Christian Families Evicted in Laos
A human rights group expressed concern Wednesday, March 15, over a possible new government crackdown on Christian villagers in Laos.
Christian Persecution
Vietnam “Tortures” Christian Montagnards For Refusing to Worship Ho Chi Minh
Representatives of Vietnam’s embattled Degar Montagnard Christians remained concerned Wednesday, March 15, over the whereabouts of fellow believers who they said were tortured and detained by security forces for refusing “to abandon Christianity” by joining a government church “which worships [Communist leader] Ho Chi Minh.”
Belarus: Religious Repression; Presidential Election March 19
Belarus is ruled by Soviet-style totalitarian dictator, Aleksandr Lukashenko. Popularly elected in 1994, he has since then maintained his grip on power through propaganda, repression, fraud and violence. In late 2002 Belarus adopted the most repressive Religion Law in all Europe. Unregistered religious groups are illegal, and registration is severely restrictive.
Malaysia: Debate Over Conversion Rights Heat Up
Two significant legal developments have left Malaysians hotly debating religious rights and Islamic law (sharia).
New Government Regulations for Home Churches in Cuba Have Some Concerned
Responding to the growth of evangelical Christianity in Cuba, Fidel Castro’s government issued new measures regulating worship in home churches, or ‘casas culto,’ as the formerly illegal practice continues to spread.
Persecuted Christian Refugees Denied Asylum and Protection by U.S.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently not permitting persecuted Christian refugees from Burma asylum and protection in the U.S.
China: Registered Church Raided, Leaders Arrested and Released
On March 6th at 11 a.m., Beijing time, the Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) raided a registered Protestant church in Qiaozhuang Village, Wangmingkou Town, Xiangcheng County, Henan Province. Among the arrested church leaders were 34-year-old Pastor Liu Tuanjie, 52-year-old Mr. Li Xueqin and Ms. Ma. Shortly after her arrest, Ms. Ma was released when her family paid a fine of $400 U.S. Pastors Liu and Li were not released until the evening of March 10th, after persistent urging from China Aid Association and global prayers for their immediate discharge.
Persecution Continues Throughout Uzbekistan
The persecution of Protestants continues throughout Uzbekistan, says Igor Rotar writing for Forum 18 News Service (www.forum18.org).
Three Church Groups Legalized in Vietnamese City
Authorities have granted longstanding requests of three church organizations to legally function in Ho Chi Minh City, sources told Compass.
Pastor Freed from Prison in Belarus, But Another to be Jailed?
Pastor Georgi Vyazovsky of Christ’s Covenant Reformed Baptist Church in Belarus was freed from a Minsk prison for Administrative Violations Code offenders shortly after midday local time today (13 March) on completion of a ten-day sentence for conducting religious worship in his own home.
Laos: New Tactics Used to Evict Khmu Christian Families
A Voice of the Martyrs contact report from Laos announced the confiscation of the homes and fields of 15 Khmu Christian families living in the village of Ban Nam Haeng, Muang Baeng District, Udomxai Province. This comes after local officials of the Laotian communist government unsuccessfully attempted to evict the Christian families last year. Earlier this month, the anti-Christian leader of the village resorted to posting hand-written notices on the doors of Christian houses, stating that all of their farm land was being confiscated and given to other village members.
Uganda Church Roof Collapse Kills 21
At least 21 people were killed and over 20 others injured when the roof of a church in the Ugandan capital Kampala collapsed during an evangelical worship service late Wednesday, March 8, police said.
India Hindu Militants Threaten to Bomb Christian Orphanage
Fearing a possible bomb attack, 2,500 orphaned and abandoned children remained trapped inside a Christian orphanage in the city of Kota in India’s Rajahstan state Wednesday, March 8, as Hindu militants backed by local police continued their siege of the complex for a second week, officials said.
Police Harass Christian Leader’s Family in Rajasthan
Approximately 15 policemen from Rajasthan and Karnataka states forcefully entered the home of prominent Christian leader Sajan K. George on Monday (March 6) in his absence.
Iran Lawyer Requests Early Release Pastor Pourmand
The lawyer representing Iranian Christian prisoner Hamid Pourmand has petitioned for his early release from Tehran’s Evin Prison this month, during Iran’s annual prisoners’ amnesty, a Christian news agency reported Thursday, March 9.
Execution Indonesia Christians “Imminent”
Three Christians convicted of murder “on very shaky evidence” are to be executed “imminently” despite international protests, sources close to the case said Monday March 6.
China “Tortures” Top Religious Leaders, Rights Watchers Claim
Seventeen top leaders of a major religious group in China faced an uncertain future Monday, March 6, after their four-day trial ended amid reports they were tortured and sexually abused by Communist authorities seeking confessions.
Bible Society Center in Gaza Temporarily Closed After Threat
The Palestinian Bible Society has temporarily closed down its center with bookshop in Gaza City after it came under a bombing threat, said its acting secretary general, Nashat Filmon.
Cuba Jails Evangelical Church Leader
An evangelical pastor who served as national president of his denomination until last year has been jailed by Cuban authorities, apparently on charges of aiding emigrants who sought to leave the country illegally, a Christian news agency reported Thursday, March 2.
China Releases Christian Leaders
Chinese security forces have released dozens of Christian leaders and students of a House Church Bible School in Anhui Province who were detained Wednesday, March 1, after international pressure human rights activists said.