An evangelical emphasis on nurturing societies that encourage openness, tolerance, and diversity of religious expression should be seen as a benefit to all citizens and beneficial to mission and ministry globally.

“The state must assume its responsibility”, CDU leader Volker Kauder said in a guest article for the German newspaper “Welt am sonntag”. He praises Open Doors and encourages local churches to get more involved.

Taliban faction Jamaat ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attacks. "The target were Christians", they said. Al least 72 have died, 29 children.

Although about 85 percent of the people in Uganda are Christian, many have died, kidnapped, or threatened just for confessing their faith in the last months.

Wycliffe Associates informs that “several others were injured in a raid on a translation office in the Middle East”. Books and equipemnt were destroyed, but hard drives containing the translation work for eight language projects were not affected. 

Christian Solidarity Worldwide demands that the North Korean regime should face the International Criminal Court, for its “egregious human rights abuses.”

David Guttenfelder wins 2016 World Press Photo prize for long-term project on the daily life of the closed country's inhabitants. 

Muslim leaders have caused upset by validating President Jammeh's declaration of Gambia becoming an Islamic state without having a referendum.

“Pray that all those who were abducted and have been released will know the Lord's comfort, healing and restoration.”

During his visit to the region, Pope Francis condemned the exploitation and social exclusion of the indigenous peoples. But Roman Catholics in Chiapas continue to persecute evangelical believers.

Local church members “invite refugees to their homes, let their children get to know their children, show them where to get a discount on children’s clothes.” 

They were expelled for refusing to renounce their faith. Christians hope this case will set a precedent for religious freedom in Mexico.

“As I fled, I could see two houses burning. Those who were attacked are Christians. I am very sure that the attackers were looking for Christians”, explains survivor.

The resolution also asks the EU to establish a permanent special representative for Freedom of Religion and Belief.

“This is the closest language to mean ‘genocide’ without using that terminology”, says EEA representative in Brussels Christel Lamère Ngnambi.

Suicide attacks on two predominantly Christian communities in northeast Nigeria. Many displaced Christians refuse to return to their homes, evangelical pastors told Morning Star News.

The Marrakesh Declaration, signed by more than 200 Islamic leaders, calls for religious freedom for non-Muslims in majority-Muslim countries. Believers of faith minorities should be protected from persecution.

“It is amazing how these people are still happy, despite everything they have gone through”, director Fernando De Haro explains.

An American missionary and six Canadian mission workers lost their lives after Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) gunmen attacked hotel and coffe shop in Ouagadougou. Australian Christian doctor and his wife were kidnapped the same day.

“We can be the voice of those who cannot cry out by themselves”, the Director of Open Doors Spain says in an interview. “Nigeria is the country where most people have died because of their faith.”

North Korea is still the most difficult place in the world to be a Christian, according to new report by Open Doors. Jihadism, Hindu and Buddhist extremism are the greatest sources of persecution.

Over 1,000 religious communities which had legal status under Ukrainian law, are no longer recognised as legal entities under Russian law.

Several Leyva Velazquez community leaders asked evangelical Christians to renounce their faith.

Christmas and New Year celebrations are banned because “are contrary to Islamic culture, and could damage the faith of the Muslim community.”

“My mother struggled with the gunmen until they finally shot her and the three kids,” Rose Monday’s explained. “She died trying to save the three children.”