Christian Solidarity Worldwide

Iran: pastor arrested as Farsi language church considers closure

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Reverend Robert Asserian, a pastor at the Central Assemblies of God (AoG) Church in Tehran, was arrested this morning while conducting a prayer meeting at the church. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has also received reports that the church may be forced to close by the end of June due to continued pressure from the Iranian Intelligence Ministry.

Nigeria: escalating violence prompts state of emergency in three states

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States yesterday to address the “systematic effort by insurgents and terrorists groups which pose a very serious national threat to national unity and territorial integrity." The move comes in the wake of escalating attacks in northern and central states over recent weeks by increasingly well-armed and well-organised militants.

CSW calls for end to human rights violations in Eritrea ahead of eleventh anniversary of church crackdown

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) renews its call for an end to human rights violations in Eritrea, including the abuse of freedom of religion or belief, ahead of the eleventh anniversary of a government crackdown on all but three Christian denominations and the start of mass detentions of Eritrean Christians.

Burma: CSW releases new report detailing severe human rights abuses

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) today released a new report on human rights in Burma following a four-week fact-finding visit to the country. The report welcomes signs of political change in the country, including “significantly increased freedom” for media, civil society and political actors, and improvements in freedom of expression in some areas, but warns against “premature euphoria” and highlights “many very grave challenges and concerns, particularly in respect to the protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief”.

Iran: Christians returned to jail after High Court upholds sentence for conversion

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

An Iranian Assemblies of God (AOG) pastor, his wife and two church workers have been returned to jail after their one year sentences for converting to Christianity and “propagation against the Islamic regime through evangelism" were upheld by a High Court on 1 May.

Nigeria: upsurge of violence in Northern and Central States

Thu, 9 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Northern and Central Nigerian states have seen an upsurge of violence in recent weeks. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has also received eyewitness reports stating that the violence that broke out on 3 May in Taraba State, during the burial procession of a high ranking Chief in Northern Nigeria was between local Muslims and Jukun traditionalists rather than Christians and Muslims.