China: Imprisoned lawyer denied from visiting dying father
The father of Beijing human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng, who is imprisoned in Nanjing prison, passed away on January 9.
|
China: CCP court gave lawyers less than a week to review 123 case files
On January 11, Christian lawyers Fang Xiangui, Zhu Shujin, Zhao Qingshan, and Yuan Mao traveled to Huimin District People’s Court to submit documents for the case of four Christians who were charged with “illegal business operations” for selling the Holy Bible.
|
Breaking: State Department Issues Statement On The Passing of Zhang Qing
Today, the U.S. State Department issued a statement on the passing of Zhang Qing, wife of human rights defender Guo Feixiong.
|
SUDAN | Interference in Church Affairs Continues
Church property belonging to the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC) in Kosti, White Nile State, and Kadugli in South Kordofan State has been taken over by members of a committee convened in violation of the church’s constitution. Furthermore, a SPEC church leader based in Kadugli is facing criminal charges initiated by members of another illegally constituted committee.
|
Iraqi Christians remain in limbo years after ISIS violence
Years after the defeat of ISIS in Iraq, many Iraqi Christians remain in limbo. ISIS forced them to leave their homes because of their faith.
|
China: Leaders of Linfen Golden Lampstand Church arrested again, facing criminal charges
Authorities arrested nine leaders of Linfen Golden Lampstand Church. While some were released on bail, more leaders were arrested.
|
China: Case of Christian bookstore handled in a bizarre way; family continues to appeal
The verdict of the second trial of Chen Yu and “Xiaomai Bookstore” upheld its original sentencing. However, the verdict was first posted by an official WeChat account called “Zhejiang Crackdown on Pornography and Illegal Publications” on January 5, which is against the normal protocol that the court should inform the attorney.
|
Prayer needs around the world
No matter how impossible, frustrating or unchanging a situation may seem, Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that God is the only one who never changes.
|
Another Christian Girl Allegedly Forced to Convert/Marry in Pakistan
Family of 14-year-old says Muslim neighbor kidnapped her.
|
U.S. churches mobilize to help persecuted Christians escape China
In 1620, the Mayflower carried dozens of Protestant Christians fleeing religious persecution in England to the American colonies.
|
China: CCP court sentences five Christians of Taiyuan Xuncheng Reformed Church
On January 7, Fenyang Court sentenced Zhang Ligong, Wang Runyun, Wang Shiqiang, Zhang Yaowen, and Song Shoushan, five Christians of Taiyuan Xuncheng Reformed Church, under the charge of “illegally crossing the national border.”
|
China: Most recent update from Elder Zhang Chunlei's lawyer
During the afternoon of January 5, according to Ms. Yang Aiqing, wife of Guiyang Renai Reformed Church’s Elder Zhang Chunlei, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials allowed Elder Zhang’s lawyer to meet with him in the detention center.
|
China: COVID protocols weaponized against Christians in Zhejiang
In December last year, a new round of COVID infections broke out in Ningbo, Shaoxing, Hangzhou, and other places in Zhejiang province.
|
China: CCP court sustains original verdict in second trial of the Shenzhen “Bible Player” case
Recently, Guangdong Province, Shenzhen City Intermediate People’s Court held the second trial of Christians manufacturing Bible players at Shenzhen City Tree Life Technology Development Company.
|
China: Outcome of Chinese human rights lawyer Qin Yongpei’s trial remains unknown
The outcome of the secret trial of human rights lawyer Qin Yongpei held in Nanning Intermediate People’s Court on December 31, 2021, remains unclear.
|
USCIRF Welcomes Egypt’s Release of Coptic Activist Ramy Kamel
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomed the Egyptian State Security Prosecution’s release on January 8, 2022 of Coptic rights activist Ramy Kamel, who has endured more than two years of pre-trial detention since his arrest.
|
Fulani Militants Kill 18 More Christians in Nigeria
Second Attack on Ancha Village in One Week
|
EGYPT | Coptic Activist Released from Prison
Egyptian Coptic activist, Rami Kamil, was released Jan. 9, pending a trial, after spending more than two years in pre-trial detention, and exceeding the two-year limit permitted under article 143 of the Egyptian Penal Code.
|
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Tajikistan
Religious freedom conditions continue to deteriorate in Tajikistan, as developments in neighboring Afghanistan reinforce the intersection between authoritarianism and security concerns.
|
Buddhists beat eight Christians in Bangladesh
Local authorities in Bangladesh attacked and beat eight Christians on their way to a baptism class, led by an FMI church planter.
|
USCIRF News Digest - January 11, 2022 |
Fulani Militants Unleash Terror on Nigeria’s Christians
Attacks Continue Unabated as Government Turns a Blind Eye
|
China: Verdict upheld for Christian bookstore
At the end of 2021, the second trial of the case of Chen Yu and “Xiaomai Bookstore” in Linhai, Zhejiang Province, began. Chen Yu's lawyer, Deng Qinggao, and Chen Yu's parents attended the trial.
|
China: Older sister of Guo Feixiong: "the wife of my brother passed away"
Maoping Yang, the older sister of Guo Feixiong, released a statement in response to the passing of Guo’s wife. ChinaAid translated the statement:
|
China: January "Measures..." for religious activities echo Xi's request—improve religious work legalization
On December 6, 2021, the Zhejiang Ethnic and Religious Affairs Commission issued a notice regarding their formulated “Administrative Measures for Registration and Cancellation Policies of Venues for Religious Activities (Trial Implementation).”
|
Christian Widow, Daughter Beaten Unconscious in Eastern Uganda
Muslim extremists who killed husband tried to kill them in October, mother says.
|
Press Freedom Collapsing in Afghanistan
During the last two decades of conflict in Afghanistan, most Afghan media outlets enjoyed relative freedom to broadcast news throughout the country with a variety of content.
|
Coptic Advocate Ramy Kamel Finally Released from Prison
Egyptian authorities released Coptic Christian activist Ramy Kamel on January 8 after being held in pre-trial detention for two years.
|
30 Students Freed After 7 Months in Captivity
Thirty more students have been released from captivity seven months after their abduction from Nigeria’s Federal Government College in Kebbi state.
|
Christmas Service in Northern India Attacked by Radical Hindu Nationalists
According to Morning Star News, a house church in northern India was violently attacked by radical Hindu nationalists as they attempted to celebrate Christmas.
|