Latest Updates

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  US body recommends sanctions on Pakistan for rights violations

  A bipartisan U.S. government body that monitors religious freedom worldwide this week recommended imposing sanctions on Pakistan for human rights violations, particularly abuse of harsh blasphemy laws and treatment of religious minorities in the country.

  4 min read

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  In UN report, evangelicals highlight social instability in Portugal, express concern that new law could criminalize religious views

  The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), together with its national member the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance (Aliança Evangélica Portuguesa, or AEP) representing 355 local churches, expressed concern over political instability, rising populism, racism, xenophobia, and restrictions on religious freedom in Portugal during the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

  3 min read

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  USCIRF urges U.S. to help persecuted refugees, address atrocities in Nigeria

  An independent, bipartisan federal body on Tuesday (March 25) recommended the U.S. administration resettle refugees fleeing religious persecution and appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria to address religious freedom violations.

  6 min read

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  Churches in Geneva struggle with new requirement on relation to state

  Authorities now require churches in Geneva, Switzerland, to sign a “declaration of commitment” or risk restrictions on organizing public events, chaplaincy services and a clampdown on voluntary donations, sources said.

  2 min read

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  Christian in Pakistan charged with blasphemy for Facebook post

  Federal agents in Pakistan last week arrested a Christian under a blasphemy law mandating the death penalty in relation to material that appeared on Facebook groups without his knowledge, sources said.

  4 min read

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  Muslim slashes throat of Christian co-worker in Pakistan

  A Muslim in Pakistan on Friday (March 21) slashed the throat of a Christian co-worker on allegations that he had committed blasphemy by touching an Islamic textbook “with unclean hands,” sources said.

  3 min read

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  Sudan jails 19 Christians on unfounded allegations

  At least 19 Christians were arrested in Sudan’s city of Madani on various occasions in January and February, area sources said.

  5 min read