In December 2022, the former president of the Kachin Baptist Convention, Rev. Hkalam Samson, was arrested by Myanmar's military junta and accused of violating the Unlawful Association Act employed by the Burmese authorities to harass and arrest political activists.
Despite the appeal of the United States government Rev. Samson was recently sentenced to six years in prison.
Charges Against Rev. Hkalam Samson
According to UCA News, on the day Christians were celebrating Good Friday, Apr. 7, Rev. Hkalam Samson was given his sentence in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State. He had been held in custody since being arrested last year.
The general secretary and CEO of the Baptist World Alliance, Elijah Brown, stated that the judgment on Rev. Samson was a terrible injustice, amplified on a day when Christians came to affirm their trust in Jesus.
On the other hand, Benedict Rogers, a senior East Asia analyst for Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), described the sentencing as "an outrageous travesty of justice."
He asserted that Rev. Samson is a Christian pastor who does not engage in any form of violence and a fearless and relentless campaigner for human rights, peace, and justice. "He has been jailed simply for courageously speaking out against the Myanmar military's barbaric atrocities perpetrated against the people of Myanmar," Rogers added.
As per Christianity Today, The two initial charges came from Rev. Samson's trip in 2022 to Laiza, located in Kachin state. While staying there, he met with the head of Myanmar's government-in-exile Kachin leader, Duwa Lashi La, and General Sumlut Gunmaw, the vice chief of staff of the Kachin Independence Army. This organization has historically fought against the Myanmar military.
Moreover, the third accusation is a direct outcome of a Zoom prayer group held by Kachin Christian. During this meeting, he urged the young people to establish "the nation in Christ."
Also Read: Aerial Bombing in Myanmar Killed Members of Bible Missionary Church
The Appeal of the U.S. Government for Rev. Hkalam Samson's Release
The Christian Post reported that Rev. Samson serves as the leader of the Kachin National Consultative Assembly. It is a group of local religious and political leaders who work to improve communication between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), which serves as the political wing of the local community, and the Kachin Independence Army.
Last October, an airstrike conducted by the junta on a KIO anniversary performance held in the Hpakant township resulted in the deaths of over sixty people, and the Bishop was responsible for arranging their burials. In addition, he made an effort to arrange for the badly injured to receive immediate medical attention. However, despite his kind nature, the country's junta detained him on suspicion of breaking the Unlawful Association Act.
The U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price mentioned in a press briefing that they condemned the arrest and detention of famous ethnic Kachin Christian leader Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samson by the military dictatorship in Burma. The U.S. government was gravely worried about his health and safety, urging their partners and supporters to join them in demanding that the dictatorship dismiss all accusations against Rev. Samson and free him immediately and without conditions.
Instead of being vilified, the excellent work that Rev. Samson accomplished in pushing for religious freedom, justice, peace, and accountability should be praised and replicated. "We additionally urge the regime to cease its unconscionable repression against religious actors and communities in Burma and end the violence," Price noted.
Related Article: Christians in Myanmar Ask God to End Dictatorship That Killed Nearly 3000 People
