International advocacy organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s sources have confirmed the former president of the Kachin Baptist Convention, Hkalam Samson, was released from prison in Myanmar, previously known as Burma, on July 23.
CSW’s report of Samson’s release followed an email to the Baptist Standard from Ah Le Lakang, general secretary of the Kachin Baptist Churches USA, notifying of his release.
Samson, a human rights advocate, was initially arrested at Mandalay International Airport on Dec. 5, 2022, as he was attempting to travel to Bangkok. On April 7, 2023, he was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of unlawful association, defaming the state and terrorism.
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Samson was released from Myitkyina Prison earlier this year on April 17 as part of a national amnesty in celebration of Myanmar’s New Year. However, later that same day he was escorted back to the prison grounds and placed in a house as a “guest.”
CSW’s CEO Scot Bower said: “CSW welcomes the release of Rev. Dr. Samson, who should never have been imprisoned in the first place. He is a non-violent Christian pastor and an internationally respected human rights advocate, and we urge the Myanmar military to ensure that he and his family are permitted to enjoy his freedom in peace and without fear of further legal prosecution.”
Samson served as president of the Kachin Baptist Convention from 2018 to 2022, and previously for two terms as general secretary of the convention from 2010 to 2018. In 2019, he travelled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the International Religious Freedom Ministerial Conference, where he was among religious leaders from around the world who met with the United States president in the White House.
Human rights conditions in Myanmar, particularly for religious minorities, have been under scrutiny from the U.N. Human Rights Council for years.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Baptist Standard staff and originally published by Baptist Standard.
