IRAN: Church cross reinstated after global outcry
The cross on top of an Assyrian church building in Tabriz has been reinstated, following international outcry.
CHINA: Persecution timeline of Xunsiding Church
Many house churches are closed down in the coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian Province, including Xunsiding Church.
IRAN: Eight Christian converts arrested; five others summoned to prison
On 1 July, security agents arrested eight Christians in Bushehr, southwest Iran, while on 5 July, five other Christians began serving prison sentences in Karaj.
CHINA: Pastor John Cao’s appeal hearing scheduled for 22 August
On 2 July, the Pu’er Intermediate People’s Court in China’s Yunan province issued a notice stating that Pastor John Cao’s appeal hearing has been scheduled for 22 August 2019.
PAKISTAN: Ambassador says “it is going to take time to change attitudes”
Mr Sardar Shuja Alam (Ambassador of Pakistan) has said he believes that Pakistan’s government cannot immediately reform the country’s blasphemy laws.
ERITREA: Women and children arrested in latest church raids
The crackdown on Christians has continued in June 2019 with another church raid, more arrests of Christians, including five Orthodox priests, and the closure of health centres run by the Catholic Church.
PAKISTAN: Zafar Bhatti’s appeal adjourned for seventh time
On 19 June, the appeal of Zafar Bhatti against the life sentence for blasphemy was adjourned yet again.
IRAQ: Revisiting the girl who forgave Islamic State
Christian satellite television network SAT-7 released a new film featuring Iraqi schoolgirl Miriam, whose message of forgiveness went viral in 2014.
TURKEY: Andrew Brunson says imprisonment “stretched me beyond what I could handle”
Pastor Andrew Brunson and his wife Norine have spoken publicly about the persecution they endured in Turkey, where Andrew was imprisoned for two years on false charges of terrorism and espionage.
ALGERIA: Several churches illegally closed
Christian places of worship continue to be targeted by authorities and churches are closed despite having applied for permits.
CHINA: Tiananmen Square – thirty years on
Thirty years ago, the Chinese army crushed a pro-democracy demonstration in Tiananmen Square, following which the government began to crack down on the growing church.
INDIA: Prime Minister Modi seeks to win trust of minorities
However, he maintained that the minorities had been living in “imaginary fear”.
IRAN: Assyrian Church closed down
A 100-year-old Assyrian church in the northwestern city of Tabriz was closed down and had its cross forcibly removed by government officers.
ERITREA: “Release the Prisoners of Conscience”
The annual protest vigil in support of religious freedom was held outside the Eritrean Embassy in London.
ERITREA: Mass arrest of 141 Christians
The arrests of men, women and children took place in a private courtyard in the capital city, Asmara.
PAKISTAN: Asia Bibi’s lawyer takes up case of Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel
Asia Bibi’s lawyer Saiful Malook has taken up the case of Pakistani Christian couple Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel, sentenced to death for blasphemy in April 2014.
BURKINA FASO: Sixteen killed in series of attacks on Christians
Islamist terrorists have killed sixteen Christians in three attacks in Burkina Faso during a two-week period.
PAKISTAN: Asia Bibi free at last
Asia Bibi and her husband, Ashiq Masih have arrived in Canada after finally being allowed to leave Pakistan
INDONESIA: Abraham Ben Moses released from prison
Abraham Ben Moses was released from prison in late April, on probation.
EGYPT: Easter church closures
Egyptian police have closed churches in Qalyubiya and Sohag governorates following violent protests by Muslim mobs.