In February, CSW's Cuba research continued to gain prominence in the Spanish-language press, building on our consistent reporting of a sharp increase in religious freedom violations in Cuba in the last year.
El Nuevo Herald, affiliated with the US-based Miami Herald newspaper, referenced CSW's latest report on Cuba in their article about the Cuban government's crackdown on religious groups in the country.
The article discusses the challenges faced by pastors around the country who, motivated by their faith, are inspired to help their communities and members of their congregation, regardless of political affiliation. As a result, they are targeted by the authorities, who view this as a threat to their control.
"Many of them just speak the truth..."
Another issue mentioned in El Nuevo Herald is the fact that many pastors speak honestly about the situation for ordinary Cubans, which often gets them arrested. Furthermore, the campaign of harassment and abuse affects church leaders of every denomination, and in both registered and unregistered churches.
Other press highlights include:
Christian Today reported the sentencing on 4 February in Egypt of two Copts, Maikel Adel Naguib Farag and Maikel Mossad Shaker, to three years' imprisonment for allegedly stealing a machine gun from the armed forces during the violence of 9 October 2011, known as the Maspero Massacre. CSW's Advocacy Director, Andrew Johnston, said, "Given the serious nature of the charges, CSW is deeply concerned at the quality of the evidence brought against Maikel Adel Naguib Farag and Maikel Mossad Shaker in this case, which appears insufficient to justify a guilty verdict. Sadly, fifteen months on from the Maspero Massacre, there remain unanswered questions about the military's actions on that day, and justice continues to elude the families of the civilians who died at the hands of the army." He also reiterated CSW's call for a full, transparent and independent judicial enquiry into the Maspero Massacre and the need for justice to be done for the families of those who died.
This month CSW was also pleased to report that Vietnamese Catholic priest and prominent human rights activist Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, has been jointly nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize along with The Venerable Thich Quang Do, a fellow human rights activist and Patriarch of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam. The Vatican Insider reported on Father Ly's campaigning and the 15 years in prison he endured as a result.
On 24 February the Christian Post referenced CSW's report of a crackdown on Christians in Sudan, which began at the end of last year, in an article detailing the arrests of Christians and the demolition of churches and Christian bookshops, "They took everything – not a single sheet of paper was left on the shelves," said one church leader
Media Advocacy
Sometimes, in the course of CSW's advocacy work, there is a need to engage the press in order to raise awareness about an issue. We only engage in media advocacy with an explicit mandate from our partners, or to bring CSW's unique voice on religious freedom to bear in the public arena. We inform and engage journalists, influential people in public life, supporters and the general public.
At CSW we are known for our thorough research and in-depth analysis. We aim to bring the truth to light; however, sometimes it is just as important to remain silent in order to protect people in vulnerable situations. Even when we are not able to comment publicly on a case or an issue for security reasons, our advocacy and prayer behind the scenes never stops.
About Kiri
Kiri Kankhwende is CSW's Press Officer. She liaises with journalists working in print, online, television and radio as part of CSW's advocacy in the media. She also monitors CSW's media coverage and prepares CSW's weekly show on Premier Radio, Voice for the Voiceless, on Saturday mornings at 11:30am.