6. Recent Updates from[b] Sri Lanka, [/b][b]India [/b]and [b]China[/b]
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka's Christian community is facing renewed concerns about future religious freedoms following the results from the November 17 presidential election. Prior to his election, Mahinda Rajapakse had formed an alliance with the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a party composed entirely of Buddhist monks whose primary purpose has been to pass anti-conversion legislation in Sri Lanka. In his first address as president, Rajapakse pledged to protect Buddhism but also provide freedom for all other religions. It remains to be seen how this will be demonstrated. His appointment of Ratnasiri Wickramanayake as Prime Minister raises further concerns. Wickramanayake had previously served as Minister of Buddhism and was responsible for the introduction of the government's anti-conversion bill, ironically called the "Freedom of Religion Bill." For more information on Sri Lanka, go to http://www.persecution.net/country/srilanka.htm. A video report from Sri Lanka is also available at http://www.persecution.tv.
India: Last week, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on a threat to burn sixty Christians to death if they did not re-convert to Hinduism (see http://www.persecution.net/news/india92.html). Compass Direct reported on November 21 that because of police intervention, the planned "re-conversion" ceremony was cancelled. The situation in the community remains tense. Twenty villagers met on Sunday for worship, despite the threats.
China: The Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on November 9 that the law firm representing Pastor Cai and several other religious rights cases had been suspended from operations for a year (see http://www.persecution.net/news/china97.html). With the visit of U.S. President Bush, the head of the firm, Gao Zhisheng, was ordered to leave Beijing to prevent him from contacting the U.S. delegation. According to a November 22 report from China Aid Association (CAA), Gao now faces the removal of his license to practice law. He, his wife and 12-year-old daughter have also faced threats from secret police. Gao reports that the police have repeatedly attempted to force his car off the road. Gao has recently become a Christian and intends to be baptized in a house church soon.
CAA encourages concerned Christians, particularly those who know Chinese, to express their concern for Brother Gao. His email address is [email protected] His telephone number is +86-10-81990759. You can also contact Wu Yuhua, Director General of the Beijing Judicial Bureau, to express your concern about they suspension of Gao's law license at [email protected] or phone +86-10-58575683. *********************************** The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 117, Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario L5G 4L5) Tel. (905) 670.9721. Fax: (905) 670.7642 Website: http://www.persecution.net *********************************** Contact Person: Glenn Penner, Communications Director.
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