Read Violations of Religious Freedom Widespread in Uzbekistan, by International Christian Concern, at persecution.org.
 




"Uzbekistan officials continue to persecute Christians for possession of Bibles and other religious paraphernalia. Four Baptists were stopped at customs while traveling into Uzbekistan for their Bibles, Baptist magazines, calendars, DVDs, etc. They were fined somewhere between 5 to 10 times their monthly salary. An elderly woman with Parkinson’s disease had her house raided by officials claiming they were performing an “anti-terror cleansing”. Not only did they tear her house apart but they fined her 10 times a monthly salary for her possession of a Bible.  Christians are not a threat to the Uzbekistan government, this persecution is ultimately counterproductive."

Read 48,000:0 Afghanistan’s Mosque-to-Church Ratio as of June 2013, by Frontline Missions International, at persecution.org.





"The Afghanistan population is 31 million people with less than 5,000 indigenous Christians. There are 48,000 mosques and zero churches in this country! If a Muslim chooses to convert to Christianity and believe in God they have what is called an “honor-killing”. This is when the new believer’s family kills them before the government finds out that they have converted, otherwise they would be harshly imprisoned and potentially executed. The reason nobody is converting to Christianity is fear of their own lives being taken away."

Read Thousands Flee as Islamic Militants Threaten Bloodbath in Nigeria, by Christians in Crisis, at persecution.org.




"Boko Haram is it at again in Nigeria with continued threats to kill Christians. They claim that their attacks are an act of revenge against the Nigerian military because they destroyed the Islamist’s bases. The group has not only attacked churches but they are now attacking schools, having killed 16 high school students. They have killed at least two students in recent days and there appears to be no signs of stopping. Due to fear of death, thousands of Nigerians are fleeing their nation in efforts to stay alive."

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241 
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Media Contact:  Aidan Clay, Regional Manager for the Middle Eastclay@persecution.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christians To Join Millions of Egyptians In Sunday's Street Protests Calling on Islamist President Morsi to Resign

6/28/2013
Washington D.C.
International Christian Concern

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Egypt's Christian communities are planning to join in Sunday's (June 30th) street protest against President Mohammed Morsi. The demonstrations are expected to be massive- the largest since the protests which brought down Mubarak's regime. Protestors cite the trampling of human rights, economic mismanagement, the inability of the Morsi-led government to maintain law and order, and Morsi's increasingly apparent desire to morph Egypt into an Islamist State.  

June 30 marks the one-year anniversary of President Mohammed Morsi. The opposition to Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood (MB) is coming from all segments of society, including liberal secularists, moderate Muslims, and Christians. "Lots of people from all walks of life are going to protest, demanding the government of Morsi and his brotherhood to step aside," Hal Meawad, a spokesman for Coptic Solidarity and human rights defender told ICC. 

One of the organizers of this protest, the opposition movement "Tamarod" or "Rebel," claims to have collected more than 15 million signatures calling for Morsi's resignation and new elections. The amount of signers on the petition are more votes than Morsi received in the 2012 presidential election, Reuters reports. The protests "represent the majority of Egyptians, not just Copts," Meawad told ICC. "He is not the president of the majority, he was only voted in by 14% of Egyptians."

Many Egyptians fear Morsi will attempt to crush the protests using MB/Salfist thugs. If that doesn't work, he has threatened to use the military. "You should be expecting a civil war. They (the MB) are already gathering their people to stop us by force," an ICC contact in Cairo said on Thursday. The new defense minister and commander of Egypt's army (appointed by Morsi), Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, pushed for the two sides to reach an agreement but said the armed forces remain ready to act "to prevent Egypt from sliding into a dark tunnel of conflict."

The economic collapse under the Morsi government, the growing Islamization of the country, and the abuses of human rights are at the center of the protests. "The country is suffering in every area of life, unemployment is sky-rocketing. There is no security. The country is suffering from a total breakdown of law and order," said Meawad. 

Despite pressure from Morsi to keep Christians from joining, many are planning to participate in the protests as they have been especially abused during Morsi's year in office. "Christians were struggling under Mubarak; but there is a huge difference between Mubarak rule and Brotherhood rule. Morsi and the Brotherhood want to establish an Islamic state in Egypt. Their mission is to totally eliminate Christianity from Egypt. Now we have active persecution. We have the government actively participating in the persecution," Meawad told ICC.

Aidan Clay, ICC Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, "The situation for all Egyptians has worsened in the year since Mohammed Morsi took office. Rather than pursuing a path to bring together all aspects of Egyptian society in the spirit of the 2011 protests, he has chosen to promote an Islamist agenda which has alienated large segments of the population, pushed the country to the brink of economic collapse, and contributed to a culture of violence and abuse. Egypt's Christian community has become the target of persecution, both through the government itself, as well as increased social hostilities. As Egyptians take to the street to protest the abuse of their rights, ICC hopes the clash will not produce violence and disorder but will return the Egyptian society to a path that promotes the dignity and fundamental rights of all of its citizens." 

For interviews, contact ICC's president, at 800-422-5441.

# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church.  For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

International Christian Concern

2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241 
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: icc@persecution.org
 
Media Contact: William Stark, Regional Manager for Africa RM-AfricaAsia@persecution.org
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Muslim Officials Attempt to Charge Ethiopian Evangelist with Terrorism and Treason   
 
 6/26/2013 Washington D.C.
International Christian Concern

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Ethiopian officials have arbitrarily detained and arrested a Christian evangelist under charges of terrorism and treason in response to his Christian faith and activities. The evangelist was initially arrested in late March of this year in Dodola, a city located 180 miles south of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

Alemayehu Legese, an Ethiopian evangelist, was arrested by local police after having admitted to owning literature that "discussed the history of Islam from a Christian perspective." Legese, a student at Dodola Mekane Yesus Bible School, had dropped the literature off at a copy shop. A Muslim employee subsequently contacted authorities to demand Legese face consequences for violating the widespread cultural belief that Christians, being inferior citizens, are morally insufficient to learn the history of Islam.

In addition, Legese was known for his outwardly evangelistic nature. It is believed that because of this, as well as the fact that he coordinated faith-based activities for youths at his local church, Legese was made a target for arrest and ultimately arbitrarily detained

In court, Legese's lawyer objected to the charges of both terrorism and treason, and as a result, the court ordered public prosecutors to modify their charges against Legese. The prosecution has yet to do so. Until the prosecution submits new charges against Legese, he will continue to sit in jail, awaiting charges that may take years to be submitted.

"I think the evangelist is arrested to discourage other Christians from teaching [the gospel] in the area... All the government officials in the area are Muslims and this has created a big problem [for the Christians]," said a Christian legal expert who asked to remain anonymous.

ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, William Stark, says, "We are concerned about the growing persecution of believers in the Muslim-dominated areas of Ethiopia. The fact that the public prosecutor charged Legese with terrorism and treason is an alarming development, as it indicates the manner in which Islamic radicals have infiltrated the justice system in the country. We ask all concerned to contact the Ethiopian Embassy, either by phone at (202) 364-1200 or email at ethiopia@ethiopianembassy.org, to demand immediate freedom for Legese."

For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for Africa: RM-AfricaAsia@persecution.org

# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church.  For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

Last weekend marked the one-year anniversary since Pastor Saeed left home in the United States for Iran.  It's been one year since he has seen his wife and two young children.

Birthdays, holidays, and family memories missed.

A year ago he said goodbye to his kids to provide a better home for kids in Iran, to build an orphanage.  Now he is imprisoned because of his faith – facing never-ending abuse and torture.

As his wife Naghmeh said, "It has been a difficult and emotional year," but continued, "I would have never thought … how the Lord would use it to draw Saeed and I closer to Him and to use this situation for His Glory."

Do not let Pastor Saeed be forgotten.  Share his story with everyone you know.

Forward this message, tell your church, and urge your friends to sign the petition for his freedom at SaveSaeed.org.

Jordan Sekulow
ACLJ Executive Director

Read Somalia: Islamic Extremists Publicly Kill Young Christian Man, by Mission Network, News at Religion Today.









NAIROBI, Kenya
Morning Star News

Islamic extremists from the rebel group al Shabaab in Somalia earlier this month publicly shot a young man to death after identifying him as a Christian, sources said.
 
"The insurgents in Jamaame district in southern Somalia had been monitoring 28-year-old Hassan Hurshe since his arrival from a Kenya in 2010 and determined that he had become a Christian while in Kenya, said area Muslim sources whose names are withheld for security reasons."

"Al Shabaab members on June 7 brought Hurshe to a public place in the town of Jilib and shot him in the head, they said."

China Still Persecuting Christians, Just Better at Hiding It 

Ryan Morgan, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia

6/24/2013 China
International Christian Concern

Two weeks ago, the New York Times published details of a fascinating interview with Mr. Zhang, the claimed author of a note written in English and allegedly smuggled out of the Masanjia labor camp while he was imprisoned there. The letter was discovered by a woman in Oregon who found it stashed in a box of Halloween decorations that were packaged at the labor camp. The letter revealed that conditions in the camp were "a living hell" and that about half the camp's occupants were either Falun Gong practitioners or members of underground house churches.

In late 2012, China Aid, a human rights organization dedicated to assisting Chinese Christians who face abuses of religious freedom, published a report citing an increase of 131.8 percent in the number of Christians imprisoned by the Chinese government over the course of 2012. The report was alarming and controversial, but recent research conducted on the ground by International Christian Concern (ICC) has confirmed that Christians still face arrest and imprisonment in large numbers despite the overall impression that China has curtailed repression of religious minorities in recent years.

One eyewitness sentenced to a re-education through labor camp in Shangqui, Henan Province, told ICC late last month that she estimates at least 50 to 60 Christians spent time in her camp over the course of her two-year sentence. She said many were arrested repeatedly for refusing to stop attending house churches which remain technically illegal in China. The only legal option for Protestants is to attend an officially registered "Three-Self church." However, millions of Chinese Christians refuse to join these churches due to the high level of control exerted by the Communist Party over everything - from what is preached to who is allowed to preach it.

Also alarming is the length to which Chinese officials are willing to go in order to keep the repression of religious groups confidential. Many Chinese religious leaders told ICC that the number of violent incidents, such as beatings or torture while under arrest, have decreased dramatically in recent years while at the same time the level of control exerted over these groups has increased exponentially. One pastor relayed how officials in his hometown "knew everything about him" and were constantly tracking meeting locations, times, and number of people in attendance. They would often invite him to "have tea" and apply subtle pressure for his congregation to join with the local Three-Self church.

This heightened level of observation should not be surprising. Starting in 2010, China began spending a greater share of its gross domestic product on internal security to police its own population than on its substantial military. One source cautioned an ICC representative that they should assume that all communications - cell phone, e-mail, and even web addresses visited - would be monitored and recorded while visiting China. If at any time the work of a foreigner becomes too prominent or threatened, they would be "deported without delay." The requirement for users of hotel internet to input their passport number before being able to browse was the first indication to this author that China's internal security apparatus remains alive and well. 
  
The bright side to all of this is that it appears that international pressure has in some ways had a great effect on China's overall treatment of religious minorities. Incidents that would spark an international outcry, such as handing down a long prison sentence to a major house church leader, are frowned upon by Beijing, even if publicly the country's leaders deny any wrongdoing to the rest of the world. For the millions of Christians living in Beijing, Shanghai, and other major cities, this is good news.

Unfortunately for the millions more living in more rural or suburban areas of China, there is little hope of assistance. Stifling restrictions placed on both the Chinese press and foreign journalists make it extremely difficult to collect first-hand reports of recent arrests on the basis of religious belief. The information we do have, though, suggests that it is far too soon to announce the dawn of anything like true religious freedom in the People's Republic of China. For hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens, that day remains hidden in an uncertain and, if the Communist Party has its way, highly controlled future. 

For interviews, contact Ryan Morgan, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia: RM-SEAsia@persecution.org

# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington, D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church.  For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
 
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: icc@persecution.org

~~~~~~~~~~

Read Smuggled Letter Reveals Christians Remain Imprisoned in Northeastern China Labor Camp, by Assist News, at persecution.org.

"In Northeastern China, a brave prisoner in the Masanjia Labor Camp smuggled out a letter describing the brutal conditions of the camp and sought help from the outside. The writer of this letter wrote that about half of the people imprisoned in the camp are Christians from underground Churches, or members of the Falun Gong movement. The prisoners undergo great suffering, such as being dragged around by the hair, shocked with electric batons, or having ones limbs tied to beds and then having the beds kicked farther and farther apart. Police reportedly will "find reasons to arrest people because the labor camp will pay them for prisoners.""

Read Africa’s North Korea and the Most Repressive Nation on Earth, this is Eritrea, by Worthy News, at persecution.org.




"Isaias Afewerki has been given a title of an "unhinged dictator" in a diplomatic cable in 2009. Eritrea is known as one of the most "repressive" nations on earth due to the extreme human rights violations frequently carried out, especially in Eritrea's prisons. As many as 3,000 Christians are believed to be held in these prisons without trial or charge. Many prisoners are locked up in shipping containers in extremely hot conditions in the desert, and are sometimes even left there for days, with hands and feet bound, in the helicopter position."