Geographical areas In the spotlight

Rubric Freedom of religion

In the spotlight:
Freedom of religion
 
Since Tiananmen massacre nothing has changed in China

| 15/01/2004
| hong kong
 
Pilgrimage to Mecca sign of freedom and flight

One of Saddam Hussein's closest aids is trying to sneak over to Mecca, using the pilgrimage as a cover. 
| 15/01/2004
| iraq
 
Woman, mother of two, is suicide bomber in Erez

| 14/01/2004
| israel - palestine
 
Bishops ask presidential candidates to say "no" to death penalty

| 14/01/2004
| philippines
 
Non-governmental group of Catholic pro-abortionists at war with "pope's army" in Europe

Yesterday the pope spoke to the Diplomatic Corps to the Holy See about the dangers of "secularism" destroying religious expression in society and undermining means for peace. Below AsiaNews reports an example of "warrior" secularism –which speaks for itself.
| 13/01/2004
| UNITED STATES - VATICAN - EUROPE
 
Khmer Rouge: Christian baptism after massacres

| 12/01/2004
| Cambodia
 
"Low-key" visit by US religious freedom watchdog angers Beijing

| 08/01/2004
| hong kong - china
 
Capital punishment appeal by Bali terrorist rejected by Supreme Court

| 07/01/2004
| indonesia
 
New Constitution Signed

| 05/01/2004
| AFGHANISTAN
 
'Reconversion' claim by Hindu group increases tension in Gujarat

| 03/01/2004
| india
 
First bishop belonging to tribal minority

| 03/01/2004
| BANGLADESH
 
Persecutions and threats against Christians and Buddhists

| 02/01/2004
| Vietnam
 
Jewish quarter to be reborn in Shanghai, but without synagogues

| 30/12/2003
| china
 
Christmas prayer prohibited by police

| 27/12/2003
| China
 
Martyrdom, an ideal for everyone

| 26/12/2003
| Vatican
 
Christmas among guerrilla fighters and kidnappings
by Sonny Evangelista
| 24/12/2003
| philippines - christmas
 
Bethlehem, sad and isolated. Christians emigrate

| 23/12/2003
| palestine - christmas
 
European Parliament opposes lifting arms embargo against China

| 20/12/2003
| china european union
 
Mission "Possible" in world's most Islamic country
by Piero Gheddo
| 19/12/2003
| INDONESIA
 
Accused of treason, Christian separtist tells case to UN

| 18/12/2003
| Indonesia - United Nations
 
Schools, churches, mosques confiscated by Saddam Hussein return to legitimate owners

| 17/12/2003
| IRAQ
 
"Christians under Saddam suffered persecution"
by Lorenzo Fazzini
An interview with Msgr.  Jean Benjamin Sleiman, Latin rite archbishop of Baghdad
| 17/12/2003
| IRAQ
 
Online church activist arrested

| 17/12/2003
| china
 
World leaders find difficulties in bridging "digital divide"

| 12/12/2003
| United Nations
 
Wife of Chinese Christian prisoner appeals to Christians around the world

| 10/12/2003
| china
 
Iraqis united against violence

| 10/12/2003
| iraq
 
Philippine Bishops criticise the President on death penalty issue

| 09/12/2003
| philippines
 
A return to the death penalty?

| 05/12/2003
| Philippines
 
With the coalition's help, Christians and Muslims build foundations for secular state in Iraq
by Pierre Balanian

Interview with Msgr. Rabban Al-Qas, Chaldean Bishop of Amadiyah

| 02/12/2003
| iraq
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Editor's choices
 
Kathmandu: after the elections, the Church calls for reforms and good governance
by Santosh Digal
While former rapper and Kathmandu mayor Balendra “Balen” Shah seems destined to become the new prime minister, Apostolic Administrator Fr. Silas Krishna Bogati asks the future government to focus on fighting corruption, employment, and political ...
| 07/03/2026
| NEPAL
 
Two Sessions 2026: Beijing's ambitions and weaknesses today
by Andrea Ferrario
Behind the lowest GDP target since 1991 lies the recognition that the growth model on which China built its rise has lost most of its momentum. Technology is replacing real estate as the driving sector. Behind the new Five-Year Plan lies a geopolitical ...
| 05/03/2026
| RED LANTERNS
 
Islamabad's two-front war: open conflict with Kabul, steady with Tehran
by Alessandra De Poli
Pakistani rockets continue to strike Taliban political and military targets in Afghanistan, with the UN reporting at least 66,000 people displaced and dozens of civilians killed. Pakistan also faces anger from its own Shia community following the killing ...
| 05/03/2026
| PAKISTAN – MIDDLE EAST
 
FABC: Asia is gravely concerned by war, no justice through violence
The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences issued an appeal for dialogue in the face of a war that is spreading from the Middle East. Asia’s Catholic bishops call for an “immediate cessation of hostilities”, urging the “leaders ...
| 04/03/2026
| ASIA
 
Mideast war: Beijing stands with Tehran but from afar (and waiting)
No statement has come from Xi Jinping yet, while the condemnation of the attack on Iran has been entrusted to Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who spoke today with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa'ar. The evacuation of Chinese citizens from Tehran has ...
| 03/03/2026
| CHINA – UNITED STATES – ISRAEL – IRAN
 
The hidden plight of Afghan Christian refugees
by Stephen George
Renewed fighting between Pakistan and the Taliban is further exacerbating the precarious situation of families registered as refugees by the UNHCR but without a clear pathway to permanent resettlement. Often living incognito for security reasons, they ...
| 03/03/2026
| PAKISTAN - AFGHANISTAN
 
Migrant workers are the first victims of the war in Israel and the Gulf
There have already been several victims among the many expatriate communities. The first death in the Jewish state from an Iranian missile was that of a Filipino caregiver. The conflict has also spread to the seas, with a seafarer killed on an oil tanker ...
| 02/03/2026
| ASIA - IRAN
 
The war in Iran (and the Gulf) as seen from other Asian countries
The attacks launched by Israel and the United States on the eve of Purim and Iran's retaliation against US bases in the region have already claimed the life of one Asian immigrant, a Pakistani national working in Abu Dhabi. In India, the opposition ...
| 28/02/2026
| IRAN – UNITED STATES - ISRAEL
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”