Myanmar military holds militia graduation ceremony inside Kachin Baptist church

The Myanmar military and its allied militia, the Shanni Nationalities Army, held a graduation ceremony inside the sanctuary of the Nant Mun Baptist Church in Kachin state on September 23. Reports indicate that the event, which marked the conclusion of a training course for over 400 recruits, included dancing and the consumption of alcohol within the worship hall. The ceremony was reportedly overseen by Maj. Gen. Aung Zaw Htway of the military’s Northern Regional Command.

Religious freedom advocacy groups and Kachin Christian leaders have condemned the event as a deliberate act of disrespect and a violation of religious freedom. The Rev. Lakang Dau Qae of the Kachin Baptist Churches USA described the use of the sacred space as an insult to the Kachin people. In response to the incident, advocates are calling for international intervention, including the reinstatement of Myanmar as a Country of Particular Concern by the United States and the implementation of targeted financial sanctions against the military commanders involved.