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Discrimination

• Revised Religion Law Passes First Reading

  

  A new religion law, which was introduced to Belarus' House of Representatives on September 29th, passed its first reading on October 11th. The text of the draft law was only made public on October 10th. While some aspects of the previous version of the law will remain the same, the new legislation would impose significantly tighter restrictions on the country's Christians if approved.

• New Life Church Faces Liquidation

  

  Since 2002, the New Life Church in Minsk, Belarus, has faced repeated harassment from the country's governing authorities. Though legally recognized by the government, the church has been continually denied a place of worship. After many years of court challenges, the congregation's sanctuary was destroyed in June 2023 (read more).

• New Laws Tighten Grip on Churches

  

  The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has released new religious restrictions which took effect on September 1st, bringing added concerns in a country already experiencing increased repressive measures. The new rules require religious venues to submit to the leadership of the CCP and its plans for the "sinicization" of religion.

• More Harassment and Sentences for New Life Church

  Pastor Vyacheslav and his wife Irina Goncharenko
  Photo: New Life Church

  For several years, the New Life Church in Minsk has faced opposition from the government, including the complete destruction of their place of worship on June 20th. (For more details, click here.) That act of destruction, however, did not stop ongoing harassment from government officials.

• Access to Church Building Blocked

  

  Gaining permission to build a church building in Indonesia has proven onerous for many followers of Jesus, creating multiple instances of conflict between Christians, community members, as well as their governing leaders. (For previously published reports outlining some of these incidents, go to our country report.)

• Fines for ''Missionary Activities''

  

  In multiple incidents that took place during late March, Christians from registered churches in Kyrgyzstan were issued fines for conducting "illegal missionary activities." News of the raids had not been released until recently due to fear of reprisals.

• Churches Mandated to Promote Communism

  

  On July 3rd, a banner displaying the Communists' symbolic 'hammer and sickle' was raised next to the Shinian Christian Church in Zhejiang province, China. According to a pastor in the area, the Taizhou Religious Affairs Bureau sent notices to local churches mandating that all religious venues must put up large signs with the following wording at their entrances: "Love the Chinese Communist Party, love the country, and love the religion," as well as "Uphold the principle of developing religions in the Chinese context."

• Seal Removed from Church Building

  

  Christians in Ciracas, East Jakarta, were jubilant when local officials removed the seal from the door of their church building on June 26th, three months after it was forced to close. The officials had claimed earlier that the congregation's legal permits and other requirements were incomplete, leading to the closure of the GKI Palsigunung church building on March 20th.

• New Life Church Building Destroyed
  

  In 2002, the New Life Church in Minsk, Belarus, purchased a cowshed on the outskirts of the city in order to convert the building into a suitable place of worship for the congregation of 600 members. Since that time, the government's religious affairs department has opposed their use of the building. For more than 18 years, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada has been following the plight of this church, calling for prayer as the believers continually sought to find ways to meet for services in the face of opposition.

• Worship Services Stopped by Mobs

  

  As Christianity spreads in Indonesia, local governments and community members are increasingly creating obstacles to restrict the activities of the country's churches. The process for believers who want to build a church facility is complicated and can take many years. In one case, a church finally received approval in April of this year after waiting for 15 years. (Further details about the situation can be reviewed here.)Despite repeated calls from federal officials for local communities to be more accepting of religious diversity, in accordance with the country's constitution, the message of religious tolerance is not accepted by all.

• Request for Headstone on Christian Grave Denied

  

  In March 2023, following the passing of a pastor's son, arrangements were made for the burial to take place in a public cemetery. However, when the pastor of the "Jesus Lives Glorious Church" in Karuwalagaswewa asked for permission to erect a headstone on his son's grave, his request was denied by the Funeral Aid Society. When visited by officials on April 25th, the pastor was told that erecting a headstone on the grave of a Christian would thereby make the cemetery a Christian burial ground.

• Believers Denied Access to Their Homes

  

  Several members of the Early Rain Covenant Church who reside in the Languang Changdao apartment complex have been prevented from entering the building. Around noon on June 6th, families who tried to return to their homes were denied access to their apartments. When they attempted to go into the building, security guards and others assaulted the believers.

• An Additional 216 Church Buildings Legalized

  

  Seven years ago, the Egyptian government formed a committee to work through applications to legalize unlicensed church buildings. When the committee was first formed, there were 3,730 outstanding applications. Though the process has been exceedingly slow, thankfully that number has been gradually decreasing. To review previously posted reports on this situation, go to our country report.

• Church Reopens After 15 Years of Opposition

  

  For more than 15 years, the Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI) Yasmin Church in Bogor, Indonesia, has sought to meet for worship. The church was initially approved in 2006 but then rejected by local authorities. Although the Indonesian Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that the place of worship could reopen, local officials repeatedly caused delays. The root cause of the delays was influence from opposing militants of the Muslim-majority community. For earlier reports on the challenges encountered by members of this church, visit the following pages: Opposition Against Churches Continues and Christians Barred from Churches at Christmas.

• Burial Refused for Deceased Pastor

  

  Pastor Tesfay Seyoum was the founding leader of the Eritrean Meserete Kristos Church. Because of his Christian faith and involvement in a non-approved religious group, Pastor Tesfay spent ten years in prison.

• Church Building Sealed

  

  The process of establishing and leading a church in Indonesia can be onerous, particularly in areas controlled by militant Islamic groups or where there are few Christians. In an attempt to establish "religious harmony," legislation was passed during 2006 requiring all places of worship to obtain a government permit. In order to receive authorization, approval must be granted by at least 60 non-Christian residents in the area, and churches have to consist of a minimum of 90 members.

• Church Building Destroyed on National Vodun Day

  

  Considered the birthplace of the ancient tribal faith of vodun (commonly referred to as voodoo), many residents in the West African country of Benin continue with religious practices that commonly involve animal sacrifices and talismans to ward off evil. These practices are so widespread in Benin that January 10th is celebrated as National Vodun Day.

• Church Under Investigation for Worship Services

  

  The Pentecostal Assembly congregation in Dodangoda, Sri Lanka, is made up of about seven families who regularly meet in the home of their pastor. On February 12th, while the Sunday worship service was in progress, approximately seven police officers arrived at the home. They informed the pastor that local monks, who had issued a complaint about the Sunday services, claimed that the meetings were being conducted illegally.

• Pre-Registration Required to Attend Services

  

  Military authorities in Chin State, Myanmar, announced on February 13th that Christians residing within areas governed under martial law will be forced to register with township administrators seven days in advance of attending any church services. No information about the form of punishment that will be administered to those failing to comply had been provided at that time.

• Officials Raid Another Church Service

  

  Since 1990, Yuhuan Church's Chengguang Branch has carried on with its ministry in this coastal city of Zhejiang province. In 1997, four buildings were constructed to host church functions. Even though gathering together was banned in 2020, many believers continued to assemble for smaller scale meetings.