Christian communities in Myanmar’s Kachin State have been ordered by the military authorities to hold their Christmas celebrations before 20th December, ahead of elections scheduled for 28th December.
Churches in Myitkyina, Putao, and Tanai will be affected, with local sources reporting that congregations are complying out of fear of arrest for "disobeying government orders" or "rebellion".
A Christian resident from Tanai told Kachin News that it was an act of "religious repression".
"I have never experienced this in all my life as a Christian," he said. "The way they are forcing this is like forcing someone to hold their birthday party on a day that is not their actual birthday. Who would be happy with that? And this celebration is infinitely more important than one’s own birthday; it is the most sacred festival for every Christian.”
The order comes as the military forcibly conscripted Reverend Pau Muan Lian, a 23-year-old Chin Christian minister from the Assemblies of God Church in Yangon. Reverend Lian went missing on 30th November and was later confirmed to have been taken for mandatory military service, despite Myanmar’s conscription law explicitly exempting members of religious orders.
Chin and Kachin States, both predominantly Christian and home to ethnic minority communities, have experienced widespread military-targeted attacks, including the bombing of churches and civilian infrastructure. Both regions continue to face prolonged internet blackouts and severe restrictions on communication and religious practice.
Mervyn Thomas, Founder President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), said: “Myanmar’s military junta is orchestrating a fraudulent election built on violence and control, and these latest actions confirm that it is explicitly using the polls and its new laws to attack religious minorities.
"Ordering Christians to celebrate their holiest festival on a date dictated by the military is a significant violation of freedom of religion or belief. Similarly, forcibly conscripting a young minister strips his community of leadership and represents the ultimate coercion, especially when it directly contradicts their own law.”
Rights groups have urged the international community to condemn Myanmar’s upcoming elections, warning that the vote is being used to further persecute believers.