Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, April 7, 2023
The former President of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), Reverend Dr. Hkalam Samson, has been sentenced to six years imprisonment by a court in Myanmar.
He was jailed on charges of unlawful association, defaming the State, and terrorism.
Reverend Dr. Samson, an outspoken and courageous voice for human rights for the Kachin people, was arrested at Mandalay International Airport on December 5, 2022 as he was attempting to travel to Bangkok. He has been held in Myitkyina prison since his arrest.
Reverend Samson served as President of the KBC from 2018-2022 and previously for two terms as General Secretary from 2010-2018. He is an internationally respected advocate for freedom of religion or belief and human rights in Myanmar. In 2019 he traveled to Washington, DC to participate in the International Religious Freedom Ministerial Conference, where he was among religious leaders from around the world who met with the United States President in the White House.
Read the full story. Also from this region, Human Rights Watch reports that Thai immigration officials forcibly returned three opposition activists to Myanmar.
Here’s some good news from a different part of the world. After being detained for nearly five months in Mozambique, American MAF missionary pilot Ryan Koher and two other men under suspicion of terrorism and supporting insurgents have been released and reunited with family, though they must remain in the country while their court case continues.
For your prayers: The Middle East Council of Churches reminds us that April 22 marks ten years since two Orthodox bishops were kidnapped in Syria. Their fate is unknown (Assyrian International News Agency).