Country Demographics:

• Population:  48-50 million
• Religions:  Buddhist 87%, Christian 8.5%, Muslim 4%, Hindu 0.3%
• Income Per Capita:  $1027/year, $2.81/day
• Government Type:  Federal Union/Military Regime
  Chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since April 1992)
  Head of government: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since April 1992); note - the appointed Prime Minister, Gen. KNIN NYUNT (since August 2003), is not the head of government

Legal Profession:

• Estimated number of lawyers in Myanmar:  “Advocates”: 5000; “High grade pleaders”: 30,000
• Estimated number of believers involved in the legal profession is 100
• The name of the main local group of Christian lawyers is Christian Lawyers Group—Burma, headed by Mr. Saw Htoo Htoo Lay and three associates.  

Major Activities of Christian Lawyers:

Christian Lawyers Group lawyers are involved in the following activities:

• Drafting the future Karen State Constitution, a state within the Federal Union
• Conducting workshops for representatives of the Karen State regarding the state constitution and federalism issues
• Participating in work-groups supporting cease-fire talks between the military regime and the Karen National Union
• Conflict resolution
• Human rights training

Convocation Goals:

• These Christian lawyers are looking forward to an opportunity to meet other Christian lawyers, to share experiences and views and to learn to be more proactive in working for rehabilitation and social justice.  They hope to become more effective in spreading the gospel in cooperation and coordination with others around the world.

Prayer Items:

• People suffering in Burma under the military regime
• Restoration of freedom, democracy and peace.

Contact Information:

• Hla Henry Saw kidpc@cscoms.com