Hkalam Samson
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Burma
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: December/4/2022
Date of Sentencing: April/7/2023
Date of Release: July/22/2024
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy
Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Terrorism
Hkalam Samson
Extra Bio Info:
Hkalam Samson is imprisoned for his religious activity and religious leadership role.
On December 4, 2022, authorities arrested Samson, a pastor and advisor to the Kachin Baptist Convention, at Mandalay International Airport as he attempted to fly to Thailand for medical treatment.
On December 5, 2022, Samson was put on a plane back to Myitkyina in Kachin State, where he was arrested again upon landing.
On December 6, 2022, it was reportedly learned that Samson was facing prosecution in relation to his preaching and speeches made in Bible classes. Samson's charges were unclear. Prior to his arrest, Samson had arranged the funerals of an October military junta airstrike on a Kachin Independence Army concert that killed 60 people. He also attempted to get medical care for those seriously injured in the strike. A month later, he also took part in a prayer meeting commemorating those who died.
On April 7, 2023, authorities in Kachin State sentenced Samson to six years in prison on charges of terrorism, unlawful association, and inciting opposition to the military regime.
On April 17, 2024, authorities released 3,303 prisoners from Mytikyina Prison, including Samson.
On April 18, 2024 authorities rearrested Samson
On July 22, 2024, authorities released Samson.
Samson previously faced prosecution after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss religious freedom in Burma in July 2019.
Sources:
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Photo used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. https://www.rfa.org. Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA.
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"Myanmar Christian Leader Rearrested Hours After Release in Amnesty" The Irrawaddy
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"Reverend Samson’s Prison Sentence" U.S. Department of State
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"Baptist Minister in Myanmar Gets 6 Years in Prison for Opposing Junta" New York Times (NYT)
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USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck, Tweet, March 24, 2023
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USCIRF Commissioners Abraham Cooper and Mohamed Magid, Tweet, February 27, 2023
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USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Magid, Tweet, December 9, 2022
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Ned Price, Tweet, December 8, 2022
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"Religious leader Hkalam Samson set to be prosecuted by Myanmar’s junta" Radio Free Asia (RFA)
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"Myanmar religious leader detained and banned from leaving the country" Radio Free Asia (RFA)
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"After Meeting With Trump, a Myanmar Clergyman Could Be Prosecuted" New York Times (NYT)
- “Welcoming the Release of Reverend Samson in Burma” Department of State, July 23, 2024
- “Reverend Bishop Dr. Hkalam Samson Released After Months of Detention” BNI Online, July 23, 2024