BRI President Calls on Trump Administration to Condemn Attacks on Burma’s Christians at International Religious Freedom Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – At the International Religious Freedom Summit 2026 held February 1-3, 2026 at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Burma Research Institute (BRI) President and CEO Zo Tum Hmung presented compelling evidence of escalating religious persecution against Christians in Burma and urged the Trump Administration to publicly condemn these attacks. BRI has partnered with the IRF Summit since its inception in 2021.

Speaking on a panel titled “Beyond the List – Sanctions, Strategy, and Solutions: Strengthening the Global Accountability Toolkit for Religious Freedom,” Mr. Hmung unveiled BRI’s new report, “Burma: Severe Violations of Religious Freedom Against Christians.” The presentation featured documentation of churches destroyed by Burmese military airstrikes and accounts of pastors and clergy killed or imprisoned because of their faith.

“I urged the Trump Administration to publicly condemn attacks on Burma’s Christians,” said President Zo Tum Hmung.

Mr. Hmung noted that while Burma has been designated a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 since 1999, no meaningful action has been taken against the military. The situation has deteriorated significantly since the 2021 military coup, with ethnic minorities and Christian communities particularly targeted.

Paula White-Cain, Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office, delivered a keynote address expressing deep concern about religious persecution worldwide, including attacks on Christians in Nigeria.