YANGON, Myanmar — Despite democratic reforms and international pressure that have pushed Myanmar to improve its human rights record in recent years, religious freedom remains heavily constrained across the country, including in Chin State along the northwest border.
“There is no improvement with regard to religious freedom in Chin State,” said Pu Zoe Ram, chairman of the Chin National Democratic Party. “Authorities destroyed crosses during the military regime and continue to do so.”
The Chin Human Rights Organization documented 13 incidents of large crosses being destroyed by order of the ministry of religious affairs during the country’s half-century military regime, which formally ended in 2011.
Cross destruction isn’t the only problem plaguing Chin State’s Christians. Salai Ling, program director of the Chin Human Rights Organization, said youth development schools in border ethnic regions have been set up to convert Christians to Buddhism.
“The government’s plan is to intentionally change our beliefs and mindsets,” Ling said.
(RNS)
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