Full statement responding to a bill expected to be approved by the Spanish Parliament in September 2017. It would strongly restrict freedom of speech and of religion. 

There has been 410 reported incidents, while there were 441 in total in 2016. “Attackers know they will not be punished”, Open Doors says.

Jaume Llenas on the aims and motivations of the statement released by Spanish Evangelical Alliance regarding the LGBT bill that will be discussed in September in the Spanish Parliament.

She was arrested in January 2013. Since 2016, a dozen Christians have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms on charges related to house-church activities.

Government of the Henan province orders 20,000 registered house church members to join the Three-Self Church, and ban foreign students from practising their religious beliefs.

Hard-line Muslims have been fighting construction of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God building since 2009, having demolished the partially built structure twice before then.

The 8th Evangelical Congress was held, a Festival of Hope celebrated Jesus in the centre of Madrid. A commemorative service gathered 8,000. “Spanish society benefits from the action of evangelical churches”, says Justice Minister.

A petition asking members of the Spanish parliament to stop the draft law reaches 5,000 signatures in 24 hours.

Around 10,000 gathered in Le Havre to pray and reflect about the Reformation. Nick Vujicic was the main speaker. Additionally, 1,000 young people were sent to evangelism projects all around France.

In her visit to the 8th Evangelical Congress, Manuela Carmena lamented the lack of knowledge of the Protestant Reformation in Spain.

Around 300 representatives participated in the annual Baptist World Alliance gathering in Thailand. The Venezuela humanitarian crisis and the needs of refugees were also highlighted.

There are almost 4,000 evangelical worship places in the country, according to new figures. Muslims rank second, with more than 1,500.

The government often uses this accusation against converts instead of the charge of apostasy, in an attempt to avoid international scrutiny.

The bill could be approved after the summer. A state agency would actively promote LGBT ideology in schools, workplaces, sport events and media. Anyone accused of discrimination will have to prove their innocence.

“Any restriction of freedom of worship, conscience, or expression would impoverish the nation spiritually and intellectually, and affect evangelical Christians who publicly testify to their faith”, says CNEF representative Thierry Le Gall.

A letter distributed on social media asks for the “attacks against the church” to stop. Twenty-five buildings are set to be demolished, but Christians in the country are “very resilient”, a source says.

One minor was held for 25 days, another is  still in custody, along with five adult volunteers.

“Belief-based intolerance and discrimination of refugees is a pan-European problem”, Christian organisations said during a hearing at the European Parliament. 

“The image of Christians as a persecuted minority is not completely right”, says Egypt’s Bible Society Director Ramez Atallah in an interview with Evangelical Focus. He analyses the coexistence with Muslims and the role of the evangelical community. 

Indonesian police have named the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front as a suspect. Rizieq Shihab mobilised thousands to put pressure on judges in a ‘blasphemy’ trial against Christian politician ‘Ahok’.

“Religious expression must not be repressed in the private sphere”, the new President of France said. Édouard Philippe is named Prime Minister.

Former Minister of Culture and Socialist Party leader in Madrid, Ángel Gabilondo, thanks Protestants for their contribution to the advance of “freedoms.”

“Except for a few Orthodox extremists, I do not hear a single voice expressing approval for the prohibition of the Jehovah’s Witnesses”, says Russian church historian Constantine Prokhorov.

Hassan Taour and Abdulmonem Abdumawla had been accused of espionage. Czech aid worker Petr Jasek received a presidential pardon in Februrary.

“We believe Bhatti is innocent and will be freed by the high court, but it will take several years for his case to be heard by the high court”, an advocate says.