Source:            www.uscirf.gov

Date:                 May 19, 2020

 

Download the 2020 USCIRF Annual Report: Key Findings and Recommendations
 
Top News from Around the World

Azerbaijan
Updated list of political prisoners in Azerbaijan includes 155 activists (Caucasian Knot)
Human rights activists call on the head of state to release prisoners (Turan)
Human rights activists unveil a list of political prisoners (Turan)


Bangladesh
US reiterates concern over arrests under Digital Security Act (New Age Bangladesh)
Bangladesh says coronavirus detected in Rohingya refugee camp: official (Reuters)


Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo Mass For Pro-Nazi WWII Collaborators Draws Widespread Condemnation (RFE/RL)


China
Senate approves Uyghur human rights bill (CNN)
Residents of Uyghur-Majority County in Xinjiang Ordered to Report Others Fasting During Ramadan (RFA)​​
State Department Must Fill Long-Vacant Post on Tibetan Affairs: Religious Freedoms Group (RFA)​​
China Anti-Crime Campaign in Tibet Used to Punish Critics, Dalai Lama Supporters: HRW (RFA)​
China’s pandemic of religious persecution (Christian Post)​


Central African Republic
UN: Attacks on aid workers spike in C. African Republic (Andalou Agency)

France
Accused Killers of French Jewish Holocaust Survivor Mireille Knoll Will Face Trial on Antisemitic Murder Charges (Algemeiner)

India
‘No loudspeakers for azaan, only human voice allowed’: UP top court orders (Hindustan Times)

Indonesia
Take it easy on pork eaters: Indonesian Muslims call for tolerance (Jakarta Post)
 'Like a robot': Indonesia’s nonbelievers struggle to blend in during Ramadan  (Jakarta Post)
 An imagined threat (Inside Indonesia)


Iran
Holy Jewish site of Esther and Mordechai set ablaze in Iran – reports (Jerusalem Post)

Iraq
ISIS tried to destroy this church, now Muslims and Christians join hands to rebuild (Al-Arabiya)
‘A disappointing start’: Iraq's minorities reproach lack of representation in new cabinet (Rudaw)


Kazakhstan
KAZAKHSTAN: "I lost consciousness three times because of the pain" (Forum 18)

Malaysia
Malaysia to allow mass prayers limited to 30 people ahead of Hari Raya Puasa as coronavirus cases fall (Straits Times)


Montenegro
Montenegro frees Serbian church priests amid heightened tensions (RFE/RL)
Montenegro: Coronavirus ban feeds clash between state and Serbian Orthodox Church (Deutsche Welle)
Worshippers share communion spoon as Montenegro relaxes COVID-19 lockdown (RFE/RL)
Montenegrin police fire tear gas to disperse protests against arrests of Serbian priests (RFE/RL)
Protesters clash with police in Montenegro after priests’ arrest (Balkan Insight)
Montenegro: About 60 detained in clashes over priest arrests (Associated Press)
Montenegro detains bishop for leading illegal street procession (Balkan Insight)
Belgrade March For Priests Detained In Montenegro Over COVID-19 Violations (RFE/RL)


Nigeria
Emergency Disaster Fund grant supports COVID-19 efforts in Nigeria (Church of the Brethren Newsline)


Pakistan
Pakistani Ahmadi Leaders Fear Backlash After New Minority Commission Formation (VOA)
Minorities commission discusses problems faced by Muslims in India (Dawn)


Russia
Russia: 39 trials with 87 defendants (Forum 18)
Russian Shaman Who Wanted To Drive Putin From Power Detained (RFE/RL)


Saudi Arabia
Saudi Women's Rights Activist Detained for Two Years While Awaiting Trial Must Be Released During Pandemic, Sister Says (Newsweek)


Scotland
Scotland’s chilling new blasphemy law (The Spectator)

Sudan
SPLM-N Agar calls to establish religious freedom body in Sudan (Sudan Tribune)


Syria
Operation Inherent Resolve – Report to the United States Congress, First Quarter 2020 (DoD / DoS / USAID)
Christian families return to Kharaba (CSW)


Turkey
Turkish photographer detained over ‘insulting religious values’ (Duvar English)
Turkey arrests, detains three in social media crackdown (Ahval)
Turks celebrate Ramadan under shadow of pandemic (Al-Monitor)
‘No need to investigate’ Religious Affairs President’s remarks, says prosecutor’s office (Bianet)
How clipping Turkey’s religious reach has boosted Erdogan in Europe (Al-Monitor)
Turkey’s conversion of Hagia Sophia into mosque may just be a matter of time (Ahval)
Christians in Turkey targeted by Erdoğan-linked magazine, church attacked (Ahval)


Ukraine
Two Islamic festivals to become state holidays in Ukraine (Kyiv Post)
‘I cried and wanted to leave immediately’: Ukrainian Jewish woman speaks of fear generated by police demand for ‘list of Jews’ (The Algemeiner)


Other
US govt calls out religious persecution​ (UCA)
U.N. chief urges faith leaders to challenge hate speech (Politico)
Pope upholds solidarity initiative in Sahel region (Vatican News)