North Korea Freedom Week - April 26 May 2, 2009 North Korea is the #1 worst persecutor of Christians. You can help by sending a message to your Representative asking them to sign the North Korea Sanctions and Diplomatic Nonrecognition Act of 2009. The upcoing bill requires that North Korea should support human rights… including religious freedom… before the United States establishes diplomatic relations with them. Passing this bill is critical if we are to ensure that the Obama Administration makes human rights a priority in their dealings with North Korea.  And that’s why I am asking you to make your voice heard today. The North Korea Freedom Coalition will host a special delegation of North Koreans refugees to come to Washington, DC to testify. We will rally on Capital Hill. We will attend Congressional hearings. We will host press conferences and panel discussions. We will conduct a special prayer service. And together, we will heighten awareness of the egregious human rights abuses of the North Korean government.  Email Campaign for 2 Imprisoned Chinese Christians! Use your voice to speak out for Osman and Alimjan, Imprisoned Chinese Uyghur Christians. Arrested November 19, 2007, a Uyghur Christian named Osman Imin was charged with “revealing state secrets,” then sentenced to two years of “re-education through labor.”  The situation in the Uyghur Autonomous Region, a northwest province of China located near Tibet, is very tense. In addition to the kind of mistreatment Osman Imin faced, the Chinese government has sought to destroy the Uyghur culture in the province by facilitating the migration of Han Chinese to Xinjiang and providing them with better jobs.    On Jan. 12, 2008, state officials detained another Uyghur Christian, Alimjan Yimit, a Muslim convert and house church leader in Kashgar which is located in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China. Yimit was arrested on a “national security issue” charge. A simple email could be the difference... Alimjan remains in pre-trial arrest, yet another example of the government's hostility toward both Christians and the Uyghur people.  Most Uyghurs are Muslim, so converting to Christianity presents an even more difficult position for Uyghurs in China. Christian Uyghurs have the status of national minorities and face persecution both from the Muslim community and the atheist communist government. Osman and Alimjan's families believe the pair are innocent and are being detained because of their Christian faith. Help Osman and Alimjan today by sending an email to the Chinese Ambassador on their behalf. Read more about Osman and Alimjan's cases>> Updated Campaign for Imprisoned Chinese Christian - Shi Weihan  We  received news that Shi Weihan’s case was going to be brought before the courts again on March 20, 2009.  As Shi’s second arrest took place on March 19, 2008 a year ago, we anticipated that the judgment passed at the hearing would be decisive. For unknown reasons, Shi's March 20th hearing did not occur.  Open Doors launched a campaign for Shi during the summer of 2008 and also in early March when we learned of his upcoming hearing. So we know that the Chinese authorities are aware that we have been following his case.  Please join with us  in prayer and action once again as we strive to encourage Shi Weihan and his family.  We also need to pressure the Chinese authorities to give Shi a fair trial and for him to be released unconditionally after his hearing.    Send an email to Chinese Ambassador Zhou Whenzong, asking him to press for the release of Shi Weihan. On March 19, 2008, Shi was rearrested for publishing Bibles and Christian literature. Shi’s bookstore, located near the Olympic village, operated legally and sold only books for which he had obtained government permission. Authorities at the Beijing Municipal Detention center have labeled Shi as a “dangerous religious element,” mistakenly believing that he would cause a stir during the Beijing Olympics.  However, Shi's friends affirm him to be a peaceful and patriotic citizen.           Shi Weihan & wife Zhang Jing Shi is being held without any family visits allowed. His wife has been prohibited to bring him any food or clothing. Open Doors is concerned about Shi’s health, as he has diabetes and the family has been unable to confirm whether or not he has recieved necessary medication.  Shi’s attorney has reported that he is in dire need of medical attention. Please send an email to Chinese Ambassador Zhou Whenzong, asking him to press for the release of Shi Weihan and allow him immediate access to medical attention

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