This week, the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva will conduct Universal Periodic Reviews (UPR) for two of the countries on which CSW works: Laos and Turkey. The UPR is a process which involves a regular review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. It’s an opportunity for all States to explain what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries.

This week please: Pray

• Thank God for processes like the UPR which allow CSW and others to hold countries to account for their human rights record;
• Pray for CSW’s Public Affairs team as they represent our religious freedom concerns at the UN;
• Pray that the information CSW submitted for Nepal’s UPR would be well received, and that our recommendations would be implemented;
• Pray for CSW’s work on Turkey, revealing the truth of religious freedom violations which often go unreported;
• Pray for Christians in rural areas of Turkey, who are more likely to be victims of harassment and discrimination;
• Pray for Savannakhet Province and other parts of Laos, where Christians are often not allowed to worship freely;
• Ask God to protect and encourage Christians in remote areas of Laos who are being pressured to leave their homes; pray for pastors to be able to visit them safely and encourage them.