05.14.2022

After being banned, officials closed related web pages and social media accounts of Presbyterian church in Shanghai

The Shanghai Xinguang Presbyterian Church, which is independent of the officially registered church, has been included in the banned list of “illegal social organizations” by the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau in 2021.

New Hong Kong COVID restrictions: "vaccine pass" required to enter churches

Omicron surged in Hong Kong earlier this year for the city's fifth wave of COVID-19. The government tightened restrictive measures, and places of worship were asked to be closed until April 20.

On her 19th Birthday, Let us Remember Leah Sharibu in Prayer

We think particularly of Leah Sharibu, the Nigerian schoolgirl who turns 19 years old today. 

This Week At ChinaAid: The Conscience of Hong Kong Arrested!

There was a sobering development in Hong Kong this week after news emerged about the arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen, the 'Conscience of Hong Kong.' 

USCIRF Welcomes the U.S. Government’s Issuance of a General License Including Northeast Syria

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the United States Department of the Treasury’s release today of a general license authorizing wider forms of private economic activity in areas of northeast and northwest Syria outside the control of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and liberated from the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS).

USCIRF Calls on Iran to Remove Restrictions on Golrokh Iraee Following Release from Prison

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed relief that religious prisoner of conscience Golrokh Iraee has been releasedfrom prison in Iran. Iraee’s release is accompanied by a two-year restriction on travel and joining political group.

Multiple priests from underground Catholic Church forcibly disappeared

Baoding, Hebei is one of the most flourished dioceses for unofficial Catholicism, and it is also the most taboo parish for the Chinese Communist Party.

Female Student Murdered, Body Burned by Classmates in Nigeria

Deborah Emmanuel, a 25-year-old Christian student at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Nigeria’s Sokoto State, was fatally beaten and her body was burned earlier today, May 12.

USCIRF Releases New Report on Burma

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:

USCIRF Releases New Report on Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:

Back-to-back attacks kill 16 Christians in Nigeria

Bloodshed continues unabated in Nigeria. At least 16 believers lost their lives last week in back-to-back attacks.

Christians Left without Homes after Easter Attack in India

Tribal villagers in eastern India assaulted three Christian families and destroyed their homes on Easter Sunday (April 17), sources said.

Christian Student in Sokoto, Nigeria Stoned to Death

Muslims falsely accused her of blasphemy, sources say.

Kidnapped Priest in Kaduna, Nigeria Killed by Captors

A Roman Catholic priest kidnapped in early March in the city of Kaduna, in northern Nigeria, was killed around April 18-20, according to church officials.

Hong Kong: Ninety-Year-Old Hong Kong Cardinal Arrested

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, 90, retired archbishop of Hong Kong, and three democracy activists were arrested on foreign collusion charges Wednesday by Hong Kong’s national security police.

USCIRF News Digest - May 10, 2022

Pastor Andrew Brunson to U.S. Christians: Get ready for persecution

Confesses he wasn't prepared for horrors he faced in Turkish prison

ICC Prosecutor visits Nigeria to discuss war crimes and crimes against humanity with government

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, has made his first visit to Nigeria to discuss the next steps to investigate crimes against humanity and war crimes there, for which there is enough evidence for them to come under the ICC’s jurisdiction.

Persecution uptick in Sudan reflects mounting pressure

Six months ago, a military coup toppled the transitional government leading Sudan to civilian rule. See our full Sudan coverage here.

Church in Libya growing again after 1,200 years

Libyan authorities have arrested several young men this year as they exercised their free expression. Their crime? defying Muslim values. 

Osman Kavala sentenced to life in prison by Turkish court

A Turkish court has sentenced activist and philanthropist Osman Kavala to life in prison.

Burmese Military Repeatedly Targeting Catholic Village

The Burmese military, which has governed the country since it staged a coup in February of 2021, has repeatedly targeted churches and other religious buildings throughout the country.

Nigerian Senate Threatens Parents of Kidnapped Children

Last month, the Nigerian Senate passed a bill criminalizing the families of kidnapped persons and threatening them with a minimum of fifteen years in prison for paying a ransom to rescue a kidnapping victim.

Egypt’s Christians Face Increased Persecution During Easter and Ramadan

Four Violent Incidents Occur Against Coptic Christians in One Month

Ten “Unofficial” Chinese Priests Disappear in Hebei Province

Local authorities have detained at least 10 priests from the underground Catholic community of Baoding in Hebei province since January 2022.

Burma (Myanmar): Christian Crisis Grows

- due to war, displacement, looming famine and Monsoon

Two Christians Killed in Church Burning in Uganda

Evangelist slashed in separate attack.

Editorial: Chibok Girls’ Graduation Shows the Importance of Educational Opportunities

Congratulations are due to Lydia Pogu and Joy Bishara, two of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls who have recently completed their masters degrees in the United States.

Barnabas Sends More Than 350 Metric Tons of Aid to Needy Christians Across the World

Through our .gives (food.gives and medical.gives) initiatives, Barnabas Aid has sent more than 350 metric tons of aid to needy Christians in different parts of the world in just over eight months.

Two Chibok Girls Graduate With Masters Degrees

Two of the 276 school girls who were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014 have completed their masters degrees in the United States.

Eight Killed in Fresh Attack by Islamist Militants on Village in Borno State, Nigeria

Eight villagers were killed on May 3 in a community in Borno State, Nigeria, that has been repeatedly attacked by Islamist militants.

Iranian-Armenian Pastor Sentenced to Ten Years’ Imprisonment

An Iranian pastor has been sentenced to ten years in prison for running a “house church” in Tehran, the capital city.

Tatmadaw Launches Another Attack on Historic Christian Village in Myanmar

Thousands fled a historic Christian village in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar after it was attacked by the army on May 7.

Children among 29 Christians Killed in Plateau State, Nigeria

Fulani herdsmen mount several attacks in the same area.

Egypt Releases Nine Christians Imprisoned for Peaceful Protest

Nine Egyptian Christians who were arrested after a peaceful protest have been released.

CUBA | Religious Leader at Risk of Deportation

A prominent Cuban Baptist leader and his two sons were blocked from boarding a flight to Nicaragua on Feb. 27, leaving them in legal limbo in El Salvador.