Welcoming an end to the bloodshed, the executive committee appealed for "a lasting peace for the people of Nagorno Karabakh / Artsakh

GENEVE — The WCC executive committee issued a statement calling for calm and wisdom following six weeks of intense fighting for Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh, suspended by an agreement announced between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia. Welcoming an end to the bloodshed and destruction, the executive committee appealed for “a lasting peace founded on justice and…

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom released the following statement urging immediate envorcing of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act

WASHINGTON, DC – The USCIRF (U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom) released the following statement urging the Administration to immediately enforce the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, which was signed by President Donald Trump: “Along with Congress, the official communication and policy of this administration has been unambiguous in expressing both concern and outrage over…

Open Doors announced the 2020 World Watch List of religious persecution offenders: Christians in China experience unprecedented levels of persecution...

WASHINGTON – Today Open Doors announced the 2020 World Watch List of religious persecution offenders at a press conference in Washington, D.C, and revealed that Christians living in China are experiencing unprecedented levels of persecution, and their quality of life is deteriorating at an alarming rate. China jumped four spots, from #27 in 2019 to…

In honor of International Women's Day, Empower Women Media and the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation announce their 4th Film Competition

FALLS CHURCH, VA — In honor of International Women’s Day, Empower Women Media and the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation announce their 4th annual International Film Competition. The goal of the competition is to challenge filmmakers around the world to produce short films that explore how freedom of belief in the workplace and community empowers…

The anti-human trafficking battle was the focus of a bipartisan congressional hearing held by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chairman of Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission along with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Wednesday on Capitol Hill.

WASHINGTON — The battle against modern day slavery was the focus of a bipartisan congressional hearing held by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chairman of Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission along with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), on Capitol Hill. The main U.S. weapon in the fight to save lives and bring justice to traffickers who ensnare…

Jeffrey Epstein, apparently with the help of several women, groomed and sexually exploited dozens of girls, some as young as 13 years old.

This week America was rocked by the news that multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein was arrested for running a sex-trafficking ring of minors. Noel Yeatts, president of World Help, a Christian humanitarian organization, examines the situation: The details, revealed by a federal indictment recently unsealed, are still emerging, but what we know so far paints a grim…

Pepperdine University and the Religious Freedom Institute to announce a new partnership, to defend and advance religious freedom.

WASHINGTON — Pepperdine University and the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) are pleased to announce a new partnership, grounded in our shared commitment to defend and advance religious freedom in the United States and around the world. David Trimble, President of RFI, and Danny DeWalt, Vice President and Chief of Staff of Pepperdine University, signed a…

Coptic Solidarity will host its 12th Annual Conference The Coptic Problem: Hate Based on Religion in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON —Coptic Solidarity hosted its 12th Annual Conference The Coptic Problem: Hate Based on Religion in Washington, D.C., June 13-14. This leading policy event unites legislators, academics, policy professionals, and activists to discuss the situation of human rights and democracy for Copts in Egypt as well as other indigenous minorities in the region. The Policy…

On World Refugee Day, June 20, organizations around the world will demonstrate solidarity with those who have been forced to flee.

ORLANDO, FL —Approximately 110 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced, with 36.4 million being refugees.* On World Refugee Day, June 20, individuals and organizations around the world will demonstrate solidarity with those who have been forced to flee from their home countries due to war, violent conflict, human rights violations, oppression and persecution. “We have…

The VOM encouraged Christians to pray for the release of Haile and Kiflu. Then 13 Eritrean Christians were released from prison.

BARTLESVILLE, OK — Twenty years ago, on May 23, 2004, two men were arrested for the “crime” of being a pastor. Twenty years later, those two men are still in prison. Pastor Haile Nayzgi and Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel were arrested for their leadership in the Full Gospel Church of Eritrea after the government outlawed Christian…

The leaders of the underground churches' response is a reminder that the mission of the Church transcends national and political boundaries.

NAMPA, IDAHO — Global Catalytic Ministries (GCM). As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran and protests intensify globally condemning Israel and supporting Hamas, GCM’s CEO Mike Patino called for a closed meeting with its underground coaches worldwide. The purpose was to understand their unique perspectives on the unfolding situation and determine a collective response by…

A Seminar Gathers Journalists and Evangelical Leaders to Address One of the Most Relevant Topics in Today's Mexico: Religious Freedom

CHIAPAS, MEXICO — In the Heart of Chiapas, a Pioneering Seminar Gathers Journalists and Evangelical Leaders to Address One of the Most Relevant Topics in Today’s Mexico: Religious Freedom San Cristóbal de las Casas was the venue for the seminar “The Reality of Religious Freedom in Mexico, Religious Discrimination, and the Challenges of Objective Communication.”…

Watch Coptic Solidarity's program of the Maspero Massacre which includes testimony from survivors, activists, and government officials.

WASHINGTON — Eight years ago, Coptic Solidarity launched an annual initiative, the Modern Coptic Martyrs Remembrance Day, in recognition of the increasing number of Copts being killed for their faith. Coptic Solidarity seeks to create greater awareness and action on behalf of the indigenous Coptic Christians who live under systematic discrimination by the Egyptian government…

The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit, the world’s premier annual gathering of religious freedom advocates and activists.

WASHINGTON — The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit, the world’s premier annual gathering of religious freedom advocates and activists, will be held January 31–February 1. The Summit, usually held in the summer, has been moved several months earlier in 2023 and coincides with the start of the National Prayer Breakfast. IRF Summit 2023 will be…

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Today, the solo #bike4silentbridge ride entered Florida, the 13th and last state of the nationwide ride raising awareness of human trafficking. Silent Bridge’s supporter, James, decided to self-fund the ride in his retirement to draw attention to human trafficking that subjects 40 million victims to this horrible crime globally. James started in…

International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit 2022 convenes Civil Society Congress to innovate and develop solutions for religious freedom

WASHINGTON — In recent years levels of persecution and restriction based on faith or belief have increased around the world. This is despite a growing movement of people who are committed to protecting this fundamental human right. It is time to think big for religious freedom. The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit 2022 will convene…

Persecuted religious groups speak up for each other on Capitol Hill, Congressional Advocacy Day, urges Congress to protect religious freedom

WASHINGTON — On June 27, one day ahead of the International Religious Freedom Summit 2022, the summit is hosting a Congressional Advocacy Day to encourage convening organizations to present their causes and discuss religious freedom concerns with members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill. The day will kick off with a breakfast meeting…

On June 28-30 religious freedom leaders will gather in Washington, D.C., for the second annual International Religious Freedom Summit.

WASHINGTON — On June 28-30 religious freedom leaders, advocates and activists from around the world, spanning a wide range of faith traditions and political affiliations, will gather in Washington, D.C., for the second annual International Religious Freedom Summit. The Summit will highlight increasing threats to freedom of religion, conscience and belief, and it will once…

For the first time ever, Afghanistan is the most dangerous place to be a Christian, according to Open Doors' 2022 World Watch List.

SANTA ANA, CA — For the first time ever, Afghanistan is the most dangerous place on the planet to be a Christian, according to Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List, which was released today. The World Watch List is a definitive, comprehensive research-based report that ranks the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous…

10 yrs ago, Egyptian Army murdered 27 Copts and injured 327 others for peacefully protesting the destruction of a church, the Maspero Massacre

WASHINGTON — Ten years ago, on October 9, 2011, the Egyptian Army murdered 27 Copts and injured 327 others for peacefully protesting the destruction of a church, in what became known as the Maspero Massacre. Coptic Solidarity’s virtual Zoom program will honor the rally participants, heroes, and martyrs from that day. Register today to join…

As Christians in Afghanistan struggle for their lives, US Christians to march, pray in Washington, DC on September 25, 2021

WASHINGTON — More than 340 million people around the world suffer persecution for practicing their Christian faith – making it the largest persecuted religious group. In solidarity with them, and to help raise awareness, the 2nd annual March for the Martyrs will take place in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2021. It’s the first time…