USCIRF News Digest

        Source:             www.uscirf.gov
Date:                  March 31, 2020

USCIRF News Digest - March 31, 2020

USCIRF News

 USCIRF Troubled with Targeting of Hazara Shi’a in Pakistan amid Coronavirus Lockdown

 USCIRF Alarmed by Worsening Conditions in Rakhine State Following International Court Ruling

 USCIRF Saddened Over Presumed Death of Robert Levinson, Calls on Iran to Repatriate Him and Free Religious Prisoners of Conscience

 USCIRF Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack against Sikh House of Worship in Kabul

 USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Nicaragua Translated in Spanish

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Top News from Around the World

 Azerbaijan
 “No objection” to limited worship, but no legal right (Forum 18)

 Brunei
 Sharia in Brunei: Much Ado About Nothing? (Diplomat)

 Cambodia
 Linked to Viral Outbreak, Cambodian Muslims Facing Backlash  (VOA)

 Caucasus
 Religious rituals are a threat of mass infection of believers in Caucasus (Caucasian Knot)

 China
 Xinjiang Returns to Work, but Coronavirus Worries Linger in China (New York Times)
 Uyghur High School Teacher Detained in Xinjiang Internment Camp  (Radio Free Asia)
 Tibetan Father, Son Detained For Listening to Dalai Lama Teachings  (Radio Free Asia)
 China stifles funeral of underground Catholic bishop (UCA)
 Uyghur Singer Rashida Dawut Sentenced to Prison Term by Xinjiang Authorities (Radio Free Asia)
 China’s people of faith: Canaries in Xi Jinping’s coal mine  (Jerusalem Post)

 Georgia
 Coronavirus testing Georgia’s faith in its church (Eurasianet)
 State of emergency not extended to Georgian Orthodox Church (JAMnews)

 Indonesia
 The ‘Niqab Squad’ Wants Women to be Seen Differently (New York Times)

 Iran
 For Iran's Imprisoned Christians, Coronavirus Is a New Danger (Newsweek)
 Coronavirus presents a new threat to Iran's political prisoners (National Post)

 Myanmar
 Myanmar urged to restore Internet during virus crisis (Asia Times)
Nicaragua
 Mixed Messages from the Catholic Church and Ortega Gov. on Covid-19 (Havana Times)

 North Korea
 North Korean released from Chinese prison thanks God for guiding her 'in the valley of death' (Christian Post)

 Pakistan
 Supreme Court Adjourns Bail Petition Of Accused In Blasphemy Case (Urdu Point)

 South Korea
 Coronavirus cluster emerges at another South Korean church, as others press ahead with Sunday services  (SCMP)

 Southeast Asia
 North Korean released from Chinese prison thanks God for guiding her 'in the valley of death' (Christian Post)

 Turkey
 Mother of Catholic priest found dead in Turkey, father still missing after abduction (Christian Post)
 In Turkey, political Islam is getting in the way of rational health policy (Washington Post)
 Constitutional Court judgment on Armenian Patriarchal election – a precedent? (Forum 18)
 Turkey uses Hagia Sophia as mosque for Islamic prayer again (Greek Reporter)

 Other
 Antisemitism Commissioner warns against conspiracy theories during coronavirus crisis (EJC)
 Protect Freedom (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)