Persecution Watch Weblog

Canada (MNN) — Canada’s same-sex marriage and hate crimes legislation has had its testing in court.

Adele Konyndyk with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says Pastor Stephen Boissoin and the Concerned Christian Coalition were punished for a letter concerning homosexuality and sin.

The case stems from a 2002 letter Boissoin wrote to the editor of his local Red Deer, Alberta, newspaper that included this statement: “Children as young as five and six years of age are being subjected to psychologically and physiologically damaging pro-homosexual literature and guidance in the public school system, all under the fraudulent guise of equal rights.”

Darren Lund, a professor at the University of Calgary, complained about the letter. The Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC) ruled that Boissoin and the CCC violated Alberta’s human rights law by publishing a letter in a local newspaper that was “likely to expose homosexuals to hatred or contempt because of their sexual preference.”

The sentencing phase just wrapped up at the end of May. Konyndyk explains, “The tribunal ruled that Boissoin and the Concerned Christian Coalition had to pay damages equivalent to $7,000 as a result of the tribunal’s decision to side with the complainant.”

The ruling also ordered Boissoin and CCC to cease publishing “disparaging remarks” about homosexuals in the future in newspapers, by email, on the radio, in public speeches, or on the internet. Furthermore, Boissoin was ordered to publicly apologize to Lund in a local newspaper statement.

Boissoin has publicly stated that he “will never offer an apology” and plans to appeal the ruling.

However, the sentence poses a difficult question for Canadian believers. Konyndyk says, “He has a right to have these beliefs and to express them. So when this kind of a case comes where it’s saying he can’t have a moral opposition, based on biblical beliefs, then the question is raised, ‘Where does the censorship stop?’”

The team is urging other believers to keep vigil with them, especially those who live in North America. “Pray for Boissoin as he stands up for his beliefs in this way, that he’ll feel the support and encouragement of fellow Christians in Canada who recognize that his case should concern all Christians as it threatens our very ability to express moral opposition according to our Christian beliefs.” (Click here if you want more details about the case)

Pray that Christians in Canada will be free to voice their position on ethical issues without the threat of legal action. Pray that the federal and provincial governments will pass and enforce legislation protecting religious rights. Pray for these and others facing complaints for raising their voice on ethical issues.

Slavic Gospel Association reports that the police claim to have found an illegal pistol in Shabanov’s home, but his family adamantly deny this claim, saying the police planted the weapon. His brother Badri insists that the arrest is an attack on the Baptist community in Aliabad.

“Their aim is also to bring this as a criminal case and put him in prison. Their target is the church,” he said.

“We’re in shock. This was a provocation by the police, a deliberately-targeted action,” said Pastor Ilya Zenchenko, president of the Azeri Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists.

Baptist pastor Zaur Balaev lives in the same village as Shabanov. After several months in prison, Balaev was finally released three months ago.

Police have inflicted repeated raids, threats and confiscation of Christian literature on the Baptist churches in Aliabad, of which there are several. Officials have denied birth certificates to children given Christian first names.

“Fellow believers have found a wide door for effective service in Azerbaijan, but the adversaries have arisen to hinder the work of the Gospel. Our brothers and sisters in this largely Muslim country urgently need our prayers,” said Bob Provost, President of SGA.

Police took only twenty minutes to search Shabanov’s home and arrest him, his family told Forum 18. They are convinced that he was only arrested because of his religious activities.

“They threatened him because we meet for worship and pray together. They said we shouldn’t do it. They came in claiming to be looking for drugs and guns. They searched the house and claim to have found a gun, but they planted it themselves. He has got no weapons.”

“He’s a criminal,” police chief Faik Shabanov (no relation) insisted. When Forum 18 asked Shabanov by phone why police had threatened the pastor about holding church services at his home before charging him with having an illegal weapon, Shabanov said, “Who are you to talk to the chief of police like that?” and hung up.

“Haven’t you learned from your imprisonment?” Balaev quoted police officers who questioned him. “Wasn’t one prison term enough for you?” One officer added: “You may not be afraid, but you’ve forgotten you’ve got a wife, daughter and a son.”

Balaev was released in March on amnesty, but the charges were not dismissed and have remained on his record. Balaev was arrested in May 2007 and sentenced in August on charges of using violence against state representatives–an accusation church members denied. Police banned Balaev’s church from meeting–a ban the congregation has defied.

Kamandar Hasanov, the deputy police chief in Azerbaijan’s north-western Zakatala region, denied to Forum 18 that he had threatened Balaev. Hasanov also refused to discuss with Forum 18 the harassment of Balaev’s Baptist congregation, why Muslim men with beards were forcibly shaved and banned from Zakatala’s mosque in recent years, and why religious books were confiscated in a raid on a Jehovah’s Witness home. A local resident told Forum 18 that the pressure to shave off beards has at present halted.

Pray that Balaev will remain free and that his church will be allowed to assemble without threats.

Voice of the Martyrs‘ Todd Nettleton says a religion law is causing them concern. “It makes the death penalty mandatory for people convicted of leaving Islam to follow another faith. So that, obviously, is another piece of intimidation.”

The draft law, which first appeared on the radar in February, defines an apostate as “any Muslim who clearly announces that he/she has left Islam and declares blasphemy.” It is clearly aimed at stopping conversion from Islam. It also means that those thought to be involved with proselytism face consequences ranging from the death penalty to social ostracism.

Recently, authorities have been rounding up church leaders. 44-year old Mohsen Namvar was among those arrested. “There has been, over the last 60 days, about a dozen Christians arrested. Most of them have been interrogated and held for a little while, and then released after paying a heavy bail. As far as we know, at this time, Mr. Namvar is still being held.”

According to a report from Compass Direct, Namvar believed a Christian had implicated him during an earlier sweep. He had anticipated the arrest after being warned that authorities were watching him. It is the second time that he has faced arrest. He was previously held and tortured for baptizing Muslim converts to Christianity in the spring of 2007.

Why the focus on believers? Nettleton says, “The church is growing at an absolutely phenomenal rate in Iran. Muslims are coming to know Christ; they’re getting involved with these house church groups. That is what has caused the concern of the government. That’s why these arrests are happening.”

Pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for Iranian Christians as they continue to spread the Gospel despite sustained pressure from the Islamic government of the nation.

Dear Brethren in Christ,

Kindly take notice of armed militants kidnapped 20 Christians from a house
church in vicinity of Peshawar University (Peshawar Pakistan) when they were
having a praying meeting.

Your In His name,

Naiyer Akbar Shamoun
President
Christian Benevolent Society

Phi 1:21 For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Kazakhstan (MNN) — Kazakhstan’s full parliament was to begin consideration of a new restrictive religion law on June 11, Slavic Gospel Association reports.

Although the parliamentary Working Group responsible for the legislation has some changes to it, it still violates international human rights commitments. If adopted, it will severely restrict the abilities of religious groups to obtain places of worship or to evangelize people outside of their group. It will also restrict religious publishing.

All religious groups in Kazakhstan are required to register with the government, according to Forum 18 News Service. To register, the new law requires religious groups to present 50 signatures, rather than 10 as before. The first draft of the law required 5,000 signatures, but that requirement has been changed.

Aleksandr Klyushev, head of the Association of Religious Organizations of Kazakhstan (AROK), participated in the Working Group sessions and describes the changes as “sneaky.”

“They put many distracting points in the draft to take away our attention from the real pitfalls,” he complained to Forum 18. “All those ridiculous points — such as a requirement for cash register machines and 5,000 members for registration — were ‘the big things’ many of us were concentrating on. All those points were put there just so we would think when the Working Group deleted them from the draft we had won.”

Christians who are not members of registered religious groups may not preach or evangelize. Unregistered religious groups will not be allowed to own private property or rent public property. They also will not be able to register unless they have a legal address.

If the bill passes, each religious group will have to re-register within 18 months, whether or not it was registered before. Groups that fail the requirements to re-register under the new law will be forced to give up their property.

“If the new Law is adopted, it will seriously curtail the activities of existing religious organizations and largely cut down the number of them,” Klyushev said.

Kamal Burkhanov, head of the Working Group, is unconcerned.

“Why should they want to share their faith with Muslims, for instance?” he said. “They think only they are smart and the Muslims are stupid. Do not worry. Religious groups will be able to meet and pray to their God as much as they want.”

The bill must go through three readings in the Majilis, or lower house, before proceeding to the Senate, SGA reports. The Senate will discuss the bill for six months before voting. If the bill passes, it will proceed to President Nursultan Nazarbaev for a signature or a veto. He has been critical of “foreign missionaries” in recent weeks.

Punishments and fines for violating religion laws will be increased under the new bill, and the power of the Religious Affairs Committee will increase.

“We think this is the State directly interfering in Religion,” said Ninel Fokina of the Almaty Helsinki Committee. She told Forum 18 that the State Committee by definition is supposed to help religious organizations to enjoy their rights, but we are now talking about the Committee prosecuting organizations.

Kazakh media has been publishing propaganda against religious groups, even listing them as terrorist organizations. “All of this has influenced lawmakers, and now we are about to witness one of the most restrictive laws ever being adopted,” said Klushyev.

“Protestants tell me that even the Roman Empire feeding Christians to the lions could not stop their faith,” he told Forum 18. “Now Kazakh lawmakers think that by putting a new law in place, they will be able to force us to stop believing.”

On May 31, house church leader Mohsen Namvar was arrested by eight police officers in his home in Tehran, Iran. According to Compass Direct News, “The officers confiscated a number of Namvar’s personal belongings including his computer, printer, CDs, books and money. He was given no official explanation for the arrest, and his current location is unknown.” Compass Direct added, “According to an Iranian pastor residing outside the country, Namvar had anticipated that police would come for him since hearing that he had been implicated during police interrogations of Christians in the city of Amol in April. He had been warned by a friend that authorities were keeping him under close watch. Namvar was previously held and tortured for baptizing Muslim converts to Christianity in the spring of 2007.” Pray for Namvar’s release. Pray that he will act as a faithful witness for Christ during his detention. Pray that his wife and children will rely on the Lord for comfort and strength. Matthew 5:14-16

INDIA Christians Attacked at Vacation Bible School – VOM Sources

On April 25, Pastor Mohan Babu and two other believers were severely beaten by 35 Hindu extremists for holding a Vacation Bible School (VBS) near Bangalore City, in Karnataka State. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in India, the three-day VBS was organized by Ragigudda Baptist Church. VOM sources said, “Around 60 children from different backgrounds were attending the VBS. As they were worshiping, about 35 people belonging to a Hindu extremist group forcefully entered the hut chanting slogans and demolished the hut. The extremists mercilessly beat Mohan, Samuel and Krishna, alleging forceful conversion. The perpetrators chased the children without any courtesy and tore the Bibles. Mohan was severely injured on his lips and was profusely bleeding. The believers are living in fear and did not lodge complaint with the police.” Pray for healing for all those injured in this attack. Pray they forgive their attackers and for the children who were attending VBS to continue growing in their faith despite the attack. Psalm 140:1-8 Psalm 140:1-8

TURKEY Murder Suspects Accuse Each Other in Trial in Turkey – Compass Direct News

On June 9, seven suspects on trial for the brutal murder of three Christians in Turkey appeared in court – each one protesting his innocence and incriminating one or more of the others. According to Compass Direct News, “The hearing in eastern Turkey marked the first time the five jailed murderers and two accused accomplices have appeared together in court to be cross-examined over contradictions in their individual court testimonies.” Compass Direct added, “In addition to the five accused murderers – Hamit Ceker, Cuma Ozdemir, Abuzer Yildirim, Salih Gurler and Emre Gunaydin – two others, Kursat Kocadag and Mehmet Gokce, face charges as accomplices.” Turkish Christians Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel and German Christian Tilmann Geske were brutally killed on April 18, 2007, at Zirve Publishing offices in Malatya. Keep the families of those killed in your prayers as the trial continues. Ask God to make the truth known to authorities as they prosecute this trial. Also pray for protection for the families of those killed and for believers in Turkey who serve Christ in the midst of persecution. Psalm 91

UZBEKISTAN Government Airs Television Program Aimed to Incite Muslims Against Christians – Forum 18 News

Earlier this week, Uzbekistan’s state-run TV station showed a film which Christians and other religious minorities believe will incite religious hatred. According to Forum 18 News, the film entitled “In the clutches of ignorance,” was shown before live coverage of the Euro 2008 football championship, to attract the largest possible audience. Forum 18 News reported, “The first broadcast of the film made some members of religious minorities ‘afraid to go out on the street where they live for fear of being persecuted.’ A member of a religious organization not attacked in the film stressed that members of their community are disturbed ‘that members of religious minorities are cast in such a negative perspective.’” A Protestant attacked in the film told Forum 18 after the second showing, “The government is trying to stir up Muslims against Christians.” Forum 18 News added, “Following the first showing, a Baptist congregation which has been attacked elsewhere in the state-run mass media was raided and banned from meeting. One Baptist complained that ‘broadcasting such a film amounts to incitement of religious hatred in our country.’” Pray God protects Christians in Uzbekistan. Ask God to stop any attacks that the enemy has planned against believers as a result of this film. Pray Christians in Uzbekistan will show their persecutors the love of Christ. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Kyrgyzstan (MNN) — The Kyrgyz government has allowed a Muslim mob to prevent a Baptist family from burying their son near home, threatening religious freedom in Kyrgyzstan, reports the Slavic Gospel Association.

The 14-year-old son of Alymek Isakov died of heart failure in the village of Kulanak in Kyrgyzstan’s central Naryn Region.

In 2006, the district authorities had officially allocated a plot of land in the village as a graveyard for the Baptist church. However, when 20 other Baptists joined the Isakov family to bury their son on this land, a mob of 30 drunken Muslim villagers–led by the local imam and armed with spades and farm implements–prevented them.

The mob would not allow the Baptists to conduct a funeral in the village unless it was led by the local imam and followed traditional Muslim burial rites, reports Forum 18, an organization committed to defending freedom of conscience.

That very day, the Baptists asked for assistance from Ishenbek Medetov, the head of Naryn region’s Akimat (Administration).

“Medetov reprimanded the believers, saying that they should have thought about the consequences before accepting another faith,” reported one Baptist, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons.

Medetov then ordered three law enforcement officials to meet with the group of Muslims and find a solution. The Muslims refused to allow a Christian burial in the village, and the officials did not attempt to enforce law and order.

The Baptists then appealed to Omurbek Subanaliev, the Head of Executive Authority of Naryn Region. He did not want to speak to the Baptists, and they had to wait several hours to catch him as he left the building. Subanaliev insisted that “he could not in such a way restrict the rights of the villagers,” Forum 18 was told. “If any violence takes place in the village over the issue, the Baptists are to blame.”

Medetov and other officials then pressured the Isakovs to renounce their faith or give up the body of their son, which they refused. A mob gathered around their home, where friends and relatives had gathered to comfort the family. One member of the mob, Kylych Tostokov, was hitting the believers and the father.

Police then arrived at the house, but instead of defending the family from the mob, they forcibly removed the boy’s body and buried him 40 kilometers away in Akkiya, on abandoned land set aside to bury non-Muslims.

The Isakovs learned this and traveled to Akkiya with their supporters, where they found the boy buried “in a disrespectful manner.” They dug up his body and gave him a proper burial.

Since then, the village has cut off the Isakovs’ supply of water to irrigate their crops, and other children have beaten their children at school. The Isakovs believe they are being pressured to leave the village.

Kyrgyz believers fear that the situation may provoke more legal restrictions on their freedom. They hope “to start a legal investigation of the case to punish the perpetrators” and set a precedent, an anonymous believer reported. Religious persecution has been growing more severe in Kyrgyzstan over the last couple of years, but this is probably the first time the issue has been so publicly discussed.

INDIA
Pastor Beaten; Churches Attacked – VOM Sources

On May 27, Pastor Rampal Kori was beaten by two Hindu militants in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, “The militants repeatedly struck the pastor, who was returning from prayer meetings, with an iron rod and accused him of forcibly converting villagers to Christianity. They also robbed him of 3000 Rupees (US $70). Pastor Kori sustained serious injuries that required stitches in his head.” Meanwhile on May 26, in an unrelated incident, militants demolished a thatched church in the district of Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh. On June 1, another group attacked the Masihi Mandir Church in the district of Oriya Para, Chhattisgarh state, during a morning church service. VOM sources added, “At approximately 11:00 a.m., the militants barged into the church building and destroyed the facility’s furniture. The attackers accused the believers present of forcibly converting people, and threatened them with dire consequences if they continued to worship Christ.” Pray for healing for Pastor Kori. Ask God to strengthen the believers whose churches were attacked as they continue to stand in His grace. Psalm 37: 3-6

ERITREA
Christians Arrested – Compass Direct News

On May 28, Eritrean police arrested 34 evangelical Christians in the city of Keren, Eritrea. According to Compass Direct News, “The Christians, who are members of the Berhane Hiwet (Light of Life) Church, were meeting in a private home for prayer and fellowship. All 24 men and 10 women present in the meeting were taken to prison, with their children left behind. The next day security officials transferred the women prisoners to the Adi-Abeyto Military Confinement facility on the outskirts of the capital city of Asmara.” Pray for the release of Eritrean Christians who are imprisoned for the sake of Christ. Ask God to strengthen and comfort their families, especially the children. Pray that the Eritrean government will respect the rights of Christians to freely worship their Lord. Ephesians 1: 19-23

IRAN
UPDATE: Christian Converts Released from Prison – Compass Direct News

Praise God! Homayon Shokohie Gholamzadeh (48), an Iranian Christian convert arrested on May 11 by police in the city of Shiraz, was released from prison on May 22. According to Compass Direct News, Gholamzadeh was taken into custody with his wife and another couple before boarding a flight at Shiraz International Airport. On June 2, Mojtaba Hussein (21), another Iranian Christian convert from Islam arrested on May 11, was released from prison. According to Compass Direct, the authorities demanded valuable property deeds as bail collateral for the release of the two believers. Praise God for the release of these believers. Pray God encourages them as they live their lives for Him. Pray for other believers who face challenges for practicing their faith. Psalm 34: 1-10

CHINA
Christians Detained for Helping Quake Victims – China Aid Association

On June 1, Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) police officers disrupted a house church meeting and forcefully detained seven believers during a Sunday service at Taikang county, Henan province. According to China Aid Association (CAA), “Approximately six PSB officials disrupted the house church meeting and forcefully detained seven of the participants. Police officials did not state the reason for the detention. During interrogation, police officials questioned the members as to who would be taking donations to the earthquake disaster area. One woman and her child were released; however the other six remain in detention under a charge of sending money to a disaster area in the name of a house church.” According to reports, PSB officials have said they will not release those detained until they paid a fine. Pray for believers in China who are facing difficulties practicing their faith. Ask God to give them boldness to serve Him and for Him to give them the ability to forgive their persecutors. Psalm 34: 17-22

FAITH UNDER FIRE
Gov’t to pastor: Renounce faith!
Now banned from expressing moral opposition to homosexuality

Posted: June 09, 2008
10:00 pm Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily

The Canadian government has ordered a Christian pastor to renounce his faith and never again express moral opposition to homosexuality, according to a new report.

In a decision handed down just days ago in the penalty phase of the quasi-judicial proceedings run by the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal, evangelical pastor Stephen Boisson was banned from expressing his biblical perspective of homosexuality and ordered to pay $5,000 for “damages for pain and suffering” as well as apologize to the activist who complained of being hurt.

According to a report from Pete Vere at the Catholic Exchange, the penalty could foreshadow the possible fate of Father Alphonse de Valk, who also has cited the biblical perspective on homosexuality in the nation’s debate over same-sex “marriage” and now faces HRC charges.

Boisson had written a letter to the editor of his local Red Deer newspaper in 2002 denouncing the advance of homosexual activism as “wicked” and stating: “Children as young as five and six years of age are being subjected to psychologically and physiologically damaging pro-homosexual literature and guidance in the public school system; all under the fraudulent guise of equal rights.”

The activist, local teacher Darren Lund, filed a complaint and the guilty verdict from Lori G. Andreachuk, a lawyer, was handed down some weeks ago. The latest decision involved the penalty phase of the trial.

“While agreeing that Boisson’s letter was not a criminal act, the government tribunal nevertheless ordered the Christian pastor to [stop expressing his opinion],” Vere reported.

Andreachuk noted that Lund, who brought the complaint, wasn’t, in fact, injured.

“In this case there is no specific individual who can be compensated as there is no direct victim who has come forward.,” she wrote.

However, that did not stop her from order the payment anyway.

And as for the future, she wrote:

“Mr. Boissoin and The Concerned Christian Coalition Inc. shall cease publishing in newspapers, by e-mail, on the radio, in public speeches, or on the Internet, in future, disparaging remarks about gays and homosexuals. Further, they shall not and are prohibited from making disparaging remarks in the future about. Lund or. Lund’s witnesses relating to their involvement in this complaint. Further, all disparaging remarks versus homosexuals are directed to be removed from current Web sites and publications of Mr. Boissoin and The Concerned Christian Coalition Inc,” the lawyer opined.

Andreachuk also ordered Boissoin to apologize for the original letter in the Red Deer Advocate and told the two “offenders” to pay $5,000.

The apology letter, Vere said, “threatens civil liberties in Canada, according to Ezra Levant, an author and lawyer who himself was targeted by an HRC attack.”

“[The] government now believes that if it can’t convince a Christian pastor that he’s wrong, it will just order him to condemn himself?” Levant wrote on his blog. “Other than tribunals in Stalin’s Soviet Union and Mao’s China, where is this Orwellian ‘order’ considered to be justice?”

“This is like a Third World jail-house confession – where accused criminals are forced to sign false statements of guilt,” Levant wrote. “We don’t even ‘order’ murderers to apologize to their victims’ families. Because we know that a forced apology is meaningless. But not if your point is to degrade Christian pastors.”

“In essence, the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal is ordering to the minister to renounce his Christian faith, since his opposition to homosexuality is based upon the Judeo-Christian Bible,” Vere wrote.

WND reported recently about de Valk, the target of a Human Rights Commission case over his biblical references regarding homosexuality.

“Father [de Valk] defended the [Catholic] Church’s teaching on marriage during Canada’s same-sex ‘marriage’ debate, quoting extensively from the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Pope John Paul II’s encyclicals. Each of these documents contains official Catholic teaching. And like millions of other people throughout the world and the ages – many of whom are non-Catholics and non-Christians – Father believes that marriage is an exclusive union between a man and a woman,” Vere wrote.

Vere raised the question that Canada now considers morality a “hate crime.”

“If one, because of one’s sincerely held moral beliefs, whether it be Jew, Muslim, Christian, Catholic, opposes the idea of same-sex marriage in Canada, is that considered ‘hate’?” he asked.

Vere wrote that the response he got from Mark van Dusen, a spokesman for the federal human rights prosecution office, shocked him.

The government agent confirmed the agency investigates complaints but doesn’t set public policy or moral standards. He said the agency job is to look at the circumstances and decide whether to advance it or dismiss it.

What is shocking about that, Vere wrote, is the admission that unjustified complaints can be dismissed, yet the case against de Valk has continued now for more than six months.