PRESS RELEASE: Report on the Chin Association of Maryland Trip to Mizoram, India (April 6 to April 23, 2024)
May 16, 2024
Statement and Press Release
The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) is releasing a report, Report on the Chin Association of Maryland Trip to Mizoram, India (April 6 to April 23, 2024). This is the seventh report that CAM has published since the military coup on February 1, 2021. The previous reports can be found on CAM’s website.
CAM Statement: CAM Welcomes the Release of the USCIRF Annual Report
May 13, 2024
On May 1, 2024, the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released their Annual Report for 2024 with new recommendations for U.S. Policy. CAM welcomes the report and extends appreciation to USCIRF for citing CAM and CAM’s work in the report. In their “Activities” section they highlighted the hearing, Two Years After the Coup: Religious Freedom in Contested Burma, at which CAM Executive Director Zo Tum Hmung testified. The annual report also cited the article in Christianity Today written by CAM’s Zo Tum Hmung and John Indergaard. The article, “Myanmar’s Christians: As Our Churches Burn and People Flee, We Need the US’s Help,” underscores the targeting and persecution of Christian ethnic minorities in Burma, including through the mass arson campaign of majority Christian community of Thantlang Town that displaced the entire population of 10,000.
Press Release – Burma Funding Passed in Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations
March 25, 2024
On Saturday, March 23, President Biden signed H.R. 2882, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, into law. The Act appropriates not less than $121 million in funding for Burma through the Economic Support Fund for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2024. It also provides guidance on how the Biden administration should spend the money.
Press Release – CAM Held Hybrid Congressional Briefing Hosted by Rep. Chris Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs
February 8, 2024
On Monday, January 29, 2024, the Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) held a Hybrid Congressional Briefing hosted by Rep. Chris Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs at the Rayburn House Office Building (Room 2200) in Washington, D.C called the Rising Persecution of Christians and the Humanitarian Fallout. This briefing aimed to highlight the atrocities against Christians and urge the Congress and the Administration to do more to hold the Tatmadaw accountable and increase humanitarian aid.
Airstrikes on Kanan in Burma Destroy Churches
January 16, 2024
Around 10:30am on Sunday, January 7, the Burmese military, also known as the Tatmadaw, sent fighter jets to bomb Kanan village, Tamu township, Sagaing region in Burma. The fighter jets dropped two bombs and destroyed two churches: St. Peter Baptist Church and New Eden Baptist Church. One of the bombs also destroyed a school. 17 civilians were killed including 11 adults and 6 children as young as ages 5, 6, and 7
Press Release: The Burma Advocacy Group Decries Violence Against Burma Christians
December 5, 2023
Over recent months the illegitimate military regime in Burma and its military (Tatmadaw) have increased their assault upon the Christian and notably Baptist community in Burma as detailed by the Chin Association of Maryland, Mr. Zo Tum Hmung, director.
Airstrikes on Rezua in Matupi Township Destroy Church, Displace 2000
December 1, 2023
As Chin resistance forces liberated the town of Rezua, Matupi Township, the Burmese military carried out retaliatory airstrikes on the civilian population.
On the morning of November 29, 2023, Chin forces captured the junta military outpost at Rezua and took control of the town. The Chin forces included fighters from the Chin National Army, CDF Matupi (B2) and ZZLMS, a grouping that includes CDF-Zotung, CDF-Zophei, CDF-Lautu, CDF-Mara, and CDF-Senthang.
Airstrikes Destroy Church, Kill Four Civilians in Lailenpi, Chin State
November 28, 2023
During the four-day battle for Lailenpi, Chin State, Tatmadaw airstrikes killed four civilians and destroyed a church, a school, and six civilian homes.
The Chin Post reports that on Nov. 19, the Chin National Army, CDF-Thantlang, CDF-Mara, CDF-Matupi, CDF-Lautu, and CDF-Zophei launched a joint attack on the Burmese military post in Lailenpi, a town in Matupi Township near the Indian border.
Tatmadaw Occupies Cathedral Compound in Loikaw, Karenni
November 28, 2023
On Nov. 27, 2023, the Burmese military, also known as the Tatmadaw, occupied Christ the King’s Cathedral in Loikaw, Karenni State.
According to a statement from the Loikaw Diocese, the Christ the King’s compound had seen an influx of displaced people since Nov. 11 due to ongoing conflict in Karenni, for a total of 1,300. The Tatmadaw tried on three previous attempts to take over the church compound from Bishop Celso Ba Shwe and resident priests.
Tatmadaw Airstrike Kills 8 Children, 3 Other Civilians in Vuilu, Matupi Township
November 20, 2023
On Wednesday, November 15, at 7 pm local time, Burmese military jets launched an airstrike on Vuilu village in Matupi township, southern Chin State. The strike killed at least 11 civilians, including 8 children.
Life Imprisonment for Chin Pastor Biak Mawi Sung
November 17, 2023
The Chin Association of Maryland (CAM) has confirmed with sources on the ground that Pastor Biak Mawi Sung, 45, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a military court in Hakha under Section 50 (J) of the Counter-Terrorism Law on September 29, 2023. Pastor Sung was accused of providing financial support to the Chinland Defense Force and held in a Hakha prison.
Chin Pastor and Son Killed by Tatmadaw in Saw, Magway Region
November 15, 2023
On November 7, 2023, at 10 am local time, the Burmese military killed Chin Pastor Mang Kui in the town of Saw, Magway Region.
Mang Kui, 55, had been a pastor at Kanpetlet Baptist Church in Chin State, and was reportedly traveling to Saw in order to buy medicine for his wife. Witnesses say that a soldier in plain-clothes shot the pastor in the head at close range.
New U.S. Sanctions Targeting Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise
October 31, 2023
On October 31, 2023, the United States issued direct sanctions targeting Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).
The new directive from the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) prohibits persons and companies subject to U.S. law from “financial services to or for the benefit of MOGE or its property or interests in property.”
Invitation to Chin New Year Celebration on Oct. 14, 2023
October 11, 2023
The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) is requesting you to join us for our 5th annual celebration of the Chin New Year.
CAM Statement on the Munglai Hkyet Attack in Kachin State
October 10, 2023
On October 9, 2023, the Tatmadaw carried out a horrific bombardment on the Munglai Hkyet internally displacement camp in Laiza, Kachin State, which killed at least 29 people.
CAM Congressional Briefing Held on Sept. 18, 2023
September 19, 2023
On September 18, 2023, CAM held a Congressional Briefing at the Russell Senate Office Building, entitled Escalating Atrocities Against Christians in Burma.
Church Compound in Hakha Attacked by Tatmadaw
August 23, 2023
At approximately 4:20 pm local time on Monday, August 14, 2023, the Burmese military, or Tatmadaw, launched an attack on the historic Hakha Baptist Church compound in the town of Hakha, Chin State.
Ramthlo and Sunthla Villages in Falam Bombed by Tatmadaw, Church Destroyed
August 15, 2023
At approximately 10 am local time on Saturday, August 12, 2023, Burmese military jets bombed Ramthlo Village in Falam township, Chin State. The airstrike destroyed three houses and the Ramthlo Baptist Church. Seven civilians were severely injured.
Chin Pastor and Three Deacons in Mindat Attacked by Tatmadaw, Deacons Detained
August 4, 2023
On Sunday, July 16, 2023, intoxicated Tatmadaw soldiers from Infantry Battalion 274 arrived at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in the compound of the Presbyterian Church in Mindat, Chin State in Burma. Although the Tatmadaw had allowed the camp to be established, the soldiers complained that there were too many motorcycles present.
List of Churches Burned in Thantlang Town of Chin State, Burma
July 6, 2023
The Chin Association of Maryland (CAM) has received credible information that the Burmese military, or Tatmadaw, has burned 21 of the 22 churches in Thantlang town, Chin State. Only Olive Baptist Church has avoided destruction. The entire population of the town, approximately 10,000 people, has been displaced, with some fleeing to the Indo-Burma border area and others taking refuge in Mizoram State, India.
CAM Welcomes the Joint Statement from the United States and India
July 5, 2023
On June 22, 2023, the United States and India released a joint statement as part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the White House.
Press Release: CAM Report Launch and Hybrid Event on June 27, 2023
June 14, 2023
On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the Chin Association of Maryland will hold a private roundtable from 2:00-3:30 PM EST at the Open Society Foundations in Washington, DC with a hybrid format to discuss its latest report, Chin Refugees in India’s Mizoram State: Helping the Refugees and Supporting the Local Communities Welcoming Them.
Press Release: CAM Official Report Release on April 13, 2023
May 15, 2023
This report is CAM’s third since the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup, highlighting key cases of religious persecution aimed at the Chin and other Christian minorities across Burma. CAM thanks the U.S. Institute of Peace for hosting and thanks the speakers, including Bishop David J. Malloy and Dr. C. Jeff Woods, for their remarks.
The Burmese military’s air strikes on Malsawm village in Chin State, Burma Destroyed the Malsawm Baptist Church
May 10, 2023
Washington, DC — Around 10:30 a.m. local Burma time on May 5, 2023, the Burmese military’s airstrikes on Malsawm Village in Hakha township destroyed the Malawm Baptist Church. Malsawm village is about 35 miles far from Hakha, the capital town of Chin State, Burma.
The Burmese military burned homes and other buildings including the Gospel Baptist Church at Chuncung village in Chin State, Burma
May 3, 2023
Washington, DC — Around 6 a.m. local Burma time on May 2, 2023, the Burmese military also known as the Tatmadaw, burned 14 homes and other buildings, including the Gospel Baptist Church and its staff quarters, at Chuncung village, Hakha township in Chin state, Burma. Chuncung village is about 15 miles from the Hakha, the capital of Chin State in Burma.
The Burmese military’s air strikes on Tlanglo village in Chin State, Burma Killed Civilians and Destroyed Christian Churches and Residences
April 28, 2023
Washington, DC — Around 2 p.m. local Burma time on April 27, 2023, the Burmese military’s airstrikes killed 2 civilians, injured 8, and destroyed 19 houses, including three churches at Tlanglo village of Thantlang township, Chin state, Burma. Tlanglo village is about 5 miles from the Victoria Camp. The entire villagers have been displaced.
The Burmese military’s air strikes on the Webula Town in Chin State, Burma Killed Civilians
April 11, 2023
Washington, DC — Around 11 a.m. local Burma time on April 10, 2023, the Burmese military’s airstrikes killed 9 civilians, including a 9-year-old boy and a retired pastor, at Webula town in Falam township of Chin state, Burma. Webula is about 18 miles south of Falam town.
Burmese Fighter Jets Bombed Khuafo Village in Chin State, Burma and Killed 8 villagers including 4 children
March 31, 2023
Washington, DC — Around 10:30 a.m. local Burma time on March 30, 2023, the Burmese military fighter jets dropped at least 12 bombs on the Khuafo village, Thantlang township in Chin State, Burma. Khuafo village is five miles far from Thantlang town.
Statement on the 2023 International Religious Freedom Summit
February 9, 2023
Washington, DC — Around 11 a.m. local Burma time on April 10, 2023, the Burmese military’s airstrikes killed 9 civilians, including a 9-year-old boy and a retired pastor, at Webula town in Falam township of Chin state, Burma. Webula is about 18 miles south of Falam town.
Statement on USCIRF Hearing on Burma
February 9, 2023
Washington, DC — On February 8, 2023, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing on religious freedom in Burma two years after the military coup. The panel was led by USCIRF Chair Nury Turkel, with Vice Chair Abraham Cooper and Commissioners David Curry, Frederick Davie, Mohamed Magid, Stephen Schneck, and Frank Wolf in attendance.
Burmese Fighter Jets Attacking Camp Victoria in Chin State, Burma,
Also Drop a Bomb on Mizoram State, India
January 10, 2023
Washington, DC — On January 10, 2023 around 5:15 p.m. local Burma time, Burmese military fighter jets dropped at least four explosive devices on Camp Victoria, the Headquarters of the Chin National Front/Chin National Army in Chin State, Burma, near the border with Mizoram State, India, a source familiar with the situation confirmed with the Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM). A video of the attack has been posted on YouTube. CAM learned that five members of the Chin National Army (CNA) were killed in the attack.
