News

Editorials

17 posts.

02 April

Free to Speak!

This prophetic article from 2019 discusses how the web is a threat to governments which wish to control or repress information. Now in countries around the world, including Canada, there are moves to take control of the internet.

17 January

Bulgaria's Discrimination of Minority Group

An opinion piece published by Emerging Europe regarding the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria. Bulgaria does not recognize a Macedonian Orthodox minority in Bulgaria and discrimination has been institutionalized.

27 June

Flattered to Be on China’s Sanctions List

Criticism of the Chinese government typically attracts a quick reaction. Two Commissioners of the USCIRF respond to being placed on the Chinese Communist Party’s sanctions list.

27 June

For freedom: Protect those of faith in Egypt

Coptic Christians are still targeted in Egypt

27 April

Governments Don't Get a Pass on Violating Religious Freedom in a Pandemic

While the pandemic prevented our team from meeting in-person with victims of religious persecution, abusive governments around the world do not get a free pass to deny the fundamental right of freedom of religion or belief.

15 April

Protect religious symbols in African conflict zones

Religious sites, artifacts and symbols are often targeted by extremists in their attacks on other communities in order to weaken opposition.

24 January

China brings its cruel crackdown on Uighur advocates to the U.S.

I have had the privilege of meeting with Ziba Murat and Rushan Abbas to hear their agonizing story - of a elderly relative, a retired medical doctor being punished by the Chinese regime because they dare to speak up about the Uighur persecution.

14 December

Christmas in China’s prison cells

Here is a tribute to so many in China who were paying a price this Christmas for their courage.

09 December

It's Time to Get Concerned About Russia

Russian persecution of religious minorities has continued to accelerate over the last year. While the evidence is abundant, the consequences have been minimal and Russia has only accelerated its persecution in recent years.

23 November

Washington can Help Free Turkey's Highest-Profile Prisoner of Conscience

Among advocates for Turkey's minorities, Osman Kavala is a secular saint. As a philanthropist, he has been the benefactor of initiatives to document and restore heritage sites, support arts and culture and fund intercommunal reconciliation projects.

28 September

Genocide Should Be Bad For Business

How far Do regimes like China and Mynamar have to go before right minded people and governments make them pay a price for their cruelty?

Credit: Wikimedia Commons
22 September

Seeking a Viable Alternative to Indonesia’s Blasphemy Laws

Instead of criminalizing blasphemy, Indonesia should focus on penalizing incitement to discrimination, hostility, and violence.

Representative Image (social media)
12 September

If Dalits can be Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, why can’t they be Christians and Muslims?

Christian and Muslim Dalits have been denied benefits available to SC groups among Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. A petition challenging the discrimination has been pending in Supreme Court for years

15 August

Why SC status for Dalit Christians, Muslims should not be linked to religion

They are denied the Scheduled Caste status because of what is written in the Constitution, and the problem should be addressed with consideration for human rights and based on reality

17 June

Blasphemy a Capital Offense in Some Countries, Expunged in Others

More than seventy of the world’s countries have some kind of anti-blasphemy laws, the worst of which are Iran Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Qatar, Egypt and Italy. Western nations have no blasphemy laws so detractors may say what they want.

04 June

The Gospel According to Xi

Beijing considers publishing official translations of holy texts like the Bible. (requires a log in)

01 May

Contagion

Seventh Day Adventist Editorial on Religious Freedom