03.09.2024

China This Week: John Cao free from prison

After 7 years in prison, Pastor John Cao was released and got back to his home in Hunan on Sunday March 3rd.

Christian Rape Victim in Pakistan Pressured to Withdraw Charges

Muslim suspects influence police, sources say.

Halt to Abuse of Blasphemy Laws Sought in Pakistan

Multi-pronged approach to religious intolerance needed, advocates say.

Muslim Terrorists Kill Two Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Dozens kidnapped in area outside the city of Kaduna.

Myanmar mandates draft; young people flee

Myanmar declares martial law in five new cities, bringing the total to 61 cities nationwide since 2021.

Nigerian extremists repay Christian hospitality with murder

The brutal persecution of Nigerian Christians continues. As violence builds and people lose their lives because of their relationships with Jesus, the Church in Nigeria urges the rest of the world to keep listening to their cries.

UKRAINE: Latest draft Law targets Ukrainian Orthodox Church for Russian links

On 5 March, the parliamentary Committee on Humanitarian and Information
Policy stated that a draft Law that aimed to close religious organisations
(associations) affiliated with "centres of influence of religious
organisations or associations with ruling centres" in "states conducting
armed aggression against Ukraine" has been prepared for second reading by
Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.

Surge of gang violence sends Haiti deeper into chaos

A brazen surge of coordinated gang violence this past week has plunged Haiti into a new depth of chaos.

Heart4Iran introduces Mohabat GPT

After being introduced in late 2022, Chat GPT steadily grew into a go-to source of information on the web.

Christians Fearing Forced Marriages in Pakistan Find Hope

Court order aims to halt kidnapped girls from being forced to convert, wed.

UN Peacekeepers in DRC Begin Withdrawal

The United Nations peacekeeping mission to the violence-ridden Democratic Republic of the Congo, known as MONUSCO, began to pull out of the country last week, according to a statement by the force.

Indonesian Government Works to Resolve Church Permit Accessibility

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas asked his staff at the Directorate General to intervene if there were obstacles to establishing a place of worship.

Attack on Catholic Church Leaves 15 Dead in Burkina Faso

On Feb. 25, a group of gunmen violently attacked a Catholic church in Essakane Village, located in the Oudalan province.

Ethnic Militias Enjoy Continued Success in Fight Against Burma’s Military Dictatorship

Occupying the smallest state in Myanmar, ethnic armed militias in Kayeh are waging an effective if fiercely contested battle against the military dictatorship that holds the country’s capital, Naypyidaw. 

USCIRF News Digest - March 5, 2024

China: Pastor John Cao freed from jail after 7-year sentence

We're excited to share that Pastor John Cao has been released from prison after a 7-year sentence and returned back to his home in Hunan province on March 3rd, 2024. 

Gaza war worries regional leaders as Ramadan approaches

Senior U.S. and Israeli leaders are meeting in Washington this week to discuss the Gaza crisis. 

Iraqi politicians push for IDP camp closures

 Iraq is pushing to close all IDP or internally displaced persons camps by the end of July. 

Christians wary of upcoming elections in India

The Voice of the Martyrs USA reclassifies India amid escalating religious tensions.

Christians in Jaranwala, Pakistan Acquitted of Blasphemy Charges

Investigation showed they were framed.

India: Please pray for Ayatu Ram Podiyami and his family

Today we pray the hope and encouragement of this verse over a Christian family in India’s Chhattisgarh State. 

ChinaAid: 2023 Annual Report released

The report draws its content from China Aid Association’s exclusive news sources and the Communist Party of China’s official websites concerning religion.