The Persecution & Prayer Alert The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Wednesday, November 20, 2002

A summary of news concerning the Persecuted Church and how you can respond.

*********************************** Contents: 1. Protestors Face Potential Fines (Belarus) 2. Renewed Persecution for Montagnards (Vietnam) 3. Kidnapped Bishop Released (Colombia) 4. Update on Bill C-250 (Canada) 5. Question of the Week

*********************************** 1. Protestors Face Potential Fines (Belarus)

Two Catholics are expecting large fines and possible imprisonment as a result of protests against the new religion law in Belarus.

According to Keston, Igor Zakrevsky and Sergei Peskin were briefly detained after publicly protesting the new law on November 8. They walked the central streets of Minsk with placards saying, “The authorities want to control our souls,” and then stood by the statue of Lenin opposite the Parliament building, where they were arrested.

The two are due to face trial within two months and may face fines up to $2840 CDN or 15 days in prison. The fine is the equivalent of up to 300 times the minimum monthly wage in Belarus. The harsh punishment is expected because they have been previously charged for earlier street protests under Article 167 part 2 of the Administrative Code, which punishes “unsanctioned meetings.”

The religion law, which became official Saturday, November 16, forbids any unregistered religious activity, requires censorship of religious literature, does not allow foreign church leadership, and puts severe restrictions on what organizations can be registered.

Pray for Zakrevsky and Peskin as they stand up for their freedom to worship. Pray for Christians throughout Belarus as they face the consequences of this new law. Pray that the government will revoke the law and allow greater freedom of religion.

*********************************** 2. Renewed Persecution for Montagnards (Vietnam)

In recent days, The Voice of the Martyrs has received several reports of renewed intensity in the persecution of Montagnard Christians in Vietnam.

Compass Direct reported on November 13 that 354 of 412 churches have been forced to close in Dak Lak province. It is expected that the remaining 58 will soon be closed. As of mid-October, about 50 pastors and elders have disappeared or have been arrested.

There have been reports that local Dak Lak television has broadcast “Ceremonies of Voluntarily Renouncing Christianity” in which Christians have “voluntarily” given their Bibles and songbooks to be burned.

“Montagnard” means “mountain people” and is a collective name for the many minority tribes in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The Montagnards are strongly evangelical Christian and historically the churches were a part of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South). Last year the ECVN(S) was officially recognized by the communist government, but only a small number of Montagnard churches were allowed to be identified with the ECVN(S). Christians from minorities, especially the Montagnards and Hmong people, are facing frequent persecution including torture, forced sterilization, confiscation of property, and death.

The president of the ECVN(S), Rev. Duong Thanh, has written in protest to the government, even though protests in the past by recognized church have resulted in increased pressure and persecution.

Pray for the families of those recently killed. Pray that those facing these constant threats will be able to stand firm. Pray for increased pressure by the international community on the Vietnamese government.

*********************************** 3. Kidnapped Bishop Released (Colombia)

Last week the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the kidnapping of Bishop Jorge Enrique Jimenez and another priest, Desiderio Orjuela. We are pleased to report that both men were rescued by the army on November 15 after a battle with the FARC rebels holding them. One rebel was killed and another captured.

Praise God that these men are safe. Pray for protection for church leaders who have often been the kidnapping targets for rebel forces.

*********************************** 4. Update on Bill C-250 (Canada)

The Voice of the Martyrs continues to express its concern over proposed Bill C-250 presently before the Justice Committee, which will examine it, recommend amendments and return it to the House of Commons for a final vote sometime during 2003. This private members bill (previously Bill C-415), reintroduced by New Democrat MP, Sven Robinson on October 24, would add “sexual orientation” to the current list of identifiable groups (i.e. colour, race, religion and ethnic origin) in the “hate propaganda” sections of the Criminal Code of Canada.

While The Voice of the Martyrs believes that the deliberate incitement of hatred towards any identifiable group is inexcusable, we join the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and others in expressing concern about this particular bill. It is conceivable that this bill, as proposed, could be used to silence dissenting opinions on homosexuality by organizations promoting agendas of the homosexual community. It is likewise conceivable that parts of religious literature such as the Bible could be classified as “hate literature” under this amendment.

The Voice of the Martyrs urges Canadian Christians to write to their MPs and to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, The Honourable Martin Cauchon regarding this bill. Contact information can be found through a link to the House of Commons directory at http://www.persecution.net/links.htm. Before doing so, however, we encourage all Canadian Christians to go to http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/social/initiatives.asp#Bill_C_415 for more information, sample letters, and a refreshingly dispassionate and well-researched discussion of the issues involved before writing any letters. We applaud and thank the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada for the excellence of their work in identifying the real issues involved without resorting to rhetoric or fear-mongering. We also urge that Canadian Christians uphold our government in prayer.

*********************************** 5. Question of the Week

This week the Voice of the Martyrs received an email from an organization that we will not identify declaring unequivocally that Bill C-250 is the greatest threat to religious freedom in Canada since our nation’s founding in 1867. We urge you to read the synopsis by the EFC at http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/social/initiatives.asp#Bill_C_415 and then give us your opinion on the matter: Do you believe that Bill C-250 represents a serious threat to religious liberty in Canada?

To participate in our poll and discussion, go to http://www.persecution.net and click on “Discussion Forum.” If you have not registered on our forum in the past, click on “Register” and select a username and password.

*********************************** The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 117, Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario L5G 4L5) Tel. (905) 670.9721. Fax: (905) 670.7642 Website: http://www.persecution.net

*********************************** Contact Person: Glenn Penner, Communications Director.

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