30
December
Legal Restrictions to Religious Freedom in Brunei
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has done a series of excellent reports on specific nations and their activities on religious freedom. Here is a recent Spotlight episode on Brunei
19
December
Intolerance in India continues to grow
The failure of government leaders to condemn acts of violence on minorities has contributed to growing fears amongst faith groups.
Children ride on bicycles past a wall broken by Boko Haram who kidnapped students from their school (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
16
December
Islamic Terror Group Kidnaps Nigerian Students
In December over 300 Nigerian School children were abducted. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. The students were freed a week later.
Government officials in Shanxi’s Taiyuan city destroyed a temple’s religious books and threw them to the trash.
15
December
The Chinese government has turned up the pressure on Christians withing China
After banning anyone under 18 from even entering a church building they are now going after printed material. Books that were previously published are now being used as evidence to sentence printers and authors to long term prison sentence.
14
December
Boko Haram claims attack in Niger that killed dozens
Attacks by Boko Haram in northeastern spread to neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon and Chad. Here is the account of a preChristmas attack in Niger
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.
09
December
Detention of human rights defender Ramy Kamel
On 27 February 2020, the Criminal Court of Cairo rejected the appeal of human rights defender Ramy Kamel and renewed his detention for an additional 15 days. The human rights defender has been detained since 23 November 2019.
08
December
Extremist Group Arrests Villagers in Syria
Although the Yazidi community had suffered immense persecution at the hands of ISIS, their safety is not assured even as people return to the area in which the once lived as other groups move and continue persecution.
Arzoo Raja, 13-year-old Christian girl in Karachi, and Ali Azhar on far right. (Photo released by Sindh government)
23
November
Parents Denied Custody of Allegedly Kidnapped Daughter
A high court in Pakistan has ruled that a 13-year-old Catholic girl allegedly abducted and forcibly converted and married to a Muslim man must remain in a government shelter home until she reaches age 18.
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.
10
November
Wrongful Detention by the Houthis of Levi Salem Musa Marhabi
The United States stands with the Yemeni Jewish community in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Levi Salem Musa Marhabi.
28
October
UN HRC 45 Side Event: China Bans Faith for All Children
Here is an introduction to a very important event highlighting the incredible pressure China is putting on parents and children as they continue to decimate personal rights, in this case the right to belief.
23
October
Answering the Call to Protect Religious Freedom: A Year in Review
A report from the U.S. Department of State on work to protect religious freedom over the past year.
Professor Naeem Ud Din Khattak was shot dead on his way home from college in a religiously motivated attack. (Photo supplied)
06
October
Ahmadi professor shot dead in Pakistan for his faith
Persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistian continues, with more deaths.
President Emmanuel Macron
03
October
France moves to ban homeschooling in 2021
French President Macron moves to destroy educational freedoms in France
03
October
Religious freedom under assault in 'Europe's last dictatorship'
Belarus President Lukashenko makes no secret of his atheism. He has mostly refrained from overt actions against religious groups, but now there are worrying signs that his government is actively undermining the independence of religious groups.
The Snezhkov family at a protest in Gomel on September 27
03
October
Old Believers denounce illegal detention of peaceful family in Belarus
Children taken by Belarus officials after parent express personal beliefs by protesting
01
October
A Bill is being proposed in the United States to outlaw the Chinese Communist Party
The Bill would designate the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as a transnational organized crime group.
The watchdog says it has had to suspend its campaign and research work in India (file photo - Getty Images)
29
September
Amnesty International to halt India operations
Big news out of India – continuing pressure from Modi government forces the closure of Amnesty International operations in India.
Members of the mob damage a home in one of the villages. Credit: CSW
29
September
Christian families from tribal communities in five villages attacked by mob
Christian families belonging to the Scheduled Tribe community located in five villages in Kondagaon District, Chhattisgarh had their homes ransacked and farmland and property destroyed by a large mob in attacks which took place over two days.
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?
24
September
China continues to erase the cultures of its own citizens’
The Chinese Government has embarked on a systematic and intentional campaign to rewrite the cultural heritage of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
23
September
China continues to interfere with families and with the fundamental right of children to believe
NGO's demand the U.N. pressure China to take immediate steps to ensure the right to Freedom of Religion and Belief for children in China and cease violence against children from religious faiths.
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.
