Lao Government Targets Tribal Christians
In recent weeks, details have emerged from Laos outlining a new crackdown on tribal Christians in the southern province of Savannakhet.
Christian Persecution – Asia
Pastor and Driver Murdered in Pakistan
Unknown killers kidnapped and brutally killed a Protestant pastor and his driver near the capital of Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) last week, apparently in retribution for their evangelizing activities among Muslims.
Two Survivors from North Korean Prison Camps Speak at UN, FCO and EU
Two survivors of the North Korean prison camps have spoken at the UN Commission on Human Rights, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and at the EU.
Indian Chief Minister Rejects Anti-Conversion Law, Raising Hopes For Persecuted Christians
The chief minister of India’s western state of Maharashtra, Vilasrao Deshmukh, has rejected a proposed ‘anti-conversion bill’ amid warnings the legislation would increase the persecution of Christians, BosNewsLife monitored Monday, April 4.
Indonesian Pastor Still Missing
The family of the Rev. Jokran Ratu, kidnapped four months ago on a remote Indonesian island, still does not know whether he is dead or alive. No ransom demand has been received and police have not apprehended the kidnappers.
Vietnam Reschedules Appeal for Mennonite Pastors
Lawyers acting on behalf of the Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang informed his wife last week that his appeal before the People’s Supreme Court of Vietnam has been rescheduled for April 12.
Lay Pastor Beheaded in Bangladesh
Sources have confirmed the murder by beheading on March 8 of Dulal Sarkar, a lay pastor and evangelist in Bangladesh.
Laos Detains 17 Christians, Believers Face “Torture And Death”
At least 17 Christian men in Laos, including church leaders, have been detained by Communist authorities and are facing torture and possible death amid an apparent new government crackdown on Christians, missionaries said Monday, April 4.Christian Aid Mission (CAM), an organization supporting indigenous missionaries, said most of those arrested since last week are from Hueyhoy Nua village in Laos’ troubled southern Savannakhet province.
Pakistani Worshippers Attacked on Easter Sunday
Armed gunmen attacked Christian worshippers as they emerged from Easter Sunday services in a village church near the southern outskirts of Lahore yesterday, killing one young Christian man and injuring seven other congregants.
India Christians Attacked for Watching ‘Passion of The Christ’
At least one Christian was seriously injured when Hindu militants “brutally attacked” church members in India’s southern Kerala state for watching the film ‘The Passion of The Christ’, an official confirmed Monday, March 28.
Sri Lanka to Vote on Anti-Conversion Bill
The Sri Lankan government will cast a deciding vote on anti-conversion legislation in April, despite sharp criticism of the “Act for the Protection of Religious Freedom.”
Hindu Extremists in India Assault Rajasthan Christians
Hindu extremists have violently assaulted several Christians in Rajasthan, India, over the past two weeks. Local observers say the attacks are a strategy to push forward the enactment of anti-conversion laws in the state.
Increased Persecution of Christians in Northern India, group claims
An influential Christian advocacy group in India expressed concern Monday, March 21, about “increasing persecution and harassment” of Christians in the north-eastern state of Manipur.
Indian Prime Minister Urged To End Anti Christian Violence
Indian insurgents who threatened to kill evangelical leaders and “totally destroy” the country’s leading mission organization backed down as Christian leaders urged the prime minister to help end anti Christian violence, officials said Saturday March 12.
Pakistan Acquits Christian Accused of Blasphemy
Anwer Masih was acquitted in Lahore last month by a Judicial Magistrate’s Court, making him the first Pakistani Christian ever acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan’s lower courts.
Vietnam’s Imprisoned Mennonites Appeal to People’s Supreme Court
Sources in Vietnam have informed Compass that the People’s Supreme Court in Ho Chi Minh City will hear the appeals of the Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang and evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach on February 2. This represents the final appeal option available to the defendants; however, the high court has virtually never reversed a lower court decision.
Christians Experience Tragedy, Miracles in Disaster
Stories are coming in to Christian Aid from missionaries in South Asia of how believers have been affected by-and in some cases miraculously spared from-the tsunami tragedy.
Gospel for Asia Responds to Deadly Tsunami
Gospel for Asia workers are rushing food, clothing, medical supplies-and the love of God-to millions of Asians still in deep shock from a disaster spawned by the most powerful earthquake in 40 years.
Indonesia Orders Tighter Security for Churches this Christmas
Police in Indonesia pledged today to provide tighter security for churches during Christmas and New Year celebrations, after one of their own was arrested in connection with the murder of a Christian village chief on the island of Sulawesi.
Christian School in India Censured for Distributing Bibles
A Hindu fundamentalist group has accused a Christian school in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, of forcibly distributing copies of the New Testament to students with intent to convert them.