religious persecution
Turkey’s Erdogan rails at Greece over Muslim minority rights
By Associated Press — July 25, 2022
ISTANBUL (AP) — Erdogan accused Athens of undermining the rights of the Muslim minority in Greece’s Thrace region.
Global summit on religious persecution presents opportunity to fight abuse
By Knox Thames — June 14, 2022
(RNS) — The power of these summits is in bringing together all stakeholders around advancing religious freedom.
Russia is censured for religious freedom violations against Jehovah’s Witnesses
By Kathryn Post — February 23, 2022
(RNS) — Europe's highest human rights court found the country has violated Jehovah’s Witnesses' rights to liberty and freedom of religion.
Eritrean Orthodox patriarch dies after 16 years in detention
By Fredrick Nzwili — February 11, 2022
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Abune Antonios had been in solitary confinement for his resistance to government interference in the church.
Why we’re not watching the Winter Olympics
By David Curry and Sam Brownback — February 9, 2022
(Open Doors) — For those who know where to look, there are telltale signs of a propaganda parade everywhere.
My wife’s grandfather was executed for his Baha’i faith. Iran hasn’t changed enough.
By James Samimi Farr — January 21, 2022
(RNS) — As I watch the grim carousel that is the nuclear talks go round and round again, I think about all that may hinge on them, including, perhaps, the future of Iran’s religious and ethnic minorities.
Russia jails more Jehovah’s Witnesses, prompting calls for ‘strong measures’
By Adelle M. Banks — January 20, 2022
(RNS) — More than 80 Jehovah’s Witnesses are imprisoned in Russia, including some awaiting trial and some detained after being convicted.
Afghanistan tops Open Doors watch list of worst countries for Christians
By Adelle M. Banks — January 19, 2022
(RNS) — Across the globe, Open Doors found that there has been a 24% increase in Christians killed because of their faith.
Nigerian churches, ‘listed for attack,’ need more than security measures
By David Curry — December 14, 2021
(Open Doors) — In Nigeria alone, an average of 10 to 17 Christians are killed for their faith every day.
Kyrgyzstan is expected to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses publications for ‘extremism’
By Kathryn Post — November 30, 2021
(RNS) — The ban would mark the first time that the country has taken an official stance against the religious group.
Russian Jehovah’s Witness sentenced to over four years in prison for his faith
By Jessica Mundie — October 11, 2021
(RNS) — Since April 2020, five men, including Vladimir Skachidub, have been convicted and imprisoned for practicing their faith in Russia’s Krasnodar Territory, where their religion is considered an extremist group.
Three Jehovah’s Witnesses sentenced to six or more years in Russian prison for their faith
By Kathryn Post — July 29, 2021
(RNS) — Since 2017, 14 Jehovah’s Witnesses have been sentenced to six or more years of prison in Russia, where they are considered an extremist group.
Nigerian herders kill 33, burn 4 churches days after kidnapping schoolchildren
By Fredrick Nzwili — July 16, 2021
(RNS) — 'This is religious persecution. We must call it that. I have 1,000 reasons to believe so,' said a local leader.
Qatar’s Baha’i community and the plight of foreign workers
By Baher Seioshansian — July 8, 2021
(RNS) — This subtle erasure of Baha’is from the country contrasts sharply with Qatar’s efforts to promote the image and practice of tolerance.
Survey: White evangelicals most likely to say they’ve been harassed online for their faith
By Roxanne Stone — February 2, 2021
(RNS) — ‘The study shows there are some groups who are more likely to attribute their harassment to their religious beliefs than others,’ according to the Pew report.
