Chen Guangcheng’s nephew charged with ‘intentional homicide,’ could face death sentence

Blind activist Chen Guangcheng sitting in a wheelchair
 as he is accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to China
 Gary Locke at a hospital in Beijing (Photo: Reuters)

Chen Guangcheng’s nephew charged with ‘intentional homicide,’ could face death sentence: "YINAN, SHANDONG, CHINA (ANS) -- ChinaAid has just told the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net) that it has just learned that the nephew of blind, self-taught lawyer Chen Guangcheng has been formally arrested and charged with “intentional homicide,” a crime that carries the death sentence.

The formal arrest of Chen’s nephew Chen Kegui took place on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, and the formal arrest notification with the charge of “intentional homicide” was given to Chen Kegui’s mother, Ren Zongju on Thursday May 10. They were executed by the Yinan County People’s Procuratorate and the Yinan Public Security Bureau."

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Iranian Officials Heighten Control on Farsi-Speaking Church

Iranian Officials Heighten Control on Farsi-Speaking Church: "AOG church in Tehran faces pressure to identify members to authorities.

ISTANBUL, May 11 (CDN) — Leaders of the Assemblies of God’s (AOG) Central Church of Tehran told their congregation on Sunday (May 6) that authorities have demanded a list of names and identification numbers of church members, a major risk to converts from Islam.


Church leaders then asked members in attendance to volunteer their information. The AOG church holds two Sunday services, both conducted in Farsi. It is the only church remaining in Tehran that offers Farsi-language worship on Sundays. "

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Christians Facing Nightmare in Homs; Thousands Forced to Flee

Burning buildings in Baba Amr, Homs,
 an area heavily shelled by the Syrian regime.
 Photograph: Local Co-ordination Committees/EPA

Christians Facing Nightmare in Homs; Thousands Forced to Flee: "SANTA ANA, CA (ANS) -- Christians living in the ravaged city of Homs, Syria, are facing a nightmare that never seems to end.

The target of a savage bombing campaign, Homs has made headlines around the world. But behind the headlines, another story is emerging. There is disturbing new evidence of intimidation and persecution of Christians in the city.

Before the Syrian uprising against the government – which has left 9,000 dead – began over a year ago, there were an estimated 40,000 Christians in Homs. Now less than 5,000 are left. Most fled because of the conflict. But many are now being driven out. Extremist Sunni Muslim groups have recently started to visit Christian families in Homs, telling them to leave, or else be killed."

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Egypt’s Lost Daughters; the Abduction of Christian Girls

Egypt’s Lost Daughters; the Abduction of Christian Girls:

 By Aidan Clay of International Christian Concern (ICC)
Special to ASSIST News Service

EGYPT (ANS) -- “We don’t know if our daughter is still alive,” Magda told ICC during a recent visit to Egypt. “We haven’t seen or heard from her in five years… Her kidnapper called us and said she was dead and buried.”

Mary disappeared in June 2007, but to her mother, Magda, it feels like only yesterday that she was sleeping peacefully in her own bed under the loving care of her parents. For those who lose a child, as Magda had, the pain never goes away.

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Hmong families evicted for turning to Christ in Vietnam

Mission Network News: "Vietnam (MNN) ― On May 9, 2011, a protest of Hmong Christians for more religious freedom and land reforms was quashed by security forces in Vietnam. The clashes resulted in the death of 28 people. Scores more went missing.

Later that month, unarmed Viet-Hmong protesters were the targets of helicopter attacks along the northern Vietnam border. By May 24, reports showed 63 peaceful protesters had been killed."

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India: Hindu nationalism fuels violence & injustice

India: Hindu nationalism fuels violence & injustice: "AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- Hindu nationalism -- the idea that India should be a Hindu State -- is the political construct of India's high caste Hindu powerbrokers who pursue political power for the purpose of perpetuating their own power and privilege.

Hindu nationalism works to dragnet the votes of India's Hindu majority (74 percent), primarily through promoting Hindu supremacy and to effect religious conversions for political gain through fear-mongering amongst India's indigenous tribal peoples who are traditionally non-Hindu. The Hindu nationalists tell the indigenous tribals that their nation is under threat from seditious elements (Muslims and Christians) who they say are in the pay of foreign enemies like Pakistan and the CIA. The only way to protect India from separatism and colonialism is for the tribals to join the Hindu mainstream and fight politically and physically. This Hindutva propaganda goes largely unchallenged and is responsible for the dramatic escalation in dangerous communal violence right across India, a situation that is further fuelled by the impunity with which attackers are rewarded."

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