Tag: Minorities

Turkish state interferes in Armenian Church elections

March 28, 2017 Turkey Armenians, Istanbul, Minorities, Turkey

A years-long saga on the leadership gap in Turkey’s Armenian Church has reached still another snag, Al-Monitor reported on March 22. The debilitating illness of the spiritual leader of Turkey’s largest Christian community has left Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan alive, but unable to fulfill his church duties since 2008. . . . Read More

Sudan: Justice criticises NISS intelligence agency

March 3, 2017 Sudan Abdulmonem Abdumawla, Hassan Taour, Human rights, Minorities, NISS, Peter Yen, Petr Jašek, Sudan, Yat Michael

Sudan’s Deputy Chief Justice has denounced “ongoing arbitrary arrests” by Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). “The security apparatus should not be left to do whatever it wants,” said Justice Abdulmajid Idris, who also criticised long periods of detention without trial. The NISS has been involved in the arrest . . . Read More

‘Hindus never convert people’, says Indian MP

February 16, 2017 India Converts, Ghar Wapsi, Hindu nationalism, India, Minorities, Vishva Hindu Parishad

The Indian Minister of State for Home Affairs has claimed the Hindu population in India is decreasing because “Hindus never convert people”. Kiren Rijiju, tweeting on 13 February, also wrote that “minorities are flourishing”. Hindu population is reducing in India because Hindus never convert people. Minorities in India are flourishing . . . Read More

Pakistani Christians ‘attacked’ as land dispute escalates

February 10, 2017 Pakistan Caste, Gojra, Joseph Colony, Lahore, Minorities, Narowal, Pakistan, Punjab, Rimsha Masih

More than 200 men, some armed with sticks, suddenly gathered on Wednesday morning (8 Feb) beside the Alba Presbyterian Church in Sankhatra, 115km north of Lahore, intent on building a boundary wall. “Children were going to school and men were leaving for work when this large number stormed into the . . . Read More

Pakistan law amendments help protect Christians

February 9, 2017 Pakistan Children, Marriage, Minorities, Pakistan, Terrorism

Forced conversions, mob violence and sectarianism will no longer go unpunished after Pakistan’s National Assembly passed a bill on 6 February amending some of its criminal laws. The amended law on forced marriage for minority religious groups now applies to minors as well as women, with the punishment more severe . . . Read More

Pakistan PM premature in saying country will soon be ‘minority-friendly’

January 31, 2017 Pakistan Blasphemy, Jamaat-e-Islami, Minorities, Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party, Punjab, Sindh

Pakistan’s Prime Minister has said “the day is not far off when Pakistan will internationally be known as a minority-friendly country”. Pakistani Christians hold candles at a rally in Lahore on 29 March, 2016, after a terrorist attack claimed the lives of more than 70 people celebrating Easter. Meanwhile, a . . . Read More

Historic roots of treatment of Pakistan’s religious minorities as ‘second-class’

January 31, 2017 Pakistan Minorities, Sweepers

The problems for religious minorities in Pakistan date back to its formation. When the British left the Indian subcontinent, it was divided between Pakistan and India. Partition led to millions crossing borders: Muslims to Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs crossing over to India. Hence, over time, India became thought of . . . Read More

Bangladesh a ‘dangerous place for minorities’

January 27, 2017 Bangladesh Bangladesh, Minorities

There were five times more incidences of violent abuse against religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh in 2016 than in 2015, according to a report from the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist & Christian Unity Council – the country’s largest minority rights forum. “Our prime minister and political leaders say that they . . . Read More

Indonesia Christians seek action against Islamists

January 25, 2017 Indonesia Aceh, Ahok, Blasphemy, Indonesia, Islamic Defenders Front, Joko Widodo, Minorities, Sharia

Indonesia’s Christian leaders have urged the country’s president, Joko Widodo, to take action against a radical Islamist group. This comes after a petition called for the disbandment of the group, which is accused of being responsible for a series of violent attacks against Christians. The Christian leaders said the Islamic . . . Read More

Nepali church leaders found guilty of ‘witchcraft’ and ‘violence’ for helping mentally ill woman

December 22, 2016 Nepal Charikot, Hindu nationalism, Minorities, Nepal, Proselytism, Salyan, Trauma

A Nepali court has found four Christians guilty of ‘violence’ and ‘witchcraft’ against a severely mentally ill woman whom they sought to heal, even though she testified in court in their favour, saying she was now better. The four are sentenced to five years in prison. A fifth Christian, Rupa . . . Read More

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