The Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC) has called for the immediate release of Chin and Kachin Baptist Christian leaders detained by the military regime.
In a 22 December statement, ICNCC addressed the recent arrest of former Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) leader Pastor Dr Hkalam Samson. The Kachin leader was arrested over three weeks ago at Mandalay airport when he was about to fly to Bangkok for medical treatment.
The regime is reportedly planning to charge Hkalam Samson, but no charges have been filed yet and his whereabouts are still unknown.
On 7 December, the junta convicted Chin leader Rev Thian Lian Sang of terrorism and sedition under Articles 49 (a) and 505 (a) of Burma’s Penal Code and sentenced him to 23 years imprisonment with hard labour.
The pastor of Falam Baptist Church in Mandalay was arrested at his home on 16 September 2021. People who know Thian Lian Sang said the 42-year-old Christian leader never participated in the political movement against the military.
His only crime was providing medical care to impoverished villagers in remote mountainous areas as part of his church work.
ICNCC, which was formed by politicians, armed groups and civil societies opposing the junta, condemned the targeting of Christian leaders in Burma in the statement.
“The military regime is arresting Christian religious leaders who side with the people and do not support the military coup. They charge them under various laws, accuse them of fabricated allegations and a military court sentences them to imprisonment. This shows that the military regime is trying to suppress the Christian churches and this is a terrorist act.”