Steadfast Global, 12th April 2024
India:
A Christian couple have been released on bail pending an appeal against a 2-year prison sentence imposed under anti-conversion law in Madhya Pradesh. Pastor Ramesh Ahirwar (41) and his wife Sakshi (41) were tried and convicted on 11 March following a false allegation that they had pressured a Hindu woman to convert to Christianity. While giving evidence at the trial, the woman in question denied that she had been pressurised or offered any inducement to convert.
Pakistan:
The father of a young Christian man who was shot and killed in the Sialkot district of Punjab province last November, has reported that he and his family have been threatened with death unless they withdraw the complaint made against the man accused of killing their son. Noor Ul Qamar reported that on 18 March, six armed men led by the father of the alleged killer, entered their home, and made the threat.
Myanmar:
A prominent community and religious leader in Kachin state was killed on 18 March in what has been described as a targeted attack. Nammye Hkun Jaw Li (47) was working in his computer shop in Mogaung township when three armed men entered and shot him three times. As well as being an active advocate against military activities in his home state, Nammye Hkun Jaw Li previously held roles within the Kachin Baptist Convention. He is survived by his wife and three children.