The cause of Christians striving to practise their faith without fear or pressure often advances and retreats in countries outside those where Christians directly live under the most oppression. In London, New York, Strasbourg, Washington, and other centres of deliberation, important developments happen concerning Christians and religious freedom more broadly. This is the page where we consolidate news with an international scope.
Mid East Christians on UN Security Council agenda?
France, whose turn it is to preside over the next UN Security Council meeting on March 27th, says that it plans to discuss the situation of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East. The French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, told a news conference in Rabat, Morocco on 9 March that […]
Launch of new commission to address persecution
Asia Bibi’s case was just one of those highlighted by today’s launch in London of the Religious Liberty Commission to address the persecution of Christians around the world. The commission, which is made up of Open Doors, Release International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and the Evangelical Alliance will allow those working on […]
2014: A year of rising hostility toward Christians
While the world’s eyes were riveted to Syria and Iraq in 2014, life for Christians worsened even more profoundly in Africa, according to an annual report on religious freedom. The situation deteriorated most rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa, in countries where Islamic extremism is the main source of pressure upon Christians, […]
Jihad not a war against Christians?
Christians are certainly under pressure in parts of the Middle East, but it must be emphasised that many more Muslims are killed as a result of jhadist violence, said a spokesman for a new BBC study on deaths attributed to Al-Qaeda and offshoot groups. Asked by presenter Justin Webb on […]
‘Freedom of Religion’: comprehensive report launch
A report showing that religious freedom is compromised in nearly 60 percent of countries worldwide is expected to send a signal to governments and religious leaders that this is an issue that can no longer be ignored. The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need’s Religious Freedom in […]
Gender equality suffers under faith restrictions
The rights of women and girls declines rapidly, the greater a country’s level of religious intolerance, a new study claims. The study is by the Religious Freedom and Business Association, run by Brian Grim, former Pew Research Centre Religion expert. He analysed data from Pew’s Government Restrictions on Religion Index […]
What’s the threat of Islamic State to the Church worldwide?
While Islamic State is wreaking havoc in Iraq and Syria, its ambitions do not stop there. Moreover, several world leaders are saying it is one of the biggest threats they are facing. But exactly how does Islamic State fit into the global picture of Christians under pressure for their faith […]
Tony Blair calls for focus on radical Islam
Former UK Prime Minister and now Middle East envoy Tony Blair has encouraged Western leaders to focus on the threat of Islamic extremism and to put aside their differences with Russia over Ukraine. In his speech at Bloomberg’s London office Mr Blair called on Western leaders to “elevate the issue […]
Christianity and genocide?
In the lead-up to Easter, UK Prime Minister David Cameron committed his government to fighting the persecution of Christians abroad, saying no group is under more pressure for its faith. Cameron is not alone in making the claim. In February, US Congressman Chris Smith said “The global persecution of Christians […]
Freedom of religion an issue ‘whose time has come’
Freedom of religion and belief is an issue “whose time has come”, the vice chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said yesterday. During the presentation of two reports on religious freedom at the European Parliament in Brussels on Feb. 12, commission Vice Chairwoman Katrina Lantos Swett said […]