Essay: India must turn from its current path of intolerance and impunity
ELLIS HEASLEY, of UK-based religious freedom advocacy CSW, says the Indian Government – and international community – need to ensure families are free to live in the villages they call home “without fear of coercion, harassment or violence on account of their religious beliefs”…
“A surge in violence against Christians”: India’s Christian leaders work to convince Modi government to curb attacks
False charges of forced conversion, say the leaders, are used to target Christians, who cite attacks on church properties and institutions, the harassment of pastors and raids on private parties. PRIYADARSHINI SEN, of Religion News Service, reports…
Democratic Republic of Congo: How churches are helping displaced people cope with impacts of trauma
TONNY ONYULO reports on the work of churches and Christian organisations aimed at helping displaced people who have suffered trauma…
Essay: Why the UMC took a historic stand and condemned Hindu nationalism
NEAL CHRISTIE, executive director of the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America, says – in an article first published on Religion News Service – that the United Methodist Church will not stand by silently while people are persecuted because of their faith and their conscience…
Essay: Remembering those for whom freedom is not a reality this Christmas
ELLIS HEASLEY, of UK-based religious freedom advocacy CSW, urges us to pray for those Christians will not be with their families at Christmas…
Essay: Building on 25 years of religious freedom advocacy
KNOX THAMES and PETER MANDAVILLE, in an article first published on Religion News Service, write that a quarter of a century after passing the International Religious Freedom Act, global persecution continues while domestic battles around religious liberty have become increasingly partisan and high-profile…
Few persecuted Christians find refuge in US, new report finds
United States RNS Fewer Christians fleeing persecution in their native countries have found a safe harbour in the United States in the past half decade, according to a new report from a pair of Christian non-profits, which cites the effects of the pandemic and the dismantling of US refugee resettlement programs during the Trump administration. […]
Essay: Christians in Pakistan risk greater persecution from blasphemy laws, while living in poverty
Scholar of world religions, MYRIAM RENAUD, says – in an article first piublished on The Conversation – since the creation of the nation of Pakistan 76 years ago, the lives of Christians there have grown “ever more difficult”…
Iran violations may amount to crimes against humanity – UN expert
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters Iran’s authorities have committed violations in recent months that may amount to crimes against humanity, a UN-appointed expert told the Human Rights Council on Monday, citing cases of murder, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, torture, rape, sexual violence and persecution. Iran has been swept by protests since the death of a young Iranian Kurdish […]
Essay: The struggle of those who have fled Afghanistan does not end across the border
ELLIS HEASLEY, of UK-based religious freedom advocacy CSW, looks at the dangers facing Afghan Christians who have been forced to flee to neighbouring nations…