Report says China in violation of UN Genocide Convention, has perpetrated genocide against Uyghurs
A recently released report declares that China has violated the United Nations’ Genocide Convention and perpetrated genocide against the Uyghurs.
Human Rights
Rights groups: Iran uses internet shutdowns to hide human rights violations
Rights groups have said Iran appears to be using internet shutdowns to hide government violations of human rights – and even extra-judicial killings, the Times of Israel reports.
Hungary’s Ruling Party Leaves Largest European Group Amid Tensions
The ruling Fidesz party of Hungary’s outspoken Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has left the largest center-right political group within the European Parliament after tensions over his perceived autocratic style.
Eritrea releases Christian prisoners but is accused of attacking churches
Eritrea has released a further 21 Christian prisoners, but Eritrean forces are accused of attacking churches in neighboring Ethiopia, Christian Today reported Tuesday. Despite these accusations, rights advocates believe the Eritrean release of Christian prisoners may constitute an effort to seek favor with Ethiopia’s Protestant prime minister: Eritrea has freed a total of 171 Christian prisoners since August last year.
Gunmen abduct 317 schoolgirls in Nigeria in wave of mass abductions; “Hoping on Divine intervention”
Armed terrorists abducted 317 girls from a boarding school in Nigeria’s Kagara state Friday, the Christian Post reports. The mass kidnapping was the second such attack in the state in two weeks, and the latest case in a wave of Nigerian terrorist kidnappings for ransom.
‘6,500 Migrant Workers Die In Qatar For World Cup’
More than 6,500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have reportedly died in Qatar since it won the right to host soccer’s 2022 World Cup, fueling calls to boycott the event.
Amnesty International: Mass executions in Tigray may constitute crimes against humanity
Amnesty International has stated that the massacre of a large number of civilians in the historical city of Axum in Ethiopia’s Tigray region last year may constitute crimes against humanity, Sky News reports. It is understood that on November 28, 2020, hundreds of people, including children, were systematically executed by Eritrean forces fighting with the Ethiopian government against the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF).
Dutch parliament: China’s treatment of Uighurs is “Genocide”
Holland’s parliament passed a non-binding motion Thursday stating that China’s treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority amounts to genocide, Reuters reports. Although Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s conservative VVD party voted against the resolution, Holland’s parliament is the second after Canada’s to pass such a motion.
Eighteen Killed In Myanmar’s Bloodiest Protests Since Coup
Security forced fired on anti-coup demonstrators in Myanmar, killing at least 18 people, the United Nations and other observers said Sunday.
Italy’s ambassador to DR Congo killed in attack on UN convoy
Italy’s ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo was shot and killed Monday when his UN convoy was ambushed by militants as it traveled close to the borders of Rwanda and Uganda, Sky News reports.
Canada lawmakers: China is committing “Genocide” against Uighur Muslims
Canada’s House of Commons has passed a non-binding motion declaring that China is committing “Genocide” in its treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority community in Xinjiang, DW reports. The motion was introduced by opposition conservative lawmakers on Monday and passed by 266-0 votes; Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau abstained, as did his cabinet.
World Council of Churches leader threatens Israel and supporters; says blood with be sought for brutalized Palestinians
In a scathing attack on Israel and its supporters, Rev. Frank Chikane, a leader of the World Council of Churches (WCC) told activists on a zoom call this month that “blood will be sought” from people who “support Israel to brutalize Palestinians,” Algemeiner reports. The list of participants to the February 6 call included highly influential activists such as Naim Ateek, founder of Sabeel, anti-Zionist authors Gary Burge and Don Wagner, Brian Grieves formerly a staffer with the Episcopal Church and Tom Getman, formerly of World Vision.
Pakistan: Persecution against Christians included murder and forced marriage in second half of 2020
Murder and forced marriage are included in at least 38 documented incidents of persecution against Pakistan’s Christian population in the second half of 2020, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Leading Rights Activist Faith McDonell Advocacy Director At GKI Global Amid Massive Persecution (Worthy News Focus)
Leading Christian rights activist, broadcaster, and author Faith McDonnell, has become director of advocacy at the U.S.-based Katartismos Global (KGI Global) charity. The group says it “exists to equip the Church for mission and ministry” by supporting persecuted Christians and other believers in need.
Russian Appeals Court Jails Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny
Russia’s prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny lost an appeal against his jailing Saturday but said he believes God will help him face challenges. Hours later, he was also convicted in a defamation case.
Malaysia: Abducted Pastor now missing for four years: “Please pray for justice”
A pastor who was abducted by Malaysia state police on February 13, 2017, has not been seen or heard of since, Open Doors UK reports. The fourth anniversary of the abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh has just passed and his family still has no answers as to why he was kidnapped or what has happened to him.
Conservative group warns of UN effort to create list of ‘LGBT hate groups’
A conservative group is warning that the United Nations is preparing to compile a list of “LGBT hate groups” that could be used as a “blacklist” to punish groups and organizations that subscribe to traditional beliefs about gender and sexuality.
Europe’s Top Court Asked To Condemn Turkey’s Deportation Of Pastor
Europe’s top rights court has been asked to support a Canadian-American pastor who was reportedly deported from Turkey after 19 years for evangelism.
Israel Reportedly Strikes Syria, Killing 6 Iranian-Backed Fighters
Israel fired several missiles near the Syrian capital of Damascus early Monday morning, Syrian state media reported.
France: Proposed law against Islamic extremism may backfire on Christians
Evangelicals in France are concerned a proposed law designed to end Muslim separatism and curtail Islamic extremism could end up infringing on Christians’ right to freedom of worship as well, Christianity Today reports.