International rights advocates have demanded urgent U.S. and global intervention following the extrajudicial execution of a veteran Baptist pastor and a local villager by Myanmar military forces.

Reverend William, who served as senior pastor of Chungcung Baptist Church for 25 years, and fellow resident Nam Ceu were executed on June 4 following weeks of detention, according to the Burma Research Institute (BRI).

A memorial service was held in Chungcung on Wednesday, more than three months after their initial arrest.

The pair were detained on May 16 by troops from the Bago-based Infantry Division 77 at a farm shelter near the village.

While three companions escaped, Rev. William stayed behind, believing his pastoral identification card would guarantee his safety.

Confidential sources reported that Colonel Hluan Moe Naing held the captives in Hakha and Thantlang on June 2 and 3 before they were executed over unverified accusations of aiding the local Chinland Defense Force (CDF-Hakha).

"This was an extrajudicial killing, carried out without due process or trial," said Rev. Dr. Robin Stoops, BRI Board Chairman and former Associate General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA. "Grief demands action.

We call on the international community, and especially the United States, to hold those responsible accountable."

BRI President and CEO Zo Tum Hmung directly urged the Trump administration to step up protections for Burma's persecuted Christian minority.

Chungcung—a 300-household village located 15 miles from the Chin State capital of Hakha—has suffered extensive devastation since the 2021 military coup, with regime forces burning 118 homes, killing 16 civilians, and repeatedly targeting the local church. 

Although Myanmar has been designated a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act since 1999, advocates argue that Washington has failed to enforce meaningful punitive measures against the junta.