Letter

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Deafening silence as human rights abuses prevail

Why is the world so silent?  Why is nothing being said about the gross human-rights abuses taking place throughout the world against Christians?  As we stand today, the Middle East remains the most dangerous place for Christians to live in where attacks occur with frightening regularly.  In Iran Christians meet secretly in private homes.  Once discovered by authorities, they are rounded up and imprisoned.

In their 2012 report, the organisation Open Doors which focuses on the plight of Christians, listed Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and even the Maldives as the worlds’ worst offenders.  So called “blasphemy laws” are used against Christians in Pakistan.

These human-rights violations are not restricted to the Muslim world.  In February this year a car bomb that exploded near a church in Northern Nigeria made world headline news.  Over 500 Christians were killed in the last year in Nigeria simply for practicing their faith.

The Voice of the Martyrs Organisation reports that persecution of Christians rose “significantly” from 2010 to 2011.  India, a country that likes to be seen as tolerant, is also a scene of mass attacks on our Christian brethren.  In 2011 alone at least 1000 cases of anti-Christian violence and hatred was reported across that country.

But by far, the world’s worst offender is without doubt North Korea.  Various reports indicate the existence of labour camps filled with Christian in slave-like conditions!

Despite all the anti-Christian violence, intimidation and even killings happening in the world indifference in this regard is common-place.  Government, even those of predominantly Christian countries sit on their hands and say very little, if anything.  The media and people in general appear to look away.   Except for a few organisations little attention is given to what is happening.

Why is nothing being said or done?  Why are large organisations such as the European Union, or the African Union and the United Nations in particular been so quiet on this?

This is an important issue and will remain so.  The Pew Forum confirms that at least 10% of the world’s Christians live in societies as a minority group.  These communities simply wish to practice their faith peacefully.  As things stand, this will not happen as people are still fleeing into exile because of their faith. 

It is time for each one of us to educate ourselves on this matter and to fight for every person’s right to practice the faith they wish.

Yours Sincerely,

Manny de Freitas