01.23.2021

Uttar Pradesh Sees First Arrest Under New Anti-Religious Conversion Legislation

The eighth Indian state to ratify and implement an anti-religious conversion law, Uttar Pradesh, on January 4th saw the first arrest of a Christian under the new legislation.

Please pray for the Du Merci Children in Nigeria

‘Their intention is to take the children away from us … Our children will only suffer.’

NIGERIA | Teen’s Sentence Overturned

A 13-year-old boy, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison on blasphemy charges by a Shari’a court in Kano State, northern Nigeria, had his sentence overturned by the appeal division of the state’s High Court on Jan. 21.

CUBA | Pastor Arrested, Detained

Global Persecution: The Number Of Christians Killed For Their Faith Increased By 60 Percent In Just One Year

For years I have been warning that Christian persecution was rising all over the globe, but we have never seen anything like the past year. 

US Determines China is Committing Genocide: A Step Toward Justice for Two Million Uyghurs

The United States of America has led the world in holding the perpetrators of the most heinous human rights abuses accountable.

US condemns China’s treatment of Uighurs

The Chinese government continues to crack down on religious freedom, or any dissent to the rule of the Chinese Communist Party, as it prepares to celebrate its 100-year anniversary this year.

New anti-conversion ordinance considered India’s strictest

The Indian state of Madhya Pradesh recently passed a new anti-conversion ordinance making it illegal to bribe or force someone to change their religion.

Biden administration inherits religious freedom emphasis

In June of 2020, the Trump administration issued an executive order proclaiming international religious freedom as a prominent U.S. foreign policy issue.

USCIRF Applauds State Department Designation of Uyghur Muslims’ Treatment in China as Genocide

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds the U.S. Department of State for designating China’s treatment of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region as genocide and crimes against humanity.

Woman Loses Family after Responding to Visions of Christ, She Says

Mother of seven in Uganda miscarries after Muslim beats her.

Kidnapped Christian Professor in Nigeria Released, Sources Say

Cracking top 10 countries with most persecution, Nigeria leads the world in abductions of Christians.

Iranian Abuse of Prisoners Continues

Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM) recently released its 2020 Annual Report documenting the abuse and condition of prisoners in Iran’s notorious prisons. Iran’s treatment of prisoners has long been of major concern for the international community.

Beijing House Church Elder Denied Pension

A house church leader in Beijing who has been vocal in his support of persecuted Christians and marginalized petitioners in China was recently denied pension by the government.

Christian Group in India Documents 327 Incidents of Persecution in 2020

According to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), Indian Christians endured at least 327 incidents of persecution in 2020.

Militants in Nigeria Kill More than 1,900 People in 2020

Every year, hundreds of people are killed in violent events throughout Nigeria. This has been true since Boko Haram became one of the deadliest groups in the world in 2014 and 2015.

Hundreds of Indian Christians Subjected to Discrimination and Targeted Violence in 2020

The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) recorded 327 instances of discrimination and targeted violence against Christians in India in 2020, including five murders, at least six churches burned or destroyed, and 26 incidents of social boycotting, according to its yearly report, published on January 14.

Hindu Ceremony on Church Grounds in Goa Marks Trend to “Deny Sacred Places to Christians”

A significant Hindu religious ceremony (pooja) to a Hindu deity was held on the grounds of a Christian church in Sancoale, Goa, India but police have not yet filed a report on the church minister’s complaint under Indian laws that ban deliberate and harmful acts intended to “hurt the religious feelings” of a group.

Al Shabaab Militants Hold Up Kenyan Commuter Bus in Hunt for Christians

Kenyan police are searching for six Al Shabaab jihadists armed with AK-47 assault rifles who held up a commuter bus on 13 January looking for Christian passengers.

Huawei’s Patent for Technology Identifying Uighurs by Facial Recognition Uncovered

A patent filed by technology giant Huawei for a system that identifies the faces of ethnic Uighurs, a severely persecuted group in China, has been uncovered by U.S. researchers.

No Evidence Against Three Pakistani Christians Charged With “Blasphemy”

Lawyers acting for three Pakistani Christian men, charged with “blasphemy” for allegedly burning pages of the Quran on Christmas Day in Punjab province, say there is no evidence against them.

Anti-Conversion Movement Spreads in India

Observers warn this is the harshest anti-conversion law yet to be passed in India. And there is concern it could lead towards a ban on Christian evangelism in the entire country.

Church growth soars in India despite persecution, COVID-19

For the second year in a row, Open Doors ranks India 10th on the list of countries where it’s most challenging to be a Christian. “But even [amid] that persecution, God grows and strengthens his Church,” says David Reeves, President and CEO of unfoldingWord.