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Combating Hate Speech: The True Beginning of Peace and Human Dignity

Posted on 19/08/2025 by cswpress in International Arenas

This article by Ján Figeľ and Sheikh Al Mafoudh bin Bayyah was originally published by The Diplomat Magazine on 30 July 2025.

‘Peace is built in the heart.’ – Pope Leo XIV
‘War begins with words.’ – Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah

In an age marked by overlapping crises – from armed conflicts and ideological extremism to ethical breakdowns in public discourse – a need to return to the essence of words and their meaning is more urgent than ever. Words are not mere tools of expression; they are often sparks that ignite or extinguish fires. This is precisely what Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah, President of The Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, warns of in his profound message: ‘War begins with words.’

With this statement he encapsulates an entire philosophy: that every physical war is preceded by a war of words, and every act of violence is rooted in a prior act of verbal aggression. Unless speech is restrained, purified of hatred, and founded on mutual respect, the path to peace will never begin.

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The UK government’s efforts to produce a definition of Islamophobia could prove counterproductive

Posted on 07/08/202518/08/2025 by cswpress in International Arenas, UK Government

In February 2025 the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced the convening of a working group chaired by Rt Hon Dominic Grieve KC to provide a definition of Islamophobia. She insisted that the definition would be non-statutory and align with the UK’s values of free expression, including the right to criticise a religion. Nevertheless, this action raises several concerns.

While it can initially appear to be a useful tool for defining acts of religious hatred and incitement, in reality phobia terminology tends to hinder rather than assist efforts to address religion-related violations.

It is imprecise, and is invariably used to shut down legitimate debate. Additionally, discussion about whether or not a given phobia is indeed occurring can often eclipse efforts to highlight and address the actual violations. 

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Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas dared to speak out against injustice in Nicaragua. For that he has been labelled a murderer and a terrorist.

Posted on 04/08/202515/10/2025 by cswpress in Latin America, Nicaragua

On the evening of Thursday 17 July, armed police officers – some in uniform and others dressed in black or blue and with their faces covered – arrived in a coordinated operation at the homes of Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas and several of his friends and family in Jinotepe Municipality, Carazo Department, Nicaragua.

The police, who did not show any arrest warrants, broke down the doors of each house using their rifle butts and a tool called a ‘pig’s foot’ before proceeding to arrest Pastor Palacios Vargas, his sister Jéssica Palacios Vargas and brothers-in-law Pedro José López and Armando José Bermudez. Mauricio Alonso Petri, a political activist and friend of the pastor, and his adult son of the same name, who is a part of the worship team at Pastor Palacios Vargas’ church were detained as well. Family friend Olga María Lara Rojas, a former political councillor, who is a Protestant Christian but not a member of Pastor Palacios Vargas’ church, was also arrested at her home.

The officers confiscated the detainees’ cell phones and other electrical devices and were reported to have taken them to the 3^rd Police District, though the authorities initially refused to provide their family members with any information as to their whereabouts.

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El Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas se atrevió a denunciar las injusticias en Nicaragua. Por ello, ha sido acusado de asesinato y terrorismo.

Posted on 04/08/202517/09/2025 by cswpress in español, Latin America ES, Nicaragua ES

En un operativo coordinado la noche del jueves 17 de julio, policías armados —algunos uniformados, otros vestidos de negro o azul y con el rostro cubierto— llegaron simultáneamente a la casa del Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas y las casas de sus amigos y familiares en el municipio de Jinotepe, departamento de Carazo, Nicaragua.

La policía, que no mostró ninguna orden de arresto, derribó las puertas de cada casa con las culatas de sus rifles y con una herramienta llamada “pata de cerdo”. De inmediato arrestaron al Pastor Palacios Vargas, a su hermana Jéssica Palacios Vargas y sus cuñados Pedro José López y Armando José Bermúdez Mojica. También fueron arrestados Mauricio Alonso Petri, activista político y amigo del pastor, y su hijo adulto del mismo nombre, quien forma parte del grupo de alabanza de la iglesia del Pastor Palacios Vargas. Olga María Lara Rojas, cristiana protestante, no miembro de la iglesia del pastor Palacios Vargas, pero amiga de la familia y exconsejera política, también fue detenida en su domicilio.

Los agentes confiscaron los teléfonos celulares y otros dispositivos eléctricos de los detenidos y, según se informó, los llevaron al Tercer Distrito Policial, aunque inicialmente las autoridades se negaron a proporcionar a sus familiares información sobre su paradero.

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Where justice fails: How cultures of impunity lead to forced displacement in India and Mexico

Posted on 29/07/2025 by cswpress in Asia, India, Latin America, Mexico

On 11 June the families and loved ones of Neelkant and Pushpa Verma gathered for what should have been a day of celebration. The young Christian couple were due to marry in Raipur in India’s Chhattisgarh State, no doubt filled with excitement at what should have been one of the happiest days of their lives, and all the joy to follow in the years to come.

But this excitement was cut short when three villagers in in their early twenties stormed the wedding venue, cutting off the electricity supply and declaring that Christians were not allowed to hold celebrations in the village. When Neelkant’s family attempted to contact the electricity board, over 30 villagers gathered outside of the venue, vandalising guests’ vehicles and setting the building on fire.

The mob proceeded to hurl abuse at the women and tear some of their sarees. When the women’s children tried to defend their mothers, they were pelted with stones and forced to seek refuge in a nearby house. Once the victims were inside, they called the police who arrived quickly and escorted them to safety, managing to disperse the attackers.

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