12
September
As Côte d’Ivoire’s 2020 presidential elections near, the country is at risk for large-scale vio
Every political transition in the country’s history—most recently the 2010 presidential election—has resulted in systematic civilian targeting. Learn about the country’s recent history of war and a 2019 assessment of early warning signs.
Walt Disney Pictures
08
September
Disney Under Fire for Filming ‘Mulan’ in Chinese City with Uyghur Concentration Camps
Disney has drawn a backlash for its indifference to religious freedom and human rights, cozying up to the Chinese Communist Party and filming parts of its new live action blockbuster in a city that incarcerates Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.
Asif Pervaiz (right) with attorney Saiful Malook (center) at prison. (Morning Star News)
08
September
Another Christian Sentenced to Death in Pakistan on Weak Blasphemy Charges
A court in Lahore, Pakistan has sentenced a Christian to death over charges that he allegedly sent “blasphemous” text messages to a Muslim colleague seven years ago, his lawyer said.
Representational image | Photo Credit: S. RAMBABU
06
September
India's Government suspends FCRA clearance of 4 Christian groups
Of the six NGOs whose license under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) was suspended by the Union Home Ministry this year, four are Christian associations.
05
September
Trump ends 'critical race theory' training for federal employees, calls it a 'sickness'
Federal agencies are to stop using controversial forms of training on “critical race theory,” “white privilege” and “any other training or propaganda effort that suggests the United States is a racist country or that any race is inherently evil
03
September
USCIRF Encourages Religious Freedom Progress on Vietnam National Day
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) congratulated the government of Vietnam on its National Day, and encouraged the government to take steps to improve religious freedom conditions in the country.
27
August
Facebook’s Ties to India’s Ruling Party Complicate Its Fight Against Hate Speech
The social media giant is under increasing scrutiny for how it enforces its hate speech policies when the accused are members of the ruling party.
Asad Noor, outspoken Bangladeshi blogger
24
August
Bangladeshi blogger faces death threats for criticizing Islamic fundamentalism
Rights groups are urging Bangladeshi authorities to withdraw all charges against blogger Asad Noor, restore his passport and end harassment of his family members. Noor fled to India after multiple threats to his life.
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."
