Church in the World

Junta accused of using Buddhism to oppress Christians

Myanmar

The military junta that rules Burma was accused this week of using the Buddhist religion as a political tool to oppress Christians, writes James Roberts.

A report, launched in the House of Commons on Tuesday by the anti-persecution group Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said Christians among the non-Burman ethnic nationalities are particularly targeted by the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). In the Chin, Karen and Karenni regions, where there is armed resistance to the regime, Christians face assault, killings and destruction of churches and crosses. In Chin State, for example, where the population is 90 per cent Christian, the people traditionally build crosses on hilltops. The Burmese army has forced Chin Christians to tear down almost all the crosses, often forcing them to build Buddhist pagodas in their place. The report, entitled Carrying the Cross, also cites instances of forced conversions.

The regime's philosophy is a perverted form of Burman Buddhist nationalism, says the report, and the SPDC also "oppresses Buddhists who challenge its rule, and persecutes Muslims". In the major cities Churches function with less interference.

The report is written by the human-rights activist Benedict Rogers, with a foreword by Baroness Cox and preface by the Revd John Perry, former Anglican Bishop of Chelmsford. On the day the report was launched, the Conservative MP Stephen Crabb, the Catholic Labour MP Jim Dobbin and others tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the UN Security Council "to pass a binding resolution requiring the SPDC to cease its widespread violation of human rights, including religious freedoms".