Shops close, security guards flee in Afghan capital; Christians living in “great fear”
Kabul, AfghanistanReuters Kabul’s streets were deserted early on Monday, a day after Taliban insurgents took over the Afghanistan capital without a fight, but the airport was jammed with hundreds of civilians trying to flee. Video posted social media showed hundreds of people scampering with their luggage toward the safety of the airport terminal with the […]
New report highlights escalating violence in Nigeria, calls for greater action
Christian advocacy groups have welcomed a new report by a UK parliamentary group which highlights the escalating violence in Nigeria involving Fulani Muslim herdsmen and predominently Christian farmers The report, released in London on Monday, cites figures showing that thousands of civilians are believed to have been killed in attacks led by Fulani herders and periodic retaliatory […]
More than 600 Christians killed in Islamic extremists attacks in first five months of 2020 – report
More than 600 Christians have been killed in attacks by Fulani herdsmen and Islamic extremist groups in Nigeria in the first four-and-a-half months of this year, according to a report released earlier this month. The report, from the Nigerian-based International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law, found that no fewer than 620 Christians had […]
Call for re-elected UK Government to put religious freedom at “heart” of foreign policy
Persecuted church support ministry Release International has called on re-elected UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to keep a pledge to “make the protection of religious freedom at the very heart of UK foreign policy”. Paul Robinson, CEO of Release, congratulated the Prime Minister on his renewed mandate and urged him to keep a promise – made […]
Removal of Sudan’s al-Bashir a “window of opportunity” to end persecution of Christians, says Release
The ousting of Sudan’s now former President Omar al-Bashir has opened a “window of opportunity” to end persecution in the African nation, according to UK-based persecuted church support organisation Release International. Sudanese demonstrators chant slogans in front of security forces during a protest in Khartoum, Sudan, on Monday, 15th April. PICTURE: REUTERS/Umit Bektas Bashir, who […]
Release International urges re-elected Nigerian President to protect Christians
Persecuted church ministry Release International has urged Nigeria’s re-elected President, Muhammadu Buhari, to protect Christians in his country from the “twin menaces” of terror group Boko Haram and armed Fulani herdsmen. In a statement released as Nigeria’s electoral commission officially declared Buhari the winner of last weekend’s election, Paul Robinson, CEO of Release International, said Boko […]
Rising persecution of Christians expected in 2019 with Nigeria, India and China of “particular concern”, says Release
Christians in Nigeria, India, and China are expected to face increased persecution in the coming year, according to UK-based Release International. The organisation, which supports persecuted Christians and has welcomed a recent move by UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to launch an inquiry into the persecution of Christians around the world, said its partner agencies […]
Release International calls for international community to take action after reports of a renewed offensive against the Kachin people in Myanmar
Release International has called for the international community to act to restrain the military in Myanmar following reports of a renewed offensive against the Christian Kachin people which has displaced thousands of people. In a statement issued on Tuesday, representatives of the UK-based persecuted church support organisation said they fear Christians could face a repeat […]
UK and Irish churches urged to hold outdoor service in solidarity with persecuted
Churches in the UK and Ireland are being urged to hold open-air service later this month to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world. UK-based persecuted church support organisation Release International is challenging churches to take part in the event on 27th May, regardless of the weather, in a bid to identify with […]
Re-elected Egyptian President urged to protect Christians
UK-based persecuted church advocacy Release International is calling on re-elected Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el–Sisi, to make a “clear commitment” to protect Egypt’s persecuted minority and safeguard religious freedom in the country. President Sisi was re-elected last week with a reported 97 per cent of the vote amid concerns of low voter turn-out which reportedly dropped […]