talisman is a
business partner of the radical Islamic regime in Sudan, which has been condemned by governments and human rights groups for
genocide, forced starvation, and slavery. D'Avino and Whinston have successfully sued German corporation on behalf of Nazi slave
laborers.

The Presbyterian Church of Sudan and two individuals are plaintiffs in a federal class action suit to be filed Thursday in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York. They are charging Talisman with violations of international law for participating in the
ethnic cleansing of black and non-Muslim minorities in southern Sudan.

The Rev. John Sudan Gaduel, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Sudan, says "Talisman is on the front lines of human rights abuses in
southern Sudan and it is time they are held accountable for their role in the brutal 'jihad' that is killing my people."

The complaint alleges that Talisman, in an effort to protect its oil fields in Sudan, aided and abetted the fundamentalist Islamic government
in its ongoing and self-proclaimed 'jihad' - a campaign that has resulted in massive civilian displacement; the burning of villages, churches
and crops; and the murder and enslavement of innocent civilians. The complaint contends that Talisman willfully and knowingly allowed the
Sudanese government to use company roads and airfields to wage this campaign.

Dr. Charles Jacobs, President of the American Anti-Slavery Group, commented: "Today's suit employs a new weapon - the courts of justice
- in our campaign to stop slavery and slaughter by Sudan's ruling terrorist regime." In July of 1999, Jacobs's organization launched a
divestment campaign against Talisman, prompting funds like TIAA-CREF, CALPERS, and the State of New York to sell their stake in
Talisman.

Rev. Gaduel, Dr. Jacobs, and attorneys Carey R. D'Avino, of Carey R. D'Avino P.C., and Stephen A. Whinston, of Berger & Montague, P.C.,
will hold a press conference on Thursday, November 8, at 11:00 a.m. at the attorneys' offices - 1251 Avenue of the Americas on the 42nd
Floor. Copies of the complaint will be made available.

-----------------------------------
November 7, 2001 Kenyan health worker abducted by Government hit
squad
Members of the Government's Popular Defence Forces (PDF) have abducted an aid worker from a relief center at Aweil.

Julianna Waithera Muiruri, 27, was seized with two colleagues on November 2 after the militiamen arrived on horseback.

Ms Muiruri, a nutritionist, is employed by the Lutheran World Federation, but was on secondment to the relief center in Aweil in the southern
diocese of Rumbek in Bahr el Ghazal state.

She was working on the food relief program based at the center and run by the Church Ecumenical Action Sudan (CEAS) charity in
conjunction with the Catholic church.

She fled back to the relief center in a bid to escape from marauding Government troops and militia who had just raided the nearby town of
Nyamlell.

Eye witnesses said the three were taken towards Wedweil where a Government military build-up is taking place because of pressure from
the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA).

Catholic Bishop Caesar Mazzolari of the Rumbek Diocese has appealed to the Government for Ms Muiruri's release.

Ms Muiruri is the second female aid worker and the third Kenyan national to be abducted by the PDF this year.

On March 8 a Government militia group attacked the compound of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International in Kiechkuon
in Eastern Upper Nile.

They killed a woman and a young girl and abducted Joy Santuke, a Ugandan, along with two Kenyans and one Sudanese colleague.

All four were eventually released due to high level lobbying, but another man, Wisely Wani Barnnaba, a Sudan Medical Care community
health worker, was seized on October 22 near Lolim in Eastern Equatoria and was last seen being led away towards the Government-held
town of Kapoeta.

Government forces routinely bomb civilian targets including relief centers and churches, raze villages, kill men and abduct and enslave
women and children.

These latest abductions are viewed as part of the Government Jihad against the people of southern Sudan to move off the land
surrounding the country's oilfields.

The war against civilians in the south seems to have intensified after the lifting of UN Security Council sanctions against the Sudanese
Government last month.

CSW is calling on the international community to take action against the Sudanese Government and to put pressure on them to stop killing
and abusing their own people.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "The abduction of aid workers is part of the ongoing abuse of
human rights in Sudan. We are calling on the international community to take a much stronger line against the Sudanese Government in a
bid to stop such appalling abuses of human rights."

-------------------------------------

November 1, 2001 "THE HIDDEN GIFT" GOES GLOBAL ON EWTN

WASHINGTON, DC -- The powerful documentary film, "The Hidden Gift: War and Faith in Sudan," will air on Eternal Word Television
Network's Global Showcase in mid-November.

U. S. screening dates on the cable channel are: Saturday, Nov. 10 (8PM), Wednesday, Nov. 14 (10AM), and Thursday, Nov. 15 (11PM). The
film will also be shown on EWTN this month in Canada, Europe, the Pacific Rim countries and in Africa. Check your local cable or satellite
listings.

The documentary, directed by David Tlapek and written by Gabriel Meyer, tells the story of the Nuba people of central Sudan, a wise and
gentle civilization caught in the middle of the country's brutal civil war. The film's guide to this hidden world of war and faith is an exiled
Sudanese churchman, Bishop Macram Max Gassis, who, from his base in Nairobi, Kenya, has launched a lonely and perilous mission to
bring vital supplies, and faith, to the Nuba and other forgotten peoples of Sudan.

The film premiered last year at Los Angeles' Museum of Tolerance, and had its Washington, DC premier this summer at the United States
Memorial Holocaust Museum. It has been shown on Catholic university campuses in the US and Europe, including the Gregorian University
in Rome, and will be screened this week at the Bellarmine Forum's conference on ending world genocide in the 21st century at Loyola
Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Commonweal magazine called "The Hidden Gift" an important and compelling film." Nat Hentoff of The Village Voice praised it for
"exposing the Sudanese regime's ruthless crimes against humanity."

Through this fifty-four minute documentary, the proud, resilient Nuba speak not only about their struggle to survive, but about the fierce
hope that sustains them, and about their age-old vision of religious tolerance that may well be Sudan's only path to lasting peace.

For global audiences, "The Hidden Gift" will be screened in Canada on Saturday, Nov. 10 (8PM), Wednesday, Nov. 14 (1PM), and twice on
Thursday, Nov. 15 (3AM and 10PM). For screening times in Europe, the Pacific Rim and Africa, visit the EWTN website at www.ewtn.com,
or Bishop Gassis's website at sudan@petersvoice.com.

-----------------------------------
November 2001 Midland to host IDOP
By Johnnye Montgomery

MRT Correspondent

Next Nov. 4, the city of Midland will host the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, an event that, on the surface, might
embody a worthy activity, but hardly one that is urgently relevant to daily life in Midland.

However, two speakers who came to town this past week to speak in advance of the November event say they disagree, since a large part
of the prayer activities and address by the more than 24 speakers that day will be focused on the 18-year-long Islamic purge of Christians
in the Sudan.

Artist/songwriter Ken Tamplin, producer of the Sudan relief CD Make Me Your Voice, and Faith McDonnell, coordinator of Church Alliance
for a New Sudan, were in Midland at the invitation of Midland's Basic Ministries group to address church and community leaders. They both
say they see God's hand in the naming of Midland, with its deep investment in the oil industry, to be the center of a protest against the
genocides in the Sudan, which are significantly aided by monies generated from oil.

"I see the hand of God in this dichotomy," Tamplin said. "If these guys can do this dastardly, heinous deed, massacring life for oil, then what
a great opportunity we have to use the resources we have here, from Midland/Odessa to work to save lives."

The massacre for oil Tamplin referred to is the production of oil by the National Islamic Front government's Greater Nile Petroleum
Company and its partners, which has paid for high-tech weaponry and other resources that the NIF has used against the people of central
and southern Sudan.

According to a pamphlet published by Ms. McDonnell's CANS organization, the genocide escalated after August 1999, when "the combined
efforts of the National Islamic front government's Greater Nile Petroleum Co and various foreign oil companies began to pay off when oil
came on stream.

"What should have been a source of blessing and benefit to the people living in oil-rich areas, has instead become a source of further hell.

"First, the areas around the oilfields have to be 'cleared' by the regime. NIF forces and Arab militias are used for the raiding, burning,
displacing, slaughtering and enslaving of which 'clearing the area' consists.

"Second, the proceeds from the oil are being used by Khartoum to prosecute the genocidal jihad, not only to keep the war going, but to
purchase more advanced and deadly weapons."

The pamphlet listed Greater Nile's major oil partners as Talisman Energy, Canada; Chinese National Petroleum Co.; TotalFina, France;
Petronas, Malaysia; Lundin, Sweden; and Russian oil companies which came into the partnership in February of this year.
Tamplin, who donates the total proceeds of his Make Me Your Voice CD to organizations providing aid to Sudan, said he was made aware
of the Sudanese plight when he attended a dinner where Lady Baroness Caroline Cox, deputy speaker for Britain's House of Lords, was
speaking.

Her subject was the Sudan, and the stories she told were of slaughter and rape and the selling of children into slave prostitution were
gripping and horrifying to Tamplin, who has young children.

He said that after being unable to put the mental images out of his mind, he found himself with a strong conviction that God wanted him to
make a CD to publicize the plight of the Sudanese Christians. He began to contact churches through which to market the CD, and artists
and production people to help create it, and things readily fell into place -- another indication to him that he was doing God's will.

"There is a Jewish saying that coincidence isn't Kosher," he said. "I could just see the hand of God in this.

"And now we're invited to come to Midland/Odessa, second largest oil-producing area on the continent, to work toward the end of this
holocaust. I can't help but see God's hand here."

Tamplin attended the Rock the Desert concert on Saturday, where Basic Ministries sold Make Me Your Voice CDs and dispensed
information about the upcoming International Day of Prayer. Ms. McDonnell said in an interview prior to her Saturday address that there are
many ways in which ordinary "members in the pews" can help to alleviate the situation in Sudan.

"Write letters to your representatives in Congress," she said. "Write letters to the editor of the paper. Talk to other people and ask them to
write letters and e-mails. Organize demonstrations. You can make your voice heard." She said it is especially important that Americans
write to their senators concerning the Sudan Peace Act, which the House passed with an amendment written by Alabama senator Spancer
Bachus, that bars foreign investors from borrowing from U.S. lenders to invest in oil in the Sudan.

"Now is a perfect time to write your senators while they're at home, and ask them to pass the Sudan Peace Act with the amendment intact.
It's the Bachus amendment that's in danger, and that's what we want to keep."

--------------------------------------------------

October 12, 2001 Sudanese government bombs its citizens as United

Nations drops aid
In the last week Sudanese aircraft have dropped high explosive shrapnel-loaded bombs on a village in the Bahr al Ghazal province, home
to 20,000 Internally Displaced People (IDP's).

The Antonov bombers attacked the village on October 5, 6 and 8 and seem to have been timed to coincide with the arrival of the United
Nations relief plane which has to clear its landing with the Sudanese Government.

Fortunately there were no casualties, but lives of UN workers and IDPs waiting for aid were gravely endangered.

The recent thaw in relations between Sudan and the United States, which led to the lifting of the Security Council sanctions against Sudan,
has not benefited non-Muslims suffering human rights violations in that country.

While the attention of the international community has been focused on events in Afghanistan, persecution seems to have increased in
Sudan with Government leaders reaffirming their commitment to pursue a jihad against the people of southern Sudan.

In the north, the ruling National Islamic Front continues to subject Christian churches to pressures and restrictions.

The Khartoum State Government has occupied half of the headquarters of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and is insisting on taking the
other half. It is also seeking to occupy the El Sahafa Christian cemetery.

Christians and their faith are constantly attacked on Sudanese national radio, television and newspapers, with Christians considering suing
two newspapers for defamation.

Muslim converts to Christianity have been singled out for particularly harsh treatment.

According to news agency Compass Direct, Mohammed Saeed Mohammed Omer, a student who converted while studying in New Delhi,
was arrested in Khartoum on September 22 at the instigation of his family.

He was beaten and tortured, having three fingernails pulled out in order to make him recant. He is now recovering from his injuries, but he
faces an uncertain future.

A local source reports that four days later two other converts, Alladin Omer Ajjabna and Nasir Hassan, also disappeared from Khartoum.

Alladin Ajjabna was previously arrested and tortured in June and held incommunicado for three months.

Prior to his disappearance he had told friends he had been ordered to report to the security police in order to face the person who accused
him of apostasy.

Sudan has been torn apart by civil war in all but 11 years since gaining independence in 1956 and an estimated two million people have
been killed and five million people displaced.

Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "The Government of Sudan continues to wage war against its own
citizens and this latest bombing of innocent people underlines their intent. It is no coincidence that a state that harbored Osama Bin Laden
before he moved to Afghanistan is inflicting terror on its own people. It is imperative that the international community does not continue to
turn a blind eye."

-----------------------------------------------------

August 1, 2001 Starvation warning as air raids continue

A new threat of starvation is looming in Sudan as the government reneges on its promise to stop bombing civilians and relief operations. At
least 30,000 people have fled the town of Raga in Bahr el-Ghazal, to escape fierce fighting.

The battle for the government stronghold was won by the SPLA, which is opposed to the imposition of Islamic law and wants self-
government for the South. Civil war has been raging since 1983.

According to the United Nations, those who have escaped the fighting are in ‘bad shape’ and a food crisis is building.

The Catholic bishop of the diocese of Rumbek, Caesar Mazzolari, has described the situation as ‘very desperate’ and is appealing for food
and medical assistance.

To make matters worse, the government is continuing its air-raids - although Khartoum announced in May that the bomb attacks against
civilians would cease.

The government is preventing relief aid from being sent to parts of the South and Nuba Mountains, central Sudan, scene of the worst
fighting where there are now growing fears of starvation. Airstrips there used by humanitarian flights have been shelled, and churches,
schools and villages have been burned.

In June, several bombs hit a church-run secondary school in Raga. Days later in Bahr el-Ghazal, a bomb narrowly missed a World Food
Program plane about to make an emergency food drop.

As a result, relief planes have stopped flying and the WFP has warned the whole humanitarian operation could be in jeopardy.

Source: CSW Hong Kong and CSW Australia.

--------------------------------------------------

June 1, 2001 When police run riot

One Christian leader lost part of his hand. 57 were given lashes and 48 more received jail sentences.

More than 100 Christians were arrested in the Sudanese capital over Easter. Three people suffered gunshot wounds and others were
beaten and wounded after the authorities forced the last minute cancellation of an open-air Easter service that was to have been led by the
German evangelist Reinhard Bonnke.

The trouble resulted from a last minute decision by the authorities to shift the venue for the Easter celebration to the outskirts of the city.
The new location lacked water and electricity and was owned by Muslim militants. They had leafleted the area accusing Rev Bonnke of
being a 'witchcraft atheist and blasphemous Christian.'

Earlier, threatening e-mails, purporting to be from the international terrorist Osama Bin Laden, had warned the evangelist to abandon his
meetings. During a similar event the previous year, an attempt was made on Bonnke's life, which was thwarted by the police. However, this
year, the police withdrew their protection and the situation was inflamed further by negative press and television statements by high-ranking
officials.

With a growing sense of menace in the air, the evangelist decided to cancel the event and left the country. But the news did not reach
everyone who had planned to come. When some Christians and Muslims turned up at the original location they were refused entry by riot
police who dispersed them with tear gas.

Unfortunately, some of the crowd retaliated by stoning passing vehicles. One church leader at the scene said the police appeared to be
drugged or drunk: 'They were wild'. The next day, the Bishop called a prayer meeting at All Saints Cathedral where a letter of protest was
drawn up. Riot police were stationed around the cathedral. When students sought to hand in a letter of protest the police response was
completely disproportionate. Twenty two gas canisters were fired into the Cathedral causing panic. Rubber bullets were fired and some live
rounds; one Christian leader lost part of his hand .

Police broke into the Provost's house nearby, threw tear gas and stabbed one of his relatives. In total, 57 were arrested and given lashes,
including a number of boys and women and 48 more were sentenced to 20 days in prison. All were released following an international
outcry.

The Sudanese government accused western Christians of fomenting discontent in their country. Religious freedom is protected under the
nation's 1998 constitution. Yet in a letter to the President, church leaders describe the law as 'nothing other than a political gesture meant to
mislead others that there is freedom of religion.'

--------------------------------------------------

June 1, 2001 More Than 300 People Stage a Protest in London for Peace
and Justice in Sudan
The demonstration was organized by the newly created Sudanese-British Human Rights Forum (SBHRF).
Marchers delivered a letter of protest to the Sudanese Embassy, before going on to the Department of Trade and Industry, where the crowd
took up the chant of 'No investment before peace'.

Finally, the crowd marched on to Downing Street, where a petition containing 18,000 signatures was delivered by a delegation that included
CSW's President, Baroness Cox.

CSW says: 'We want to see the UK government at the vanguard of a move for change in Sudan, influencing EU and UN members to
suspend investment in the Sudanese economy, and taking decisive action to establish a just and lasting peace.'

Some two million people have died as a result of violence, government-engineered famine and disease - and the deliberate bombing of
civilians.

According to Roger Winter, Executive Director of the US Committee for Human Rights, an average of 300 people are killed each day in
Sudan, and one in nine displaced people in the world is Sudanese.

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Turkey
August 4, 2004 Thank you from released prisoner
Dear Friends,

Turkish Christian, Soner Onder, has written a letter of thanks to all those who prayed for and wrote to him over the 12 and a half years of
his imprisonment. Here it is for your encouragement. Thank you so much for all your support. As you can see it really does make a
difference.

Soner has given his postal address if you would like to write to him directly.

Please continue to pray for the successful outcome of a final ruling on Soner's appeal (filed at the European Court of Human Rights in
Strasbourg more than six years ago). This was filed after he lost all appeals within the Turkish judicial system.

Thank you

LETTER FROM SONER ONDER

August 3, 2004

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

First of all, I want to thank you for all your efforts for me during my time in prison. The solidarity that you showed me over all those years
gave me courage and power, and instilled the beauty of humanity in my heart.

When I think about all the letters you sent to me, an overflowing of love floods all my thoughts. I will remember your esteemed efforts
eternally.

Now, I have left behind those difficult years-the years which tried to steal all my beliefs, my youth and my humanity.

So now I'm beginning a new life. My idea at this point, my plan and my hope, is to go to a European university. Now I want to serve my
people, the Assyrian Orthodox Christians, and all of humanity. It is my hope and dream, if I am able, to be a peace activist and human rights
supporter. So to fulfill this, I hope to enroll in a European university to study international relations and human rights issues.

Ideally, I would like to do this in Sweden , since my mother now lives there, and she is a Swedish citizen. And please pray that I will be able
to pursue this dream as soon as possible, after all these lost years.

I want to thank you again and again, and tell you that your brother is FREE now. I am ready to serve with honor, with my full heart. With my
deepest feelings, I send you all my love and respect.

Yours faithfully,

Soner Onder

Postal address:
Soner Onder
Zeyhan Sokak No. 1
Bakirkoy, Istanbul
Turkey

BACKGROUND:

Soner, who was 17 when he was arrested, has always maintained his innocence. He was pulled off a bus on the way home from church on
Christmas Day 1991 by police officers who tortured him into signing a confession. He was originally sentenced to death, but this was later
changed by the Turkish courts.

He believes he was targeted because his birthplace, Diyarbakir , is a center for Kurdish separatists and they were suspected of blowing up
an Istanbul department store with the loss of 12 lives.

Soner estimates he received around 11,000 cards and letters of support from Christians all over the world during his imprisonment.

CSW has worked on behalf of Soner since he was imprisoned and visited him in prison during the appeal process.

---------------------------
June 25, 2004 Innocent Turkish prisoner finally released
Dear Friends,

We are extremely pleased to report that innocent Turkish Christian Soner Onder has been released from prison after serving 12 and a half
years for terrorism offenses. He was reunited with his family on June 22nd at Tekirday, 90 miles west of Istanbul, according to Open Doors
USA.

A final ruling is still pending from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Soner's appeal, filed in Strasbourg more than six years
ago, after he lost all appeals within the Turkish judicial system.

Soner estimates he received around 11,000 cards and letters of support from Christians all over the world during his imprisonment. Thank
you to all those who have prayed for him and written to him.

CSW Advocacy Team

PRAYERS:

- Please give thanks to God that Soner has finally been released.
- Please pray for the appeal against his conviction at the European Court of Human Rights
- Please also pray that Soner will smoothly reintegrate back into life outside prison.

BACKGROUND

Soner, who was 17 when he was arrested, has always maintained his innocence. He was pulled off a bus on the way home from church on
Christmas Day 1991 by police officers who tortured him into signing a confession. He was originally sentenced to death, but this was later
changed by the Turkish courts.

He believes he was targeted because his birthplace, Diyarbakir, is a center for Kurdish separatists and they were suspected of blowing up
an Istanbul department store with the loss of 12 lives.

Soner's release came less than a week after the Turkish Parliament officially abolished the State Security Courts under which he was
sentenced. Set up under a military constitution in the early 1980s, the controversial courts have been heavily criticized by the ECHR in two
decades of rulings against Turkey.

CSW has worked on behalf of Soner since he was imprisoned and has visited him in prison during the appeal process.

-------------------------------
December 21, 2001 Urgent Action on Behalf of Turkish Christian
Dear Friends,

Kemal Timur, a 32-year old Turkish Christian, needs your prayers and your assistance. He is facing trial for allegedly calling the prophet
Mohammed a 'sorcerer'. His accusers allege that this occured on May 1 2000, while Mr Timur was distributing Christian literature in front of
a high school in Diyarbakir city. Mr. Timur, a convert from Islam, denies the charges and has stated under oath "I certainly did not say such
things".

In December 2000, Mr Timur was told that a court case had been filed against him under Article 175 of the Turkish penal code, which
prohibits the slander of God, the prophets or the holy books. The case has been postponed four times at each scheduled hearing. Of the
three complainants, only two attended the second hearing on March 27. At that hearing, one of the complainants denied ever hearing Mr.
Timur making the alleged statement. The two subsequent hearings were postponed as the judge assigned to the case was not present. Mr.
Timur is believed to have been arrested in order to stop his Christian activities. The police officers had threatened him repeatedly to stop
the distribution of Christian literature in the city despite the fact that this is legally allowed in Turkish law. He had been detained and held for
questioning on more than eight occasions in the past before being released. The case against Mr. Timur relies heavily on the testimony of
the three arresting police officers. They failed to attend the hearing scheduled for October 4 despite receiving a court summons to testify. A
new judge has taken over the case and the next hearing is scheduled for February 5 2002.
(Source: Compass Direct)

ACT
Please write to your Congressperson, asking them to contact the Turkish Ambassador raising concerns that Mr. Timur is being harassed for
practicing his freedom of religion. As this report makes clear, there is no evidence to substantiate the case against him. You can find out the
name of your Congressperson by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Please also write a polite to the Turkish Ambassador
raising similar concerns and urging the government to take all necessary steps to ensure that freedom of religion is respected in Turkey.

Note: Please do NOT mention either CSW or Compass Direct as the source of the information.

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Turkmenistan
December 9, 2003 Baptists Threatened as Harsh New Law Used to Bite
By Igor Rotar, Forum 18 News Service
FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
http://www.forum18.org/

In the first known instance of the use against believers of Turkmenistan's harsh new religion law that came into force in November, police
who raided a Baptist Sunday service on November 30th warned church members that they would face severe punishments if they continue
to worship without state registration. The raid on the church in Balkanabad (formerly Nebitdag) in the west of the country was led by Major
Aman Annayev, the head of the town's sixth police department (responsible for combating organized crime and terrorism). Reached by
telephone at his office in Balkanabad on December 8th, Major Annayev categorically refused to discuss the raid with Forum 18 News
Service.

In the wake of the raid, police took all those present at the service, including children, to the police station, the Baptists reported. They were
accused of breaking the new religion law and warned that they would be fined 10 times the minimum wage under the code of administrative
offenses for the first two cases of breaking the law in the course of a year. However, subsequently they would face charges under the
criminal code.

One of the Baptist women was threatened that her four children would be taken from her and placed in a children's home.

The authorities have already handed down steadily-increasing fines on the Balkanabad Baptists this year for continuing to hold
unregistered prayer meetings (see F18News 14 October 2003 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=163 ).

The Balkanabad Baptists belong to the Council of Churches (or unregistered Baptists). The Council of Churches split from other Baptists in
1961, when state-sponsored controls were introduced by the then Baptist leadership. It has refused state registration ever since.

The new religion law, which came into force on November 10th, outlaws all unregistered religious activity, while a criminal code amendment
prescribes penalties for breaking the law of up to a year of "corrective labor". Turkmenistan thus joined Uzbekistan and Belarus in defying
the international human rights agreements they have signed, by banning unregistered religious activity (see F18 News November 11, 2003
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=180 ).

As the authorities allow only Sunni Muslim and Russian Orthodox communities to register, this is a considerable further move in repressing
minority faiths. Even before the new law came into force, Forum 18 knows of religious believers having been fined, detained, beaten,
threatened, sacked from their jobs, had their homes confiscated, banished to remote parts of the country or deported for unregistered
religious activity.

Forum 18 has tried to establish to what extent the situation of the Balkanabad Baptists has deteriorated since the new law on religion was
introduced. However, these efforts proved fruitless. As Major Annayev refused to discuss the raid, Forum 18 tried to clarify the situation at
the government's Gengeshi (Committee) for Religious Affairs in the capital Ashgabad. However, this proved even less successful. Hardly
had Forum 18 explained who was calling than officials immediately put the phone down.

The human rights officer at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe office in Ashgabad, Marie-Jose van Rie, said it was
too early to say that the situation of religious minorities had worsened since the adoption of the new law. "The fact is the police raids on
unregistered communities were happening before the new law was adopted," she told Forum 18 on December 8. "But I think that in future,
under the new law, the situation of religious minorities will become even worse."

For more background see Forum 18's latest religious freedom survey at http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=151 ).

A printer-friendly map of Turkmenistan is available at

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=turkme

© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved.

-----------------------------------
April 17, 2003 Human Rights Record of Turkmenistan Criticized in UNCHR
Resolution
Turkmenistan came under heavy criticism of its human rights record in a resolution adopted by the UN Commission on Human Rights on
April 15.

The resolution expressed grave concern at restrictions on the exercise of the freedom of thought, conscience and religion, despite
guarantees contained in the Constitution of Turkmenistan and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The resolution also
mentioned the harassment and persecution of members of independent faith groups and the discriminatory use of the registration
procedures for such groups.

It also called upon the Government of Turkmenistan to ensure full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the
freedoms of expression, religion, association and assembly and the protection of the rights of persons belonging to ethnic and religious
minorities.

The representative of Turkmenistan reportedly claimed that the text was harshly worded and was based on "one-sided assessment and
arbitrary interpretations of decisions taken by the Government and judicial bodies".

The vote was 23 in favor to 16 against with 14 abstentations.

CSW welcomes the adoption of the resolution and calls on the Turkmenistan government to adhere to international guarantees of religious
freedom and other human rights.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-USA, said: "We welcome this resolution which draws attention to
Turkmenistan's poor human rights and religious freedom record.

"We hope the resolution will encourage the Turkmen government to respond to the strong show of international concern regarding human
rights in their country."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Turkmenistan has an authoritarian government ruled by President Saparmurat Niyazov, who has created a bizarre personality cult around
himself. President Niyazov was declared president for life in December 1999 and has also adopted the title of 'Turkmenbashi' - 'Father of All
Turkmen'. Citizens are required to recite a daily oath of allegiance to the President, which largely consist of threats to those who oppose the
President. The media is government controlled and any opposition to the government is brutally crushed. Communication abroad is closely
monitored.

Registration law:

Article 11 of the 1992 constitution guarantees religious freedom. However, in practice, the laws and practices of the government clearly
violate freedom of religion. Religious communities, in particular Christian denominations, face harassment at the hands of the including
fines, beatings, detention and expulsion, resulting from the arbitrary implementation of the registration laws.

The revised law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations, adopted in 1996, decrees that all religious groups must re-
register and set a number of requirements for registration such as a minimum membership of 500 local worshippers. Religious groups are
also required to submit a membership list as part of the registration process. This is subsequently used to monitor and harass the
members. The Sunni Muslims and Orthodox Christians are the only faith groups granted legal registration. Even those faith groups meeting
these virtually unattainable requirements have failed to gain official recognition.

So far, protests by foreign governments and international bodies concerning these serious human rights violations have been ignored by
the Turkmen government.

----------------------------------------------------
November 22, 2002 Religious Freedom Petition Signed by More than
43,000!
A petition calling for greater religious freedom in Turkmenistan has been signed by more than 43,000 people.

A delegation led by Lord Clarke of Hampstead and CSW's National Director, Stuart Windsor, presented the petition to the Turkmen
Embassy on November 20.

Lord Clarke said: "Although this was the beginning of what could be a long road, the conclusion will be freedom to worship in Turkmenistan.
CSW, being ever vigilant, has used this opportunity not only to draw attention to the plight of the minority religious groups in the country, but
also to give hope to those who are looking to the outside world to keep their hopes alive.

"It's comforting to think that almost 44,000 people are so moved by the plight of people in a far off land that they will be seeking assurances
from the Turkmen government about the rights of people to practice their faith."

Shohrat Piriyev, an exiled Turkmen lawyer and church leader, said: "I am so appreciative of all that Lord Clarke and CSW and others have
done in this petition and I'm so thankful that you are with us in our difficult time in trying to help believers to get their right to worship in
freedom. May God bless all of you in your work for justice."

The petition, contributed to by supporters of Release International, as well as by supporters of the Danish European Mission (DEM) and
Norwegian Mission to the East, called for a change to the repressive religious registration law in Turkmenistan. The presentation of the
petition will be followed up with a letter asking for an official response from the Ambassador.

Henrik Rasmussen, General Secretary of the DEM, said: "We were happy to be part of the petition and we just hope that together we can
achieve progress on the rights of freedom to worship according to your own beliefs in Turkmenistan."

Turkmenistan is one of the most repressive regimes in the world in regard to religious freedom. Believers face harassment, detention and
torture and the authorities have raided religious gatherings and bulldozed places of worship. In order to get official registration, a religious
organization or church has to get 500 signatures to be recognized. Often even those fulfilling this requirement have been denied
registration and have been told off the record that even if they got 2,000 signatures, they would still not be granted registration.
----------------------------------------
January 10 2002 Baptist Pastor Freed from Prison in Turkmenistan after
Sustained Campaign
A Baptist pastor has just been released from prison in Turkmenistan after serving three years. According to a report from Keston Institute,
Shageldy Atakov, 39, was sentenced to four years in prison in the capital Turkmenbashi, but was freed on January 8.

He rejoins his wife Artygul and five children in the town of Kaakhka near the border with Iran. On learning that he would be with his family
just after Christmas (celebrated in Turkmenistan on January 7), he said: "Jesus has given me a Christmas gift."

The terms of his release are not yet clear and Atakov has received neither a release certificate nor his identity papers. He was sentenced in
March 1999 on charges of swindling and forging documents, which church members insist were fabricated to obstruct his church activities.

While he was in prison he was treated with mind-altering drugs and a year ago his health was reported to be very poor. However, those
who have spoken to him since his release say he is "doing well both physically and spiritually." During his imprisonment he was taken to
meet the head of the KNB (former KGB) and offered his release if he agreed to leave the country. He turned this opportunity down.

The Turkmen authorities continue to put pressure on Baptist congregations whose activities they regard as illegal. Turkmenistan has the
harshest religious policy of all the former Soviet republics and only state-approved mosques and Russian Orthodox churches have official
approval. All other congregations, including all Protestant Christians, the Armenian church, the Lutheran church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Hare
Krishnas and Baha'is are treated as illegal.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has raised awareness of Atakov's plight in the media, and has encouraged hundreds of supporters to write to
him in prison.

The labor camps and prisons where he was held were flooded with letters from his supporters from all over the world, although only a few
were actually handed over to him. CSW has also taken the lead in promoting a worldwide inter-agency petition on religious freedom in
Turkmenistan.

Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide - UK, said: "It's a huge relief that Shageldy Atakov has been released
from prison in good health and is back with his family. We have worked hard with many other agencies to press for his release and this is a
great day for all those who have worked for his freedom. Conditions for religious minorities in Turkmenistan are still appalling and we will
continue to urge President Niyazov to introduce reforms which will guarantee freedom of worship for all believers."

For direct information from the Keston Institute, go to their website at www.keston.org.

-------------------------------------
August 1, 2001 Secret Police Warned: Stop the Meeting or Face "Big
Trouble."
It’s the toughest place in the former Soviet Union to be a Christian. Believers in Turkmenistan face a cruel new challenge if they are caught
worshipping - the confiscation of their homes and all their personal possessions.

Eight Protestants in Turkmenabad were fined a month’s wages in May for going to church. If they continue to attend, they are threatened
with losing everything. The authorities in the capital Ashgabad have seized Pentecostal and Baptist church buildings.

The latest news on Shageldy Atakov is that he and his family are resisting pressure to leave the country. Unless they agree, Atakov has
been warned he will have to remain in jail until December next year - despite his failing health. Neither he nor his family want to leave the
country.

Another Baptist minister, Vasily Korobov, was recently banned from traveling or leading worship after secret police raided an open-air
service. He was warned that unless the meetings stopped he would be in ‘really big trouble’.

Turkmenistan is the most religiously repressive of all the former Soviet republics, reports the Keston Institute.

Source: Keston Institute

-------------------------------------------------------------

April 4, 2001 Christian Prisoner Prepares to Die

A Baptist prisoner in Turkmenistan is said to be close to death, following repeated beatings and a heart attack. 38-year-old Shageldy Atakov
is seriously ill in a prison camp in the north-east of the central Asian republic, where fellow Baptists say he's been imprisoned on false
charges.

They believe the camp authorities are under instruction to ‘break him morally or destroy him physically’, and say the authorities have
decided to 'finish him off'. They say Shageldy is preparing to die. When his wife was allowed to visit she found her husband could barely
walk and frequently lost consciousness. He was bruised and battered and was suffering from pain in his liver and kidneys and jaundice
brought on by being injected with dirty needles.

The authorities are pumping him full of powerful psychotropic drugs which leave his internal organs aching in protest. His family wrote:
'[Shageldy] is a psychologically normal person. Why is this being done to him?'

The authorities have confiscated and reportedly burned his Bible. Shageldy, who has five children, is serving a four-year sentence on
charges of fraud, which church members say were trumped-up to prevent his Christian activities. His Baptist congregation refuses to
register with the authorities and come under State control.

Shageldy is one of five religious prisoners known to be under lock and key in Turkmenistan. The others are Jehovah's Witnesses. The
OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) has asked permission to visit Shageldy Atakov in the prison hospital in the
town of Mary, where he was transferred at the beginning of February. Reportedly authorities were taken aback by the international
campaigning on Shageldy’s behalf and have decided to do something about his case.

Turkmenistan's religious policy is the most repressive of all the former Soviet republics. The Turkmenistan Government has denied official
registration to all but Orthodox Christianity and Sunni Islam and treats unregistered church activity as criminal. Shageldy will be celebrating
his 39th birthday on 19th March 2001.

Due to the severe persecution suffered by Christians in Turkmenistan, CSW together with other Christian agencies is launching a worldwide
petition in April to call for a change to the unjust registration laws. The petition will be enclosed in the next Response.

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

United Kingdom
October 13, 2003 Largest ever international Christian human rights
conference to be held in London
"More Than A Thousand Christians Expected At Landmark Convention In Westminster Chapel"
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
LONDON, ENGLAND (ANS) -- More than a thousand Christians are expected to attend the UK's largest ever International Christian Human
Rights Conference in London on November 15.

The conference, to be co-hosted by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and Release International in association with Premier Christian
Radio, features presentations by persecuted Christians from around the world. Delegates will be urged to respond with prayer and through
writing postcards in support of the persecuted Church.
Confirmed speakers this year include Anthony Poggo, Deputy Executive Director of Across, a church-based NGO working in southern
Sudan; Wuille Figueroa, a former prisoner and now human rights lawyer from Peru; Canon Andrew White, Special Director of the
International Center for Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral and the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Middle East;
Baroness Caroline Cox, a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords; as well as Joseph D'Souza, President of the All India Christian Council.
Worship will be lead by Graham Kendrick, and prayers by Jim Graham. There will also be a drama sketch, a performance by the Hanbeet
Korean Choir, and presentations on life for Christians in Iraq and Nigeria.
The conference is entitled "Grace Under Pressure" from 2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness," focusing on the inspirational faith demonstrated by the persecuted Church.
There will also be a prayer concert with Graham Kendrick at St. Michael's Chester Square, London SW1 on Friday, November 14, from
7.30pm to 9.30pm. This is a free event, but people are asked to register. The evening will feature presentations on Nigeria, India, North
Korea and Iraq, with creative times of prayer and worship.
Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK said: "This conference gives UK Christians the opportunity to stand in solidarity with the
persecuted Church, to learn from them, to be inspired and to be challenged. I hope that as many as possible will join us in what will be an
unforgettable day."
Eddie Lyle, Executive Director of Release International, said: "There are few environments in which the UK Christian public can obtain up-
to-date, factually correct and well-researched information presented in a way that will inspire and lead to direct action. The International
Christian Human Rights Conference is the biggest of its kind in the world and as such is proving to be an unmissable date in the calendar of
every thinking world Christian. This is a must attend event."

Peter Kerridge, Managing Director of Premier Christian Radio, said: "Premier are proud to be a part of this important conference. The
speaker list is second to none, and with over a thousand participants expected we're excited to be broadcasting from an event that really
helps Christians who are suffering for their faith worldwide."
TICKET INFORMATION:
November 15 2003 9.30am to 5pm Westminster Chapel, Buckingham Gate, London SW1. Tickets at nd concessions are available by
calling 020 8329 0010 or visiting the CSW website at www.csw.org.uk or email sarah.armitage@csw.org.uk
For more information please contact Richard Chilvers, Communications Manager, CSW on 020 8329 0045 or email
richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Garden Grove, CA. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen
in Sept., 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio
station. E-mail: mireland55@cs.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSIST News Service is brought to you in part by Open Doors USA, a ministry that has served the Suffering Church around the world for
nearly 50 years. You can get more information by logging onto their website at www.opendoorsusa.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSIST News Service is brought to you free of charge and is supported by friends like yourself. If you would like to make a donation (tax-
deductible in the US) to help us continue this service around the world, you can do so by logging onto our website -- www.assistnews.net --
and making the donation by credit card or by sending a check to ASSIST, PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 3, 2003 Protest Demonstrators In London Call Upon China To

Recognize Human Rights Of North Korean Refugees
A hundred Christians have held a protest outside the Chinese Embassy in central London, calling upon the Chinese authorities to put an
immediate end to the forcible repatriation of North Korean refugees and uphold its responsibilities as a party to the 1951 Convention
Relating to the Status of Refugees.

The protest took part on Friday 28 February and was organized by two leading Christian agencies, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and
Release International. The event aimed to put the spotlight on China's barbaric treatment of North Koreans, who are detained and
repatriated where they face imprisonment, torture and even death.

In a carefully worded speech, Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said; "We want to show the Chinese that we will not sit by and
watch innocent people being returned en masse to unspeakable suffering. In particular we want to demonstrate concern about the North
Koreans who were arrested on 18 January as they sought to leave China by boat.

"This is only the tip of the iceberg. China has long refused to uphold its responsibilities as a party to the Convention Relating to the Status
of Refugees. China does not recognize North Koreans who flee the horrors of their homeland as refugees even though it is well
documented that the human rights record in North Korea is one of, if not the worst, in the world. China also refuses to allow the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees access to the North Koreans."

Repatriated North Koreans face unimaginable barbarity, including severe beatings, torture, imprisonment, and some, such as those who
have been in touch with South Koreans and missionaries, face execution.

Reverend Lee, Pastor of the Calvary Church in south London, a growing congregation of South Korean Christians, read out the names of
over one hundred Koreans who are known to have been seized in China. Other church leaders led a time of prayer and reflection while
Graham Kendrick, one of Britain's most popular Christian songwriters, performed 'How Long?', his anthem for the Persecuted Church. The
plight of the North Koreans was further illustrated by demonstrators wearing painted masks showing wire pierced through their noses, to
depict the treatment North Koreans have been subjected to by the Chinese authorities.

The protest finished with Colin King, UK Development Manager of Release International stating, "We want the world to see the horrors that
these innocent people are facing. We call on China to cease its policy of automatically denying refugee status to all in North Korea and we
plead with Christians in this country to continue their commitment to pray for the people of North Korea."

Media Enquiries:
Allen Moxham, E A Media Consultancy, 0207 207 2154

Notes to Editors:
Christian Solidarity Worldwide works for the religious liberty of persecuted Christians, helping other suffering repression, children in need
and victims of disaster throughout the world. Release International serves persecuted Christians in 50 countries around the world, by
supporting pastors and their families who are being victimized, by supplying Christian literature and Bibles and by working for justice.

----------------------------------------

November 18, 2002 Largest Ever Christian Human Rights Conference for
the Persecuted Church
More than a thousand people attended the biggest ever Christian human rights conference co-hosted by Christian Solidarity Worldwide and
Release International in association with Premier Christian Radio.

Delegates were challenged by speakers from the persecuted church to speak up on behalf of the 250 million persecuted for their faith
around the world.

The conference, held at Westminster Chapel in London on Saturday November 16, was addressed by speakers from Pakistan, Nigeria,
Turkmenistan, North Korea, China and Egypt.

Chun Ki Won, a South Korean, told delegates how he had smuggled 237 people from appalling conditions in North Korea.

He said: "All through the missions I have gone through, you might say that one or two of the incidents were coincidences, but all the way
through, God was blinding the guards to us passing through the borders and I got through all the minefields and checkpoints unharmed."

Cecil Chaudhry, a decorated former fighter pilot in the Pakistani Air Force, told delegates of the human consequences of the blasphemy law
which saw 75 people charged with insulting the Prophet Mohammed in last year alone. The mandatory sentence for this offence is death.

He said: "I have demanded and continue to demand the total repeal of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan no matter how many extremists get
upset about it. The only amendment I am willing to accept in this law is that it is not made applicable to non-Muslims."

Baroness Caroline Cox, President of CSW UK, spoke of her recent visits to Sudan, Nagorno Karabakh and Indonesia.

She said: "Pity weeps and turns away, but compassion weeps and holds out a hand to help. Our advocacy must be grounded in the
authenticity of first hand evidence so we can come back and say I have seen, I have been there. There must be accountability for the
accuracy of our advocacy and some aid without which those for whom we are speaking may not be able to survive."

Delegates also heard an interview with former Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken who spoke of his visit to China and South East Asia with
CSW earlier in the year.

The conference worship was led by Graham Kendrick, who performed a specially written song about the persecuted Church called How
Long?

He said: "Listening to reports of our persecuted brothers and sisters brought home to me the challenge of the deeper note of worship that
they bring, of worship in the midst of suffering and deprivation.

"I hope the song How Long? will be a catalyst for prayer and action, for their encouragement, defense and support."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said: "I was extremely encouraged to see such an unprecedented number of Christians
gathered to hear the authentic voice of the persecuted church.

"The quality of speakers was again outstanding and I believe that Saturday's conference would have been a defining moment in many
people's Christian experience.

"Our partnership with Release International and Premier Christian Radio was a great success and I hope that together we can build on an
inspirational day and strive to put our persecuted family high on the church's agenda."

Eddie Lyle, Executive Director of Release International, said: "The single most penetrating comment came from Brother Yun, a church
leader persecuted and imprisoned for his faith in China.

"He said that the church in the West had lost its flavor. We need to speak out on behalf of our persecuted brothers and sisters, but we also
need to hear their rebuke and learn from their obedience and lifestyle."

The conference was preceded by a prayer concert held on Friday night at St Michael's Church, Chester Square in London, again led by
Graham Kendrick and attended by some 220 people.

Media Enquiries:

Allen Moxham, EA Media Consultancy 020 7207 2154 or Richard Chilvers at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on 020 8949 0587 or 020 8942
8810 or email richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk or go to www.csw.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Some of the speakers are still in this country this week and are available for interview if you contact the CSW office. These are:

Saidu Dogo, secretary of the Christian Alliance of Nigeria Cecil Chaudhry, member of the executive committee of the Catholic Bishops
Conference in Lahore and leader of the Christian Liberation Front Shohrat Piriyev, a lawyer and church leader from Turkmenistan Chun Ki
Won from South Korea and Yoo Sang Jun from North Korea Mamdouh Nakhla, a lawyer from Egypt.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide works for the religious liberty of persecuted Christians, helping others suffering repression, children in need
and victims of disaster throughout the world.

Release International serves persecuted Christians in 50 countries around the world, by supporting pastors and their families who are being
victimized, by supplying Christian literature and Bibles and working for justice.

--------------------------------------
August 2, 2002 CHRISTIAN AGENCIES LAUNCH PERSECUTED
RELIGIOUS MINORITIES FORUM
Support for persecuted religious minorities around the world has received new impetus this month following the inauguration of a strategic
new network of UK Christian agencies. The Christian Forum in Support of Persecuted Religious Minorities Worldwide was launched at a
London conference on 20th July 2002, which attracted nearly 200 participants. Agency backing for the group has come from a range of
mission and human rights groups who are keen that membership is now widened to maximize the impact that the forum can have.

Participants at the conference were left in no doubt as to the reality of these issues in the world today. Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon of
Kaduna, Nigeria, spoke powerfully of the plight of the Christian community in Muslim-majority North Nigeria. The progressive introduction of
full Islamic Shari'ah law since October 1999 has led to widespread discrimination against Christians and inter-communal violence which
has resulted in hundreds of deaths. Dr Joseph D'Souza of the All India Christian Council, painted a picture of discrimination, intolerance,
violence, death and destruction in areas of India where Hindu militants have turned on Muslim and Christian minorities. Following his
experience in India where Muslims and Christians are working together, Dr D'Souza was particularly keen to aid a Christian forum with a
mandate to support all religious minorities regardless of faith.

Support for the Forum comes from Barnabas Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Christians Aware, Church Mission Society
(CMS), Churches' Commission on Mission of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CCOM), International Centre for Reconciliation,
Coventry Cathedral and the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG). The mandate of the forum is to facilitate the sharing
of information, raise awareness within church and society, respond appropriately and encourage prayer and action.

Bishop Tom Butler of Southwark who chaired the conference said, "Many religious minorities in different parts of the world face persecution.
It is good that a Christian forum should pay attention to their plight. Conference helped to inform us of the kind of pressure they
experience." Original visionary for the Forum, Bishop Mano Rumalshah of USPG, added, "our determination to realise this vision is not for
our own egos but as an obligation and commitment to our faith. I hope we actively support this cause and bring hope to millions around the
world who suffer because of their chosen relationship with their God."

The Forum has also launched a website to provide up to date information from around the world and channel a Christian response to this
religious persecution. It can be found at www.sufferingandhope.org

--------------------------------------------

July 19, 2002 PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN ASIA RAISED IN HOUSE

OF COMMONS DEBATE
The severe persecution of Christians in many countries in Asia was highlighted by MPs in a House of Commons debate on Wednesday.

Labor MP for Stroud, David Drew, pointed out that Christians suffer more persecution than any other religious group. He went on to note
that more Christians were killed for their faith in the last century than in the previous nineteen combined.

Mr Drew focused in particular on the situation in North Korea, mentioning the reported incident of a guard pouring molten iron over living
Christians because they refused to renounce their faith. He called on the Government to press the North Korean regime to allow human
rights monitors unrestricted access to the political prison camps in which tens of thousands of people are held and untold numbers tortured,
abused and killed every year.

Conservative MP for North-East Bedfordshire, Alistair Burt, concentrated upon the situation in Pakistan. Among other incidents, he drew
attention to the kidnap and gang rape by Islamic militants of 14-year-old Christian schoolgirl Naira Nadia, as a punishment for speaking to
her friends about her faith.

Labor MP for Loughborough, Andy Reed, drew attention to the hundreds of Christian leaders in China who have been imprisoned in the last
few years alone. Amongst the individual concerns raised were the five leaders in the South China Church who were given death sentences
at the end of last year.

All three MPs also urged the Foreign Office to increasingly place religious liberty at the heart of its foreign policy. The minister speaking for
the Government, Denis MacShane, said in the debate that human rights issues are an essential part of its new dialogue with the North
Korean Government. He went on to say that the UK Government would continue to ask the North Korean authorities to allow human rights
monitors open access to different parts of the country so they could seek out information on the camps.

A number of the MPs who spoke, including Mr MacShane and Alan Duncan, the Conservative front bench spokesman on Foreign Affairs,
praised the work of Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Mr Duncan also urged that Britain make clear to regimes that their failure to prevent
persecution of Christians is wholly unacceptable.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Parliamentary Officer Dr Alan Hobson worked closely with David Drew MP to initiate the adjournment
debate and prepare the keynote speech.

Mr Drew said: "This debate has highlighted abuses suffered daily by Christians in many parts of Asia. It is important to bring this to the
attention of Parliament, and this is one of a number of debates over the last couple of years initiated by MPs on the subject of the
persecution of Christians. We urge the Foreign Office to take a much more active stance on this whole issue".

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: "We are heartened that the persecution of Christians has been
highlighted in Parliament.

"We are encouraged by the Government's expressions of commitment to pursue human rights in Asia and we especially hope they will use
the full potential of the new openings in North Korea to raise strong and consistent concerns for human rights."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

In a current parallel demonstration of concern about religious persecution, four separate Early Day Motions (EDMs) on the persecution of
Christians in North Korea, Pakistan and China, as well as in Sudan, have each been signed by more than 100 MPs.

EDMs, though rarely debated, are tabled by MPs to raise awareness of issues and to show the level of concern for the matters raised.

---------------------------------------
May 2002 WIDESPREAD CROSS-PARTY SUPPORT FOR PARLIAMENTARY
MOTIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
More than 100 MPs have signed four separate parliamentary motions calling on the UK Government to speak up for human rights in China,
Sudan, North Korea and Pakistan.

Andy King, Labor MP for Rugby and Kenilworth, worked with CSW's Parliamentary Officer, Dr Alan Hobson, to produce three of the four
Early Day Motions (EDMs).

Mr. King said: "I'm really pleased that these motions have gained so much support. We're doing everything possible to support tolerance
and to promote respect for people's right to worship freely."

The motions have attracted widespread cross-party support, with the Pakistan, China and North Korea EDMs attracting support from every
party represented at Westminster.
EDMs, though rarely debated, are tabled by MPs to raise awareness of issues and to show the level of concern for the matters raised.

* The EDM on China calls attention to the death sentences imposed on five Christian leaders and the severe clampdown on other
Christians.

* The EDM on Pakistan calls for reform of the blasphemy law, under which Christians have been left on death row.

* The EDM on North Korea draws attention to the fate of Christians and others incarcerated in political prison camps in North Korea, one of
the most closed countries in the world.

* The EDM on Sudan, co-sponsored by CSW and the Associate Parliamentary Group on Sudan, calls for an end to trying non-Muslims
under Shari'ah law and for the UK Government to put human rights at the forefront of its dialogue with the National Islamic Front regime.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: "The widespread cross-party support for these motions is extremely encouraging and
shows the depth of support there is for this Government to place human rights at the forefront of its dealings with foreign powers.

"We continue to urge Jack Straw and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to raise human rights concerns when they are meeting with
ambassadors and when they visit other countries.

"In a time of international tension, human rights must not be sidelined, but must always be at the heart of the political agenda."

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

United States
(AP, November 21, 2002) Pennsylvania Senate passes religious-freedom
measure
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania could become the 10th state to pass a bill meant to give new protections to religious groups but
criticized by opponents as giving the groups free rein to ignore many laws.

The Religious Freedom Protection Act — which passed the state Senate 46-3 last night and then was sent to the House — would allow
laws that burden a person's religious practice or belief to be challenged in court if the state lacks a compelling interest in passing the laws.
Any law also must be the least restrictive of religion as possible.

Nine states have passed religious-freedom acts and two states have made similar changes in their constitutions, according to legislative
officials. "The hard reality is that this bill is made necessary by a worrisome increase in antireligious sentiments and actions," said state
Sen. Robert C. Jubelirer, R-Blair, sponsor of the measure. "Federal court decisions disrupted the balance that had been in place for
decades. Now, Congress and the states are working to reestablish the level of protection that religious freedom should enjoy under the
Constitution."

Under the bill, for example, if the Legislature passed a law banning the wearing of yarmulkes in the Capitol, state employees could still wear
the Jewish headpieces unless the state could prove a compelling reason for banning them, said Drew Crompton, an aide to Jubelirer.

But a Muslim woman who wants to wear a veil over her face for her driver's license photo could not have her license picture taken that way
because there is a compelling state interest in producing a driver's license that shows the driver's identity, Crompton said.

"The state can burden someone's religion," under the bill, Crompton said. "It just has to show a compelling state interest."

Critics say the bill is excessively broad and that laws like it have resulted in religious groups successfully arguing for exemptions from
important laws in other states.

"It's a wrong-headed approach," said Marci Hamilton, a Washington Crossing resident and law professor at Yeshiva University in New
York.

"If there are religious institutions that need exemptions from particular laws, then that ought to be publicly debated and a decision made
about whether they would get out from under that particular law," she said. "But this across-the-board assistance for religious entities
undermines the public good."

The bill, which contains an exception for cases of abuse, has garnered the support of a broad range of religious groups in Pennsylvania,
Crompton said. They include the Keystone Christian Education Association, Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, Pennsylvania Family
Institute and the Jewish Coalition, he said.

Across the country, similar bills have had the backing of mostly conservative groups, said Hamilton, who represented the city of Boerne,
Texas, in Boerne v. Flores, a case in which the Supreme Court declared a federal version of the law unconstitutional in 1997.

Even with the exemption for abuse cases, the bill could be cited to allow religious groups that engage in corporal punishment or refuse to
provide needed medical treatment for children to block prosecutions, Hamilton said. It has been used in other states to let churches get
around land-use regulations that may restrict the size of a building or the amount of parking it is allowed to have, she said.

"There are a lot of cases out there. It's all over the federal courts," Hamilton said.

However, Crompton said the law contains a legal test of compelling state interest that can be applied fairly across the board.
"The wrong approach is to write one specific rule after another with individual interpretations," Crompton said.

The legislative director for the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said it was unclear what the result of the bill
would be.

"We have a lot of questions about whether it's going to interfere with civil rights cases, the regulation of child care," said Larry Frankel of the
ACLU. "It's hard to understand the scope."

Voting against the bill were state Sens. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia; Allyson Y. Schwartz, D-Philadelphia; and Connie Williams, D-
Montgomery.

------------------------------------
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

July 3, 2002 Commission Chair to Congratulate Abe Rosenthal on Receipt

of Presidential Medal
WHAT: Commission Chair Felice Gaer will offer congratulatory remarks to journalist Abe Rosenthal at a reception celebrating his receipt of
the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

WHEN: July 8, 2002, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Ballroom, Freedom House, 1319 18th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20015

BACKGROUND: On July 9, President Bush will award Abe Rosenthal the nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of
Freedom, for his forceful and effective writing in defense of religious freedom and human rights. Mr. Rosenthal is a syndicated columnist
and former executive editor of The New York Times. His ground-breaking columns on religious persecution abroad made a significant
contribution to passage of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, which created the Commission. Throughout the years he has
not hesitated to educate readers about violations of religious freedom, whether in China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, or other countries of concern
to the Commission.

The reception is sponsored by Freedom House; Wilberforce Forum, a division of Prison Fellowship Ministries; and the American Jewish
Committee. For more information about this reception or to RSVP, please contact Lisa Hess, Wilberforce Forum, at lhess@pfm.org or 703-
904-7322.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to give
independent recommendations to the executive branch and the Congress.

Visit our Web site at www.uscirf.gov

800 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW SUITE 790 WASHINGTON, DC 20002 202-523-3240/ 202-523-5020 (FAX)

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Vietnam
January 27, 2005 Vietnamese Christian leaders' final appeal set for
February 2nd amidst stories of brutal torture
The People's Supreme Court in Ho Chi Minh City will hear the appeals of Reverend Nguyen Hong Quang and evangelist Pham Ngoc
Thach of the Vietnamese Mennonite Church on Wednesday 2 February 2005.

CSW encourages international media to attend the last appeal of these men who have been targeted for their religious and human rights
activities.

The two men are amongst six Mennonites detained in a series of arrests from March 2, 2004 onwards. Codefendants Nguyen Thanh Nhan
and Nguyen Hieu Nghia, who were released in December, have testified of brutal torture against the group, which repeatedly left them
unconscious. One is now partially paralyzed and the other has conditions which may be life threatening (see testimonies below).

Although the two appellants were technically convicted of 'inciting others to resist persons doing their official duty', the evidence of torture,
confiscation of human rights documents, religious persecution and a state-sponsored smear campaign reveal a much darker motive behind
the convictions. Nguyen Thanh Nhan's description of the reaction of fellow prisoners supports this assessment: 'The prisoners in the cells
talked with each other wondering what kind of crime the person had committed to deserve such brutal treatment. It must have been very
bad! How would they know that we had been arrested only because we carry the two words "Tin Lanh" (meaning Gospel or Christian).
How painful, how bitter!'

Co-defendant Ms Le Thi Hong Lien has suffered a complete mental and physical breakdown due to the torture and abuse that she has
endured whilst in prison. Her father, Le Quang Du, reported, after a recent visit, that Ms Lien's right eye was heavily swollen and filled with
pus. Two police officers informed him that his daughter had completely lost her mind, constantly urinating and defecating whilst fully
clothed, wherever she happened to be.

Following the trial on November 12, 2004 Reverend Quang and Mr Thach received a three-year and a two-year sentence respectively. Both
men are being held in the Chi Hoa Prison in Ho Chi Minh City .

Appeals have been denied to both Nguyen Van Phuong, scheduled for release on 2 March, and to Ms Le Thi Hong Lien, who has been
declared unfit to stand trial. Mr Phuong is to serve the remainder of his sentence in Bo Vu Prison, Binh Phuoc Province .

The Vietnam Mennonite Church yesterday issued a call to prayer and fasting from 7.30 a.m. on 1 February to 5.00 p.m. on February 3 in
support of the imprisoned Mennonites. The call has been addressed to Mennonite bodies and evangelical Christians around the world. It
requests specific prayer for strength and endurance for the prisoners, especially Ms Lien, for Christians to remain faithful under pressure
and persecution, for justice to prevail at the hearing on February 2 and for protection for the many Christians who will/might come to
support the prisoners outside the courthouse during the trial.

Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide said: 'We are deeply saddened by the horrific human cost in this
abhorrent campaign against the Vietnam Mennonite Church . The depth of brutality exposed by the treatment of the prisoners reveals a
very dark side to the motivations of the Vietnamese authorities. The international community must shine the light of truth and justice on this
case at this pivotal moment of appeal. A failure by the Court to grant the appeal will be a damning indictment not only on Vietnam's respect
for human rights and religious freedom but on the legal system itself.'

Further details of the case, together with appendices of the testimonies of torture by the two released co-defendants and of the father of Ms
Le Thi Hong Lien follow. (Should you wish to only print the press release please set the printing command accordingly.)

NOTES TO EDITORS:

SUPREME COURT APPEAL (2 FEB 2005)

The People's Supreme Court in Ho Chi Minh City will hear the appeals of Reverend Nguyen Hong Quang and evangelist Pham Ngoc
Thach of the Vietnamese Mennonite Church on February 2. This constitutes the final appeal option available to the defendants, but the
high court has almost never reversed a lower court decision.

Reverend Quang and Mr Thach received a three-year and a two-year sentence respectively, for charges of 'inciting others to resist persons
doing their official duty.' Theirs were the longest sentences among six Mennonite workers convicted on November 12, 2004. Both men are
being held in the Chi Hoa Prison in Ho Chi Minh City .

Appeals have been denied to both Nguyen Van Phuong, scheduled for release on 2 March, and to Ms Le Thi Hong Lien, who has been
declared unfit to stand trial. The torture and physical abuse she suffered in prison has led her to complete mental and physical breakdown
(see Appendix 1). Mr Phuong is to serve the remainder of his sentence in Bo Vu Prison, Binh Phuoc Province .

CSW urges the international community to seize the opportunity presented by this appeal to confront the Vietnamese authorities on their
brutal treatment of prisoners, and their harsh repression of religious activity and human rights activists.

BRUTAL TREATMENT SUFFERED IN PRISON

Codefendants Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Nguyen Hieu Nghia, released in early December, have written accounts describing the abusive
treatment they received whilst in prison (see Appendices 2 and 3).

CSW believes that what has come to light demands a review of any previous assessment of this case. The level of abuse, chronicled by
Mr Nhan and Mr Nghia, strongly suggests that their case is treated as more important than the matter with which they were charged.
Coupled with the treatment of the case of Reverend Quang hitherto, and with attempts to close his Mennonite Church (described below:
see p. 3), this amounts to strong evidence that the six cases have been treated by the authorities as an altogether more serious matter than
simply 'resisting persons doing their official duty'.

The report of Nguyen Thanh Nhan (Appendix 2) supports this assessment, describing the reaction of fellow prisoners to the torture of Mr
Phuong and Mr Nghia: 'The prisoners in the cells talked with each other wondering what kind of crime the person had committed to deserve
such brutal treatment. It must have been very bad! How would they know that we had been arrested only because we carry the two words
"Tin Lanh" (meaning Gospel or Christian). How painful, how bitter!'

REVEREND NGUYEN HONG QUANG: CASE DETAILS

Reverend Nguyen Hong Quang, a well known human rights activist and promoter of religious freedom, and General Secretary of the
unregistered Vietnam Mennonite Church , was arrested on 8 June 2004 in the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City by 30 security police. He was
charged with 'inciting others to resist persons doing their official duty' in connection with an incident involving the discovery of undercover
police spies in Quang's home / church on 2 March 2004. This incident resulted in the arrests of Mr Nguyen Hieu Nghia, Mr Nguyen Thanh
Nhan, Mr Nguyen Van Phuong and Mr Pham Ngoc Thach on charges of resisting persons doing their official duty.

The former two have now been released, Mr Phuong has been denied an appeal, and Mr Thach is due to appeal alongside Reverend
Quang on 2 February.

On 12 November, Reverend Quang, together with the four men arrested on 2 March and Ms Le Thi Hong Lien, a further arrested member
of Reverend Quang's Mennonite Church , were tried and sentenced to terms ranging from nine months to three years imprisonment.

Because of the non-political criminal charge brought against Reverend Quang, some members of the international community have been
reluctant to challenge his conviction in the context of religious freedom. Reverend Quang is the latest in a line of arrests of those speaking
out against the government's violation of religious freedom: previous cases include Father Nguyen Van Ly (arrested 17 May 2001) and the
Buddhist Venerable Thich Quang Do. Although Reverend Quang's imprisonment is ostensibly on the charge of 'inciting others to resist
persons doing their official duty', CSW believes this is only a pretext for a highly cynical arrest.

Several reasons may be adduced in support of this view, expounded below.

False Accusations Extracted Under Torture

The reports of Nguyen Thanh Nhan (Appendix 2, pp. 9-10) Nguyen Huu Nghia (Appendix 3, p. 13) both contain detailed testimony about
the brutal beatings and torture endured by the prisoners before being presented with documents containing false allegations to frame
Reverend Quang for a serious charge.

Mr Nhan said: 'When I was completely exhausted the police would take me out for interrogation. Though they say interrogation, which
implies asking questions, there were no questions. Just documents already prepared for me to sign but I refused to agree with the terrible
slander the government officials had prepared in advance to inflict on the Reverend Nguyen Hong Quang - the goal of which was to
eradicate the whole house church movement which the government is trying to erase in all kinds of ways. The also did not stop denying all
the tricks and schemes they use to try to accomplish this. And so they beat me and mistreated me incessantly without regret. And when I
still refused to sign they would bring in some of their friends to sign in my place even though I disagreed.'

Mr Nghia painted a similar picture: 'When I came to several police officers came into the room with a report they wanted me to sign, but the
report was mostly aimed at the Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang. They said that Pastor Quang had incited and aroused us, but in truth we were
only guarding the scene of the incident and no one incited us at all, but they tried to make me sign the report that they had pre-prepared. I
refused to sign so they bullied me, swore at me and struck me trying to force me to sign.'

Furthermore, according to a separate testimony of Mr Nhan and Mr Nghia, the reason for Ms Lien's having been denied family visits during
the first months of her incarceration, was given by prison officials as her being 'uncooperative' by refusing to lodge false accusations
against Reverend Quang.

Religious Activities

As the report of Mr Nhan affirms (Appendix 2, p. 10), the documents containing false allegations against Reverend Quang, which the
prisoners were ordered to sign, comprised part of a strategy aimed at 'eradicat[ing] the whole house church movement'. Events outside the
prison corroborate this assessment.

The events experienced by Reverend Quang's wife, Le Thi Phu Dung, between 10 November and 3 December provide further evidence of
the anti-religious motivation behind his arrest: her husband's home and church, which she oversaw during this period, was invaded on five
occasions by gangs of up to 40 uniformed and plain-clothes policemen, sometimes as late as midnight. She was ordered by the authorities
to a Cultural Revolution style public denunciation session on 10 November, which she declined to attend. A recording of this session makes
it clear that it is directed against the 'illegal Christian religion'. Authorities required Mrs Quang to cease all religious gatherings, activities
and ceremonies in her home/church, and to take down the church sign. She was threatened with being driven away from her home, with
her three small children, if she failed to comply.

Such threatening activity has constituted an attempt to close Reverend Quang's church whilst he has been detained.

Human Rights Activities

In the first place, the government has had plenty of reason to silence Reverend Quang: he is an extremely articulate and high profile critic
of the human rights abuses of the Vietnamese government. He obtained a bachelor of law degree in 2000, since when he has
accumulated substantial legal files on human rights issues. He has been an outspoken critic of the severe repression of the rights of
Christians, highlighting in particular the arrests of religious believers in the Central Highlands, and fighting for their land rights. He also
successfully challenged the illegal appropriation of the land of 340 families by the People's Committee of District 2, Ho Chi Minh City .
However, the communication of the decision made on 13 October 2003, which was ordered within ten days, was delayed by ten months,
until Reverend Quang had been detained, in August 2004. In 2003, he acted in defense of the relatives of Nguyen Van Ly, who had been
charged as spies.

When Reverend Quang was arrested on 8 June 2004, his legal files, documenting the violation of the human rights of certain individuals,
were confiscated. This would be highly surprising if his arrest was simply a matter of 'inciting others to resist persons doing their official
duty', and suggests a quite different motivation.

Such events do not bear out the authorities' line that the arrest of Reverend Quang is about a relatively minor civil offence. It is paradoxical
that in the act of attempting to expose violations of religious freedom, Reverend Quang has apparently become a victim of the same.

State-sponsored Smear Campaign

Concomitantly, the authorities have carried out a systematic and acrimonious smear campaign against Reverend Quang, seeking to
undermine his credentials as a pastor and making slanderous accusations about his character, which have not stood up under closer
investigation. Such accusations have been totally unnecessary and are entirely irrelevant to the charges brought against him, which must
arouse greater suspicion with respect to the real motivation behind his arrest.

The use of the media towards this end is not a new tactic, but one which has been used against the Hmong people. Immediately after
Reverend Quang's arrest, a massive propaganda attack, leveling a plethora of defamatory and trumped up charges against him, was
launched by the Public Security Police Ho Chi Minh newspaper (12 June 2004), the People's Public Security newspaper (17 June 2004),
the Labor newspaper (30 June 2004), the Word Security newspaper (1 July 2004), the People's Daily (1 July 2004) and national TV
Channel 3 (1 July 2004). He was described variously as a 'counterfeit pastor', a 'professional gangster', a 'promoter of illegal building
projects', a 'propagandizer for destroying the nation', 'an inciter of people to fight against the policies of the government to get it to give in',
'a crazy man', 'an incestuous man', 'a rapist of young girls', 'an abuser of religion', an 'immoral person' and a 'disturber of public peace and
order'.
These accusations are entirely unsubstantiated. The allegation of rape in the People's Daily (3 July 2004) was strongly denied by the girl in
question, who saw this as slanderous against her own integrity. Certainly Reverend Quang has never been charged with this, suggesting
strongly that the campaign was undertaken solely to vilify his character.

Furthermore, the genuine Christian credentials of Reverend Quang have never been in doubt. He was officially recognized by the
Canadian Mennonite Church in 2000, and in 2003 the World Mennonite Conference sent an official letter to Prime Minister Phan Van Kahi
and to the Government Bureau of Religious Affairs, confirming that the Vietnamese Mennonite Church was a member of the World
Mennonite Conference, and confirming the leadership role of Reverend Quang. Indeed, it seems that the Vietnamese authorities lacked
confidence in their own campaign: immediately after the arrest, the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South) was requested by members of
the Bureau of Religious Affairs not to raise their voice in support of Reverend Quang. Further, the VTV3 item (1 July) on Reverend Quang's
arrest, alleged that the Reverend Thai Phuoc Truong, General Secretary of the ECVN (South) decried the activities of Reverend Quang as
having 'damaged the reputation of the Evangelical Church .' In fact, Reverend Truong telephoned VTV3 to demand a retraction and
correction of the fabricated statements which the broadcasting station claimed he had issued. He received a private apology from VTV3
and a representative of the Bureau of Religious Affairs 'on behalf of the government.'

Analysis and Comment

Such activities are clearly not in line with the simple prosecution of a charge of 'inciting others to resist persons doing their official duty'. In
light of these aspects, to view Reverend Quang's case purely as a minor matter of 'inciting others to resist persons doing their official duty'
is distinctly questionable.

There has been reticence among certain members of the international community has so far declined to intervene in this case, on the basis
that it is insufficiently important. It would be valuable to know what accrued benefit requires silence in the face of harsh treatment against a
human rights activist and religious leader. CSW wishes to suggest that this is indeed a significant case, paradigmatic of the human rights
abuses of the government of Vietnam and a cynical attempt to silence a critic of the state. Having attempted to uphold the law by exposing
the government's violations of human rights and religious freedoms, such as are constitutionally guaranteed, Reverend Quang has himself
become a victim of human rights violations through abuse of the law.

MISS LE THI HONG LIEN: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL BREAKDOWN

According to sources within Vietnam , the torture and abuse suffered by Ms Lien whilst in prison has led her to complete mental and
physical breakdown. Prison authorities informed her father that she was 'wild', that she needed to be tied by her hands and feet to her bed,
and she had lost control of her bodily functions.

During the first months of her incarceration, Ms Lien was denied family visits, which are supposedly guaranteed by law. Prison officials
justified this to her family on the grounds that she was 'stubborn and uncooperative.' According to the testimony of co-defendants Nguyen
Thanh Nhan and Nguyen Hieu Nghia, this allegation of uncooperativeness was due to her refusal to lodge false accusations against
Quang.

She is being held in the infirmary of her prison, where authorities claim she has become the object of prurient attention by prisoners,
because she removes her clothing and staggers around naked when unrestrained.

APPENDIX 1

TESTIMONY OF MS LE THI HONG LIEN'S FATHER

Ho Chi Minh City , December 14, 2004

My name is Le Quang Du. I was born in 1958. We are a Christian family of five belonging to the Vietnam Mennonite church.
Our youngest, a son, Le Quang Banh is mentally disabled and needs constant care. Though we live in hardship our family always trusts in
the promises of the Lord Jesus.

Psalm 9:18 - The needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.

Psalm 34:10 - The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

It is 11:40 PM as I write these lines. This morning, 14 December 2004, I went to visit my child, Le Thi Hong Lien, who is
currently imprisoned in the Chi Hoa Prison. When they dragged her out for me to visit with her, I could see that her right eye was very
swollen and it was still filled with pus. When my daughter saw me she could only stand and cry profusely, her thin arms were wrapped
around her fearfully. It is clear that she has been severely maltreated!

Two security police who brought my daughter out said they had brought her from the prison infirmary, but my prison visitation paper
said she was in a hospital. The moment I saw my daughter my heart went out to her. All I could do was to cry and pray for her - that the
Lord would give his PEACE to me and to my daughter Le Thi Hong Lien.

At this time, about 10:30 in the morning, my daughter and I just stood there in each other's arms crying and praying. Then two
female police officers came to me to say that at this time my daughter has completely lost her mind and was constantly urinating and
defecating wherever she happened to be - with her clothes on. Because of this they beat her very savagely, even more!

Here is another example. November 12th was the day of the trial of the Reverend Nguyen Hong Quang and the other five others.
My daughter was one of those five and was sentenced to one year in prison even though she was too weak to stand at the trail and did not
respond to questions. After the trial, as she was being transported back to Chi Hoa prison, she was again beaten in the prison vehicle by a
policemen named Nguyen Dinh Bau. When I first learned this, I did not dare say anything to anyone as others also were still being held
and might also be beaten senseless, as my daughter was, until they could not tolerate it or would lose their mind.
 As they dragged my daughter back into the prison I watched her feet disappear and I could only weep some more. Tears flowed
down my cheeks as I was filled with Jesus' love for my daughter. My tears, like two rivers of water - in my extreme loneliness the Lord
reminded me of his words in Luke 23:28: Do not weep for me, weep for yourselves and for your children.

When I returned home I did not dare speak out the truth, but sought to give comfort to my family. As I now write down the terrible
truth I am again reduced to tears. It is now midnight and most people are mercifully lost in their sleep. But I am in deep anguish for my
daughter Lien who is buried in a cruel prison.

O Lord, please keep these tears of mine in a bottle. Amen.

May the peace of the Lord be with you and his children everywhere - his peace until the end. Amen.

Signed: Le Quang Du

APPENDIX 2

REPORT OF NGUYEN THANH NHAN

Concerning my arrest and experiences in prison

My name is Nguyen Thanh Nhan. I was born on September 25, 1982.

I am active in the Vietnam Mennonite Church in District 2.

Home address: Da Noi B Hamlet, Thanh Duong Commune, Tan Hiep District, Kien Giang Province .

Current residence: House without number at To 79, Luong Dinh Cua Street , Phuong An Ward, District 2, HCM City .

Reason: On the afternoon of the incident (March 2, 2004) we asked the public security police to make a report of what had
happened at the site, but they refused to report accurately what had happened. After a struggle over the matter my older brother, Elder
Nguyen Huu Nghia, was hit, arrested and escorted to the Binh Khanh Ward office. Later brothers Thach and Phuong and I went to see
what was happening to my brother. We were arrested and accused of "resisting persons doing official duty" by Binh Khanh Ward and
District 2 public security police and other security forces and local defence forces.

That very evening of our arrest (2/3/2004) I was cruelly and savagely beaten by police in plain clothes and police in uniform, as
were brothers Thach, Phuong and Nghia. They immobilized our hands and then used sharply pointed shoes to kick us all over our bodies
and also nightsticks to club us repeatedly. After that we were taken to the District 2 police lockup. At first I was put into an individual cell
and at dawn on 3/3/2004 a large group of District 2 police officers, some in uniform and some in plain clothes - I remember very clearly one
police officer wearing a white bracelet (necklace?), a short and thin man, standing outside the cell using all kinds of coarse and vulgar
language to humiliate me and also mock my faith and the Lord I worship. For example, he said "Your Lord, you gangster. is my prick" and
many other disgusting and threatening words. He wanted to open the door of my cell and come in to attack me when I responded with a
few words. And they continued to mistreat me brutally in this way for two days straight. I was beaten mercilessly without any reason at all,
and deprived of water and food for the whole time until I became like a dead person.

At about 2:00AM on the morning of 4/3/2004 I was escorted to an official prison cell with other prisoners. These had been
instructed before my arrival by the police that they had the responsibility "to beat and punish me appropriately" and were told they would be
rewarded with ample food and cigarettes if they did. The moment I entered the cell I was continually beaten, punched and kicked. During
my first days there I passed out several times from this treatment. For three months running the prisoners that had received orders to
punish me continued to beat and punish me in all kinds of ways and I had to resign myself to this suffering, humiliation and bitter
mistreatment. I was forced to sit with my legs crossed in one place and was not allowed to get up and walk - not even make a small
movement. The also gave me hard work to do. They made me wash soiled clothes, draw the water to clean the cell, wash the dishes and
all the while they did not cease their torture and beating. When I was completely exhausted the police would take me out for interrogation.
Though they say interrogation, which implies asking questions, there were no questions. Just documents already prepared for me to sign
but I refused to agree with the terrible slander the government officials had prepared in advance to inflict on the Reverend Nguyen Hong
Quang - the goal of which was to eradicate the whole house church movement which the government is trying to erase in all kinds of ways.
The also did not stop denying all the tricks and schemes they use to try to accomplish this. And so they beat me and mistreated me
incessantly without regret. And when I still refused to sign they would bring in some of their friends to sign in my place even though I
disagreed.

And so for the days and months that passed I had to endure such treatment - whether day or night. When they brought me food
it was not enough, water was often not drinkable. And when it was frightfully hot and humid and I was very tired there was no water for me
to take a bath. And when it was cold and my family brought warm clothes for me I did not receive them. I was not allowed to wear any long
pants or long-sleeved shirts. I was not given a sleeping mat. I had to lie on rough and dirty cement causing me to itch badly and giving me
scabies. When I went to defecate they would not give me water to wash it down and made me use my fingers to push my own faeces
down the hole. I was forced to immerse myself in dirty water for long periods of time. And when I was allowed out I had to sit in a squatting
position on the tips of my toes. My heel was not allowed to touch the earth and my face was had to be turned toward the wall. When my
blood could not longer circulate I fainted and only then they stopped. This treatment continued for about a month and half until the middle
of April 2004.

My bones in my feet began to ache acutely. I often fell hard. I had convulsions and found it hard to move around. My chest
hurt a lot because of all the kicking. Also in the month of April it seemed to me that my heart hardly had the energy to beat. I felt pressure
on my heart when I breathed. I often asked officials if I could go for medical check-up and get some medicine but it was not allowed.

At that time I was kept in cell no. 8, Brother Thach was in cell no. 4, Brother Phuong in cell no. 6, and Brother Nghia in cell no.
7. Their fate was no different than mine. Loud cries for help reverberated through the cell block when one of us was being savagely
beaten by a gang of police. The cries gradually faded into hopelessness because who would dare try to intercede. The cries of Evangelist
Thach, "Kill me! Kill me!" at first were very strong carrying loudly through the whole prison but gradually faded into a whisper when his
strength was depleted. The cries of Brother Phuong and Elder Nghia when they were being kicked in the chest and head echoed off the
walls of the whole prison striking fear into everyone. The prisoners in the cells talked with each other wondering what kind of crime the
person had committed to deserve such brutal treatment. It must have been very bad! How would they know that we had been arrested
only because we carry the two words "Tin Lanh" (meaning Gospel or Christian). How painful, how bitter!

After three months of all kinds of mistreatment like this at the hands of the police of District 2 of HCM City, around the end of
June 2004 I was taken to a new prison at no. 4 Phan Dang Luu in the Binh Thanh District of HCM city. Another place and another version
of torture were reserved for me. I was put into a very small cell of prisoners being disciplined. It was only big enough for two people to lie
down in. It was completely dark with no light shining in - only a badly smeared small light bulb burning day and night. It was frightfully hot
and humid. When it rained it flooded. Roaches, ants and centipedes crawled onto the sleeping place causing us fear. One thing that was
never missing was their attempts to get me to sign documents and reports even as I had to exist in such circumstances.

In September I was once more moved, this time to the Chi Hoa Prison. Before this move I had also heard that this was a place
was well-know for drinking human blood. When I heard this, my whole body was terrified. And the heart did not dare think of anything but
to pray to the Lord that His will be done. As I stepped through the gate of the prison I felt the gaze of many pairs of eyes of both uniformed
security police and prisoners famous for their savagery, whose stock-in-trade is threats and bullying. In this place I was put into an even
worse situation of torture. I continually grieve for the gang attacks on me without reason or cause, hard punches directly into my face and
head. My eyes were red. My head was swollen. I felt a dull and never-ending pain as I was beaten all over my back with a nightstick.
Officials who wore sharply pointed shoes did not cease from kicking me in the chest and bum and other parts of my body until I could not
longer endure it and so I fainted, but they would drag me to another place and start again. And after a few days of recovery, the exercise to
torture would begin all over again.

It continued in this way until I was taken to the court for trial on 12/11/2004. At this point we all had to endure pitiful injustice
from an entirely unjust court. They had decided the sentences for us in advance of the trial. They held the trail for appearances only. Our
ideas were completely ignored. The head judge at the trial would not let us say anything related to the truth during the trial. Outside they
announce we have this right and that right, but inside they completely rob us of our citizen's rights and also the rights of the lawyer there to
defend us.

During the trial I noticed that Miss Le Thi Hong Lien showed evidence of having had a mental breakdown. After the trial, we
were escorted back to the prison in the same paddy wagon as Miss Lien. She was beaten right in the vehicle even though she was clearly
very ill. My brother, Nguyen Huu Nghia, helped her and I warded off some of the blows to her.

For many hours we endured a farce of a trial, a trial disguised to fool people. And behind this trial, much happiness and
satisfaction on the part of a society with a dictatorial regime, fearlessly using raw power and every kind of trick, crushing the heart of
people, especially of those who live by a faith and particularly Protestant believers as well as religious believers in general. It has caused
me to become despondent, and feel deep pain because of a dictatorship full of injustice.

And now, as I return to life I must carry a withered body. My left leg is partly paralyzed and I can stand and walk only with
difficulty. My nervous system is badly damaged as it was assaulted by clubs and switches and it will take a very long time to heal. After
only two weeks of treatment, my doctor wants to back out saying he cannot cure me. I am not only suffering in my body, but also in my
spirit and soul, and in material needs as well as support from my family and the church.

But I always believe that the Lord of Heaven will keep and preserve me, shield and carry me in the shadow of his powerful
wings, and that the Lord will bring a revival to our country of Vietnam .

December 12, 2004

Nguyen Thanh Nhan

-----------------------------------
August 25, 2004 Trial of activist pastor believed to be on fast track
Reliable sources in Vietnam have informed Christian Solidarity Worldwide that authorities are working hard to put activist Pastor Nguyen
Hong Quang on trial as soon as possible.

A court decision to prosecute is expected in early September 2004. This would then be followed by publication of charges and the trial.

Based on previous human rights cases, it is believed that the goal of the authorities will be to convict Quang of "possessing and distributing
materials harmful to the State", based on the evidence he has compiled on numerous human rights infractions by State officials. This crime,
if deemed to be in the severest category, carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Those close to the case say authorities have admitted that they are surprised and upset at the unprecedented amount of negative
international attention the arrests of Quang and his fellow Mennonites have attracted.

Quang was arrested on June 8, 2004 and originally charged with "inciting others to interfere with officers doing their official duty". Five
other workers of the Vietnam Mennonite Church , of which the Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang is General Secretary, are also incarcerated on
related charges, some having been held since March 2, 2004.

At the time of Quang's arrest, authorities seized all of the documents and files belonging to the Mennonite Church . They also removed
many files that Quang and his colleagues had compiled which expose official corruption, religious liberty violations and other human rights
abuses.
On July 27 authorities summoned Mrs. Quang and a Mennonite evangelist to a police station, and pressured them to give the police
permission, as required under Vietnamese law, to open the boxes of evidence confiscated from the Quang home and church office. When
the evangelist and Mrs. Quang deferred to the Rev. Quang to make the decision, they were, surprisingly, allowed to see him briefly, but only
to ask him if they should allow the opening of the evidence. He informed them that only the persons who signed that they witnessed the
sealing of the boxes of evidence could witness their opening. It is expected that the difficulty in securing some of those witnesses will not
prevent authorities from examining the evidence.

One of the motives behind the Vietnamese authorities' anxiety to silence Quang is demonstrated by the recent developments arising out of
his advocacy regarding illegal land confiscation.

In early August 2004, when Quang was already detained, authorities delivered an invitation to the Quang home to attend an August 13
meeting to announce the reversal of a 1999 District 2 Peoples' Committee (Ho Chi Minh City) decision to confiscate the land of 346 alleged
squatter families for "development". This included the property of the Quang residence and Mennonite church office.

The confiscation of 29,000 square meters of land in 1999 appears to have been a land grab by officials and developers. Quang quickly
advised many of his neighbors on filing petitions of complaint against Decision 2551 (30 September1999) of the District 2 People's
Committee and helped some of them to carry out the procedure.

On December 29, 2000, the Committee denied the petition of a Mr. Tran Dinh Khuyen, one of the complainants whom Quang had helped
to file a petition. Quang, however, kept reminding the authorities about their misappropriation of land and encouraged his neighbors to do
the same.

Nearly three years after this, on September 13, 2003, the chairperson of the District 2 People's Committee reversed the land confiscation
order of September 1999, admitting the Committee had exceeded its authority. This decision, numbered 9835/QD-UB-QLDT, further
ordered Binh Khanh Ward of the District, where the land confiscation had been announced, to inform the 346 affected families within 10
days.

However it was not until ten months later, after the arrest of Quang, that a meeting to announce the good news to the affected families was
called on August 13, 2004. Few doubt that Quang's advocacy, based on appeal to Vietnamese law, played a key part in eventually
overturning the decision to confiscate the land of the 346 poor families.

One of the charges of the official propaganda campaign launched against Quang following his arrest was that Quang's neighbors were
angry at his noisy, intrusive activities. The truth is, rather, the reverse. Fearing support for Quang from his neighbors, authorities
conveniently waited until Quang was arrested before they announced the reversal of the land confiscation decision that he had helped
achieve.

----------------------------
March 18, 2003 Vietnamese Church Under Severe Persecution

International Christian Concern

A team from International Christian Concern, a Washington-based human right’s organization, has just completed a fact-finding trip to
Vietnam. The team met in 10 cities with 21 of the 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. Christians living in the Central Highlands in the
provinces of Lam Dong, Dac Lac, Gia Lai, Kon Tum and from areas north of Hanoi report that persecution is worse than it was at the end of
2002 however, the church continues to grow. In Dac Lac, out of a total of 417 house churches, only 2 remain open. Previous reports
indicated that 56 pastors were missing and their families did not know where they were being held or imprisoned. ICC could not verify how
many pastors or leaders were missing in the Central Highlands. However, team was able to verify that two out of the eleven imprisoned
Hmong pastors have been released. The pastors and leaders in the Christian community of Vietnam describe facing two major problems.
The first problem is police interrogations. Pastors or leaders are issued a formal “invitation” to appear at the police station for questioning.
This is not an optional invitation but a mandatory requirement. This harassment can last up to a day or two and is designed to make the
pastors nervous so that they will stop their religious activities. Even the wives of pastors are targeted. One official told a preacher’s wife,
“We always know where your husband is.” The second difficulty is the lack of privacy. Pastors are constantly followed. One Hmong pastor
told ICC, “I leave my house at 2:00 a.m. to sneak out of the village and I travel by foot for 3 hours in order to preach. At 9:00 p.m., I start for
my return trip and arrive back home at midnight.” In addition, many leaders frequently said that the church’s greatest difficulties were that
their church lacked a place to meet, and that the church parishioners were unable to openly witness to their faith. Confirmed reports
establish the fact that the government continues to deny jobs to believers as well as cut off benefits to the elderly and disabled who are
Christians. Some are even beaten to the point of requiring a doctor’s care after converting. One pastor said, “We do not pray that God
changes the situation but that the church be strong to endure and stand. God is always faithful.” Christians are urged to write their
legislators to support Rep. Smith’s upcoming bill, “Vietnam Human Rights Act” which will seek to prohibit non-humanitarian U.S. aid from
being provided to Vietnam unless their government shows significant progress in freeing religious and political prisoners and respecting the
rights of the ethnic minorities.

-------------------------------------------------

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

July 23, 2002 Commission Asks Secretary Powell to Raise Religious

Freedom Issues With Vietnam at ASEAN Meeting
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a federal agency advising the Administration and Congress,
last week wrote Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, asking that he raise religious freedom issues with Vietnamese officials during the
ASEAN Regional Forum at the end of this month. The text of the letter follows:

July 17, 2002

Dear Secretary Powell:

I am writing on behalf of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which urges you to raise prominently the protection of
religious freedom in Vietnam during your upcoming participation at the ASEAN RegionalForum in July 2002. We also urge you to impress
upon Vietnamese officials that improvements in the protection of religious freedom in Vietnam are critical to continuing progress in U.S.-
Vietnam relations.

Since the Congress ratified the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in September 2001, the protection of religious freedom in
Vietnam continues to be minimal at best. In February 2002, the Commission sent a delegation to visit that country. Despite the increase in
religious practice among the Vietnamese people in the last 10 years, the Vietnamese government continues its repressive policy toward all
religions and their followers in Vietnam.

Key Vietnamese religious dissidents remain under house arrest or imprisoned, including two senior leaders of the outlawed Unified
Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) ? Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang and Venerable Thich Quang Do ? and a Hoa Hao Buddhist
leader, Mr. Le Quang Liem. Mr. Quang has been denied access to much needed medical treatment. In addition, Father Thaddeus Nguyen
Van Ly, who last year submitted written testimony to the Commission, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after having been convicted on
charges of "undermining state unity" and "slandering the government." During the Commission's visit, Vietnamese officials refused the
delegation's requests to meet with these and other religious leaders who were either in prison or under house arrest.

Government officials continue to harass leaders of unregistered religious organizations and their followers, particularly unregistered
Protestant fellowships, as well as clergy members of officially recognized religious groups who oppose government interference in their
activities. At the same time, Vietnamese authorities have refused to register some religious groups. For example, the Vietnamese
government has refused to register or permit any activity of Baha'i adherents, whose membership in Vietnam before 1976 counted close to
200,000. Meanwhile, provincial and local officials continue to force Hmong Christians in northwestern Vietnam to renounce their faith.
Hmong Christian leaders have been arrested and beaten, and their followers are not allowed to meet in homes and conduct worship.
Catholic bishops continue to have limits imposed on them by the government regarding the number of candidates who can be admitted to
study for the priesthood as well as the number of qualified men who are allowed to be ordained to the priesthood.

Although the government recognized the Evangelical Church of Vietnam in the South in April 2001, that recognition apparently has not
been extended to the Montagnards who reside in the Central Highlands. Government repression of religious freedom for Montagnard
Christians, coupled with an ongoing land dispute between the Montagnards and the government, led to unrest and government crackdown
in February 2001 that ultimately resulted in the flight to Cambodia of over 1,000 Montagnards. Nonetheless, it appears that the Vietnamese
government continues to violate the right to religious freedom of Montagnard Christians in the Central Highlands through arrests and the
closing of churches.

In light of these conditions, the Commission urges you to raise these issues in substantive discussions with Vietnamese officials during your
attendance at the ASEAN Regional Forum. In particular, we hope you will inquire about the confinement of Mr. Quang, Mr. Do, and Mr.
Liem, and the imprisonment of Fr. Ly.

Furthermore, we wish to draw your attention to the following recommendations, first set out in our 2001 Annual Report. We urge you to
press the Vietnamese government to take the following steps:

1. Release from imprisonment, detention, house arrest, or intimidating surveillance persons who are so restricted due to their religious
identities or activities.

2. Permit full access to religious leaders by U.S. diplomatic personnel and government officials, the U.S. Commission on International
Religious Freedom, and international human rights organizations. The government should also invite a return visit by the UN Special
Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion.

3. Establish the freedom to engage in religious activities (including the freedom for members of religious groups to select their own leaders,
worship publicly, express and advocate religious beliefs, and distribute religious literature) outside state-controlled religious organizations
and eliminate controls on the activities of officially registered organizations. Allow indigenous religious communities to conduct educational,
charitable, and humanitarian activities, in accordance with the UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and
Discrimination.

4. Permit religious groups to gather for observances of religious holidays.

5. Return confiscated religious properties.

6. Permit domestic Vietnamese religious organizations and individuals to interact with foreign organizations and individuals.

7. Permit domestic Vietnamese religious and other non-governmental organizations to distribute their own and donated aid.

8. Support exchanges between Vietnamese religious communities and U.S. religious and other non-governmental organizations concerned
with religious freedom in Vietnam.

In its May 2001 report, the Commission also recommended that the U.S. government continue to support the ASEAN Human Rights
Working Group, and that it should encourage the Vietnamese government to join the working group by establishing a national working
group. The Commission urges you to take this opportunity to engage officials of the ASEAN working group in serious discussions about the
promotion of human rights, including religious freedom, among ASEAN member states. Moreover, we urge you to impress upon
Vietnamese officials that the establishment of a national working group by their government would be an important sign of Vietnam's
commitment to protecting religious freedom and other human rights.

Thank you for your consideration of the Commission's recommendations. We would be grateful if you would share with us the findings and
achievements of your visit upon your return.
Respectfully,

Felice Gaer
Chair

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to give
independent recommendations to the executive branch and the Congress.

Visit our Web site at www.uscirf.gov

800 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW SUITE 790 WASHINGTON, DC 20002 202-523-3240/ 202-523-5020 (FAX)

----------------------------------------

July 23, 2002 DETAINED VIETNAMESE CHURCH LEADER RELEASED

AFTER SIT DOWN PROTEST BY CHURCH
A Vietnamese church leader arrested for his religious activities, was released after a sit down protest in a police station by members of his
church.

Pastor Nguyen Dang Chi, 39, who leads a church in Phu Ly, Tri An, in Vietnam, was arrested on July 6.

He was held in a cell for 24 hours, with his feet shackled and was denied water, a blanket, and the use of a toilet. Despite the conditions, he
sang hymns and prayed through the night.

The following day, more than 20 of his congregation went to the offices of the Phu Ly Commune security police and demanded to be
allowed to visit their leader.

When this request was denied, they staged a sit down protest until midnight when the security forces eventually released Pastor Chi.

Pastor Chi and his church, which grew rapidly from a few people in 1995 to more than 800 today, have faced harassment from the
Communist authorities from the outset.

The authorities questioned the validity of Pastor Chi's ordination certificate and ordered him to ask permission to preach. When he
submitted the forms as requested, he was forbidden from preaching as he did not have written permission. His ID papers were repeatedly
confiscated and this was followed by frequent fines. He was repeatedly summoned for interrogation, and when he insisted on asserting the
right to religious freedom and his responsibility to preach the gospel, he was arrested.

A statement from believers in Vietnam says: "The lives of religious believers in Vietnam are still suffering an epidemic of abuse.

"Even to quietly preach the Gospel is like a thorn in the face of the regime. Why? Because the Communist regime wants to implement the
policy of keeping its citizens ignorant, prevent them from becoming moral and educated, and from exploring the basis for religious faith. For
as long as citizens have faith, and as long as citizens have a basis for morality in religious faith, the Communists will not be able to force
people into their atheistic ideology."

Earlier this month, CSW urged the UN Human Rights Committee to raise concern about the frequent abuses of Protestant Christians in
Vietnam and the country's breaches of its obligations to respect religious freedom under the UN International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights.

CSW cited numerous incidents of abuse, violence, restrictions and harassment instigated by the Vietnamese authorities against the
Protestant community in Vietnam. CSW also submitted a list of 12 evangelical pastors currently in prison in Vietnam.

The Committee raised concern over religious freedom with the Vietnamese authorities, specifically highlighting refusal to recognize
religious groups, misuse of laws on religion and restrictions on religious activities, including training of religious personnel."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW-UK, said: "The mistreatment of Pastor Chi, including how he was held with his feet shackled and
without water, a blanket or even the use of a toilet, is a disgrace. It is the height of duplicity for Vietnam to come before the UN claiming it
practices religious freedom while it is carrying out such flagrant abuses of this right.

"We commend the bravery of the congregation in taking a stance, but sadly believe the report from inside the country suggesting that
Pastor Chi and his congregation will surely face more serious abuse in the future. We call on Vietnam to honor its international
commitments and truly protect the right to religious freedom."

---------------------------------------------
July 5, 2002 CHRISTIAN LEADERS IN VIETNAM PETITION GOVERNMENT
OVER RESTRICTIONS ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Christians in Vietnam have sent a petition to the government to protest about 'severe hardships' in running their activities.

The petition, issued by the Evangelical Church of Vietnam - Northern Region (ECVN-North), is addressed to Prime Minister Phan Van Khai
and cites three main proofs of the government's restrictions.
Firstly they have not been able to ratify the decisions made at their annual General Assembly on the orders of the Bureau of Religious
Affairs, meaning that the leadership committee is not recognized and the work of the church is seriously hindered.

Secondly a church building in Vinh, Nghe An Province, has been destroyed and thirdly the government severely restricts the ECVN-North's
permission to train and assign new leaders.

The petition from the ECVN-North reads: "Our church building in Vinh had withstood two horrible wars without a scratch, but it was
destroyed, razed, at a time when our country has peace, independence and freedom.

"This is a serious spiritual attack on the congregation of Vinh and the believers of Vietnam in general, and at the same time a clear violation
of the constitution and the laws of the Vietnamese nation.

"We ask that the activities and organization of the ECVN-North may soon be made more secure, so we can resume normal activities and
meet the spiritual and moral needs of citizens who have religious faith and at the same time provide encouragement for them to be good
citizens of Vietnam."

In addition, CSW has just received a new list of twelve Protestant leaders who are currently in prison in Northern Vietnam.

Nine church leaders are in Thanh Ha prison, Phuc Yen province, one is in Lao Cai province prison and two are in Lai Chau province prison.

Ly A Hu has been imprisoned in Thanh Ha since September 1998; Vang Sua Giang and Sung A Choa, since August 2000; Sung Seo Si,
Thao Seo Sao, Thao Seo Chong and Sung Seo Sang since March 2001; and Ma Seo Phu and Vang Seo Senh, since December 2001.

Lu A Chung, has been in prison in Lao Cai since December 2001; Phan Phu Thin and Chau Quay Phan have been in Lai Chau since
December 2001.

In addition, there are believed to be many other Christians who have been imprisoned or killed, but whose names are not known. Other
church leaders have had severe restrictions placed on their movements.

Vietnam's human rights record, including its respect for religious freedom, is to be examined by the forthcoming session of the UN Human
Rights Committee which convenes on Monday in Geneva.

CSW stands with the ECVN-North in calling on the government to allow the church to organize its affairs without interference. In addition
CSW calls on the government to free the twelve church leaders and all others who are behind bars for their religious beliefs.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW, said: "Christians in Vietnam are not free to follow their faith in freedom and the government's
National Bureau of Religious Affairs harasses them at every turn.

"Innocent men and women are locked up and persecuted simply for their religious faith and we call on the government to release them and
to respect the right to religious freedom."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

There are about one million Protestant Christians in Vietnam - three quarters of whom belong to Vietnam's tribal minority groups. They are
considered to be a threat to the Communist regime and tribal Christians, particularly from the Northern Hmong tribal areas, face especially
severe persecution.

----------------------------------------
November 6, 2001 Pastor Intimidated as Part of Government Clampdown
on Christians in Vietnam
Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang has been warned by Vietnamese authorities to stop running church activities from his house in Ho Chi Minh
City.

He has been running projects to help the poor and destitute as well as leading a church in Binh Thanh's 26th Ward, District 2, but the future
of these works is now uncertain.

This is not the first time this church leader has been intimidated as security police broke into a class of underprivileged children he was
teaching and arrested three teachers in August.

When Pastor Quang raised the matter with the security police, they handcuffed him, kicked him and beat him until his face was swollen.

The arrested teachers were released the next day, but police confiscated Pastor Quang's Family Register making it impossible for his child
to get state education and for him to carry out his work without difficulty.

Pastor Quang is the Provisional Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Vietnamese Evangelical Mennonite denomination.

Christians from the Hmong tribe in the northwestern Lai Chau province have also experienced harassment from the authorities, ranging
from intimidation to torture.

Government officials and soldiers reportedly came to their homes and tried to force them to perform spirit practices on April 12.

Their possessions were thrown out of their homes and women and children were threatened while some of the men were assaulted before
being evicted from their homes.
In a separate incident in the same province, two believers say they were beaten and stabbed with an electric cattle prod in the chest on
June 19.

The next day a group under the control of the village chairman destroyed one of the men's houses and intimidated other believers.

Other Hmong believers were assaulted by men using an electric truncheon and beaten severely before being told to renounce Christianity.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has just received a list of 16 Christian prisoners, all from the Hmong people, which includes believers
arrested as long ago as 1998. There are believed to be several more believers, but this information is yet to be verified.

Father Thaddeus Nguyen Van Ly, a Roman Catholic priest, has just been sentenced to 15 years for allegedly disobeying probation rules
and "undermining national unity".

He is an advocate of religious freedom in Vietnam who has been consistently critical of the Government for not upholding the right to
worship freely and who has already spent nearly ten years in prison.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide - UK, said: "This latest intimidation of a church leader highlights the
constant pressure being put on the church by the authorities in Vietnam. We call on the Government to protect the right of individuals to
worship freely and to hold to the rule of law."

---------------------------------------
October 2, 2001 Vietnam: Pastor Quang
Dear Friends,

We are writing to ask if you would consider helping a brave pastor who has taken a courageous stand for religious freedom and the rights
of the poor in Vietnam.

Nguyen Hong Quang is a pastor and the Provisional Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Vietnamese Evangelical Mennonite
denomination. As well as his valuable pastoral activities, Pastor Quang runs projects to help the poor and destitute. Pastor Quang has been
subject to frequent intimidation and persecution to dissuade him from conducting both his religious and social activities. In the most recent
series of incidents, on August17th, security police charged into a class established by Pastor Quang for the desperately poor children of
Cell 16B of Binh Thanh's 26th Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, and arrested three of his colleagues. When Pastor Quang raised the matter with the
security police, officer Tien beat Pastor Quang until his face was all swollen. The officers handcuffed Pastor Quang and kicked him, leaving
him with bloody scabs and handcuff marks on his wrists, and bruises on his left thigh, two and a half weeks later. The arrested believers
were held in Binh Thanh 26th Ward security police office for the day, without food or drink. On 24th August officers brought an evangelical
believer named Khai to the security police office at 2.00 am.

Later on the same day, they took Pastor Quang's Family Register, making it impossible for his child to receive public education and for
Pastor Quang to carry on many aspects of trade and communication. Pastor Quang has taken a courageous stand in speaking out against
the injustices visited upon him and his team and he and his group would greatly value expressions of support.

If you would like to express solidarity with Pastor Quang and his team, please do send them a card of encouragement. It would be valuable
to include a comment along the lines that you know of the unjust treatment he and other Christians are experiencing and that you are
praying for justice and freedom of worship for him and all people of faith in Vietnam. Feel free to include personal sentiments as well, of
course.

Contact details:
Muc Su Nguyen Hong Quan
C5/1H Tran Nao, Phuong Binh Khanh
Quan 2, Ho Chi Minh City
VIETNAM

(Greeting: Dear Pastor Quang, family and friends,)

If you would like to help Pastor Quang in another practical way, you could write to your Congressperson to ask them to raise concern about
the treatment of Pastor Quang, his colleagues and the poor community that he is helping. You can find out the name of your
Congressperson by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Please remember Pastor Quang and his team in your prayers and encourage others to pray for them.

Return to REPORTS (summary of all regions)

Zimbabwe
February 21, 2002 Christians Arrested After Taking Part in Peaceful Prayer
Procession
Christians, including four clergymen, who were taking part in a prayer procession for peaceful elections were arrested in Zimbabwe. A total
of 11 Christians were arrested in the city of Bulawayo on February 16 after taking part in the ecumenical procession.
Church leaders had requested permission for a procession around churches in the suburb of Hillside during which participants would pray
for peaceful elections.

The prayer initiative was supported by the Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Pentecostal and Roman Catholic denominations. Similar
events have been held in the past and have passed off peacefully, but this time local police refused permission for the procession, stating
that such an event would be disrupted by unruly elements.

Having been refused permission from the police for a ‘prayer walk’, church members took to their cars for a ‘prayer drive’ instead.

The Anglican organizer of the initiative, Reverend Noel Scott, was arrested shortly after the drive and charged with failing to comply with
police prohibition. Ten others, including a woman, were arrested after congregating for prayer on a pavement outside the police station
where Reverend Scott was being held. The ten were charged with obstruction, a charge that carries a penalty of two years in prison or a
fine of Z$50,000 (US$1000).

Reverend Scott has since been ordered to surrender his Zimbabwean passport and been released from prison.

Zimbabwe is in the throes of a violent general election campaign characterized by government-sanctioned aggression and intimidation
aimed at securing power for 77-year-old President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF Party. The upsurge in political violence claimed 16 lives
in January, the highest monthly figure since records began in 2000. Numbered among the dead were 14 supporters of the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Recently the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum criticized what it termed the ‘carefully orchestrated violence’, which the organization
sees as part of a ‘modus operandi to crush opposition party support’. The organization added that the January death toll may be even
higher than 16, since many deaths go unreported. The European Union has imposed sanctions targeting President Mugabe and key
members of his regime and withheld Î128m in development aid for the 2002-2007 period following the expulsion of the head of the EU
election monitoring mission. The US Government has said it will match the EU sanctions. Opposition politicians welcomed the imposition of
sanctions, but most feel that it has come too late to influence the conduct of the election campaign. Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of
Christian Solidarity Worldwide - UK, said: “The ongoing violence in Zimbabwe which attempts to crush any voices of dissent against the
government is an international outrage.

“The treatment of these Christians taking part in a peaceful protest is yet another example of the gross abuse of human rights in this deeply
troubled country.”