Displaced by fighting between the Iraqi army and the Islamic State group, a family leaves a processing center for displaced families Jan. 27, 2017, outside Mosul. (CNS/Paul Jeffrey)
Amman, Jordan Christians and others practicing their faith experienced serious challenges to religious freedom around the world this year, heightened by dangers posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The challenges ranged from institutionalized practices to violent killings and kidnappings. Others saw threats to religious freedom in pandemic lockdown restrictions.
In Iraq, where Pope Francis is set to make a pilgrimage next March, pandemic conditions permitting, Catholic leaders have expressed grave concerns for the conflict-ridden country s brutally displaced Christians and other religious minorities, like the Yazidis.
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SHENZHEN Security was tight on Monday as 10 people from Hong Kong faced charges in a mainland Chinese court that include illegal border crossing after a boat they were traveling in was intercepted en route to the democratic island of Taiwan.
Mainland Chinese authorities detained the 11 males and one female at sea on Aug. 23. The youngest is 16.
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The 12, who had all faced charges in Hong Kong linked to anti-government protests in the city, have been held virtually incommunicado in a mainland prison since they were detained.
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SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) -A Chinese court on Monday heard the case of 10 Hong Kong activists alleged to have fled the territory for Taiwan amid anti-China protests and held in a Chinese prison for four months as their relatives appealed for a swift resolution.
Pro-democracy supporters protest to urge for the release of 12 Hong Kong activists arrested as they reportedly sailed to Taiwan for political asylum and citizen journalist Zhang Zhan outside China s Liaison Office, in Hong Kong, China December 28, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
The group, whose case is being dealt with by a court in Shenzhen, on the border with the semi-autonomous former British colony of Hong Kong, faced charges that include illegal border crossing after their boat was intercepted allegedly en route to Taiwan.
By David Kirton
SHENZHEN, China, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Security was tight on Monday as 10 people from Hong Kong faced charges in a mainland Chinese court that include illegal border crossing after a boat they were travelling in was intercepted en route to the democratic island of Taiwan.
Mainland Chinese authorities detained the 11 males and one female at sea on Aug. 23. The youngest is 16.
The 12, who had all faced charges in Hong Kong linked to anti-government protests in the city, have been held virtually incommunicado in a mainland prison since they were detained.
Chinese officials, who have described the group as separatists, said two of them would have a separate hearing as they are minors. It was not clear if the 10 were appearing in the court or were attending via video link.
CORRECTED-UPDATE 1-Chinese court hears case of activists alleged to have fled Hong Kong for Taiwan amid protests 28 Dec 2020 / 22:47 H.
(Corrects eighth paragraph to say relatives of the defendants did not attend the trial, removes duplicated paragraph on delivery of judgment)
By David Kirton
SHENZHEN, China, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Relatives of 10 Hong Kong people who have been linked to anti-Beijing protests in the city and held in a Chinese prison for four months on Monday appealed to a mainland court for a swift decision on their case.
The group, whose case is being dealt with by a court in Shenzhen, a city on the border with semi-autonomous Hong Kong, faced charges that include illegal border crossing after their boat was intercepted allegedly en route to Taiwan.