|
| |
|
|
CURRENT CASES & UPDATES
Monthly Persecution Updates:
Turan Topal and Hakan Tastan
 (Photo used with permission from Compass Direct)
UPDATE (7/08): At their latest hearing on June 24, 2008, Muslim teens brought in to testify against Topal and Hastan denied knowing the men, and police officers failed to appear to testify against them. However, the court in Silivri has continued the trial again to November 4, 2008, in order to consider to remaining charges of "reviling Islam" and "compiling files on private citizens." These brothers are free at the moment, but the serious cloud of a multi-year prison sentence continues to hang over their heads. UPDATE (5/08): In their last hearing on March 18, 2008, the judge decided there were insufficient witnesses to testify against the men. He has again continued the trial to June 24th, which will be the 8th hearing over the course of 18 months. These men are not confined at this point, but their safety is an issue. Topal and Tastan's defense attorneys have asked for the spurious charges against them to be dropped. When accused of being pawns of American missionaries, Topal replied he came to Christ 17 years ago reading the New Testament by himself without knowing any Christians. UPDATE (10/07): Recently the trial judge removed himself from the case. This, of course, will mean more delays. Initially charged on November 23, 2006, these former Muslims are now facing their 5th hearing on November 28, 2007. The men are not confined at this point, but security is very tight for their safety at the court hearings. The spurious allegations against these Christian men were not proven in earlier hearings. However, on July 1st additional charges were filed against them. The State prosecutor has appealed for the charges to be dropped for lack of evidence. Yet, the Muslim plaintiff's ultranationalist lawyer continues to keep the issue inflamed. Please pray for grace and protection for these two believers! Also you may write to the Turkish Ambassador, requesting that Turkey uphold both the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion in that country, and also that these charges be dropped against Topal and Tastan. As always, do NOT mention Frontline Missions International in your letter. The Honorable Ambassador Nabi Sensoy
INDIA: A growing number (28%) of the northern states in India have passed "anti-conversion" laws, making it very difficult for Hindus to convert to Christianity. To become a Christian a person must go 30 days ahead of time to a judge and declare that he was not coerced or bribed to convert. Also, radical Hindus are attacking pastors and church members--including women and children--as well as burning churches in states such as Orissa, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh. Please pray for pastors and for believers who share the Gospel in very difficult circumstances. Letters may be written to the Prime Minister, asking that India's democratic government show respect for the freedom of religion and that these "anti-conversion" laws be rescinded: The Honorable Dr. Manmohan Singh / Prime Minister of India / c/o The Embassy of India / 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW / Washington, DC 20008VIETNAM: (See April 2008 Update above for more information.) Two Vietnamese Christian lawyers were sentenced on May 11, 2007, to prison for "propagandizing against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam." Nguyen Van Dai, age 38, and Miss Le Thi Congh Nhan, age 28, received multiple-year sentences. Both of the lawyers came to Christ through their contacts with believers and their ongoing efforts to defend believers before Communist authorities. The speedy trial was marked by violations of Vietnamese laws. Dai's wife has been refused permission to take his medications and Bible to him since his March confinement. Please pray for their appeal to the Supreme Court and for the Lord's strength for both Dai and Miss Nhan. You may write to the Vietnamese ambassador, asking that the charges be dropped; but please do NOT mention FMI in your letter: The Honorable Ambassador Nguyen Tam Chien / The Embassy of Vietnam / 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400 / Washington, DC 20036 / 202-861-0917 (fax) UZBEKISTAN: Protestant Pastor Sentenced to Four Years in Uzbek Gulag
Dmitry Shestakov, 37, was sentenced on March 9, 2007, to exile in an Uzbek gulag for his religious activities. This evangelical pastor was jailed on January 21, 2007, and charged with operating an illegal religious organization and distributing materials that promote religious extremism. Though Pastor Shestakov was sentenced on March 9, 2007, to exile in an Uzbek gulag for his religious activities, he stated that he forgave his captors. Prison officials have refused to give him medications that his family has provided. This case has had a chilling effect on Protestant Christians in Uzbekistan. Please pray for Pastor Shestakov, his family, and other believers in Uzbekistan. You may write the Uzbek Ambassador, asking that the charged be dropped against Pastor Shestakov (without mentioning FMI in your letter).
The Honorable Ambassador Abdulaziz Kamilov /The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan / 1746 Massachusetts Ave NW / Washington, DC 20036 / 202-293-6804 (fax)
|
PRAYER Believers in the West can take action first of all by daily intercessory prayer on behalf of the Persecuted Church. The Apostle Paul requested such prayer for himself while in a Roman prison that he might “…open [his] mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which [he] was an ambassador in bonds:” (Ephesians 6:19-20) Furthermore, just as the early church was exhorted to “remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them…,” so we can accept that challenge by praying daily for suffering believers in the countries that are the most serious oppressors of Christians. (Hebrews 13:3) Before going to India as a missionary, William Carey posted a map of the world on the wall of his cobbler shop in England. He had a daily habit of praying for the spiritual needs of the various countries of the world by name. Following that example, we can intercede daily for persecuted Christians in specific countries. Prayer should be directed both for special grace for those believers, and for God to change the hearts of the leaders in those countries. Below are listed the primary countries that persecute believers as determined by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom:
In addition to intercessory prayer, believers can take further action by appealing to our members of Congress and to the U.S. State Department to put pressure on foreign governments to stop persecuting believers and to honor the most basic of human rights: freedom of religion. Furthermore, we can write directly to officials of foreign governments to make such appeals. It was such pressure by the American government in 1979 that brought about the release of Russian pastor Georgi Vins from a Soviet labor camp. Just as many Christians contact their U.S. Senators and Congressman about pro-life issues, Christians should also be motivated to make phone calls and write letters on behalf of their persecuted brethren. · Always show politeness and respect as the Apostle Paul did to Roman officials (see Acts 24:10; 26:1-3). For example, it would be unwise to threaten not to vote for them if they do not act on this issue. · Be sure to use the appropriate titles towards government officials. (e.g. The Honorable First and Last Name; Dear Mr. Senator/Ambassador) · Limit the length of your letter to one page. · Make sure that your letter is clearly readable (typewritten or legible handwriting) · Be sure to include your return address on the letter, not just the envelope. · Use all caps or underlining to emphasize the important issue and information. · Your letter may be only from you, or you can add an additional signature page for the use of other people (Sunday School class, Bible study, or friends). CONTENT · Focus on one issue per letter. · Explain your issue with as many specific details as you can, such as country of concern, what is happening there, full names of prisoners, dates of arrest, and where they are detained. · Do not mention Frontline Missions International or any other organization in your letter because it is your letter, and officials are more interested in their constituents than organizations. · Make a specific request for the official to act on: fair trial, release from detention, intervention to stop persecution, contacting a government official in the country of concern, etc. Mention that you are very concerned about the case and that you are watching it carefully. · Thank the official for looking into the matter, and state that you are looking forward to his reply. Also ask that he send you a copy of any correspondence that he may write to other government officials. · Be sure to send a letter of thanks to the government official's response to you.
FINDING ADDRESSES OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS · For the U. S. Secretary of State: · For U.S. Congressmen and Senators: · For a foreign country's embassy in the U.S.: (e.g. Embassy of Sudan) |