07.22.2023

Vietnam: Please pray for Pastor Ton today

This week we’re praying the words of this psalm over Vietnamese pastor Nguyen Trung Ton, currently imprisoned in Gia Trung prison, and for all prisoners of conscience unjustly imprisoned in Vietnam.

RUSSIA: Jailed for refusing mobilisation on grounds of conscience

Russian soldiers who seek to avoid fighting in Ukraine on grounds of
conscience encounter difficulties at all levels. 

Two Eritrean Christians mark 7,000 days in prison

In 2004, I had the privilege of meeting persecuted Christians in Eritrea on behalf of The Voice of the Martyrs.

Turkish Christians navigate growing nationalism

To be Turkish is to be Muslim. That’s a common rallying cry in Türkiye (formerly Turkey), especially since a failed coup in 2016. 

Russia called out in new USCIRF report

On July 5, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released a new report on religious freedom violations in Russia. 

Terrorists Kill 37 Christians in Benue State, Nigeria 

Massacres over three weeks continue recent trend in state.

Christians in Pakistan Flee Homes after Blasphemy Accusation

Third case in less than a month in the same area creates panic.

Survivors Describe Jihadist Attacks in Mali

Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report yesterday detailing several Jihadist attacks in Mali this year.

USCIRF Releases Religious Freedom Report on Russia

On July 5, 2023, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a report outlining the conditions of religious freedom as it relates to Russia. 

Chinese Government Fines Underground Pastor

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) government fined the pastor of an underground church in Xiamen, China, according to the U.S.-based Christian nonprofit ChinaAid. 

Nigeria: Eight-Month-Old Baby Among Victims in Suspected Fulani Militants Attack

Suspected Fulani militants killed eight people, including an eight-month-old baby girl, Sunday night in the Vwang District of Jos. 

Christian Crisis in Azerbaijan and Iraq

This RLPB updates issues raised in RLPB 699 (28 June 2023) concerning the future of Azerbaijan’s remnant indigenous Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, and Iraq’s remnant indigenous Assyrians in the Nineveh Plains.

China: Wife & Son of Human Rights Attorney Li Baiguang Escape To The United States

The wife and son of Dr. Li Baiguang, the Chinese Christian human rights attorney who died under suspicious circumstances in 2018, have escaped to the United States, according to the Christian nonprofit groups ChinaAid and Voice of the Martyrs Korea.

Iran launches new crackdown on dissent

Morality police are back on patrol as Iran announces a new campaign enforcing the mandatory hijab.

India: Karnataka addresses anti-conversion law

The wheels of government move slowly, but all signs point to a positive change in Karnataka state.

Syria: “Our only hope is to get out of the country”

Fighting slows in Syria as President Bashir al-Assad tries to curry favor abroad by appealing to religious minorities.

Muslims Again Break Up Worship of Church in Indonesia

Presence of Christian service in Muslim-majority area questioned.