Burkina Faso becomes hotbed of Islamist attacks on Christianity
Islamic radicals have killed 250 mostly Christian people in Burkina Faso since last April, a new report by Human Rights Watch gathered.
Human Rights
Open Doors: China ‘nearly single-handedly responsible’ for all church closures in 2019
Attacks on churches exploded in China in 2019, according to a new Open Doors USA report, increasing from 171 in 2018 to 5,576 in 2019, as the Chinese government attempts to ‘Sinicize’ faith.
Surge of IS Violence Seen in Syria
Islamic State militants have increased their terror activity in recent weeks in Syria, carrying out deadly attacks against Syrian regime troops and U.S.-backed forces.
Facing backlash, Israel says it’ll allow Christian Gazans to go to Jerusalem
Israel will grant permits to Christian Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to visit Jerusalem and the West Bank during Christmas ‘in accordance with security assessments,’ the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, a Defense Ministry body responsible for liaising with the Palestinians, said on Sunday.
Federal judge blocks billions in Pentagon funding from paying for border wall
A federal judge has blocked President Trump from diverting Pentagon funds from various military projects toward building a wall on the United States’ southern border.
Trump gestures strong support to Hong Kong protestors
President Trump gave his support to Hong Kong protestors Wednesday, signing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act into law.
Anti-China bill supporting Hong Kong protestors passes in US Senate
The US Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday condemning China’s interference in Hong Kong affairs.
Freedom of religion or belief ‘continues to be a priority’ for the UK
The Government has told the United Nations that freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) ‘continues to be a priority for the United Kingdom’.
US House Lawmakers Rebuke Turkey for Syria Invasion
The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation on Tuesday sanctioning Turkey in a move aimed at reasserting congressional oversight of U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy.
Democratic hopeful Sanders urges giving chunk of US military aid to Gaza instead
Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders said Monday that part of the $3.8 billion in annual US military assistance to Israel should instead go toward humanitarian relief in Gaza.
UN expert calls for ban on Israeli products from settlements
The U.N. independent expert on human rights in the Palestinian territories called Wednesday for an international ban on all products made in Israeli settlements as a step to potentially end Israel’s 52-year ‘illegal occupation.’
Northern Ireland to legalize abortion, same-sex marriage
Northern Ireland is on track to legalize abortion and same-sex marriage after the historically conservative country failed to form a government body by Oct. 21, bringing it in line with the rest of the United Kingdom.
India, Pakistan trade fire over Kashmir
India and Pakistan exchanged fire across the de facto border of the disputed Kashmir region while blaming the other for instigating the shelling that killed at least nine people.
Venezuela Wins Seat on U.N. Rights Council Despite U.S. Opposition
Venezuela was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Thursday with 105 votes and a round of applause, despite fierce lobbying against it by the United States and rights groups, and the late entry of Costa Rica as competition.
US Congress Supports Hong Kong Protesters, Passes Pro-Democracy Bill
The US House of Representatives has passed the bill that pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong believe would defend their freedom and basic human rights. Although it still has to gain approval from the Senate before becoming law, protesters consider this a big step forward in their fight for democracy.
Congress hears testimonies about situation of Christians in India
Human rights groups and groups that monitor persecution worldwide presented statistics to congress Wednesday testifying to the deterioration of the situation for Christians in India.
New allegations that Assad is behind attacks on Christians undercuts ‘protector’ narrative
Despite public domestic Christian support for Syrian President Bashar Assad, some members of minority Christian groups argue he manipulates and threatens them.
Israel ambassador to UN: New report on antisemitism reflects “change in the UN attitude toward Israel”
The UN released a report Monday showing a growing trend of antisemitism around the world, and among people of sundry political persuasions.
‘Unprecedented’ UN Report Condemns Alarming Rise of Anti-Semitism
The United Nations released an interim report Monday detailing the alarming rise of anti-Semitism among people from a range of political and religious backgrounds.
Syria Ups Military Presence Along Israeli Border
The Syrian army sent military reinforcements consisting of tanks, vehicles, soldiers, ammunition, and weapons to the towns of Jamlah and Aabdyn near the Syrian border with the Israeli Golan Heights for unknown reasons, reported the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) on Saturday.