PAKISTAN: Death Threats Against Human Rights Defender

Sources: Legal Evangelical Association Development, Assist News Service Human rights defender and campaigner Sardar Mushtaq Gill has received death threats in recent months. Sardar is the National Director of the Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD), a non-governmental organization in Punjab that represents marginalized people who are either falsely implicated by the police or unable to afford legal assistance.

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According to a news release, the threats apparently stem from an incident that took place in March of 2013. During that time, about 200 homes, 18 shops and two churches in the Christian community of Joseph Colony were attacked, looted, burnt and destroyed by a mob consisting of over 3,000 people. To review this past report, please click here. While the criminal case was registered at a police station in Bedami Bagh (Lahore), and arrests were made, a division bench of the Lahore High Court granted bail to some of the accused who were involved in the Joseph Colony incident. However, on June 4th, the association's lawyers asked that the bail be revoked. Since then, these lawyers have been threatened by unknown individuals who are demanding the withdrawal of their opposition to the bail. Due to the severity of these threats, the human rights lawyers were unable to appear in court.

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As time progressed, the situation worsened. On November 2nd, close to the vicinity where Sardar and his family live, unknown perpetrators fired random shots for almost 30 minutes. He stated in a recent news release that he received a text from his wife asking him where he was at the time as there was a shooting occurring. She fearfully warned, "Be careful. We (are) terrified...and locked the door." As Pakistan is notorious for its controversial and very strong "anti-blasphemy" laws, Sardar has asked for prayer on behalf of his family and those of his human rights legal defense team. Pray that God will grant Sardar and his dedicated team of lawyers needed strength, courage and wisdom to tackle such volatile opposition, while protecting them and their loved ones in the process. In fact, please pray for the protection of all Christians in Pakistan. May the Lord also provide ongoing help and restoration to those in Lahore whose homes, churches and businesses have been utterly destroyed earlier this year by the massive mob of extremists. “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you'” (Isaiah 35:4).

RECENT PRISONER UPDATES

IRAN: Acquitted Young Believer Released From Evin Prison

Sources: Mohabat News, Fox News, American Center for Law and Justice Mostafa Bordbar, a Christian resident of Rasht (northern Iran), was released from Evin prison after spending eleven months behind bars. After appearing before the appeals court on October 30th, 2013, Mostafa was granted an opportunity to defend himself regarding the charges that were made against him. As a result of the recent hearing, all charges were dropped and he was granted release from prison on Sunday, November 3rd. In June of this year, an initial court had sentenced Mostafa to ten years in prison. However, his lawyer, Ms. Shima Ghousheh, who happens to be a member of the Human Rights Commission in Iran, appealed the decision in hopes that with the statements she prepared the charges would be dropped. As reported in a previous prayer alert, Mostafa was arrested along with 50 other Farsi-speaking Christians on December 27th, 2012. These believers had gathered in northern Tehran to celebrate Christmas and worship the Lord in the home of a fellow believer. For more details, go to [url=http://www.persecution.net/ir-2013-08-08.htm]http://www.persecution.net/ir-2013-08-08.htm[/url]. May the Lord continue to be with Mostafa as he commences his Christian life beyond the confines of Evin's prison walls, keeping him from any further threat of arrest while also strengthening his faith. At the same time, please remember Iran's other imprisoned believers. This includes Pastor Saeed Abedini who was recently transferred to Rajaei Shahr Prison, an institution reputed for confining murderers. Just as Daniel in the Old Testament was protected while in the lion's den, let's pray that God will supernaturally keep Pastor Saeed and those in similar circumstances from any imminent danger or harm.

ERITREA: Denied Medical Treatment Results in Woman's Death

Sources: World Watch Monitor, Open Doors An Eritrean Christian woman has become the latest known prisoner of conscience to have died in Eritrea. Wehazit Berhane Debesai, who was in her thirties, died of pneumonia during the week of October 14th, following a year of imprisonment in harsh conditions. Despite the seriousness of her failing health, she was denied access to medical treatment for refusing to denounce her Christian beliefs. Wehazit had been taking part in Eritrea's national service when she was arrested last year for her involvement in Christian activities outside of the government-sanctioned Orthodox, Catholic and evangelical Lutheran church groups. The young woman, who was engaged to be married, was then kept incommunicado in the town of Adi Quala, which is located near the Ethiopian border. Her death coincided with the arrest of about 70 Christians at a prayer gathering in Asmara, the country's capital. To view a 10-minute video clip documenting the dire situation facing thousands of Christians in Eritrea, click here. While we can praise God that Wehazit has indeed gone on to receive her eternal reward for remaining faithful to the very end, her loved ones are now greatly in need of His comforting presence, including her fiancé who was also arrested and imprisoned. Please lift up this broken young man and the numerous other Eritrean believers who are struggling to survive the torturous treatment of the prison guards and the inhumane conditions of the country's deplorable prisons/metal shipping containers. Ask the Lord to strengthen and minister in a special way to their distraught family members. In addition, may He somehow capture the attention of Eritrea's president and other governing officials so they will realize the seriousness of their crimes against His beloved children. We encourage you to share your prayers on behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ by posting on VOMC's prayer wall.

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