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
Nearly 18,000 people were baptized across 49 countries and all 50 U.S. states on Pentecost Sunday, as more than 1,600 churches joined a coordinated global baptism movement organizers described as one of the largest synchronized baptism events in modern church history.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China on Tuesday to help restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while saying Washington had seen no evidence that Beijing provided military assistance to Iran during the recent conflict.
Antisemitic incidents accounted for more than 60% of New York City’s confirmed hate crimes in May, according to the latest data released by the New York Police Department, underscoring a troubling rise in anti-Jewish hostility even as overall crime in the city continued to decline.
U.S. and allied forces intercepted multiple Iranian missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region this week, as Tehran escalated its pressure campaign despite what U.S. Central Command described as an ongoing ceasefire.
U.S. businesses added more jobs than expected in May, offering another sign that demand for workers is strengthening despite pressure from the Iran war and elevated gas prices.
The House of Representatives handed President Donald Trump a rare political setback Wednesday, voting 215-208 to pass a war powers resolution aimed at ending U.S. hostilities with Iran unless Congress gives formal authorization.
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to downplay signs of friction this week after Trump confirmed he used sharp language during a private phone call over Israel’s continuing military operations in Lebanon.