Two years after US recognised Uyghur genocide, rights groups warn time is running out
United StatesRNS Two years since then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called China’s repression of the Uyghurs a genocide, rights groups and political leaders continue to demand an end to China’s human rights abuses. “Time is running out,” said Salih Hudayar, prime minister of the East Turkistan Government in Exile and leader of the […]
US Secretary of State says China’s policies on Muslims amount to ‘genocide’; trade clause narrowly defeated in UK
Washington DC, USAP On his way out the door, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lashed out anew at China on Tuesday by declaring that its policies on Muslims and ethnic minorities in the western Xinjiang region constitute “crimes against humanity” and a “genocide”. The rarely used designation is sure to provoke an angry response from […]
Vatican and US join to condemn rising anti-Semitism
Vatican CityRNS With anti-Semitism on the rise globally, the Vatican and the United States partnered at a virtual conference on Thursday to condemn hate crimes and violence against Jews in both Europe and the US and to reaffirm their support of the state of Israel. “In recent years, we have witnessed the spread of a […]
Essay: It’s time to end ‘name and shame’ religious freedom policy
In an article first published on Religion News Service, PETER HENNE, an associate professor at the University of Vermont, says it’s time for the US to adapt a different approach to tackling the issue of religious freedom around the world…
US Secretary of State meets Orthodox spiritual leader in Istanbul
Istanbul/Ankara, TurkeyAP US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with the Istanbul-based spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians on Tuesday during a short trip to Turkey that raised the ire of Turkish officials and included no meetings with any of them. Pompeo, who is on a seven-country tour of Europe and the Middle East, […]
Turkey offended by Pompeo’s plan to discuss religious issues
Ankara, TurkeyAP Turkey took offence at a US statement that said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would promote religious freedom during an upcoming visit to Istanbul and called Wednesday on Washington to focus on racism and hate crimes in the United States instead. The State Department said in a statement Tuesday that Pompeo would travel […]
Vatican, China extend bishop agreement over US opposition
Updated: 8am, 23rd October (AEDT)Vatican CityAP The Vatican and China extended a controversial accord on bishop nominations Thursday over strong opposition from the White House and conservative Catholics given Beijing’s crackdown on religious believers. The Holy See and Beijing government jointly announced a two-year extension to the 2018 agreement, which expired Thursday. Pope Francis waves […]
Pompeo, Vatican talk China after tensions spill out publicly
Rome, ItalyAP The US and the Vatican butted heads over China on Thursday as the Holy See chafed at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s public call to take a harsher stance against Chinese restrictions on religious freedom. The State Department sought to play down the differences, but tensions were palpable during Pompeo’s two-day visit […]
Pompeo urges Vatican to condemn human rights abuses in China
Rome, ItalyAP US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the Vatican on Wednesday to join the US in denouncing violations of religious freedom in China, saying the Catholic Church should be at the forefront in the fight to insist on basic human rights there. Pompeo made the appeal at a conference on religious freedom organised […]
Vatican defends China bishop negotiations on eve of US visit
Rome, ItalyAP The Vatican on Tuesday answered its critics and defended its pursuit of an extended agreement with China on bishop nominations, acknowledging difficulties but insisting the effort had achieved limited, positive results. The Holy See articulated its position on the eve of a visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who this month […]