|
 ERITREA: Eritrean journalist hounded for protesting human rights abuses
Yonas Embye, an independent Eritrean journalist and Christian, had been staging a weekly one-man protest in Kampala against the imprisonment of journalists in Eritrea. He has now been forced into hiding following threats from an Eritrean diplomat – an all too common occurrence due to Eritrea’s aggressive policy towards anyone it regards as a dissident, even outside Eritrea.
Eritrea is the only African state without a privately-owned newspaper or media outlet. At least 37 journalists are currently jailed there, and the country is now known as the continent’s biggest prison for journalists. Of an estimated 20,000 prisoners of conscience imprisoned in Eritrea, around 3,000 are Christians, held without charge or trial on account of their faith
Thank you for lobbying recently on behalf of other Eritrean refugees, in Israel, Libya and Egypt, who were threatened with forced repatriation.
>>> Pray for Yonas and the situation for Eritrean refugees
>>> Buy a gift to support Eritrean refugees in Kenya
|
|
BURMA: Happy Birthday Aung San Suu Kyi!
Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratically-elected leader of Burma placed under house arrest by the military regime, celebrates her 65th birthday next month. She symbolizes Burma’s struggle for freedom in which all the peoples of Burma are involved, including the predominantly Christian Chin, Kachin and Karenni, as well as the Karen, who have a large Christian population. For over twenty years CSW has been advocating for peace and justice to come to Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi needs our prayers, as a leader of the future and a symbol of hope in the present. Send her a birthday card to show that her bravery is not forgotten by Christians in the UK.
>>> Send Aung San Suu Kyi a birthday card
>>> Download the Burma petition – HALFWAY TO THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES NEEDED!
|
|
COLOMBIA: Pastor Reyes’ whereabouts still unknown eighteen months on…
In September 2008, Pastor William Reyes from northeast Colombia ‘disappeared’ after he refused to give church funds to illegal armed groups. Even after over a year and a half, his wife Idia remains hopeful to see William return safely. She says your cards and letters of encouragement have been “…a real comfort, a reminder that people are thinking of [us] and praying for [us].”
>>> Write cards: find Idia’s address in Connect & Encourage
|
|
|
|
22 MAY Pentecost Festival: CSW Faith or Freedom Debate, Leicester Square
Free this Saturday lunchtime? Come to Faith or Freedom, a faith-inspiring debate led by our Public Affairs officer and Advocacy Director. Our freedom of worship in the UK is valuable, but how much is it worth to us - would we be faithful without it? 12.30pm at Sound, Leicester Square.
>>> Find answers THIS SATURDAY in Leicester Square!
|
|
Volunteers urgently needed
Do you have great organisational skills?
Can you use a computer?
Are you available one morning a week?
Yes! Then why not join the CSW office volunteer team?
We need help with data entry, mail-outs and answering phones - please get in touch if you’d like to help.
>>> I’d like to help
|
|
80 Support & Prayer Groups nationwide – join your nearest one!
What’s one of the best, most sustainable ways of supporting persecuted Christians? By meeting with others who pray, write cards and act on their behalf! Meeting monthly on average, these groups are a practical way to encourage and strengthen suffering Christians.
>>> Find your nearest Support & Prayer Group
|
|
Thank you for coming to see us at CRE!
We had hundreds of you visiting the CSW stand at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Surrey last week. Over 300 of you signed the Burma petition we’re sending to the Foreign Secretary and lots of new supporters joined CSW. Thank you for your encouragement and look out for us at other national events over the summer!
>>> Sign the Change for Burma! petition
|
|
