Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports ongoing religious persecution in Mexico. Displaced Protestant Christians from specific villages continue rebuilding after being targeted for their beliefs. In another locality, families face pressure to join Roman Catholic activities. Organized criminal groups also extort both Catholic and Protestant churches for protection money or use them for money laundering. Additionally, the group marks six years since the abduction of a pastor and his colleague. CSW states its team gathered evidence proving these violations are religion-based. The organization urges support for those facing injustice and discrimination in the region.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide released a prayer diary for Nepal, urging prayers for unity amid rising demands to reinstate Hindu statehood and the monarchy. These movements have sparked hostility toward religious minorities. The diary recalls the detention of six Christians in a city during violent protests and the harassment of an inter-caste couple. It also calls for protection for human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists facing threats. Additionally, it highlights the plight of over 6,500 Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees living in legal limbo, asking for their safety and resolution of their status. (Source: CSW)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that Protestant Christians in Mexico face rising religious freedom violations, particularly in areas with large indigenous populations. In a village in southern Mexico, residents were expelled after local authorities orchestrated mob violence against them for their faith. The group now lives in cramped shelter conditions where utilities are arbitrarily cut off, leading to the death of a toddler. Victims report waiting years for justice while cases are ignored by officials. Local activist groups provide limited support to these displaced communities.
A group of Cuban women continues weekly peaceful protests against political imprisonment despite severe state repression. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, participants are routinely arrested, harassed, and beaten by police for attending Mass and marching in white. The movement, established in 2003 after a crackdown, has seen hundreds of arrests monthly. A leader was physically assaulted during a papal visit. An activist states the group remains committed to their faith and freedom despite government attempts to silence them. The outlet highlights the worsening human rights record in Cuba as the women persist in their non-violent demonstrations.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that a pastor was detained in a city in northern Iran following a violent police raid on his home. Sources state officers used force against the pastor and his son despite no resistance. This incident follows years of harassment against the pastor. The outlet also highlights systematic oppression of religious minorities, including new policies forcing Christian schoolchildren in various cities to study Quran or repeat grades. Additionally, a family faces severe prison sentences for house church activities. CSW attributes these actions to an official campaign targeting Christians under national security charges.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide released a prayer diary detailing ongoing violence and persecution in Nigeria. The organization highlights attacks in several northern states, including a recent massacre in a village and the killing of a pastor in another community. The diary also mentions a pastor who lost nine family members, and a young convert living in hiding due to threats in regions enforcing strict religious laws. CSW urges support for its team documenting these abuses and calls for an end to terrorism and impunity in the region. (Source: CSW)
A Vietnamese Catholic fled to Laos after years of police harassment for peace activism. Officers followed him across the border and assaulted him with a taser. He subsequently reached Thailand and is now seeking asylum through the UNHCR in a major city. The organization highlights the difficulties asylum seekers face in Asia, noting that verifying claims from Vietnam is challenging due to varying local treatment of religious minorities. The individual demands democracy and religious freedom in Vietnam, while the group argues that states must address human rights violations domestically rather than relying on asylum as a solution.
A journalist tells Christian Solidarity Worldwide that religious minorities in India feel unsafe under the current government. Incidents of mob violence and intolerance have increased since 2014. Hindu extremists allegedly embolden attacks against Christians and Muslims. State anti-conversion laws are used to falsely accuse Christians, leading to lengthy detentions and family hardship. The journalist cites specific regions with high persecution rates. She describes a case where a pastor’s wife was assaulted and then charged. The future of minority rights depends on the outcome of the general elections, according to the outlet.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide warns that Nigeria is nearing a crisis as general elections approach amid escalating insecurity. The group reports that Boko Haram factions and an Arabic-speaking armed group are challenging government forces in the north-east, while kidnappings for ransom have increased. In central states, a Fulani militia has killed over 6,000 people and displaced 62,000 since 2011, causing food shortages. CSW’s Nigeria office, led by a senior leader, documents these abuses in Kaduna State. The outlet also notes rising restrictions on press freedom, with reporters prosecuted for hate speech. International attention from countries like the UK is increasing, though CSW urges effective action to halt the violence.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that hopes for democracy in Burma have failed, replaced by repression and crimes against humanity. Activists from various ethnic groups met leaders in Europe to highlight ongoing abuses. They described rape, torture, and arbitrary arrests by the military and government. A UN mission concluded that senior generals should face investigation for genocide and war crimes. The outlet notes that while persecution of Rohingya is severe, other ethnic and religious minorities also face discrimination and violence. The group urges the UK to prioritize accountability in its relations with Burma. (Source: CSW)
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by rhoda alex on UnsplashPersecuted church
Christian Solidarity Worldwide states that the situation for Christians in India has deteriorated since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office. The organization cites a 55% increase in incidents against Christians, including attacks on schools, vandalism of churches, and forced conversions. CSW attributes this trend to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's close ties to Hindutva ideology. Although Modi condemned violence, the group claims no concrete action has followed. CSW continues to provide legal and medical aid while advocating for the government to investigate religiously motivated crimes and protect minority rights.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that Christians in northern and central Nigeria face severe persecution, including discrimination and violence from Fulani militias and Boko Haram. The group highlights the case of a young girl abducted in a northern state who refused to convert to Islam. CSW Nigeria leadership emphasizes the need for international legal redress. The organization also mourns the recent death of a key advocate who worked on water access for persecuted communities. CSW continues to campaign for the release of abducted girls and an end to the violence.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports extensive persecution of Christians in Nigeria throughout 2019 and early 2020. In northern regions, an orphanage founder was arrested, leading to facility closures and abuse allegations. Central areas saw hundreds kidnapped, including pastors, and students killed. Plateau state experienced deadly militia attacks in specific districts. In the northeast, a young girl remains captive after refusing conversion. Borno and Adamawa states recorded executions by extremist factions, including church leaders and civilians, alongside the destruction of places of worship. The organization highlights the ongoing violence and displacement in these regions.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that minorities face discrimination and violence during the pandemic. In India, Christians delivering aid were falsely accused of conversion, while Muslims faced stigma. In Pakistan, Hindus and Christians were denied food aid, and the Hazara Shi’a community was isolated. In Nepal, a pastor was arrested for alleged conversion attempts. In Nigeria, a Christian family was shot in a northern region despite lockdowns. These incidents highlight rising tensions and targeted attacks against religious groups in these regions.
Four years after the peace agreement with FARC-EP, violence persists in regions like Cauca and Antioquia. CSW reports that illegal armed groups targeting social leaders and human rights defenders are also affecting evangelical churches. According to an NGO, 251 such murders occurred in 2020. Evangelical churches and leaders face severe restrictions, including threats and forced relocation, as armed actors limit their movement and community projects. Despite these dangers, pastors and displaced persons continue to foster hope through initiatives described as 'seeds of hope,' maintaining faith amid ongoing insecurity and the impacts of the pandemic.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide released a report titled 'Let her be heard,' detailing the persecution of religious minority women in indigenous communities across Mexico. The study, funded by the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, features testimonies from 27 women in various states. Participants described forced displacement, sexual assault attempts, and exclusion from community services due to their faith. The organization used art and embroidery to help survivors share their trauma. The report highlights the daily discrimination faced by these women and calls for greater protection of religious freedom in the region.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports on ongoing human rights struggles in Sudan and Cuba, noting active participation by religious groups. In Sudan, citizens have continued peaceful demonstrations against the October 2021 military coup that ended the transitional government. The outlet states that the military has responded with violence, resulting in at least 96 deaths. In Cuba, a pastor is serving a seven-year sentence for participating in July 2021 protests. CSW emphasizes that faith communities in both nations are advocating for justice and freedom despite government crackdowns and arrests. The organization highlights these events as part of a global movement for basic rights.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports ongoing religious persecution in three nations. In Cuba, a university student faces expulsion for refusing to sign a socialist oath, representing broader pressure on youth to compromise their faith. In China, a house church leader was released after a seven-and-a-half-year sentence following arrest during the 2015 crackdown. The group notes that other leaders remain imprisoned, while a lawyer is missing. In Bangladesh, a mob attacked a religious convention in a northern district, killing one person and injuring dozens. CSW highlights the lack of government action to prevent this violence against the minority community. (Source: CSW)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide dispatched a team to Mexico to document persecution against converts from the majority religion. CEO Scot Bower reported that individuals in specific regions have faced expulsion, fines, or violence. The team met with survivors, including a woman who endured a severe assault. CSW also consulted with government officials, emphasizing the urgent need for rights and tolerance training in multiple states to safeguard minority groups. This visit underscores the persistent hostility religious minorities encounter in the area, highlighting the critical work required to protect their safety and freedom.
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