Social hostility against religious groups spreading globally, Pew reports
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Hamas attack on Israel and rioting against Ahmadi Muslims in Bangladesh were among rising social hostilities targeting religious groups globally in 2023, Pew Research Center said in releasing its latest numbers in the trend, while Russia’s war on Ukraine elevated such incidents in Europe.
Christians in India denied clean water, jobs, food in ongoing religious persecution
CHHATTISGARH, India (BP) – Hundreds of Christians in central India have been denied clean water, fresh produce and employment for nearly a month in unsuccessful attempts to force them to denounce Christianity, International Christian Concern (ICC) reported May 29.
Fulani militants killed most Christians in Nigeria in past year, USCIRF says
WASHINGTON (BP) –- Militant Fulani killed more Christians in Nigeria over the past year than any other aggressor, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said May 8 in naming the militants a nonstate violator of religious freedom.
Russian Orthodox church complicit in kidnapping, housing Ukrainian children, expert tells USCIRF
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Russian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate (ROC-MP) is helping the Russian government kidnap, house and falsely indoctrinate Ukrainian children, according to expert testimony before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
Baptist pastor could be removed from Russian-occupied Ukraine
Vladimir Rytikov, a pastor in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, could be forced to leave his home country for “illegal missionary activity.”
Nigeria convicts nearly 400 on terrorism charges as murders of Christians continue
ABUJA, Nigeria (BP) – A Nigerian federal court convicted nearly 400 individuals on terrorism charges this month in what persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) said is one of the largest criminal crackdowns in the nation’s history, but none appeared to face murder charges.
Dozens killed in Nigeria as violence mars Easter celebrations in several nations
CENTRAL NIGERIA (BP) – At least 54 Christians were killed early Easter in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, many during worship, with dozens more abducted from Evangelical Church Winning All Souls and other sites, International Christian Concern (ICC) reported.
At least 53 killed in Palm Sunday attacks in Christian areas of Nigeria
PLATEAU STATE, Nigeria (BP) – At least 53 Nigerians were killed in three Palm Sunday attacks in predominantly Christian communities in North Central Nigeria, International Christian Concern (ICC) and others reported.
Baptist denomination banned in Nicaragua as religious persecution grows, CSW reports
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (BP) – The Nicaraguan government stripped an entire Baptist denomination of its legal status, banned the entry of Bibles and revoked the citizenship of various religious leaders in escalating religious persecution, CSW said March 30 in a new report.
Religious persecution continues in Venezuela despite Maduro’s capture, CSW reports
CARACAS, Venezuela (BP) – Religious persecution and human rights violations continue in Venezuela under a firmly entrenched authoritarian regime, CSW reported March 9 as captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores await trial in the U.S.
