PAKISTAN: Parliament votes to extend blasphemy laws
Increased penalties for for insulting the Prophet Mohammed’s companions, wives and family members
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Church bombing leaves at least 17 dead
Attack happened while baptism service in progress
PAKISTAN: A long wait for justice
For almost eighteen months Shagufta Kiran has been waiting for trial in Central Jail Rawalpindi under Pakistan’s blasphemy law.
NIGERIA: Over forty Christians killed, 53 kidnapped in December attacks in Kaduna state
Militant Fulani herdsmen and other armed attackers in Kaduna state killed more than forty Christians and kidnapped 53 others between 18 and 25 December
INDIA: More attacks in Chhattisgarh
An angry mob attacked a Roman Catholic church in Narayanpur district on 2 January
UGANDA: Pastor sprayed with acid
A pastor has lost nearly all his vision after Muslim extremists sprayed him with acid
INDIA: 66 Christians expelled from tribal village
The families were expelled from their home village in rural Chhattisgarh after refusing to deny their Christian faith
CHINA: Elder Qin Defu released from prison
Elder Qin Defu of Early Rain Covenant Church has been released from prison after completing his four-year prison sentence
UGANDA: Christians suffer beatings in several attacks
More Christians were attacked in November by Muslims, incited by local mosque leaders who were angered by recent conversions from Islam to Christianity.
INDIA: Nine pastors jailed on false charges of conversion activities
Nine pastors have been arrested and jailed on false charges of conversion activities in Uttar Pradesh state
SUDAN: Pastor arrested after praying for healing
A Sudanese pastor has been arrested and jailed after leading a prayer meeting for his sick mother
EGYPT: 125 more church buildings approved
An Egyptian cabinet committee has legalised a new batch of 125 church buildings
PAKISTAN: Christian families receive flood relief aid
Over 650 Christian families have benefitted from a major flood relief aid distribution programme
CHINA: Local government shuts down Linfen Covenant Church
Linfen Covenant Church and the school it runs have been shut down for “unauthorised activities”
LAOS: Preacher kidnapped, beaten and killed
The body of a preacher who had been missing for three days was found badly beaten near his home village
QATAR: What is life like for Christians?
An estimated 400,000 Christians live in Qatar – the overwhelming majority of whom are expatriates
ERITREA: Four clerics from permitted denominations detained
Rights groups are calling for the release of four clerics detained by the Eritrean authorities despite belonging to permitted denominations
CHINA: Fourth leader of Linfen Covenant Church detained since family camp raided in August
On 1 November police detained Wang Qiang of Linfen Covenant Church, making him the fourth leader of the church now in detention
CHINA: Early Rain’s Elder Li harassed for leading “5 pm in China” prayer meeting
National security officers have prevented Elder Li Yingqiang of Early Rain Covenant Church from organising or attending the daily online “5 pm in China” prayer meeting
SUDAN: Baptist couple may face flogging for “adultery”
A Baptist couple from Gezira state could face flogging after being charged with “adultery”