Tag: UN

What would Sharia mean for non-Muslims in Brunei?

May 1, 2014 Brunei Brunei, Hijab, Human rights, Sharia, Southeast Asia, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, UN

The Sultan of Brunei has announced a controversial new law based on Islamic criminal punishments criticised by UN human rights officials and other human rights groups. “I place my faith in and am grateful to God the Almighty to announce that Thursday May 1, 2014, will see the enforcement of . . . Read More

Easter killings in CAR

April 24, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bossangoa, Central African Republic, Paoua, Seleka, UN

On April 8 radical Muslims set fire to the Baptist Church in Dombia, CAR. The chapel that can hold about 1,000 members was still burning the next day.World Watch Monitor For many Christians in the Central African Republic, Easter was synonymous with tragedy, adding to their already difficult circumstances. . . . Read More

Sharia postponed in Brunei

April 23, 2014 Brunei Brunei, Islamic extremism, Prophet Muhammad, Sharia, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, UN

Brunei’s all-powerful Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has postponed the introduction of tough Islamic criminal punishments that were due to begin on April 22. Brunei said in October that it would introduce Islamic law (Sharia) punishments including flogging, death by stoning and the severing of limbs for theft. No new date was given . . . Read More

Christianity and genocide?

April 20, 2014 Global News -- No Particular Country Angela Merkel, David Cameron, Genocide, Islamic extremism, Lord Alton, Shahbaz Bhatti, Syria, UN

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 . . . Read More

Seleka releases Bossangoa Catholics

April 17, 2014 Central African Republic Bossangoa, Central African Republic, Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Seleka, UN

The Archbishop of Bossangoa and three priests were released within 24 hours of being kidnapped by Seleka rebels in the Northern town of the Central African Republic. “I spoke to him and he told me he is well”, said the Archbishop of Bangui, Dieudonné Nzapalainga, adding that they are now . . . Read More

North Korea’s torture, starvation and killings

March 26, 2014 North Korea China, North Korea, South Korea, Torture, UN

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva has debated a report which accuses North Korea of systematic torture, starvation and killings comparable with Nazi-era atrocities. Their findings were based on testimony from hundreds of victims, defectors and witnesses. The report called for the closure of political prison camps and for . . . Read More

Global leaders emphasise continuing CAR chaos is ‘not about religion’

March 18, 2014 Central African Republic Catherine Samba-Panza, UN

L to R: Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga; Imam Omar Kobine Layama; Rev. Nicolas Guérékoyamé Gbangou; UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a photo taken March 13 at the United Nations in New York.UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe The three top religious leaders of the Central African Republic have once again travelled to the United . . . Read More

CAR clerics plead for ceasefire

February 28, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bangui, Catherine Samba-Panza, Central African Republic, Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Michel Djotodia, Nicolas Guérékoyamé-Gbangou, Oumar Kobine Layama, Refugees, Seleka, UN

Two of the most senior religious leaders in the Central African Republic have issued a joint plea for a truce between retreating militant rebels and vigilantes who have been taking their revenge. “May all the brothers carrying weapons hand over their arms,” said the Catholic Archbishop of Bangui, Msgr. Dieudonné . . . Read More

CAR Church leaders call again for aid

February 18, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Catherine Samba-Panza, Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Michel Djotodia, Nicolas Guérékoyamé-Gbangou, Oumar Kobine Layama, Seleka, UN

More than 1 million people have been displaced and nearly 2 million require urgent humanitarian assistance, according to aid organisations.UNHCR, S. Phelps / Flickr / Creative Commons Church leaders in the Central African Republic have reiterated their opposition to the ongoing violence in the country and demanded more troops on . . . Read More

Freedom of religion an issue ‘whose time has come’

February 13, 2014 Global News -- No Particular Country Arab Spring, Barack Obama, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Europe, India, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Middle East, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Religious freedom, Saudi Arabia, Sharia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, UN, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

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 . . . Read More

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