Nov 15, 2007
International Religious Freedom Archive
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1. Wales: Sikh Student Suspended for Refusing to Remove Religious Symbol (Nov. 7)
2. Egyptian Police Detain Two More from Religious Rights Group (Nov. 11)
3. India: Police Refuse to Report Religiously Motivated Attack (Nov. 11)
4. Malaysia Uzbekistan: Baptist to be Tried for Teaching Religion "Without Permission" (Nov. 12)
5. Foreign Missionaries Forced Out of Eritrea (Nov. 13)
6. Confiscations of Religious Literature Continue in Transdniester (Nov. 13)
Features:Prohibited Identities: State Interference with Religious Freedom. A report on religious freedom in Egypt, from Human Rights Watch.
The " Work Plan for Special Administration on Christian Activities in Duodao District" (Hubei Province, China) detailing how the local government should deal with religious activities, courtesy of China Aid.
The website for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing reminds those attending that they should bring only one Bible with them to China.
1. Wales: Sikh Student Suspended for Refusing to Remove Religious Symbol
November 7
Aberdare, Wales
icWales reports that Sarika Watkins-Singh, a 14-year-old Sikh student, was sent home from school for refusing to remove a bracelet, a Kara, which her school deemed jewelry, but which is actually a sign of religious observance for Sikhs. The Kara, a steel bracelet, signifies a Sikh's devotion to truth. (Read more from the United Sikhs.) Watkins-Singh was initially placed in isolation for her refusal to remove the Kara, and was then sent home "for a fixed period". She now plans to ask the High Court for a judicial review of her school's decision.
2. Egyptian Police Detain Two More from Religious Rights Group
November 11
Cairo, Egypt
Reuters reports that Egyptian police raided the Cairo homes of two members of the Middle East Christians Association, detaining the group's spokesman and another member of the organization, and confiscating computers and cell phones. The group, which campaigns for secularism in the Middle East and equal rights for Christians, has been targeted by the government before; two other members were arrested in August and were only recently released from prison.
3. India: Police Refuse to Report Religiously Motivated Attack
November 11
Chhattisgarh, India
Assist News reports that a Christian family in Chhattisgarh state was attacked at their home by a group of young men, who were intoxicated and angry that the family was not celebrating a Hindu festival. The group, composed of about twenty men, physically attacked one of the family's sons, and threatened to murder the family and kidnap their daughter. When the family went to the police to make a statement about the incident, police refused to file a report.
4. Uzbekistan: Baptist to be Tried for Teaching Religion "Without Permission"
November 12
Khalkabad, Uzbekistan
Forum 18 reports that on November 13, Baptist Nikolai Zulfikarov was set to be tried on criminal charges of "teaching religious doctrines without special religious education" "without permission" and "privately" after holding religious services at his home. If convicted, Zulfikarov faces fines up to fifty times the minimum monthly wage, or three years in prison. Uzbekistan's Baptists have reported continual harassment of late; Forum 18 reports that religious oppression in the country continues to affect those of other faiths as well.
5. Foreign Missionaries Forced Out of Eritrea
November 13
Eritrea
The Catholic Information Service for Africa reports that the Eritrean government has given thirteen Catholic missionaries two weeks to leave the country, with a deadline of November 20th. The missionaries, from various countries and congregations, are said to have been pressured to leave under "unclear circumstances". A missionary news agency reports that the government had begun to warn certain missionary groups, as early as two years ago, that they should prepare for a "planned exit of foreigners from the nation."
6. Confiscations of Religious Literature Continue in Transdniester
November 13
Transdniester
Forum 18 reports that Transdniester, an as-yet unrecognized political entity within the borders of Moldova, routinely confiscates items of a religious nature found on people crossing their borders. Most recently, a Russian Orthodox priest had his car impounded after passing through a Transdniestrian checkpoint where he "did not declare" that he was carrying church candles. Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, Protestants and Russian Orthodox have all cited instances of having religious literature confiscated at checkpoints, with Baptists reporting that the literature is frequently not returned after confiscation. Currently, only registered religious communities may import literature.