Persecution Watch

Terrorists reprieve
Indonesia, concerned about a political backlash, say three Sulawesi Catholics must be executed before the Bali bombers. The Sulawesi death sentences are being questioned because no Muslims were convicted over the island’s communal violence.

Peace plan cancelled
The Afghan government has cancelled a peace festival and deported an estimated 1,000 South Korean Christians who travelled to Kabul to attend. Yousef Stanezai from the Interior Ministry said: “The program was against the Islamic culture and customs of Afghans”.

Convert crucified
Voice of the Martyrs in Ethiopia report a severe persecution – including the burning of Christians’ crops and church buildings – in the Muslim regions near Sudan. In the worst case, a convert from Islam named Shek Hamed Adem was beaten and hung on a cross.

Anti-Christian laws
Christians have reacted strongly to new laws in two Indian states – Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh – which require official approval of any religious conversion. The Chhattisgarh Christian Forum is prepared to challenge the law in the Indian Supreme Court.
sent. igion to another must inform government officials or else face fines and possible imprisonment. The enactment of these regulations was spurred by false accusations by right-wing Hindus, who alleged that Christian missionaries had been converting people through force.

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