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Afghanistan: Pray for protection and peace
Footage emerging in recent weeks of Afghan baptisms has sparked off widespread condemnation of Christians. These events might have life-threatening concequences for Christian communities, NGOs and aid workers. Muslims who choose to become Christians often find themselves outcast and under threat in Muslim-majority countries.
>>> Pray for Afghanistan

Eritrea: Annual London protest remains strong
In May, CSW joined forces with NGOs and persecuted Church agencies to protest human rights abuses outside the Eritrean embassy in Angel, Islington.  The crowd of 70 protestors made their presence known and denominational representatives presented a petition to the Eritrean Ambassador calling for “swift and positive action”.
>>> See the photos and read what happened!

China: Gao Zhisheng disappears again
We reported in March that Christian human rights lawyer, Gao Zhisheng, had reappeared alive after thirteen months of international pressure. Only weeks later he went missing again, and hasn’t been seen since. Fears of Gao’s disappearance clearly highlight the worsening situation for human rights lawyers who bring cases against the government.
>>> Pray for Gao and his family

Colombia:  Pastor Reyes’ whereabouts still unknown eighteen months on…
In September 2008, Pastor William Reyes from northeast Colombia ‘disappeared’ after he refused to give church funds to illegal armed groups. Even after over a year and a half, his wife Idia remains hopeful to see William return safely. She says your cards and letters of encouragement have been
“…a real comfort, a reminder that people are thinking of [us] and praying for [us].”
>>> Write cards: find Idia’s address in Connect & Encourage

Peru: Charges dropped against defender, Dr Cristina Olazabal
Dr Cristina Olazabal is a Peruvian human rights lawyer who for many years has called to account those responsible for grave abuses against the Peruvian people.  Last month we asked you to campaign for her release and we’re so happy to report that the charges against her were dropped by the courts.
>>> Pray for Cristina as she returns to work

Colombia: Cordoban pastors threatened, CSW speaks up
Recently we brought you news of threat letters sent by paramilitaries to pastors in Cordoba, northeast Colombia.  In response we continued to press the relevant authorities for the protection of these pastors.  Now we’re asking you to petition international politicians via our printable letter.
>>> Raise your voice for the Cordoban pastors 

Nigeria: Christian journalists murdered in Jos
Two reporters from the Church of Christ in Nigeria were murdered on their way to interviewing a local politician last Saturday.  The bodies of Nathan Dabak and Sunday Bwede were discovered in a Jos hospital mortuary, after a friend of Nathan’s had called his phone and heard the words, “we have killed all of them – you can do your worst”.
>>> Read more and pray for peace, justice and reconciliation in Nigeria 

Colombia: Kogui rights appeal denied
A group of Christians from the indigenous Kogui community in Colombia, are continuing their battle for the right to practice their Christian faith. The group were illegally detained late last year and put under severe pressure to return to a traditional belief system.  Their appeal was denied by the Colombian courts,, meaning that if the government refuses to intervene their only option is to take the case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
>>> Pray for the Kogui Christians

Evicted Christians in Laos are visited by government officials, after CSW raises their case
Almost 50 Christian villagers in the South Asian country of Laos were forced from their homes at gunpoint on 10 January, after officials raided a worship service. After CSW raised their case with high-level contacts, provincial authorities visited the villagers to see for themselves what happened. This is a hopeful sign!
>>> Pray for the Lao villagers with little food or shelter

Pray for Qamar David, sentenced to life in prison under Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws  
CSW is sad to report that Qamar David, a Pakistani Christian who was on trial for alleged blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed, was sentenced on 25 March to life imprisonment. The verdict has been described as “biased and prejudiced” by a source close to Qamar.
>>> Pray for Qamar, and read more about Pakistan’s blasphemy laws
  

Pray for Chinese Christian sentenced to fifteen years in prison
Alimujiang Yimiti, a Uyghur Christian, was sentenced to fifteen years in prison, apparently for his faith. The official charge of “revealing state secrets” follows Alim’s arbitrary detention since January 2008.
>>> Pray for Alim and his family