international religious freedom
Forced conversions, marriages spike in Pakistan
By Bob Smietana — June 6, 2019
LAHORE, Pakistan (RNS) — 'The ugly reality of forced conversions is that they are not seen as a crime, much less as a problem that should concern ‘mainstream’ (Muslim) Pakistan,' said Mehdi Hasan, chairperson of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
On Capitol Hill, persecuted Muslims unite to protect religious minorities’ rights
By Aysha Khan — April 2, 2019
(RNS) — More than 125 members of the minority Ahmadi Muslim sect spent the day on Capitol Hill lending their voices on behalf of beleaguered Uighur Muslims.
The Church of Almighty God members detail arrests in China, seek asylum
By Thomas Maresca — March 25, 2019
SEOUL (RNS) — Leaders of the Church of Almighty God, which has been labeled a cult by Chinese officials, say thousands of their fellow worshippers have been arrested over the past year. Some church members have fled to South Korea to seek asylum.
Six-year prison sentence for Jehovah’s Witness in Russia sparks outcry
By Marc Bennetts — February 8, 2019
MOSCOW (RNS) — Dennis Christensen, a 46-year-old carpenter who has lived in Russia for more than two decades, was sentenced on Wednesday.
Asia Bibi free to leave Pakistan after court dismisses challenge to her acquittal
By Bob Smietana — January 29, 2019
LAHORE, Pakistan (RNS) — Bibi, a Christian whose death sentence for blasphemy was overturned last year, will likely leave Pakistan after a court rejected an appeal of her acquittal.
Canadian broadcaster offers to sponsor Christian woman spared death in Pakistan
By John Longhurst — November 6, 2018
TORONTO (RNS) — Asia Bibi has been living in a safe house in Pakistan since being acquitted of blasphemy, unable to leave for fear of her life from Islamist mobs.
Asia Bibi acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan, freed from death row
By Bob Smietana — October 31, 2018
LAHORE, Pakistan (RNS) — Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian mother who faced the death penalty for allegedly blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad, was acquitted after spending years on death row.
North Korean detainee speaks about his ordeal
By Heather Adams — June 5, 2018
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Imprisoned in North Korea for about a year, Kim Hak Song is back in the United States, preaching and giving his testimony to his home church. About his detention, he says he spent most of his time committing the 'crime' that got him arrested: Praying.
What’s behind America’s promotion of religious liberty abroad
By The Conversation — February 1, 2018
(The Conversation) — The United States has, in fact, been promoting religious liberty abroad since its founding, but there has always been disagreement on what exactly it is.
Pope in Bangladesh, continues diplomatic tightrope walk
By Christopher Lamb — November 30, 2017
DHAKA, Bangladesh (RNS) — Bangladesh is the second and final leg of one of the most politically fraught trips of Francis' papacy, where his outspoken concern for refugees has been tempered by sensitivities on the ground.
Pope Francis, diplomatic prophet in Myanmar
By Thomas Reese — November 30, 2017
(RNS) — Pope Francis was faced with a terrible dilemma: Be prophetic and put at risk Christians in Myanmar, or be silent and compromise his moral authority. He chose neither.
Trump to nominate Sam Brownback as religious freedom ambassador
By Yonat Shimron — July 26, 2017
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Brownback's fellow Republicans called the job a good fit for him, and some conservative religious groups had pushed for the appointment.
America is abandoning independent Christians in China
By Chloë Starr — April 21, 2017
(RNS) American Christians who voted in a president who fails to do the minimum to secure religious freedom abroad have some serious soul-searching to do before their sisters and brothers around the world.
First scorecard on international religious freedom rates members of Congress
By Lauren Markoe — February 23, 2017
(RNS) Both Republicans and Democrats should have done much better on the issue, with most scoring lower than an A or B, the report's authors concluded.
US religious freedom report on India rejected as ‘Hinduphobia’
By Bhavya Dore — February 17, 2017
MUMBAI (RNS) The USCIRF report cited India’s anti-conversion laws, cow protection legislation and the treatment of Dalits, or so-called untouchables, as points of concern.
