Egypt: Ex-Muslims Blocked from Declaring Conversion
Christian-born converts to Islam in Egypt wishing to return to their former faith have found their way blocked by an appeal before the country’s Supreme Constitutional Court.
Christian Persecution
India: Rajasthan Passes New ‘Anti-Conversion’ Bill
The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan state on Thursday (March 20) passed a new "anti-conversion" bill with more stringent and arbitrary provisions than previous legislation stalled by objections from the former governor.
India: Intolerant Hindus Attack Easter Services
Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) extremists stormed two Easter Sunday services and beat at least 16 Christians, including two pastors, in the Karnataka state capital of Bangalore and in Shimoga district.
Sri Lanka: Attacks on Bible School Continue
A Provincial Council member brandishing a gun assaulted a security guard at a Bible college in Lunuwila, Puttlam district two weeks after an attack on 10 of the institution’s students seriously injured two of them.
Fourteen Indian Christian Evangelists Imprisoned In Bangladesh
Some fourteen Indian Christians remained detained in Bangladesh Saturday, March 22, weeks after completing a three-month sentence for unwittingly crossing the border while evangelizing, because India has not request their repatriation, news reports said.
Thousands Of Burma Buddhist Monks Embrace Christianity, Missionaries Say
Burma anticipated a nationwide boycott of upcoming Buddhist religious exams Thursday, March 20, amid reports that thousands of Buddhist monks have turned to Christianity.
Chinese Christian Evangelist Mistreated In Prison
A Chinese Christian who was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment last November for distributing Christian leaflets among Muslims is mistreated in a Muslim-majority prison, a Christian news agency reported Tuesday, March 18.
Ethiopia: Muslims Kill Worshipper in Church Attacks
Eight Muslims wielding razor-sharp machetes and knives broke into two village churches in southern Ethiopia earlier this month and began wounding worshipers, instantly killing one Christian.
Ethiopia: Attack on Church Leaves 4 Dead, 70 Injured
Last week, Christians gathering at local churches in a southern region in Ethiopia were enjoying singing and worship when, without warning, hundreds of men armed with machetes and clubs leapt through the open windows and indiscriminately began attacking everyone present. The attackers barricaded the doors to try to prevent people from escaping.
Laos Security Forces Raid Villages; 58 Christians Missing
At least 15 Christian families in Laos remained unaccounted for Sunday, March 16, after security forces raided their villages and Hmomg church leaders were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, human rights investigators said.
India: Hindu Extremists Forcibly ‘Re-Convert’ Christians
Hindu extremists recently carried out a well-planned scheme to lure to a temple and forcibly convert scores of Christians from villages around this capital city of Himachal Pradesh state.
Laos: Officials Arrest 58 Christians; Church Leaders Sentenced
Laotian officials arrested 15 Hmong Christian families in Bokeo district on February 22, a day before a court sentenced nine area Hmong church leaders to 15 years in prison for conducting Christian ministry and meetings that had grown beyond acceptable levels for communist officials.
Sri Lanka Christians Face Massive Attacks, Investigators say
There was concern Wednesday, March 5, about the apparent escalation of violence against Christians in Sri Lanka amid fresh reports of attacks against churches and other Christian institutions.
Nigeria Church Looted And Demolished In Kano State
Christians in several areas of Nigeria’s Kano State remained anxious Tuesday, March 4, after a government-backed mob armed with machetes reportedly set fire to a church building, before looting and dismantling the property, while a bishop narrowly escaped death, rights watchers said.
China Arrests Dozens Of Christians, Including Children
A group of 70 Christians remained detained Tuesday, March 4, in China’s Henan Province, some two weeks after security forces raided a Bible training meeting, while some three children in Xinjiang Province were also arrested for their involvement in Christian activities, fellow believers said.
Algeria Expels American Protestant Pastor
An elderly American pastor and former chairman of the Protestant Church of Algeria was preparing Thursday, February 28, to launch an appeal against plans by authorities to deport him from the country.
Eritrea Releases Christian Prisoners; Torture Continues Elsewhere
An influential independent Christian rights group confirmed late Wednesday, February 27, that Eritrea has released dozens of evangelical Christians, but warned that some 2,000 other believers remain imprisoned in the African nation "due to their faith in Christ."
Jordan Expels More Foreign Christians
Jordan has expelled another group of foreign Christians for their alleged involvement in mission activities, including an Egyptian pastor with the Assemblies of God church in the city of Madaba – one of five evangelical denominations registered with the government, a Christian news agency reported Tuesday, February 26.
India: Hindu Extremists Attack Christians in Madhya Pradesh
At least 125 Hindu extremists here yesterday attacked one of the oldest and best-known churches in Madhya Pradesh state, Masihi Mandir Church, brutally beating one of the fleeing members.
Vietnam Police “Kill” Degar Christian Prisoner
Vietnamese security police tortured and killed a Degar Montagnard Christian who was jailed for allegedly preaching the Gospel in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and participating in-democracy rallies in 2004, an advocacy group representing him said Monday, February 25.