North Korea is preparing for its first Workers’ Party congress in five years, one of the country’s most important political events. The congress is expected to review past projects, set new political and economic priorities, and reshuffle senior officials. It will also give leader Kim Jong-un a chance to strengthen his control over the government [...]
Christians in Israel face different kinds of pressure depending on their background. Most Christians are Arab Christians, and many say they feel like second-class citizens because they are both Arab and a religious minority in a Jewish state. They are also a minority among Arab Muslims and feel more isolated as religious tension grows. Many [...]
Religious freedom in Brunei is very limited, and the government gives special importance to Islam, which is the official religion. People who are not Muslims, such as Christians, Buddhists, and others, face many restrictions. They are not allowed to build new churches or temples easily, and only old churches from before 1984 are officially recognized. [...]
Brunei, a small but wealthy nation, is under pressure to diversify from a petroleum-based economy. Since its oil reserves are going to last around 30 years, the government is looking at diversification measures like other richer Gulf nations. These involve developing tourism, trade, and the attraction of skilled personnel. Yet, because Brunei is so small [...]
In Brunei, being a Christian, especially if you’ve left Islam, can be very difficult. People who convert from Islam face strong pressure to return to their former faith, and it’s even punishable by law. Churches that are not part of traditional Christian groups cannot register as churches. Instead, they must register as companies or family [...]
Kim Jung-wook is a South Korean Christian missionary who was arrested in North Korea almost 12 years ago because of his faith. He was caught in 2013 after bringing religious items into the country. North Korean authorities made him confess to crimes like spying and spreading anti-government messages. In 2014, he was given a life [...]
Christian groups are urging Eritrea to release seven church leaders who have been jailed without trial for over 20 years. The #Voices4Justice campaign states that these men have been denied their legal rights and family visits. Some belong to evangelical churches, while others are part of a reform group in the Eritrean Orthodox Church that [...]
Brunei celebrated the 79th birthday of its royal leader, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, with a grand parade on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. The event was held at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Park in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Many people, including state leaders, officials, and citizens, gathered to watch the celebration. Members [...]
In North Korea, the government treats Christianity as a serious threat and the “greatest sinner.” Owning a Holy Bible, praying, or gathering in secret can lead to torture, imprisonment in harsh labor camps, or even execution. Families are punished too, sometimes detained for generations, just for one person’s faith. The state has set up only [...]
The UN Human Rights Council rejected Eritrea’s attempt to stop international monitoring of its human rights record. Eritrea had proposed ending the role of the UN special rapporteur, claiming its rights issues were minor and due to limited resources. However, 25 countries voted against Eritrea’s proposal, and the mandate was renewed for another year. The [...]