06/20/2022 Southeast Asia (International Christian Concern) – War, religious intolerance, and political instability are some of the top reasons for the internal displacement of approximately 100 million people worldwide.
According to Open Doors, a Christian persecution watchdog, Christians from 58 countries have been forcibly displaced due to their religious identity. Myanmar is one prime example of a country whose civilians have been forced to leave their country.
In Christian-majority states Kayah, Karen, Chin, and Kachin, mass persecution has intensified since the democratic government takeover by military forces in February 2021. These assaults are mainly due to the governing body’s political instability and support for Burmese citizens’ conversion to Buddhism.
In North Korea, a few Christians have fled to China, where they hope to practice their faith. Unfortunately, sources indicate that COVID-19 has exacerbated conditions in China, where North Korean men and women risk condemnation for their faith and trafficking, respectively. The pandemic has also meant heightened censorship of Christians residing in China who conduct online worship services using communication platforms such as Zoom. The Chinese government continues to seek ways to remove the ‘Western influenced’ faith.
Christians in Myanmar, North Korea, China, and worldwide continue to face political and social pressure to leave the faith. It is, therefore, necessary to report on such cases as a means to end injustices taking place abroad.
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