Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II. 24/08/2020
24
August
Religious Official in Syria asks United Nations for help
In a rare move, Mor Aphrem II sent a letter to Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, calling for the U.N. to intervene in the ongoing water crisis in Hasakah, Syria.
American convoy in Hasakah
23
August
US State Department delegation to pressure Turkey over water crisis in Syria’s Hasakah
A US State Department delegation to Syria’s northeastsays they will pressure the Turkish government to solve the water cutoff in Hasakah.
A child from the Uyghur community living in Turkey participates in a protest in Istanbul on November 6, 2018, against oppression by the Chinese government of Muslim Uyghurs in the far-western Xinjiang province. >Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis
21
August
China Buys Turkey’s Silence on Uyghur Oppression
A quick explanation of how China uses economic leverage to silence Turkey on the Uyghur issue, coauthored by my colleague and friend, Aykan Erdemir.
17
August
The Ongoing and Intensifying Persecution of Christians in India
According to a new report by the group Persecution Relief, “Hate crimes against Christians in India [rose] by an alarming 40.87 percent” in the first half of 2020, “even despite the nationwide [coronavirus] lockdown in place since March 25."
15
August
Why SC status for Dalit Christians, Muslims should not be linked to religion
They are denied the Scheduled Caste status because of what is written in the Constitution, and the problem should be addressed with consideration for human rights and based on reality
A petition challenging the Presidential (Scheduled Castes) Order, issued on August 10, 1950, is now pending in the Supreme Court. (Representative image of the Supreme Court in New Delhi)
10
August
70-year wait for Dalit Christians, Muslims on SC verdict over caste status
Five days before India celebrates her 73rd anniversary of Independence, Dalit Christians and Muslims will mark a grimmer anniversary of the date when the Presidential (Scheduled Castes) Order was issued on August 10, 1950.
21
July
Sterilizations, IUDs, and Mandatory Birth Control
The CCP’s Campaign to Suppress Uyghur Birthrates in Xinjiang
17
July
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Targets Catholic Officials in Hong Kong with Phishing Campaign
A phishing campaign that targeted the leaders of the Hong Kong Catholic Church in May was recently traced to hackers employed by the Chinese government.
A monitor displays the words "Commission on Unalienable Rights" behind Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as he speaks during a news conference at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, July 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)
17
July
Pompeo says US should limit which human rights it defends
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has argued for a more limited U.S. view of global human rights advocacy based on the principles laid out by America's Founding Fathers, a suggestion critics assumed meant stepping away from more modern concepts.
16
July
Swastikas, ‘Death to Jews’ Written on Graves in France
Some 20 graves in France were vandalized with swastikas and the words “Death to Jews” and “Death to the French,” the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports.
Portraits of Mao Zedong are replacing religious symbols in homes of believers.
16
July
People on Social Welfare Ordered to Worship CCP, Not God
The coronavirus outbreak has significantly affected China’s economy and livelihoods, primarily low-income households. Without much help from the state, religious residents are also coerced to renounce their faith, or their welfare benefits are cut.
16
July
Draft Report of the Commission on Unalienable Rights
Human rights are now misunderstood by many, manipulated by some, rejected by the world’s worst violators, and subject to ominous new threats.
15
July
SUDAN - Death Penalty Abolished for Apostasy
The Sovereignty Council of Sudan officially abolished the death penalty for apostasy in July after the Chairman of the Council, Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, signed several new laws and amendments.
15
July
Can Human Rights Advocacy Resolve the North Korea Nuclear Impasse?
North Korea’s weapons programs and human rights violations derive from the same root causes: the government’s perception of its insecurity and lack of transparency.
Pastor Munshi Devu Tado with wife Jaini, and one of their children in Gadchiroli District, Maharashtra, India. (Image credit: Morning Star News)
14
July
Pastor in India Murdered by Maoists
Maoists in the Maharashtra state of India killed a Christian church pastor, becoming the fourth Christian to die for their faith in the South Asian country in the last two months.
President Erdogan declared the building a mosque and said the first prayers would be held there within two weeks [Murad Sezer/Reuters]
14
July
Turkey to cover Hagia Sophia's Christian icons during prayers
Governing party's statement comes days after Ankara turned the iconic monument from a museum into a mosque.
14
July
Where Is the Outrage Over Anti-Semitism in Sports and Hollywood?
The Hollywood Reporter columnist calls out the hateful outbursts against Jews by Ice Cube, DeSean Jackson and others and explains how the muted response "perpetuates racism" and contributes to an overall "Apatholypse."
13
July
The relationship between blasphemy laws and religious extremism in the Middle East and North Africa
While an estimated 69 countries across the globe possess blasphemy laws of some kind, no geographical region has as many countries with such laws as the Middle East and North Africa. In many of these countries the penalties are among the most severe.
13
July
Bangladesh restricts public Eid prayers amid pandemic
Bangladesh has barred congregational prayers on the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha on traditionally-designated open grounds to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to senior officials.
A Hindu temple in Mithi, Pakistan.Credit...Rizwan Tabassum/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
08
July
Islamists Block Construction of First Hindu Temple in Islamabad
A Hindu temple planned for Islamabad, the city’s first, was supposed to be a symbol of tolerance. Instead, violence and controversy have turned it into an emblem of Pakistan’s troubled relationship with its religious minorities.
08
July
City to pay $50,000 to evangelist banned from park
The Portland, Oregon city government has paid a street evangelist $50,000 after acknowledging last fall it was wrong to ban the man from a downtown park for preaching.
08
July
The Truro Review
United Kingdom Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (FCO) Support for Persecuted Christians
Darbar Sahib By Marsmux Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
03
July
Sikhs Blocked on Instagram and Facebook
Sikh users of Facebook and Instagram discovered they could not post messages if they used the #sikh hashtag.
02
July
President Ji needs to go
The most populous nation in the world is a critical international player and needs to take a credible role in the world. And the present leadership is making a mockery of his own people.
30
June
New Law in Iran Threatens More Arrests of Christians, Rights Advocates Say
Legislation passed by parliament in Iran could make it easier to arrest and imprison Christians and other religious minorities, rights advocates said.
