CIC Persecution News Headlines

 
 News of persecution, human rights violations, and other articles of interest.


If one member suffers, all the members suffer …
 1 Corinthians 12:26a

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PERSECUTION NEWS HEADLINES - for two weeks ending December 31, 2021

This Week At ChinaAid: Chinese Communist Party Persecutes Believers During The Holidays

We're so thankful for your prayers and support of the persecuted faithful across China.

Persecution: regions to watch In 2022

What will 2022 bring for persecuted Christians around the world?

Sudan Prepares for an Unhappy New Year

December 19 should have been a day of commemoration in Sudan.

Gunmen storm Russian Christian conference

Armed gunmen stormed into a Christian conference near Moscow, Russia.

Christian Refugees Describe Fear of Taliban in Fleeing Afghanistan

Uncertainty reigns as they try to recover their lives.

Newly Christian Families Driven from Homes in Eastern Uganda

Mother flees Muslim husband; farmer's plantation destroyed.

INDIA | Government Cancels Missionaries of Charity Foreign Funding License

The Missionaries of Charity was informed on Dec. 21 that its foreign funding account license will not be renewed.

Iran plants leaders inside minority faith groups

The Islamic regime in Iran seeks even more power over religious minorities.

China persecution extends to South Korea

China offers no reprieve for Christians as a new year begins. Instead, “this is certainly the most concerted [persecution] orchestrated by the central government and the Chinese Communist Party,” Bob Fu of China Aid says.

DRC: Suicide Bomber Kills Six in Christmas Day Terror Attack

Suspected Allied Democratic Forces suicide bombing at Beni restaurant

BJP-Led Government in India’s Karnataka State Proposes Enactment of Anti-Conversion Law

Christians Fear Bill Will Incite Increased Anti-Christian Violence

USCIRF Concerned by Russian Prosecution of International Memorial Society

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed its grave concern today over the Russian government’s ongoing efforts to close the International Memorial Society (Memorial), which is an irreplaceable resource for monitoring severe persecution, including religious freedom conditions in Eurasia.

Unauthorized Online Religious Activities to Be Banned in China

Beijing Announces New Measures to Curb ‘Illegal Religious Activities’

China: Two anonymous church schools raided one right after another

Over the past week, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials raided two anonymous church schools.

Extremists threaten Nigerian churches for Christmas

Christians in Nigeria’s Zamfara State remain cautious after receiving threatening letters from extremists.

DONBAS: Luhansk: Christmas saved for parishes not allowed a priest

The first Christmas services in the Roman Catholic parishes in Luhansk and Stakhanov since 2019 are due to go ahead, thanks to a Greek Catholic priest
from neighbouring Donetsk prepared to make the seven-hour round trip.

Iraq Arrests ISIS Militants in Nineveh

The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) arrested four ISIS militants with warrants and videotaped confessions, according to the spokesperson for the Iraqi Commander in Chief. The spokesperson, Yehia Rasool, confirmed the arrests on Monday via Twitter.

Result of Second Instance of Christian Bookstore Owner Still Pending

A Chinese Christian online bookstore owner who was arrested and charged with “illegal business operations” last year recently testified at his appeal court.

Malaysian Groups Upset about Police’s Inaction Against Muslim Cleric

Dozens of multiracial civil society groups jointly submitted a memorandum to the Malaysian police, questioning the delay in arresting Muslim cleric, Syakir Nasoha, after at least 5,000 police reports were lodged against him for insulting non-Muslims.

Rashad Hussain Confirmed as New International Religious Freedom Ambassador

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the Senate has voted to confirm Rashad Hussain as the next Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

Herdsmen Suspected in Killing of Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria

At least four lives lost in one day.

Urgent prayer request for the children of Du Merci orphanage

During this Christmas season, as we celebrate Jesus coming to earth to set us free, I’m asking you to please pray for a family that needs a miracle.

Pastor in Nepal Sentenced to Prison under Proselytism Law

Statute violates religious freedom standards, rights leaders say.

Prayer needs around the world

As we celebrate the wonder of Emmanuel: God with us, let’s also lift up in prayer all those who are unable to celebrate Christmas freely.

Christian Parents in Pakistan Regain Custody of 14-Year-Old Daughter

Allegedly kidnapped, forcibly married/converted girl opts for home.

Ethnic Somali Muslims in Kenya Break Pastor's Leg

Underground Christian leader still in pain three weeks after attack.

Jihadists Decapitate Pastor, Force Wife to Carry His Severed Head

According to military sources, suspected Islamic extremists decapitated a pastor in Cabo Delgado last Wednesday, and forced his wife to carry his head to the police station.

Anti-Christian Violence Continues to Increase in Southern India as Anti-Conversion Law is Proposed

According to The Print, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politicians in India’s Karnataka state are preparing to propose the enactment of an anti-conversion law.

Indonesian Christian Charged for Blasphemy for Offensive Twitter Post

On December 15, an Indonesian Christan man was charged with blasphemy for posting a comment on Prophet Muhammad comparing him to a Muslim child rapist.

Landlord of ERCC members Fined for Renting to Them

A landlord was fined for renting to a Christian couple who attend the heavily persecuted Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in Chengdu.

Faith: the secret of positive, enduring, hope-fuelled prayer.

This is the final RLPB for 2021. It includes (1) a reflection on the relationship between faith and hope; (2) a 130-word item for use in bulletins or prayers; (3) updates on Ethiopia (the TPLF retreats to Tigray), Haiti (all hostages safe and free) and Indonesia (a new blasphemy case).

USCIRF News Digest - December 21, 2021

USCIRF Condemns the Chinese Government’s Additional Sanctions on USCIRF Commissioners

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the Chinese government’s additional sanctions against USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza, Vice Chair Nury Turkel, and Commissioners Anurima Bhargava and James W. Carr.

Asian Access helps Filipino believers in Rai aftermath

Super Typhoon Rai, known locally as Odette, claimed over 375 lives in the Philippines this weekend, and the death toll keeps rising. More details emerge as parts of the archipelago restore communication.

China: Follow-up report: CCP apprehend members of Jehovah's Witnesses in large-scale arrest

The Chinese regime suppresses the religious group Jehovah’s Witnesses and views them as a “cult.”

ISWAP Terrorists Kill 12 Christians in Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria

Nine houses burned, stories looted.

Pastor Decapitated by Islamist Extremists in Mozambique

A pastor in the Macomia district of Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, was abducted and decapitated by Islamist extremists on 15 December.

House Set on Fire, Women Abused as Muslims Gatecrash Wedding Celebration in Farooqabad, Pakistan

A Christian pre-wedding celebration on December 10 was gatecrashed by a group of Muslims in Farooqabad, near Faisalabad in Punjab, Pakistan.

District Authority in Pakistan Bans Use of Slur Against Sanitation Workers

A district authority in Punjab, Pakistan has banned the use of a derogatory word for sanitation workers, the majority of whom are Christian.

More Than Two Billion May Lack Access to Sufficient Food in 2022

An estimated 2.38 billion people are facing food insecurity as we approach the beginning of 2022, owing to a lack of reliable access to food in many parts of the world.

Abducted Christian Missionaries Escape From Haiti Kidnappers

The remaining twelve members of a group of 17 Christian missionaries and children abducted by an armed gang in Haiti have escaped from their captors.

Christian Aid Ministries gives update about Haiti hostages ... ESCAPE!

Christian Aid Ministries is giving an update at its headquarters in Ohio “to share more information” regarding the return of 17 hostages who were held in Haiti for weeks.

Chinese human rights activist shaves hair in protest

Zhao Chunhong, a Hebei human rights activist, shaved her hair in an act of performance art to protest the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Crucial Updates on Prisoners of Conscience in Pakistan and Algeria

As we have already announced in previous email newsletters, Pakistani Christian prisoners of conscience Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel were finally acquitted of their blasphemy charges and released from prison after seven grueling years on death row on a single false accusation.

USCIRF News Digest - December 7, 2021

BURMA | Ousted Leader Sentenced to Prison

Myanmar/Burma’s ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was sentenced to two years in prison on Dec. 6 in the first of a series of verdicts on a total of 11 charges which could result in her being imprisoned for life.

Extremists pursue Afghan activists

In Afghanistan, activists live in constant danger, especially women. Some have been killed after being lured by messages on social media promising to help them escape the country.

USCIRF Welcomes Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today applauded President Joseph R. Biden for implementing a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics given the Chinese government’s ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses.

Afghans turn to Heart4Iran for help, hope

A new report from Human Rights Watch reveals a campaign of targeted executions in Afghanistan.

China: Minister An Yankui denied visitors

Yesterday morning, Yao Congya, the wife of Zion Reformed Church minister An Yankui, went to Fenyang Public Security Bureau, requesting to visit her husband with his lawyer.

Heavy Fine Upheld on Appeal by Christian in Algeria

Six-month prison sentence for 'unauthorized donations' suspended.

Another Qingcaodi member criminally detained

Yesterday, Deyang authorities criminally detained Early Rain Qingcaodi Church’s co-worker Liu Wuyi.

Christian pastor suffers two years in prison without trial

Pastor Hao Zhiwei of Egangqiao Church has been in custody for two years and four months since her arrest in July 2019.

Wife of Guo Feixion to her stranded husband: "My life is coming to an end..."

hang Qing, the wife of Guo Feixiong, released a public statement begging for her husband to visit in her final days. She currently suffers from terminal colon cancer while her husband, a prominent Chinese human rights activist, remains stranded in China.

Christian Families in Central India Face Social Boycott for Refusing to Recant Faith

On November 22, eight Christian families from Bansgoam village in India’s Chhattisgarh state were summoned to a village gathering where they were told to recant their faith.

Xiamen court fines Christian couple over $50,000

On Thanksgiving, Xiamen Xunsiding Church’s pastor Yang Xibo received two “gifts” from the Xiamen municipal government. Siming district government rejected Mr. Yang’s request to cancel his administrative penalty and enforced a fine against Mr. Yang in 2019. His fines combined to ¥350,650 (~55,000 USD).

Burmese Army Fires Weapons Targeting Churches in Chin State

As the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) continues to fight opposition in various states in Myanmar, more churches in Christian-majority Chin state fall victims to the armed attacks followed by looting by the Tatmadaw soldiers.

Former Three Self Pastor Detained for Two Years Without Trial

A Christian pastor who was once a preacher for a Chinese Three-Self church has been jailed for more than two years without trial.

Attack on Iraqi Christian Home Sparks Insecurity Fear

The home of a Christian shopkeeper was attacked with homemade bombs on November 28. The Christian sold alcohol in his store and has been the subject of threats in the past.

Ethiopia: Battle turned back; Terror unleashed

Prime Minister Abiy has certainly made some errors of judgement during this war with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

Inspection of Indian Christians Disproves Forced Conversions Claim

A local government official in Karnataka state, India, tasked with conducting an investigation into alleged forced conversions to Christianity found no evidence to support such allegations.

Radical Hindutva Nationalists in Karnataka, India Threaten to Attack Prayer Meeting Again

Radical Hindutva nationalists who disrupted a prayer meeting at a church in Karnataka state, India on Sunday, November 28, say they will stage another attack if the meeting takes place again.

Pakistan Church Leaders Condemn Priyantha Kumara Killing

Church leaders in Pakistan have condemned the killing in Sialkot, Punjab of a Sri Lankan factory manager who was accused of “blasphemy”.

Freed Head Boy of Bethel Baptist High School Praised for Leadership During Kidnap Ordeal

The head boy of Bethel Baptist High School, freed by kidnappers on health grounds after more than 150 days in captivity in the Nigerian bush, has been praised for his leadership and bravery.

Sixty-One Abducted Christians Released in Kaduna, Nigeria, but Violence Continues

The Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) announced the release of 61 Christians abducted from Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakau Daji in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state on December 3.

Christian Association of Nigeria Protests as US Removes Country From List of Religious Freedom Violators

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a statement strongly protesting at the US government’s decision not to list Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) on freedom of religion.

Pastor, Wife Arrested on Baseless Charges in Northern India

Hindu extremists pressure police, villagers.

 

 

 

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PLEASE NOTE: Out of concern for the security and safety of the ministries and individuals mentioned in our Persecution News Headlines, it is the policy of Christians In Crisis (CIC) to conceal specific names or locations of our contacts.

 Ministries that are commended by authorities or located in secure areas may be named.
 
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