CHINA: One Human Rights Activist Freed and Another Disappears
Two days after US-China human rights talks concluded on Apr. 29, human rights lawyer, Teng Biao, was freed by Chinese authorities after 70 days of detention without charge. At the news of his release, many expressed the hope that there would be an easing of the persecution taking place, perhaps as a result of two days of talks between China and the United States on human rights held in Beijing last week. However, the same day Teng was released, an "unknown" group kidnapped the lawyer Li Fangping. Teng and Li are Christians and known defenders of human rights activists, both members of the China Christian Association for the Defense of Rights. Since mid-February the authorities have unleashed the worst crackdown since 1998 against rights activists and dissidents, also for fear of protests inspired by the 2011 Tunisian revolution (Jasmine revolution). The persecution also affects the Christian groups, because many of these activists are practicing Christians.
[Source: Asia News] – May 4th, 2011
IRAN: Revolutionary Guard Infiltrating Iranian Christian Groups in Turkey
Following the recent wave of aggressive intimidation and imprisonment of Christians in Iran, the intelligence gathering arm of its Revolutionary Guard has been collecting information from Iranian Christians who have escaped to Turkey. The ranks of fleeing Christians have been infiltrated by the Iranian agents posing as refugees. They try to elicit names and addresses of other Christians or family members still under the yoke of the Islamic Republic to later be used in TV confessions, show trials, and kangaroo courts. This information is used to manipulate, accuse and denounce the helpless ones languishing inside Iran's notorious prisons. According to reports received, detainees are under immense physical and psychological pressure to appear on TV and admit to criminal activities against the Islamic republic, as well as personal misconduct within the underground church.
[Source: Farsi Christian News Network] – April 20th, 2011
NIGERIA: Muslims Target Christians in Riots over Election Results
Muslim protestors went on a murdering rampage throughout northern Nigeria following the presidential elections on Apr. 16, in which the Muslim candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, was defeated by Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian. According to VOM contacts the election was deemed transparent, free, fair and credible. Though the crisis started as a political protest, it rapidly escalated into anti-Christian violence. Numerous churches, Christian businesses, homes and cars were burned and destroyed. Thousands of Christians are now trapped and spread throughout military and security barracks. VOM contacts state they have never seen anything like this in northern Nigeria before. One VOM contact wrote, "The state governorship election [is] still to come. We only pray that things will be under control. We call on brothers and sisters all around the world to pray, for God to take control." – April 27th, 2011
VIETNAM AND LAOS: Soldiers Attack Hmong Christians
Thousands of Viet-Hmong Christians from Dien Bien province who are staging mass protests demanding religious freedom and land reforms have been attacked by Vietnam and Laos security forces. Since last Tuesday dozens have been killed, many more wounded and hundreds are missing. "The government launched an aggressive crackdown on May 3, dispatching military and police units to seal off the region and attacking peaceful protestors," according to a local source. The source emphasized that, "Military units from Laotian provinces of Xieng Khouang, Khammoune and Luang Prabang were sent to the area to arrest all those who try to flee to Laos." Christianity practiced by the Hmong community is seen by authorities and sections of the Vietnamese and Lao society as an American or imperialist "import" into the country and a threat to the communist rule.
[Sources: Independent Catholic News and World Evangelical Alliance - Religious Liberty Commission] – May 11th, 2011
AZERBAIJAN: Worshipers Threatened With Arrest
The government has forbidden three Protestant groups in Gyanja to have worship meetings, according to an Apr. 8 report by Forum 18 News Service. Locals, who spoke anonymously for fear of state reprisals, informed Forum 18 that authorities warned one group, "If they met for worship on the following Sunday or at any future date they will all be arrested." The following Sunday, local and riot police arrived at the church in two buses to stop any worship. Protestants told Forum 18 that church officials reluctantly decided not to hold a Sunday service. "People are now very afraid." Many religious groups have told Forum 18 that registering for legal status is "a torturous process," and complaints to officials about slowness and hostility are dismissed. Ironically, President Ilham Aliev said recently that "freedom of religion and freedom of conscience have been fully established in Azerbaijan." – April 13th, 2011
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