Human Rights and Religious Liberty

UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Article 18 "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

Friday, March 12, 2004

AP: Sudan Torn Between War and Peace. Sudan's 21-year civil war has long been seen as a fight between its Muslim north and its animist and Christian south. But the fighting that is wreaking havoc in the Iraq-sized Darfur region of western Sudan shows how much more fractured the country is. [Associated Press headlines via GoUpstate.com]
7:15:09 PM

comments []

SRI LANKA: 146 PLACES OF WORSHIP CLOSED IN LAST 4 MONTHS. [ANS]

1:04:49 PM

comments []

BURMA: Two journalists released at the end of their sentences [RFA]
Journalists and writers Kyaw San (pen name Cho Seint) and Aung Zin Min have been released after seven years and three months in prison, both in a very weakened state. Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association have called for the immediate release of the prominent journalist Win Tin, in prison for 14 years despite his age and his fragile state of health. [more]
12:52:46 PM

comments []

Laos: Give up Jesus or Die. Christians in Laos have been told by a Laos government official that they will be killed if they do not give up their faith or leave their village. [Voice of the Martyrs News]
12:03:27 PM

comments []

Chinese pastor on the run [VOM]

A Chinese house church leader is on the run from Public Security Bureau officers after his church was raided February 9.

Chu Wei, age 40, leads a group of over 50 house churches in China. He and his wife, Yin Yan-ling, 37, were among 12 people arrested when PSB officers raided their church in Huaibei City, Anhui Province. The twelve were held all day and interrogated by police, who did not allow them food or water, or even to use the toilet. Then officers asked the Christians to sign a form renouncing their faith and their attendance at "evil cult" gatherings. Some signed the documents. All twelve people were released later that day. [more]

11:49:55 AM

comments []