08/22/2022 Myanmar (International Christian Concern) – Since the February 2021 coup that deposed Myanmar’s democratically elected government, the ruling military junta has instated a reign of terror for the country’s religious minorities. The military, which has a strong Buddhist nationalist agenda, regularly targets the Chin state, which is majority Christian, in its efforts to maintain control of the country.  

ICC has previously reported on the thousands of citizens who have been internally displaced due to the ongoing violence in Chin state. The most recently reported attack took place on August 14. The military abducted five people, including two teenagers, after burning down at least fifteen homes in Haimual village. Two siblings, aged 17 and 15, died during the attack.  

Chin state lies just across the border from Mizoram state in India. Consequently, many Burmese citizens that are displaced by the violence there have sought refuge in India. According to media outlet UCA News, at least 200 more residents of Chin state crossed into India in the last few days due to the destruction of their homes and livelihoods by the Burmese military.  

This latest attack on Haimual village happened just one day before the UN Special Envoy for Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, arrived in the region. She called on the military to stop their violence and to start on a path back toward democracy.  

One day after she left, on August 18, the military went on a rampage in central Myanmar, burning hundreds of homes and forcing thousands to flee for their lives. In addition, the military extended the prison time of former democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi by six more years in retaliation for Heyzer’s visit.  

Please pray for peace in Myanmar.  

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