A survey shows that 57% of evangelicals  often  do notfreely express their opinions.

Sudanese government also bans female genital mutilation. The WEA encourages Sudan to take more measures to enshrine human rights and religious freedom.

During the 44^th session in Geneva, the World Evangelical Alliance denounced the “unreasonably high safety standards for non-Catholic places of worship” in Catalonia, and the need to address the problem of pensions for dozens of retired pastors.

“If pastors or priests are preaching on issues to do with human rights, human dignity, justice, they may find they’re on the wrong side of the law”, says a CSW representative.

The European Evangelical Alliance praises the work of Jan Figel’, who finished his mandate in 2019. “It is important that the EU leads by example and shows that FoRB is a precious human right for all people”.

Members of Evangelical Alliances shared stories about how “local traction” can help evangelicals to have a “voice in Europe”. The Marriage Week project received the 2020 Hope for Europe award.

A union of Pentecostal churches denounces the “profitable business that turns a mother into an exploited object and her child into a living commodity”.

Surveillance, disbanding, and dreams of a burgeoning missionary movement.

Roxana Stanciu (CARE) analyses hate speech and how can Christians respond to it. “Christians should be ready to be offended and to engage in meaningful conversations”.

The de-escalation is taking place in parallel to new massive demonstrations. “We want to grow in maturity and our love for the Lord at this time, so that we can withstand whatever changes that might come”, says a pastor.

More than 50 evangelical churches have been allowed to register. Johannes Reimer (Peace and Reconciliation Network) shares about the new unity and social action of Christians in the Central Asian country.

What should happen as restrictions are loosened and as impatience for normality grows? Can Christians continue to promote both freedom and responsibility?

A festival in Barcelona airs a documentary about religious persecution in China. It tells the sad story of Sun Yi, one of the inmates of the Masanjia labour and re-education camp.

French evangelicals welcome the “affirmation of freedom of worship as a fundamental freedom” and issue a guide with practical information about the re-operning of church buildings.

“These closures are a clear hindrance to the free practice and exercise of religion”, the politicians say in a letter to the Algerian President.

The task force, which has come to light more than six years after the Supreme Court forced its constitution, has already drawn criticism.

It is the second time in less than a month that Cuban State Security operatives 'visit' Evangelical Focus contributor Yoé Suárez. Christian Solidarity Worldwide denounces the harassment of the journalist and his family.

The 2020 World Press Freedom Index shows that “China censored their major coronavirus outbreaks extensively”. Norway is at the top and North Korea becomes the most dangerous country for journalists.

The coronavirus crisis in Europe is “driving a public debate about privacy, ethics and public health, and what measures are appropriate (or not) to protect it”, says Patricia Shaw of the Homo Responsibilis Initiative.

Yoe Suárez was summoned to Siboney Police Station in Havana, where he was interrogated by police and threatened with imprisonment and unspecified “repercussions” for his family.

Overall, only 57% of Europeans see religious freedom as a “very important” right, much behind fair judiciary (87%), gender equality (85%), free internet (69%) and others.

“Religious freedom, must include recognition of the right to protect life and to advocate against its termination, both in words and deeds”, the WEA says at the UN Human Rights Council.

The last decade has seen a worsening of the working conditions which affect “family relationships”, says Jonathan Tame. The near future will probably be shaped by the ‘gig economy’ and the re-balancing of global capitalism.

The Constitution “includes a right to a self-determined death”, the court says. Protestant and Catholic leaders issued a joint statement lamenting the decision.

Missiologist Jim Memory looks at the crises and opportunities Europeans have faced in the last decade.