cswpress

Where the laws don’t apply: Rural Christian communities in Laos and Mexico face similar challenges

Posted on 23/07/202401/08/2024 by cswpress in Asia, Laos, Latin America, Mexico

Pastor Mum and five members of his church – Liang, Pa, Laen, Lan and Khoon – have been prisoners in their own village since 22 June.

The six Christians were arrested by the chief of Tahae village, in Laos’ Khammouane Province, after they held a small church service in Pastor Mum’s home, which was deemed ‘illegal’ as their church is not officially registered.

It has proven challenging to get updates since – perhaps as to be expected of a small remote village in a rural province in central Laos – however when CSW first reported on the arrests five days after they took place, the group had not been formally charged or permitted to see their families or access legal counsel.

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‘In handcuffs, without paper or pen, I rely on others to convey my safety’ – a call for the release of Elder Zhang Chunlei

Posted on 16/07/202416/07/2024 by cswpress in Asia, China

Zhang Chunlei has been detained by the Chinese authorities since 16 March 2021. An elder of Love (Ren’ai) Reformed Church in Guiyang in Guizhou Province, his detention began when he visited a police station in Guiyang to ask about ten Christians from his church who had been taken away during a police raid on a privately rented property where they were holding a retreat.

Upon his inquiry, police officers raided Zhang’s home, and those of several other church members, subsequently accusing him and three others of ‘illegally operating as an association’. Chen Jianguo, Li Jinzhi and Li Lin were released several days later on 20 March, but Zhang has remained in detention ever since.

Presumably by design, Zhang’s case has proven typically hard to disentangle over the past three years, with the charges against him changing on multiple occasions. On 28 March 2021 reports emerged that he had been criminally detained – meaning that any time he spent in detention from that date on would count towards any jail term if he was convicted – at this point on suspicion of ‘fraud’.

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India’s Muslims voted for justice and equality, but this remains a distant future

Posted on 11/07/202411/07/2024 by cswpress in Asia, India

India is home to more than two hundred million Muslims, one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. However, in a crowd of close to 1.5 billion people, even this large community is reduced to a minority, accounting for just 14% of the population. In recent years, the community has been constantly reminded of this fact, having to fight to prove that they are equals and that they deserve the same rights as the Hindu majority.

Although the majority of India’s Muslims are native to the country, with a very small number of them having emigrated there from the Arab world, most Muslims today would agree that they are not made to feel equal to other Indian citizens.

Their plight has deteriorated significantly since India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Muslims treated largely as second-class citizens by a government that has embraced a dangerous Hindu nationalist rhetoric.

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How the new Labour government can craft a robust foreign policy with FoRB at its core

Posted on 09/07/2024 by cswpress in International Arenas, UK Government

In many situations around the world, issues involving religion or belief either create or worsen instability, destabilising international peace and security. Despite this, there is no overarching consensus on practical steps to enhance the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) within a broader foreign policy framework.

A robust UK foreign policy that integrates FoRB would necessitate a multifaceted approach, strategically weaving FoRB into various aspects of international engagement. Such a policy would not only cement the UK’s commitment to human rights but also enhance its global influence by promoting peace, stability, and mutual respect among nations. Here is a comprehensive outline of what this foreign policy could look like:

1. Diplomatic Engagement

Special Envoy for FoRB: Establish a ministerial-level Special Envoy for FoRB to advocate for FoRB globally. This envoy would engage with international organisations, foreign governments, and civil society to address FoRB violations and promote interfaith engagement. In particular, the envoy would continue the UK’s admirable contributions to the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA).

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Ten long years: Reflections on the Supreme Court ruling that promised much for Pakistan’s religious minorities

Posted on 19/06/2024 by cswpress in Asia, Pakistan

On 19 June 2014, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, under the leadership of the then Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, made a historic ruling that significantly advanced the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities in the country. This judgment was a pivotal moment in the country’s legal and human rights history, reflecting a commitment to upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined within the Constitution of Pakistan.

Since its inception, Pakistan has grappled with issues surrounding the rights and protection of religious minorities. Despite the vision of its founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who advocated for a secular and inclusive Pakistan, the reality for religious minorities has often been marred by persecution, discrimination, violence, and marginalisation. Incidents of blasphemy accusations, mob attacks, forced conversions, desecration of places of worship, and targeted violence have highlighted the urgent need for robust legal safeguards and proactive measures.

The 2014 judgment stemmed from a Suo motu notice taken by the Supreme Court following the Peshawar church bombing in September 2013, which resulted in the tragic loss of over 80 lives. This incident underscored the vulnerability of religious minorities and the need for the state to ensure their protection.

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