Statement on the Detention of Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samson in Burma

December 6, 2022

Washington DC, USA ——-  On December 5, 2022, (Myanmar Time) the Burmese military arrested and detained Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samson at the Mandalay International Airport in Mandalay, Burma, while he was traveling to Bangkok, Thailand. As of today, his location is unknown – whether Dr. Samson has been detained in Mandalay or Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State. Dr. Samson is an adviser to the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) headquartered in Myitkyina, Kachin State, and he is a former General Secretary and President of KBC.

The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) issues the following statement.

  1. CAM strongly condemns the unlawful detention of Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samson by the State Administration Council.
  2. CAM urges the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress to put more pressure on the Burmese military to release Dr. Samson immediately and unconditionally.
  3. Our prayers and thoughts are with Dr. Samson, his family, and the Kachin people.
Contact:
Zo Tum Hmung
Tel. 443-936-8616
zotumhmung@chinmd.org
The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. CAM empowers Chin communities in Maryland to successfully integrated into American society. CAM also advocates for durable solutions for Chin and other refugees and internally displaced persons, and religious freedom and human rights in Burma.