human rights
China sanctions Cruz, Rubio, Smith, Brownback for criticism
By Associated Press — July 13, 2020
BEIJING (AP) — China said Monday it will impose sanctions on three U.S. lawmakers and Ambassador for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback in response to similar actions taken by the U.S. last week against Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses against Muslims.
After advocating for his release, Uighur woman hears from father via Chinese media
By Aysha Khan — May 6, 2020
BOSTON (RNS) — Samira Imin’s next mission is to determine whether her father’s release from Chinese detention is genuine.
Russia’s human and religious rights record criticized at House hearing
By Adelle M. Banks — February 27, 2020
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Russia’s violations are spreading through the country and even across its borders, said a U.S. religious freedom policy expert.
Tech companies join Muslim groups in support of historic bill to end travel ban
By Aysha Khan — September 23, 2019
(RNS) — If passed, the bill would be the first legislation to focus specifically on Muslims’ rights.
Faith groups urge State Department to abolish new ‘unalienable rights’ commission
By Aysha Khan — July 24, 2019
(RNS) — A coalition of 430 human rights, foreign policy and faith-based organizations, leaders and scholars has asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to disband his controversial new human rights commission.
Don’t write off the State Department’s new Commission on Unalienable Rights just yet
By Mark Silk — July 17, 2019
(RNS) — The commission chair's view of human rights is not as cramped as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement might lead us to believe.
Asma Uddin: If we deprive Islam of its status as a religion, all religion is threatened
By Simran Jeet Singh — April 30, 2019
(RNS) — The argument against Islam, says legal scholar Asma Uddin in a Q&A, has nothing to do with a philosophical interrogation of 'religion,' and everything to do with depriving Muslims of their rights.
Malaysia women’s march meets disapproval from religious, political authorities
By Alexandra Radu — March 13, 2019
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (RNS) — Several hundred people marched in Malaysia's capital on Saturday (March 9) to mark International Women's Day in an event organized by activist groups and local NGOs and criticized by politicians and religious groups for its inclusion of LGBT activists.
LGBT people flee Tanzania amid police crackdown
By Doreen Ajiambo — December 5, 2018
ISEBANIA, Tanzania (RNS) — 'I’m fearing for my life,' said one man before crossing the border to Kenya. 'Police are breaking into homes of suspected homosexuals and arresting them.'
For ICE detainees, access to clergy is infrequent or absent altogether, rights groups say
By Tom Verde — October 25, 2018
(RNS) — For detainees, comfort from clergy and faith in God are often the only glimmers of hope in a climate of deep despair.
Banned from meeting in church, Rwandan worshippers gather at home
By Tonny Onyulo — September 6, 2018
KIGALI, Rwanda (RNS) — An estimated 8,000 churches and 100 mosques have been closed in what some say is a human rights violation, but which the government defends as a move to require clergy to meet modest standards for education.
Bobi Wine case heightens tensions between Museveni and Uganda church leaders
By Doreen Ajiambo — September 4, 2018
KAMPALA, Uganda (RNS) — Uganda’s government is trying to prevent faith groups from becoming another voice in the country to speak out against its president’s human rights violations.
Indonesia passes anti-terrorism law after suicide attacks on churches
By Nithin Coca — July 24, 2018
JAKARTA, Indonesia (RNS) — The new law has bolstered support for President Joko Widodo, a moderate Muslim, but some groups say it gives too much power to the state.
Abuse of immigrant children: a state-sanctioned crime in America?
By Brian D. McLaren — June 12, 2018
(RNS ) The current administration must fully address these chilling reports, bring perpetrators to justice, prevent further abuse and discontinue this ugly scheme of family separation.
Myanmar bulldozes what is left of Rohingya Muslim villages
By Delta Systems — February 23, 2018
(AP) — Human rights groups say Myanmar's government is destroying crucial evidence of mass atrocities against the nation's ethnic Rohingya Muslim minority.
