TORONTO, – B’nai Brith Canada has decried the recent wave of attacks against Christians around the world, most recently in Lahore, Pakistan, and warned about the vulnerability of this religious minority as Easter approaches. The persecution of Christians is a serious and growing trend according to the Jewish human rights group, which questions the silence of Church Establishment groups in Canada on the plight of their coreligionists.
Frank Dimant, CEO of B'nai Brith Canada, issued the following statement:
"We are deeply troubled to hear about the increasing numbers of attacks on Christians around the world. From the hundreds forced to flee their homes in Lahore, Pakistan, to the scores of Christians murdered in Nigeria in 2012 alone, to the 100 Egyptian Copts currently being held and tortured in Libya, these attacks highlight the vulnerability of dwindling Christian communities and, indeed, all religious minorities, as the threat of global extremism intensifies.
"Christian religious holidays such as Easter are commonly times when such attacks intensify, and as that holiday approaches, it is even more vital that governments crack down on extremists who prey on minority groups with impunity. Establishment Church groups here in Canada who claim to fight for human rights need to speak up to protect Christians worldwide and not be afraid to name the perpetrators of such horrific abuses.
