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August 23, 2025
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SAFFoRB condemns the arrest of the Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh

The South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAFFoRB) strongly condemns the unlawful and unjust arrest of Sr. Preeti Mary and Sr. Vandana Francis of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI), along with Mr.Sukaman Mandavi, on 25 July 2025 in Durg Railway Station, Chhattisgarh. The arrests were made following a complaint by a member of the Bajrang Dal, Ravi Nigam, alleging human trafficking and forced religious conversion.

The individuals were charged under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 for human trafficking and Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act 1968. These allegations are baseless and fabricated, targeting individuals who have a proven record of serving marginalized communities with dedication and compassion.

The tribal women’s families have publicly refuted the claims, stating that they were aware of the women’s travel for legitimate job placement opportunities, and a written submission to the Narayanpur Police on 26 July further confirmed their knowledge and consent. One of the women’s elder siblings explicitly stated, “The sisters are innocent. Even the boy is being framed. We sent our sisters with him.”

It is deeply concerning that Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai defended the arrests, framing them as acts of inducement and conversion under the guise of employment training. Such a stance not only undermines the presumption of innocence but also fuels communal mistrust and discrimination in a secular and democratic nation.

SAFFoRB unequivocally condemns the targeted actions of the Bajrang Dal and the State’s misuse of legal provisions to harass religious minorities and their allies. The wrongful detention of these nuns—known for their selfless service to the poor and oppressed—is a grave violation of their constitutional rights and a direct affront to India’s secular fabric.

We urge the Chhattisgarh government repeal the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act and to uphold the rule of law, refrain from yielding to communal pressures, and protect the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of their faith.

South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAFFoRB) stands in solidarity with the arrested individuals and all those who courageously work for justice, dignity, and freedom of religion and belief.

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March 25, 2025
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Statement on the Escalating Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan

South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAFFoRB) strongly condemns the ongoing and escalating persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Pakistan, as evidenced by the recent mass arrests, mosque demolitions, and systemic targeting of Ahmadi Muslims solely for practising their faith. The recent events in Daska, Sargodha and Gujranwala are deeply alarming, marking a dangerous intensification of religious persecution that violates fundamental human rights and freedoms.

On February 28, 2025, at least 22 Ahmadiyya Muslims, including minors were arrested in Daska, Punjab, for merely gathering for Friday prayers. Instead of protecting them from an extremist mob, law enforcement officials, acting under pressure, detained these peaceful worshippers and registered charges under discriminatory laws. Similar incidents occurred in Sargodha, where 23 Ahmadi Muslims were booked for offering prayers and in Gujranwala, where a historic mosque’s minarets were demolished. These actions reflect a disturbing pattern of state-backed repression, influenced by extremist groups and a blatant disregard for religious freedom.

The targeting of religious minorities, including the Ahmadiyya community is a direct violation of Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees of religious freedom as well as international human rights treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The government’s failure to protect its Ahmadi citizens, with increasing mob violence, mass arrests and destruction of places of worship, demands urgent international attention and intervention.

We call on the Government of Pakistan to:

  • Immediately release all detained Ahmadi Muslims and drop unjust charges against them.
  • Ensure the protection of Ahmadi places of worship from destruction and desecration.
  • Uphold its international human rights commitments and ensure all its citizens’ safety, dignity and freedom, regardless of faith.

The international community must not remain silent in the face of such blatant persecution. We urge the international community, human rights organisations and global leaders to hold Pakistan accountable for these violations and to advocate for the fundamental right of every individual to freely practice their religion without fear of persecution.

We firmly believe that freedom of religion or belief is a universal right, not a privilege. SAFFoRB remains committed to standing against all religious persecution and advocating for justice, equality, and human rights for all.

19th March, 2025

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January 22, 2025
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Eighth Regional Annual Meeting

Strengthening FoRB in South Asia: Role of Civil Societies

The South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAFFoRB) held its eighth annual Regional meeting in Colombo, Srilanka from December 9th to December 12th, 2024, on the theme: “Strengthening FoRB in South Asia: Role of Civil Societies”. This meeting allowed SAFFoRB member organisations from Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar to come together and reaffirm their commitment to Article 18 of the UDHR.

As members of the South Asia Forum on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), we stand united in recognising the essential role of human rights in addressing systemic crises and injustices. The right to freedom of religion or belief is not just a principle to aspire to but a tool that empowers individuals and communities to break down harmful stereotypes, challenge oppression, and pave the way for a future built on dignity, inclusion, and equality.

From the members’ sharing, it is evident that South Asia continues to face significant challenges when it comes to securing freedom of religion or belief. Attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh and India are on the rise, with women, Dalits, Persons with Disabilities, and gender and sexual minorities suffering the major brunt of such attacks. It is also noted that draconian laws such as the blasphemy laws in Pakistan, anti-conversion laws in India and Nepal, the authoritarian and military rule in Myanmar, with the State actors being the primary violators of FoRB, the rise of religious nationalism, and weaponisation of technology and social media exacerbate the
situation for religious and ethnic minorities.

Religious minorities, women, and stateless populations frequently bear the brunt of violations against FoRB, often finding themselves marginalised or subjected to violence. The core aim was laid powerful and vivid on the powerful resistance against the unjust structures that oppress the religious minorities, vulnerable, especially the Dalits and the women, in a non-violent way where one religion could voice out for ‘other’ religion’s freedom of practice, so that society not just transforms to tolerance, instead proceeds towards acceptance. By tackling these intersecting challenges, we aim to amplify the global demand for stronger commitments from State actors to uphold and protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief.

The urgency is apparent: FoRB must move from aspiration to action. We call upon governments, civil society, and international organisations to prioritise this fundamental right and integrate it into their human rights agendas, benefiting all. Against this context,
We, the members and participants of SAFFoRB recognise and affirm that:

  • Values such as pluralism, acceptance, inclusion, and respect for all humans of all religions and beliefs are to be upheld, promoted and protected.
  • Laws that are divisive, anti-minority, anti-marginalized, and limiting the freedom and equality of individuals to live up to their full potential are to be condemned and redressed.

We commit to implementing/working towards the following action plans:

  • Protecting the most marginalised in our contexts who have no social or/and financial capital
  • We must hold institutions and those in positions accountable when we witness violations of FoRB and the denial of equality, liberty, and solidarity.
  • Document FoRB violation cases to ensure there is no erasure of evidence
  • Developing knowledge and awareness-raising programmes for young people.
  • Building safe spaces for victims/survivors of violations against FoRB to voice concerns.
  • Engage with policy-making through networking with human rights defenders
  • Develop policies at the organisational level that include women, religious minorities, gender and sexual minorities, Persons with Disabilities, etc., in the decision-making process.
  • Reinterpreting religious texts from the perspective of Pluralism, Gender and Feminism, Dalit and Liberation theology based on the need of the context.
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August 26, 2024
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SAFFoRB Statement on Bangladesh Crisis

The South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAFFoRB) is deeply distressed and saddened by the recent violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh. There were many incidents of violence against Hindu, Christian and Ahmadiyya Communities in Bangladesh.

The Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (HBCUC) reported around 200 attacks against Hindus and other religious minorities across 52 districts, and these incidents are continuing. There were many incidents of looting of Hindu homes and business entities, and a few temples were also damaged.

Another minority community of Muslims were also attacked. The Ahmadiyya Mosques in Ahmadnagar, Jamia (Theological School), and Jalsa Gah (annual convention ground) were attacked, and 70 houses were torched on 6th August 2024. Around 18 Ahmadis were injured. There were incidents of attack against Ahamdis at Mathertek of Dhaka City, Bamnail under Rajshahi district, Chorakhola of Nilphamari district, and Rangtia of district Sherpur. The tribal people and Christian community were attacked and looted. In this situation, the minority communities are living in fear in Bangladesh.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh, particularly the students, for their bravery in defending their constitutional rights to justice and equality. Violence against minorities can never be justified under any circumstances.

We strongly demand the present interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus to curb the violence and protect the religious minority communities, their homes, and worship places.

The Army and police should arrest and take legal action against those who are responsible for the communal disturbances.
The administration should offer rehabilitation services to all those injured and ensure they return home.

SAFFoRB also urges global governments and the international community to monitor the situation and encourage the present government of Bangladesh to maintain law and order.
SAFFoRB urges the UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB and Minorities and International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) to do an emergency visit and bring out the situation report.

SAFFoRB expresses solidarity with the religious minorities in Bangladesh and their right to live; the practice of religion is a fundamental right in Bangladesh, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). We urge the global community to voice out and protect these rights.

South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAFFoRB) is a regional human rights network that promotes and protects the freedom of Religion or Belief for everyone.

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May 8, 2023
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SAFFoRB urges Government of India to stop the violence in Manipur

The South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAFFoRB) is deeply distressed and concerned about the sudden eruption of violence in Manipur. Fifty people are reported to have been killed, and many of the places of worship including several Churches are attacked and burnt down. Unless the violence is stopped immediately and the guilty are booked, the peace and harmony in the State will be ruptured beyond repair.

It must be noted that both Meiteis and tribals have lived together in Manipur for centuries. These communities have been living as neighbors and have shared social and cultural spaces. What was a protest against the government policy turned into sectarian and barbaric violence, causing deaths, and destructions and rendering thousands homeless overnight on both sides.

The state government’s alleged inaction has allowed deaths and destruction to escalate. Partisan partisan political interest has fuelled the violence spiral to cause severe loss of human life and property. Clearly, the State failed to curb the violence sooner and maintain law and order and peace. Had it acted promptly and strongly, the damage would have been limited.

However, what is very heartening is that there are signs of sanity manifesting in acts of humanity and solidarity. In Lamka town a video of the tribal women holding hands and forming a chain to protect the Meitei community against an angry mob was seen. In Churachandpur, tribal villagers were protecting the Meitei community in their localities by taking them to the army which could escort them to safety.

We urge the Government of India to intervene to stop the violence immediately. They should give protection to all the people and take stringent action against those who are indulging in violence. The places of worship of all faith communities should be protected. We urge the state government should facilitate dialogues among all stakeholders on policy issues instead of supporting one community against others. The state government should function in an unbiased way in order to restore the traditional harmony and co-existence in the State.

South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAFFoRB) is a regional human rights network to protect and promote Freedom of Religion or Belief for everyone.

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January 19, 2023
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South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief Condemns the Violence on Christians in Chhattisgarh!

The South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAFFORB) strongly condemns violence against the Christian residents of numerous villages of Narayanpur and Kondagaondistricts in the state of Chhattisgarh. There is an organized campaign to forcibly convert ChristianAdivasis to the Hindu religion. This campaign escalated on 9th December 2022. By 18th December 2022, there were a series of attacks in about 18 villages in Narayanpur district and 15 villages inKondagaon district displacing about a thousand Christian Adivasis from their villages. Those displaced were told to give up their Christian faith and convert to the Hindu religion, failing which they were ordered to leave the village or face dire consequences, including death. Many ChristianAdivasis were gravely assaulted and beaten with lathis, tires, and rods. At least two dozen people had to be hospitalized with injuries like fractures of the collarbone and other such injuries. A few ChristianAdivasis, according to a fact-finding report of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, UnitedChristian Forum, and other organizations, one Mr. Manglu Koram, and members of 21 Christian families from Madamnar village were forcibly taken to the village tihad (temple) where the priest forcefully sprinkled some water on them and conducted some rituals and declared them to be Hindus. They also forcibly took away copies of the bible from their homes. Likewise, 18 families from Udidgaon village and 3 families from Fulhadgaon, 3 families from Putanchandagaon village were also forcibly converted. Even persons with disabilities and pregnant women were not spared from the brutal violence. On 2nd January 2023, a Catholic Church in Narayanpur was attacked by a violent mob desecrating the idols of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary. The District Superintendent of Police was hit on his head and other police personnel were injured. The District Administration ignored the early warning consisting of threats and intimidation targeting Christian Adivasis. These intimidations, which tantamounted to a breach of peace in the locality, were reported but no action was taken. Even after an escalated and violent campaign against the Christian Adivasis from 9th December onwards, no notice or action was taken. No FIR was filed even though the survivors of this attack filed their complaints with the Benur Police Station in the Narayanpur district. In Temrugaon, three Christian Adivasis were beaten in the presence of 10 to 15 policemen. The policemen neither stopped the attack nor filed an FIR of the incident. As a result, the violence against Christians Adivasis kept on escalating. The administration is functioning on the proposition that both sides are guilty in the conflict, and in fact, the DM described the conflict as a minor scuffle. The wrong that the district administration is alluding to is that according to them the Christian Adivasis have disowned the traditional religious beliefs. Every Indian citizen, including the Adivasis, is within their legal rights to profess and practice any beliefs. The proposition that this is merely a minor scuffle in which both parties are wrong is becoming an excuse for inaction in stopping the violence. The inaction has emboldened the perpetrators of violence and is becoming a law unto themselves.

We therefore demand:

  1. Immediate steps should be taken to facilitate the return of Christian Adivasis to their villages with dignity and security.
  2. Legal action should be undertaken without any further delay against the perpetrators of the violence inflicted upon the Christian Adivasis. Strict action is to be taken against those involved in the forcible conversions that have taken place.
  3. Strict action should be taken as per law against those police officers who were responsible for inaction against the perpetrators of violence inflicted on the ChristianAdivasis and for non-registration of FIRs.
  4. The homes and prayer houses of the Christian Adivasis that were damaged during the attacks should be rebuilt by the State, and victims of violence must be adequately compensated for the pain agony suffered, apart from the loss of property(house, agricultural harvest, cattle, etc.) and livelihood ensured.

Signatories to the statement are:

  1. Masooma Ranalvi, Working Group Member of SAFFORB, Goa.
  2. Dr. D. K. Giri, Schumacher Society, New Delhi.
  3. Inbaraj Jeyakumar, Students Christian Movement of India, Bengaluru.
  4. Dhirendra Panda, Co-ordinator, National Solidarity Forum, Bhubaneshwar.
  5. Irfan Engineer, Director, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai.
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February 1, 2022
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Time to end crimes against humanity in Myanmar

Today marks the first anniversary of the Military Takeover in Myanmar.

SAFFoRB strongly condemns the unconstitutional coup d’état executed by the Myanmar’s military one year ago, and denounces the gross human rights violations it has committed and continues to commit against the people of Myanmar, including against ethnic and religious minorities, which amount to crimes against humanity.

Since the seizure of power on February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military has been committing human rights violations at large scale. The military continues to tighten its grip on power by brutally cracking down the protests with lethal
forces, and arbitrarily detaining political leaders, religious actors, activists, protesters, journalists, civil society leaders, and forcibly disappeared hundreds of people.

The military also launched series of offensive attacks against the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs), Local and People Defence Forces where the military’s both targeted and indiscriminate attacks in populated areas caused civilian casualtiess, damage to civilian property including religious sites, and displacement. Among the regions most affected by this conflict are the states of Chin, Kayah, and Karen – home to ethnic and religious minorities.

Multiple news and reports including UN Fact Finding Mission and Human Rights Commissioner indicated that the military has been responsible for violations of freedom of religion or belief particularly those targeting religious and ethnic minorities with impunity for decades, and such attacks escalated since beginning of the coup. These violations include raids and attacks on places of worship, leading to damage and destruction. Some of these attacks could amount to war crimes under international law.

In other cases, the military has set up military encampments in places of worship. There have been reports of arrests of religious leaders and religious minorities, who were later prohibited from practicing their religions while in detention and some were exposed to torture and ill treatments causing deaths in custody.

SAFFoRB expresses its deep concern at the frequent attacks on protected structures such as churches, mosques, schools and medical facilities, and the arrests and killings of religious leaders.

SAFFoRB expresses its utmost support for the people of Myanmar in their struggle for democracy, freedom and human rights.

SAFFoRB calls for the immediate and unconditional release of political leaders and all others who have been arrested on unfounded accusations.

SAFFoRB calls for a firm, unified and resolute international response to pursue accountability for the Myanmar military and the restoration of democracy in Myanmar.

SAFFoRB working committee:

Mahendra Bhattarai

Mohammed Firthous

Masooma Ranalvi

Safina Marian

Suvra Dev Kar

Ja Seng

Samuel Jayakumar (coordinator)

1st February, 2022

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November 12, 2021
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SAFFoRB condemns terror attack in Sri Lanka

South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAF-FoRB) strongly condemns the barbaric acts of terror in Sir Lanka in which more than 250 people have been killed on Sunday. It deplores the fact that these were carried out against innocent people who had gathered in churches for Easter services and in certain hotels.

We express our solidarity with victims’ families and the people of Sri Lanka at this time of grief. We urge the Sri Lankan Government to take all necessary action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

At this moment, we also bring to the attention of the Government that there have been many incidents of violence against religious minorities in Sri Lanka. We urge the Sri Lankan Government to address these incidents of violence against minorities, and protect the rights of every citizen to practice their religion without fear or intimidation.

We are also quite concerned about the reactions to the recent incidents, leading to further violence against the minority communities. We urge the Sri Lankan Government to take all necessary precaution to de-escalate tension among communities and build trust among various religious communities.

SAF-FoRB Working Group:

  • Peter Jacob
  • Maung Maung Yin
  • Farooq Aftab
  • Farzana Mahmood
  • Preman Rajan Rohaan
  • Ishar Mikrani
  • Irfan Engineer
  • Samuel Jayakumar ( Coordinator)

Note: South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief
(SAF-FoRB) is a collective of Human Rights organizations in six South Asian Countries committed to ensure FoRB and the protection of religious minorities.

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November 12, 2021
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South Asia Forum For Freedom Of Religion Or Belief Condemns The Terrorist Attack On Mosques In Christchurch, New Zealand

The south asia forum for freedom of religion or belief (safforb) strongly condemns the shooting in christchurch, new zealand that took place on 15thmarch 2019 which claimed over 49 lives so far, including that of children and left scores of them injured. The shootings were carried out at two mosques- al noor and linwood in christchurch allegedly by a gunman, brenton tarrant, an extremist who live streamed the ghastly shootings through a video. This terror attack is unprecedented in the multicultural country of new zealand. The prime minister of new zealand, jacinta ardern, the civil society organizations and common citizens of new zealand have unequivocally condemned this terrorist attack, are deeply saddened with this act of hatred and stand in solidarity with the victims. This attack underlines the pressing need for reflection and meaningful dialogue about religions and how they need not be a divisive factor in modern democracies. Religions have influenced with its principles and teachings, the positive morals in human society of kindness, love, compassion and truth.

Different religions and cultures have contributed to a vibrant social fabric where there is potential and precedence of harmonious and meaningful exchanges and cohabitation leading to human advancement. In societies with diverse identities, there is space and freedom for every individual to practice his/her religion or belief without trampling on the rights of other individuals. Every state must ensure through structures the democratic spaces to defend and ensure equality, every individual’s basic right to practice their religion. This is a precondition for a vibrant, resilient and peaceful country and human society. Barriers of religion, ethnicity, race, gender, jingoistic nationalism have to be overcome to embrace humanity and put an end to this bloodlust claiming innocent lives. This bloodshed is an assault on humanity. Safforb stands in solidarity with the families of the victims and new zealanders and rejects this act of violence. Safforb calls for protection of freedom of religion of all, particularly the minorities.


Safforb Working Group:

  • Peter Jacob
  • Maung Maung Yin
  • Farooq Aftab
  • Farzana Mahmood
  • Preman Rajan Rohaan
  • Ishar Mikrani
  • Irfan Engineer
  • Samuel Jayakumar ( Coordinator)
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November 12, 2021
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UN Secretary-General Must Act Regarding Increasing Repression of Religious Minorities

The undersigned organisations raise serious concerns about violations of freedom of religion or belief in Burma/Myanmar, which have increased significantly since the military illegally seized power on 1 February 2021. We call on United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to personally lead high-level efforts to address this growing crisis.

We have seen in the recent past how, left unchallenged, state-sponsored hate speech and incitement to violence has led to and enabled widespread anti-Muslim violence across Burma/Myanmar and culminated in the genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority.

Since the military coup, we have seen hate speech and targeting of religious groups increase and the release from prison of prominent anti-Muslim activists. There is serious concern that the military will increase the use of hate speech and propaganda targeted at non-Buddhist religious groups to attempt to divide the resistance and deflect and divert attention from the coup and subsequent oppression and economic collapse.

In recent months, hate speech against Christians has increased, and Christian figures have been murdered and arbitrarily detained by the military. Religious oppression is a longstanding issue in Burma, and the coup has emboldened the military to further persecute Christians and Muslims living in the country.

Most recently, the junta murdered a Christian pastor and three other men. The incident began when several homes were set ablaze by artillery fire during fighting between the Chin Defense Force and the Burmese military on 18 September in Thantlang, Chin State. A Christian pastor named Cung Biak Hum was shot dead while he attempted to help extinguish a fire at another resident’s home.

The junta is currently holding another Pastor, Thian Lian Sang, in custody. Thian Lian Sang is a pastor of a church in Mandalay. He was arrested on 16 September by plainclothes police. His family was later reportedly robbed of Kyat 400,000 by SAC officials, which they had received to help cover the cost of burial for Sang’s father.

Previously, raids occurred at Mohnhyin mosque and Butaryone Street Mosque in Mohnhyin city, Kachin State, on 3 June 2021. During the attack, a custodian of the mosque was arbitrarily detained. Similarly, a Catholic church in Kantharyar Loikaw City, Kayeh State was shot at on 24 May as civilians sought refuge there. Three women and one man were killed in the incident.

Around the same time, an ethnic Karen Church was destroyed on 23 May by the military and police in Insein Township. Three people, including a pastor and a disabled person, were beaten and detained.

The attacks on the protesters and the religious minorities have been widespread and systematically carried out by the order of the same general who also ordered for the mass killings of Rohingya people in 2017, which was described as a genocide by the UN Fact Finding Mission.

The Burmese Military must end all hostilities against religious minorities, release all religious and political prisoners, step down from power, and allow the democratically elected government to resume.

The National Unity Government (NUG) must fully commit to ensuring all rights for religious minorities and present a detailed plan for doing so when they regain power. The international community must increase pressure on the military to comply with these demands to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in and from Burma/Myanmar.

A global arms embargo and targeted sanctions on the military’s sources of revenue are vital to support the promotion of human rights and democracy in Burma/Myanmar. Countries should impose their own unilateral arms embargo in the absence of a UN-mandated arms embargo.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres should lead high-level efforts to increase diplomatic pressure on the junta and mobilise countries in the region to deploy their influence to end the military’s violence and repression and seek the release of political prisoners and the establishment of genuine federal democracy and respect for human rights for all.

At the same time, the international community should increase humanitarian assistance, especially for ethnic and religious minorities and particularly for those internally displaced, taking care to use civil society channels that do not result in aid being blocked or misappropriated by the military.

It is time to cut the economic lifeline of the illegal military regime while providing humanitarian lifelines to the people of Burma/Myanmar.

With current UN and ASEAN efforts failing to achieve any progress, the office of the United Nations Secretary-General has the authority to mobilise the international community to support his diplomatic efforts to achieve change in Burma/Myanmar.

Repeated warnings regarding the impending genocide of the Rohingya were ignored for years, until it was too late. We sound the warning bell now that there is a real danger of the military again using nationalism and attacks on non-Buddhists for its nefarious political agenda, with devastating consequences for religious minorities in the country.

The time to act is now.

Undersigned by:
Organisations

  1. 21Wilberforce
  2. ALTSEAN-Burma
  3. America Rohingya Justice Network:
  4. American Baptist Churches, USA
  5. American Rohingya Advocacy
  6. Arakan Institute for Peace and Development:
  7. Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO)
  8. ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR)
  9. Association Info Birmanie
  10. Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters
  11. Athan – Freedom of Expression Activist Organization
  12. Boat People SOS – Religious Freedom Project
  13. Burma Action Ireland
  14. Burma Campaign UK
  15. Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN)
  16. Burma Task Force
  17. Burmese American Community Institute (BACI)
  18. Burmese American Millennials
  19. Burmese Democratic Forces
  20. Burmese Muslim Association
  21. Burmese Rohingya Association In Japan (BRAJ)
  22. Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK)
  23. Campaign for a New Myanmar
  24. Cantors’ Assembly
  25. Centre for Human Rights Research & Advocacy (CENTHRA)
  26. Chin Association of Maryland, Inc (CAM)
  27. Chin Human Rights Organization
  28. Chin Leaders of Tomorrow
  29. Christi Australia
  30. Christian Freedom International
  31. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)
  32. Coalition to Abolish Modern-day Slavery in Asia (CAMSA)
  33. Committee for Religious Freedom in Vietnam
  34. Crane Center for Mass Atrocity Prevention
  35. Decency & Clarity
  36. Democracy, Peace and Women’s Organization
  37. Engage Action
  38. Equality Myanmar
  39. Fortify Rights
  40. Free Burma Action Bay/USA/Global
  41. Free Burma Campaign (South Africa) (FBC(SA)
  42. Free Myanmar Campaign USA
  43. Freedom, Justice, Equality for Myanmar
  44. Future Thanlwin
  45. Genocide Watch
  46. Global Movement for Myanmar Democracy (GM4MD)
  47. Human Rights Foundation of Monland
  48. Info Birmanie
  49. Initiative for Human Rights in Asia (IHRA)
  50. Institute for Asian Democracy
  51. International Campaign for the Rohingya
  52. International Christian Concern
  53. Islamic Renaissance Front
  54. Jewish World Watch
  55. Jubilee Campaign USA
  56. Justice4Rohingya UK
  57. Kachin Women’s Association Thailand
  58. Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
  59. Karen Organization of America
  60. Karenni Human Rights Group
  61. Keng Tung Youth
  62. L’chaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty
  63. Los Angeles Rohingya Association
  64. Metta Campaign Mandalay
  65. Myanmar Advocacy Coalition
  66. Myanmar Cultural Research Society (MCRS)
  67. Myanmar Peace Bikers
  68. Nationalities Alliance of Burma USA
  69. NeT Organization
  70. Nguyen Van Ly Foundation
  71. No Business With Genocide
  72. Palms Australia
  73. Parity
  74. Pax Christi Victoria
  75. Prayer Pioneers
  76. Progressive Voice
  77. Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
  78. Revealing Light Ministries
  79. Rumi Forum
  80. Save and Care Organization for Ethnic Women at Border Areas
  81. Shan MATA
  82. Society for Humanistic Judaism
  83. South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SAFFoRB)
  84. Southern Youth Development Organization
  85. Spring Revolution Interfaith Network
  86. Spring Revolution Interfaith Network
  87. Stefanus Alliance International
  88. Swedish Burma Committee
  89. Synergy-Social Harmony Organization
  90. Synergy-Social Harmony Organization
  91. Ta’ang Women’s Organization
  92. Tanintharyi MATA
  93. The Common Good Foundation
  94. U.S. Advocacy Coalition for Myanmar (USACM)
  95. U.S. Campaign for Burma
  96. Vietnam Coalition Against Torture (VN-CAT)
  97. Vietnamese Women for Human Rights

Individual

  1. Denise Nichols OAM, Practitioner Affiliate
  2. Dr Lionel Fernandes, Retired Reader In Politics & Former Head, Department of Civics & Politics, University of Mumbai, India.
  3. Hon. Rollin A. Van Broekhoven
  4. John Ball
  5. Michael Mullerworth
  6. Nguyen Dinh Thang, PhD, Laureate of 2011 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award
  7. Rabbi David Wirtschafter –Temple Adath Israel of Lexington
  8. Revd. Harry Kerr
  9. Scott Morgan, President, Red Eagle Enterprises
  10. Scott Stearman, -U.N. Representative Baptist World Alliance (ECOSOC) / Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (DGC)
  11. Sr. Catriona Devlin csb
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