Yangon (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Burmese army raided a building where a Protestant Christian Chin communities meeting was taking place, the soldiers pointed their weapons against the faithful, among whom there was also a State MP. The incident occurred on March 10 last, but was only reported today by the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) and re-launched by dissident website Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB). Meanwhile, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today issued the 2012 report on abuses and violations, which shows that Myanmar placed on the "worst list" along with China, Egypt, Vietnam, Iraq and Korea North. The U.S. experts judgment cites the ongoing civil war between the government army and the Christian minority Kachin in the north, where sectarian elements are combined with political demands.
Sources told the Chronicle that last March 10 , Burmese soldiers led by two army captains interrupted a meeting of a thousand delegates to the Evangelical Church of Chin Matupi, a town near the border with India, in Chin State (90% Christian). The military ordered those present to show permits for the conduct of the gathering, according to "rules governing Christian worship and assembly of the faithful."
Among the Christians present, there was also Pu Cin Van, Chin State Member of Parliament, belonging to the Ethnic National Development Party. One of the two officers put a gun to the politician's head mocking him: "I do not care if you are a member of parliament - the soldier is reported to have said. "Here we are not under the authority of government, we only take orders from the Regional North -Western Command. "
Human rights activists denounced the abuse committed by the military in a nation controlled by the army for decades, which abuses rights and personal freedoms. Salai Za Uk Ling, director of Chronicle, points out that "it is very difficult for Christians to organize a demonstration, without assaults and abuse." He confirms that "the army continues to violate human rights, despite the January peace accords."
A year ago the military junta handed over power to a civilian government and General Than Shwe - strong man in the country - has retreated behind the scenes. However, the army's influence is still strong, especially in areas of war particularly the States that are home to ethnic minorities that form, along with Burmese, the Union of Myanmar.
