12/23/2018 Myanmar (International Christian Concern) – United Wa State Army (UWSA) forcibly closed churches and a Bible school in the Wa region of Myanmar’s northern Shan State in September. Now church leaders are seeking the re-opening of these churches and school after Lahu Baptist leaders, political parties and other associations sent letters to the UWSA demanding these churches be re-opened.

According to UCA News, local media quoted Nyi Rang, spokesperson from the UWSA’s liaison office in Lashio, northern Shan State, as saying that a meeting of UWSA senior officials has decided to allow reopening of Lahu and Kachin Baptist churches in Wa region.

Reverend Lazarus, general secretary of the Lahu Baptist Convention in the major town of Kyaing Tong, said he was hoping for an official announcement from the United Wa State Army (UWSA) on reopening church institutions.

So far 52 churches have been shut down, three have been destroyed and 92 Lahu Baptist leaders detained, while some 20 female Bible students continued to be detained by the UWSA. A similar number of male Bible students managed to escape in the last two months and are now seeking refuge at a Lahu Baptist church in Kyaing Tong.

The China-backed militia still hasn’t sent out an official notification on the reopening of churches to either Lahu Baptist Convention or Kachin Baptist Convention.

For interviews with Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].