Around the world

Sudan

Good news: in September the General Prosecutor in Central Darfur dismissed a case against four Christians who had been charged with apostasy (leaving a religion; in this case, Islam).

The men were arrested twice in June and told that they would face the death penalty unless they renounced their faith and agreed not to pray, share their faith or participate in Christian activities. They refused and were charged with apostasy – even though it was decriminalised in 2020.

The dismissal of these charges is something to celebrate; however, these men should never have been arrested or subjected to inhumane treatment. This case illustrates the deteriorating human rights situation in Sudan since the 2021 military coup.

Pakistan

On 22 September 2022, four students were expelled from a private school in Punjab for being Ahmadi Muslims.

In the document justifying their expulsions, the principal used a common slur against the Ahmadiyya community and gave no other reason for their withdrawal from education.

Pakistan’s Ahmadiyya community is the most institutionally and constitutionally oppressed religious group in the country. They are categorised as ‘non-Muslims’ under various laws and face significant restrictions, alongside hate speech and violence from extremist elements within Pakistani society.

Nicaragua

For 15 days in August, security forces blockaded the Bishop of Matagalpa, Rolando Álvarez, inside the Curia in Matagalpa – preventing him from leaving to officiate Mass. He was then placed under house arrest on 19 August.

Seven others, including priests, lay leaders and seminarians, who were detained alongside Bishop Álvarez were moved to a police complex, falsely accused of attempting to organise violent groups to destabilise the government.

The Nicaraguan government has cracked down on anyone it views as critical of the current regime. The Catholic Church has been targeted extensively, with the forced closure of its affiliated charities, private universities and aid organisations.

As of December 2022, Bishop Álvarez is still under house arrest and has been charged with crimes of conspiracy. Seven of the priests and lay leaders that were with him are all in a maximum security prison.