For the first time ever, Afghanistan is the most dangerous place on the planet to be a Christian, according to Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List, which was released today. The World Watch List is a definitive, comprehensive research-based report that ranks the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian. Afghanistan has supplanted North Korea, which now ranks #2 on the list, after spending 20 years at #1.
According to Open Doors, every Christian in Afghanistan is now either in hiding or on the run. The Taliban’s interpretation of Islam considers Christians to be traitors, enemies of the state, enemies of the tribe and even the community; they are deemed to be “infidels,” and the punishment is death. Access the free report here.
How a Kazakh Critic of China Became an Asylum Seeker in the Netherlands
Laila and one of her children with Michael and Devra Horowitz.
As people around the world will soon watch sports champions compete at the Olympics in Beijing, human rights champions continue to advocate for millions suffering abuse and persecution in China.
Activist and Bitter Winter correspondent Laila Adilzhan managed to land in Amsterdam with the help of American friends. It was quite an adventure. Read more.
Nigeria Jihadists Kidnap 20 Children in Borno State
Boko Haram Jihadists Credit: newsBharati.com
Jihadists killed two people and kidnapped 20 children in Nigeria’s Borno state, where Islamist militants are waging a more than decade-long insurgency, a community leader and residents said last week. The assault on Piyemi village took place near Chibok town where eight years ago, Boko Haram jihadists abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in an attack that sparked an international outcry.
Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) stormed Piyemi, killing two men and seizing 13 girls and seven boys, according to the residents and the community leader. Read more.
Egyptian Coptic Christian Advocate Released by Egyptian Authorities
Ramy Kamel was released by Egyptian authorities in early January after spending two and one-half years in in prison awaiting trial. Kamel’s arrest and mistreatment was a direct effort by the Egyptian government to punish and silence him for publicizing human rights abuses against Coptic Christians.
Mr. Kamel was invited to participate in a UN forum (November 28th and 29th, 2019), but on November 23rd of 2019, Mr. Kamel was arrested under the cover of darkness and was beaten and interrogated by Egyptian authorities without legal representation. Read more.
USCIRF Releases New Fact Sheet: Protecting Religious Freedom Online
Governments’ and social media companies’ insufficient responses to online hate can result in grave human rights violations. At the same time, removing or censoring protected speech online can also impede human rights. This factsheet considers the impact of social media companies’ current content moderation policies on international religious freedom, and explores the opportunities for those companies to incorporate international human rights standards. Read more.
OTHER HELPFUL LINKS
Nigerians are concerned about the ongoing violations occurring in the country, notably: religious freedom, human rights, and freedom of expression. The International Committee on Nigeria (ICON) is asking for everyone to sign a petition which will be submitted to the U.S. Ambassador and the UK High Commissioner.
21Wilberforce President, Dr. Randel Everett, recently wrote an article that was published by WashingtonExaminer.com on why the U.S. Department of State must return “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) designation for Nigeria. Read here.
Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual event about the United Nations Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and its implications for refugees fleeing religious persecution. Register here.