News by email Donate

Suggestions

Thailand-Pakistani-Christian-jail-main_article_image.png
David Alton
World News

Campaigner for Pakistani Christians: "It's only Western nations where they'll even find a safe haven"

by Hannah Tooley

Wilson Chowdhry, from the British Pakistani Christian Association, was speaking after he and Christian peer Lord David Alton visited Pakistani Christians detained in Thailand, who were waiting for their asylum applications to be processed.

It is thought tens of thousands of Pakistani Christians have already fled to countries in South East Asia such as Thailand and Sri Lanka, where tourism visas are relatively cheap.

Following a visit to the detention centres with Lord Alton, Wilson Chowdhry told Premier that: "It's only Western nations where they'll even find a safe haven because the Islamic world and the Hindu world have now become too intolerant for them to survive there."

Mr Chowdhry stressed that Pakistani Christians are fleeing their homeland in huge numbers after facing attacks in their home country.

For example, a double church bombing killed 14 people and injured dozens other in the city of Lahore in March.

Xinhua News Agency/REX
Xinhua News Agency/REX

And Aleem Masih, a Christian man, was murdered last month by his in-laws after he married a Muslim woman who converted to Christianity.

He added these refugees use what little resources they have to feed themselves and their families in the countries they escape to, where they are not allowed to work until their refugee status is confirmed.

Wilson Chowdhry said: "Thailand still has not signed any UN conventions for asylum - as a consequence of this, even with UN documentation for refugee status for asylum, these individuals can still be rearrested."

Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speak to Wilson Chowdhry here:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate