Since the military coup in February 2021, Christians have been facing increasing violence and tighter restrictions. Thousands have been killed, churches have been attacked, and lots of Christians have been forced to flee to the jungle, where they are deprived of food and healthcare. Since followers of Christ have been part of the peaceful resistance movement, authorities disproportionally attacked Christian villages and churches and also killed Christian aid workers and pastors.

The junta is infamous for abducting children and coercing them to walk ahead of their troops through minefields. The Burmese military group, an extremist version of Buddhism, often targets ethnic and religious minorities like the Muslim-majority Rohingya and Christian-majority Chin, who reject their ideology. 

Christian converts face constant persecution from their Buddhist, Muslim or tribal families and communities. Non-traditional church groups – especially rural ones and those who get involved in evangelistic activities – also experience strong opposition.

According to Commissioner Türk: “Myanmar is in agonizing pain, and the disintegration of human rights continues at breakneck speed. We are bearing witness to a country being suffocated by an illegitimate military regime.”

U.S. Ambassador Michéle Taylor also spoke up against violence in Myanmar, emphasizing “the need for the international community to do more to impede its access to arms and financial resources.”

Source: https://www.persecution.org/