
By Luke Booker, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar since a military coup overthrew the government was the focus of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hearing held in late February, according to a leading Christian advocacy group.
Following the February 1, 2021 military coup, Myanmar’s Christian population has endured escalating persecution. Under the control of the State Administration Council (SAC), religious minorities—including Christians—have been targeted through arrests, killings, and the destruction of churches.
In his opening remarks at the hearing, USCIRF Vice Chair Meir Soloveichik noted, “over the past four years, Myanmar has sunk into a human rights and humanitarian abyss.”
Soloveichik highlighted, “on Jan. 7, 2024, the military launched airstrikes in the Sagaing region, killing 17 civilians, including nine children, at Saint Peter Baptist Church in Kanan village.” He noted that this is just one example of many reported incidents where Christians are being persecuted for their faith.
According to the USCIRF, Christian pastor Thian Lian Sang has been detained by authorities since his arrest in September 2021 due to his “leadership role” as a Baptist pastor. In December 2022, he was sentenced to 23 years in prison, the International Christian Concern reported.
At the hearing, Salai Za Uk Ling, executive director of the Chin Human Rights Association, testified about the severe conditions for Christians in the country.
“Since the military coup in Burma (Myanmar) four years ago, we have witnessed a systematic campaign of religious persecution, particularly targeting the Christian population in Chin State,” Ling told the commission.
“These actions include the destruction of churches, the unlawful killing and enforced disappearance of pastors, the arrest of religious leaders, and severe restrictions on free worship and assembly.”
Myanmar is ranked 13th on Open Doors’ World Watch List in 2025, which identifies the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
U.S. Central Command launched a new wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, expanding its military campaign against forces accused of threatening commercial vessels and civilian crews in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. is signaling a significant shift in the Middle East as President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with the Iraqi prime minister to announce the end of military operations in Iraq, while shifting focus to Iran.
Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigative team obtained and directly reviewed White House text messages involving 44 current and former members of Congress after apparently bypassing safeguards designed to protect privileged communications, newly released Justice Department records show.
Journalists of The New York Times were summoned to testify before a federal grand jury in New York on Wednesday after reporting alleged safety and security concerns surrounding a Boeing 747-8 aircraft donated by Qatar for use by U.S. President Donald J. Trump.
Bangladesh was struggling Wednesday to cope with the aftermath of devastating floods and landslides caused by torrential monsoon rains that officials said have killed at least 51 people.
The European Union failed to add the head of Russia’s Orthodox Church and a Russian billionaire to its latest sanctions package after Bulgaria vetoed their inclusion.
Hungary faced a potential constitutional crisis Tuesday after Parliament approved a government-backed measure to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office despite protests by the opposition and supporters of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.