06.15.2024

China This Week: Testimonies & Tiananmen Square

Cracking down on remembering

Türkiye’s Constitutional Court Supports Government’s Expulsion of 9 Foreign Christians

Türkiye’s highest court, the Constitutional Court, recently ruled that the government’s expulsion of nine foreign Christian leaders based on secret service reports does not violate their freedom of religion. Six of the court’s 13 judges dissented.

KYRGYZSTAN: Greater financial controls on religious organisations?

On 6 June Parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, rejected an amendment to the
Religion Law that would have imposed tighter financial reporting by
registered religious organisations. 

ISIS loses influence in Mosul, but Christians not ready to return

xperts say the Islamic State lacks social support in areas it once controlled, like Mosul, Iraq. Citizens even report ISIS claims to Iraqi security forces.

Five Christian Sanitation Workers Die in Pakistan

Relatives stage protest over lack of safety provisions.

Abducted Young Mother in Pakistan Refuses Forced Conversion

Suspects warn family to stop efforts to prosecute.

India’s minorities could become persecution targets in coming weeks

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a historic third term this week. 

China Bans Worthy News; VPN Could Offer Hope

Communist-run China is actively suppressing access to Christian news agency Worthy News and other websites deemed “dangerous” to the government.

Massive Rally in Pakistan Backs Killing of Christian

Islamist party activists vow to lynch other ‘blasphemers.’

Egypt: Two Christians Still Awaiting Trial Years after their Arrests

For more than two years, Egyptian authorities have held two Christian men without a trial. Their crime? Answering theological questions on Facebook.

U.S. State Department Denounces Cuban Pastor’s Continued Imprisonment

The United States Department of State on Tuesday released a statement denouncing the continued imprisonment of the Rev. Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, a pastor in Cuba. 

Iraq: Court Tells Married Christian Mother to Convert to Islam

Although she is a married woman, an Iraqi court recently told Elvin Joseph that she and her three children should convert to Islam because Joseph’s mother had converted to Islam when Joseph was 15.

USCIRF News Digest - June 11, 2024

GEORGIA: Government's "real purpose" not to ensure public transparency "but to exert control"

Legal experts have expressed concern about the effect the new Foreign
Influence Transparency Law (popularly known as the Foreign Agent Law) is
likely to have on a range of civil society organisations. 

Security mission to Haiti to launch soon

In the wake of a shocking attack on a mission compound that brought Haiti’s plight to the forefront, the crisis became high profile.

Vigilante mob kills Pakistani Christian over alleged blasphemy

Mob violence has claimed another life in Pakistan. 

Islamic Extremists Kill Three Christians in Northeast Nigeria

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists kidnap one other.

Muslim Employer in Pakistan Tortures Christian Worker to Death

Catholic employee had quit against owner’s wishes.

Pastor, Wife and Three Other Christians Slain in Nigeria

Gunmen attack again in Plateau state.

Priest Kidnapped in Kaduna State, Nigeria

‘Armed Muslim bandits’ suspected.