Wooden crosses instead of market stalls
It was not an everyday sight: instead of a water feature or market stalls, countless wooden crosses dominated the scenery in front of the Federal Palace in Bern. In front of the gates of Swiss politics, a symbolized mass grave and around 1000 participants in the “Persecution.now” rally commemorated the increasing persecution on religious grounds worldwide, especially of members of Christianity. The speeches by two victims of persecution and a politician were moving, but also motivated people to take action against this little-noticed human rights violation.
Former Muslim Amin Afsharnaderi told how he had been imprisoned twice in Iran because of his Christian faith. The first time, he was arrested at Christmas in the house of the pastor of his underground church. “I was repeatedly interrogated, insulted, humiliated and pressured to give up my faith and betray other Christians. I am sure that I would not have survived this if Jesus Christ had not been with me.” Amin Afsharnaderi also pointed out that he is not an isolated case with his story: “Christians in Iran live under constant pressure and fear. They lose their jobs or their property because of their faith.”
The second speaker, whose name and Asian country of origin are not mentioned for security reasons, also experienced prison and torture first-hand several times in his home country. He also witnessed others being publicly executed. “Christianity is perceived as a threat to national security and every new law is aimed at eliminating Christians.” Despite this, the Christian, who now lives in Europe, went on to say that it has not yet been possible to eradicate the Christian faith in his country. “This faith that has endured in my suffering, even in the darkest prison cell.”
The effort is worth it
The two appealed to those present to stand up for those persecuted for their faith all over the world as inhabitants of a free country: through prayer, inviting persecuted people to the local church, exerting political pressure on governments that violate human rights or supporting organizations that are committed to religious freedom. They called on media professionals in particular to use their platforms to address the issue.
One person who is using his political influence is National Councillor Laurent Wehrli. Together with several parliamentary colleagues, he regularly obtains information about the situation of Christians in various countries and makes representations to the embassies concerned. “Between 2019 and 2023, almost half of our requests were at least partially fulfilled. Of the 54 prisoners we campaigned for, 24 were released early.” Even if this may sound like a drop in the ocean when there are 365 million persecuted Christians, Laurent Wehrli was convinced that it is essential to raise our voices for these people. Finally, the FDP National Councillor recalled the privilege of living in a country in which fundamental freedoms such as religious freedom are protected. “Our history is shaped by the Christian conviction that every person has inherent dignity. We have a responsibility to preserve these values.”
Emotional mourning ceremony
Between the testimonials, participants at the rally had the opportunity to lay roses in a symbolic mass grave on the Bundesplatz or pray in imitation prison cells. They were also able to express their consternation and solidarity with people persecuted for their faith all over the world by singing songs together and holding a time of remembrance. One participant was particularly moved by the moment when she laid a rose by a cross: “A touching sign for all those who died alone and abandoned for their faith in Jesus.”
The Persecution.now events, which have been taking place since 2013, are organized by the Working Group for Religious Freedom. This branch of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance SEA-RES brings together seven Christian non-profit organizations that are committed to religious freedom. They work together to achieve more in the fight against the increasing violation of religious freedom in dozens of countries around the world.
