Imprisoned Iranian pastor on hunger strike over bar on children’s education
Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, currently serving a 10 year prison sentence in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison for “acting against the national interest”, has gone on a hunger strike in protest at his children being prevented from continuing their education. UK-based religious freedom advocacy CSW report that Nadarkhani started the strike on 23rd September, the day his […]
Mexican pastor shot dead outside church, reports CSW
A pastor was fatally shot following a service at his church in south-west Mexico on Sunday. Alfrery Líctor Cruz Canseco was reportedly waiting in his car outside the Fraternidad Cristiana church following the service when he was shot. The shooter attempted to escape but was detained by congregation members and handed over to authorities. The pastor was […]
Christian Solidarity Worldwide calls for release of church members in China
Christian Solidarity Worldwide have called for the release of members of the Early Rain Church in China, describing their continued detention as a “grave violation” of the right to religious freedom. More than 100 members of the church were arrested in December and 11 members were reported as still being in detention in a church […]
Protest to be held a year after Leah Sharibu kidnapped from a Nigerian school
UK-based religious freedom advocacy CSW will lead a protest outside the Nigerian High Commission in London on 19th February, marking a year since schoolgirl Leah Sharibu was abducted from her highschool in Nigeria by terror group Boko Haram. Some 110 girls were taken from the school but while all of her classmates were released the […]
THE INTERVIEW: MERVYN THOMAS, CEO OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ADVOCACY CSW
DAVID ADAMS speaks with Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of UK-based religious freedom advocacy, CSW…
CSW calls for convictions of three Iranian Christians to be overturned
Religious freedom advocacy Christian Solidarity Worldwide has called for the convictions of three Iranian Christians to be overturned after they were found guilty of national security-related crimes last month. Mervyn Thomas, CEO of the UK-based organisation, said the eight year sentences handed down to Suroush Saraie and Eskandar Rezaie – both members of the Church of […]
Outcry after two Kachin pastors sentenced to jail in Myanmar
Two Kachin pastors who guided journalists around a Catholic church after it was allegedly bombed by Myanmar’s military have been jailed in for offences including their alleged support of the Kachin Independence Army. UK-based religious freedom advocacy Christian Solidarity Worldwide said Dumdaw Nawng Lat, 67, and Langjaw Gam Seng, 35, were each sentenced to three years prison on […]
Christian Solidarity Worldwide expresses concern over reports 122 Christians detained in Eritrea in May
Christian Solidarity Worldwide has expressed concern over reports that 122 Christians were detained in Eritrea in May as part of a crackdown on members of unregistered churches, calling it a “clear indication that the severe repression of freedom of religion or belief continues unabated” in the nation. The UK-based religious freedom advocacy says the detentions mark […]
CSW welcomes UN Human Rights Council resolution to establish fact-finding mission in Myanmar
Christian Solidarity Worldwide has welcomed a UN Human Rights Council resolution establishing an independent fact-finding mission to investigate alleged human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Myanmar’s military has been accused of committing extensive human rights violations including the burning of homes, mass rape, torture, extra-judicial executions and the blocking of humanitarian […]
Christian Solidarity Worldwide “extremely disappointed” at UN decision to deny official accreditation
Religious freedom advocacy Christian Solidarity Worldwide has expressed its disappointment at a UN decision to reject the organisation’s application for official accreditation. The UK-based organisation had applied for consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council – which would give it access to key human rights advocacy platforms including the Human Rights Council and […]