Iran: eleven Christians await verdict following rushed trial
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has learned that eleven members of the Church of Iran who are facing charges of 'activities against the Order' and drinking alcohol were suddenly brought before the Revolutionary Tribunal in the Iranian city of Bandar-Anzali on Sunday 1 May. .
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Burma: petition calling for UN commission of inquiry delivered to British foreign office
A petition with 5,323 signatures calling for a UN Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity in Burma and organized by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and Partners Relief and Development, was delivered to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) today.
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Some wary of black-listing Egypt for rights violations
Placing Egypt on a U.S. State Department list that penalizes countries for their lack of religious freedom would be a mistake, according to some Egyptian human rights activists and Christian leaders.
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Christians across Syria under attack by anti-government protesters
Christian communities across Syria have been attacked by anti-government protesters in recent weeks.
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Protestant pastors detained and interrogated in Cuba
Three protestant pastors were detained and questioned by Cuban security agents in Camaguey over the past weekend. The pastors are all affiliated with the Apostolic Movement, a network of churches that has come under heavy pressure from the Cuban government over the past few years.
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Nigerian church leaders call for probe into election violence
Christian leaders have called for an investigation into political violence that targeted churches and Christian homes, with at least one clergyman saying yesterday that Islamic attacks following the election of a Christian president were premeditated.
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Rioting Muslims damage church, properties in Pakistan
Hundreds of Muslims in Gujranwala on Saturday (April 30) attacked Christians' homes, a school and a Presbyterian church building after learning that police had released two Christians accused of "blasphemy" – amid reports of another alleged desecration of the Quran.
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Survey of Christians in India sets off alarm bells
An attempt by police in India's Madhya Pradesh to survey the state's Christian minority came to light this month and left church leaders calling for a federal investigation into alleged religious profiling.
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Iranian Christians to stand trial for "activities against the order"
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has learnt that eleven members of the Church of Iran are to stand trial in the Revolutionary Tribunal of Bandar-Anzali for "activities against the Order", and for drinking alcohol. The charges relate to their involvement in a house church, and to taking communion wine.
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Church building in Egypt reconstructed in time for Easter
Fewer than 40 days after a mob of Muslim villagers in Egypt left a church's building in ruins, the congregation celebrated Easter on Sunday (April 24) in a reconstructed building at the same site.
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Charges fabricated against six Christians in Bangladesh
A judge has dismissed a case against volunteer health care workers northwest of Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka who were charged in March with "hurting religious feelings" after area Muslims objected to distribution of Christian literature at a health camp.
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Hindu extremists in India beat pastor unconscious
Hindu extremists beat a pastor and evangelist unconscious in front of his sons earlier this month in Madhya Pradesh state.