Lawyer Chen Jiangang celebrates two years of freedom: "Xi Jinping’s era does not allow for real lawyers"
Two years ago, an AP story, Agence France-Presse: Chinese human rights lawyer lands in U.S. despite travel ban, published August 04, 2019, featured Lawyer Chen Jiangang. After Lawyer Chen and his family had landed in JFK airport, New York, late night on August 3, 2019, he said:
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Pray for those in Sudan and Nigeria who face ongoing difficulties
It’s encouraging to remember that we’re all welcomed into God’s family. Paul explains to the church in Ephesus that Jesus has broken down all barriers to salvation, so now people of all nations can be united as fellow citizens in God’s house.
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USCIRF Releases New Report on Iran’s Escalation of Religious Repression
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new country update highlighting the government of Iran’s escalation of religious repression in 2021:
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India: Dalits, religious minorities suffer under Hindu rule
Protestors line the streets of India’s capital, demanding justice for a nine-year-old Dalit girl. She was sexually attacked and killed by four men who then burned her body to cover up the crime.
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Missing Catholic Girl in Pakistan Depicted as Married Muslim
14-year-old disappeared on July 27.
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USCIRF Conversation: New Report on Religious Freedom Violations in North Korea
The North Korean government is widely considered one of the worst human rights and religious freedom abusers in the world.
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Hindu Nationalists Hold Rally in India Advocating for Anti-Christian Violence
Christian Leaders Fear Rally Will Trigger New Wave of Persecution
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Bob Fu, PhD.: "My study transformed me..."
August 04, 2021) In his latest book, The Politics of Inclusive Pluralism: A Proposed Foundation for Religious Freedom..., Bob Fu, PhD., founder of ChinaAid, shares critical, contemporary concerns his study covers regarding religious freedom in China.
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Religious Affairs authorities fine Pastor Yang Xibo, and wife, Wang Xiaofei, 200000 yuan [USD: $30,938] for "organizing a gathering"
On July 29, Siming District, Xiamen City Bureau of the National Religious Affairs (BNRA) authorities issued the notice of administrative punishment to Lay* Pastor Yang Xibo, and his wife, Wang Xiaofei, of Xunsiding Church in Xiamen, Fujian Province.
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Qushan County officials forcibly remove crosses from Christian fishermen's boats
On July 28, without presenting any legal documents, Qushan County officials forcibly removed crosses from several fishing boats.
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Two hostile Lüliang City procuratorates present obstacles to Lawyer Fang Xiangui meeting with Minister Zhao Weikai
On July 23, lawyer Fang Xiangui met with Lüliang City procuratorate regarding the case of Taiyuan Xuncheng Reformed Church’s Preacher Zhao Weikai, charged with “illegal holding of materials promoting terrorism and extremism.”
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Wenshui County Public Security Bureau authorities formally arrest Taiyuan Xuncheng Reformed Church leader—Zhao Weikai
On July 20, the Wenshui County procuratorate approved the arrest of Taiyuan Xuncheng Reformed Church leader, Zhao Weikai.
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Myanmar coup leader declares himself Prime Minister
The military leader who organized Myanmar’s coup has declared himself the Prime Minister.
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US GOVT | CSW Welcomes Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Nomination
CSW warmly welcomes US President Joe Biden’s nomination of Rashad Hussain as the new US ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom.
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CUBA | Pastor Remains Detained Following Arrest
CSW continues to be gravely concerned for the welfare of Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, who was detained by State Security officers on July 11 during peaceful protests in the Cuban town of Palma Soriano.
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USCIRF Commends Targeted Sanctions Against Religious Freedom Violators in Syria
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauded the U.S. government’s targeted sanctions against religious freedom violators in Syria, including the Turkish-backed militia Ahrar al-Sharqiya as well as individuals Ahmad Ihsan Fayyad al-Hayes, commonly known as Abu Hatem Shaqra, and Farrukh Fayzimatov.
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Sikhs Beat, Choke Christian Women in Northern India
Young woman still suffering symptoms of shock.
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Pastor in Northern India Receives Death Threats from Radicals
According to a ministry in India, a pastor and his family have been harassed and threatened with death by radical Hindu nationalists.
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Series of Attacks Devastates Nigeria’s Plateau state
Villages in Nigeria’s Miango District came under a series of severe attacks on Saturday, July 31, by men identified by locals as Fulani Militants.
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Priest and Catechist in Chin State Arrested by Civil Force
A bishop in Myanmar’s majority-Christian Chin state called for the release of a priest and a catechist who were arrested by the Chinland Defense Force (CDF).
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Church in Bangladesh Demolished Twice by Buddhist Radicals
According to Asia News, a church in Bangladesh was attacked and demolished by Buddhist radicals. Local reports indicate the attack, which happened in two phases, took place after weeks of threats.
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North Korea: Desperate for a Breakthrough
On 16 June 2020 the North Korean (NK) regime blew up the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, unilaterally severing cross-border communications with the South.
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USCIRF News Digest - August 3, 2021 |
Nigeria: Fulani Militants Kill Dozens in Seven Attacks
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that in the early hours of August 2, 2021, seven predominantly Christian communities in Plateau and Southern Kaduna, Nigeria, were attacked by Fulani militants.
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Tensions escalate in Iran, Christians enter new season of persecution
After Thursday’s presidential ceremony, Islamic hardliners will control all branches of Iran’s civilian government.
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Resurgent Taliban Seeking Out Afghan Women and Girls for Marriage to Their Fighters; Christians Also at Great Risk
A resurgent Taliban has taken control of huge swathes of Afghanistan, imposing a particularly harsh form of sharia (Islamic law) and forcing women and girls to marry Taliban fighters.
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Gunmen Kill Seven and Raze 275 Houses in Plateau State, Nigeria
Survivors reported that seven people were killed as gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked small villages in Miango, Irigwe chiefdom in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
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Four Students Abducted From Nigerian Baptist School Escape Kidnappers
Four Nigerian students kidnapped from Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna State, have escaped from their abductors.
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Bangladeshi Christian Villagers Forced to Flee After Violent Attacks by Buddhist Extremists
The inhabitants of Suandrapara, a Christian village in the Rangmati area of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, were forced to flee after suffering threats and two violent attacks from Buddhist radicals.
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Christians in Lebanon Request Prayer a Year on From Beirut Port Explosion
Christians in Lebanon are requesting prayer as the country still struggles to recover a year after the Beirut Port explosion which killed at least 218 and injured more than 6,000.
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