Giving voice to persecuted Christians

The faith-based organization "Release International" has launched an emergency appeal for victims of extremist attacks in Nigeria.

So far over 100 Christians have been killed this year in violence perpetrated by the extremist Islamic group Boko Haram in Northern Nigerian regions.

Thousands of Christians who have fled their homes as a result of the recent militant atrocities have been helped by local churches and by the authorities, the situation, however, remains desperate so funds are still needed to provide vital support.

As well as counselling for victims of the violence and medical help, financial aid is also needed for those who have lost the family breadwinner.

Linda Bordoni spoke to Matt Constant, communications manager at Release International about the current appeal and about the work of the organization itself.

Constant explains that the Charity has been going for some 40 years, and its basic ethos is to support and to serve persecuted Christians around the world.

"Release" works in more than thirty countries supporting Church leaders and especially Christian prisoners and their families, as well as supplying literature, Bibles, and working for justice.

As regards the month of prayer organized this March for Christian victims of the violence in Nigeria, Constant says "Release" is also asking people to write to the Nigerian authorities expressing their concern and urging them to do all they can to tackle the rise of extremist violence in the country.

Constant explains that "Release" depends on partners on the ground to provide trauma councelling and for getting aid to where it is needed.

North Korea is one of the countries on "Release International"'s list of countries in need of help. Many Christians there, Constant says, are in concentration camps; "Christians can be arrested just for owning a Bible, and if a family member is arrested, then up to three generations of that family cam be imprisoned". We know, he says, that Christians are under that kind of pressure as well as the pressure all North Koreans are under for living under dictatorship. In addition, he says, there is a food crisis. Last year, Constants says, "Release" handed in a petition to the North Korean Embassy in London with just over 50.000 names calling for religious freedom in North Korea, hoping it will speak to the authorities to bring about change. This petition was also handed in to n. 10 Downing Street urging the British Government to press for change in North Korea. And Constant says, "Release" urges countries throughout the world, who may have influence there, to bring up human rights issues in North Korea whenever they can.

More generally, Constant speaks of the situation of North Korea where the people are living an extremely difficult life. He says that for example because of the malnutrition there, North Koreans are getting shorter, and so the army has lowered the height levels for people entering the military.

Constant also speaks of the situtation in Pakistan where he says there are two main areas of concern: first of all Christians in Christian communities who can come under pressure from time to time; but also, significantly those who want to convert to Christianity can find themselves in dangerous situations. He said that "Release" has campaigned against the blasphemy laws in Pakistan that affect both Christians and Muslims. He says these laws are often used for reasons that have nothing to do with blasphemy but are a way at getting at Christians for a series of matters.

Constant says awareness is in fact on the rise as regards persecution of Christian. But, he says, he fears that that is just among the Christian community.

He says it is an issue that needs to be raised, and he says Pope Benedict XVIth's appeals for religious freedom are extremely significant. But he says the issue must become more mainstream, and must be an issue not only when a tragic event triggers short-term interest and concern.

Constant concludes talking about the faith-based organization "Release International" itself, that he says was founded by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who was imprisoned and tortured by the Romanian secret police in the 1950s and 1960s because of his Christian faith. When he came out of Romania he travelled the world raising awareness as to the plight of Christians.

He says that today "Release" has various sister affiliates and welcomes the involvement of anyone who would like to contribute to its work and to its campaigns.

listen to the interview...