Letters

The Right Honorable Gordon Brown MP Prime Minister.
10 Downing Street.
London.
SW1A2AA.

"Compassion for Christians in Orissa"

Dear Prime Minister,

The murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, Laxmanananda Saraswati, and four of his disciples on
August 23rd 2008 by Maoist terrorists has resulted in unprecedented persecution of Christians in the
Kandamal District of Orissa. We the undersigned as Evangelical Christians condemn these murders
and also the subsequent and ongoing vicious campaign of violence against Christians in Orissa which
has followed.

"Freedom of Religion" is a basic human right and is guaranteed by the Indian Constitution under
Article 25. (1). "Subject to Public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all
persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and
propagate religion".The Central Government in New Delhi is therefore ultimately responsible for the
freedom, safety and welfare of each and every Indian citizen irrespective of their religious beliefs.

Christians in Orissa and other areas of India are being harassed, burnt, raped and murdered. The
security situation remains perilous for Christians living in Orissa. The lives of these persecuted
Christians may soon be even worse now that the Orissa State Government is evicting them from their
meagre refugee camps. They are being told by the Orissa authorities to return to their homes which no
longer exist in fear of forcible re- conversion to Hinduism or even death at the hands of Hindu
extremists. At date of writing tens of thousands of Orissa Christians are in this dreadful predicament;
living or rather existing as virtual prisoners in their own land.

While we understand the complexities of this situation and recognise the Indian Government's
endeavours to find a solution the fact remains that at least 120 Christians have been murdered, 250
churches, destroyed and over 50,000 peace loving Christians displaced and forced to live in camps
or the jungle. For our part as Evangelical Christians we are only seeking justice and protection from
persecution for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Prime Minister we respectfully request you to communicate our concerns to the Indian authorities and
seek assurances that they will take immediate and effective action to bring to an end this brutal and
inhumane situation.

We would respectfully recommend the following measures.

1. Law and order, civil and religious liberty for all should be restored immediately in Orissa.

2. Government Relief Camps must be kept open and facilities in these camps improved. Food,
medical supplies and proper sanitation must be made available as a matter of urgency and
maintained; especially among pregnant women and young children; until normal life can be restored.

3. Christian Relief Organizations and NGO's should be guaranteed freedom from interference by
Hindu extremists' in order to allow these organizations to bring much needed aid to persecuted
Christians in Orissa and other similar areas of India.

4. Government Relief Camps must be open to independent inspection.

5. If Christians cannot return to their home villages without fear then the Indian Government should
provide a neutral and safe area where these Christian people can rebuild their homes and lives.

6. Immediate implementation of the recommendations in the National Commission for Minorities
Report January 2008.

Mahatma Gandhi, a man of peace said "I object to violence because even when it appears to do
good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent". How true that is. The closing words of
the 2008 NCM Report says; "the actions of such forces (i.e. Hindu Radicals) is indeed a blot on the
Republic of India and a matter which deserves more attention and consideration both at the level of
State and Central Government".

The Lord Jesus Christ told us in Matthew 5:44 "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" We do
not seek retribution or revenge against any person but we do seek justice and peace for those in
Orissa whose only crime is being Christians.

Prime Minister we trust that you will be the Voice of the Voiceless and bring Help to the Helpless and
hopefully remove this "Blot" from Indian society.

In closing we thank you for your kindness in reading this Petition and look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully

CLIO TRUST