Today's action is from In Defense of Christians:

"The Nineveh Plain and the wider region have been the ancestral homeland of Christians, Yazidis, and other religious and ethnic minorities, for centuries until ISIS overran and occupied the area in 2014. Today ISIS's territorial caliphate is defeated, but the region is not yet fully safe for religious minorities to return home.

We are calling on members of Congress to support House Resolution 259, which calls for:

• Make it a policy priority of the United States to support the safe return of refugee and IDPs from the Nineveh Plain and Sinjar to their ancestral homeland;
• Fully integrate religious minority communities into the security system to counter current and future terrorist threats.

Please send a letter asking your member of Congress to cosponsor House Resolution 259."

Today's action comes from International Christian Concern:

"Since their inception, the Iranian Revolutionary Courts have been used to actively oppress Christians and other minority religious groups in Iran. The decisions of these courts often subject religious minorities to inhumane living conditions, torture, and imprisonment.

The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act allows the President to apply sanctions to major human rights offenders. This is a crucial law that allows the government to limit those who abuse their positions of power and deter potential human right abusers.

We invite you to sign this petition urging President Trump to impose sanctions on three Iranian judges who have a lengthy history of human rights abuses against Christians and other religious minorities in Iran.

Today's action is from International Christian Concern:

"On January 5, an Egyptian Muslim cleric named Sheikh Sayed Askar witnessed a terrorist planting bombs on the roof of the Virgin Mary and Father Seifin Church in Nasr City, near Cairo, Egypt.

The terrorist planned to detonate the bombs during the church’s orthodox Christmas Eve service on January 6. Hundreds of Christians flock to this Christmas Eve service every year to celebrate their Savior.

After Sheikh Askar alerted the police, the government responded to the Imam’s observation and immediately dispatched a specialized bomb squad to defuse the bombs. The squad located three bombs on the roof of the church.

Tragically, while the officers were attempting to defuse the bombs, one detonated. An officer, Major Mustafa Abid, lost his life. Three other nearby individuals, including General Nasar Mansour, were seriously injured.

As an advocate for the persecuted and a public witness to their suffering, we continually call out governments and individuals that practice, abide, or abet the persecution of Christians around the world.

Too rarely, though, do we have the opportunity to acknowledge and thank those who are the exception to the status quo – those who personally risk their reputations, livelihood, or even their lives to protect endangered Christians.  Askar’s actions foiled this terrorist plot yet ultimately endangered his own life in Egypt – a country still teeming with radical Islamist violence today.

The actions of Major Abid, General Mansour, the other members of the Nasr City bomb squad, as well as Imam Askar, give us such an opportunity. If they had not moved quickly, the roof of the church would surely have collapsed from the force of the explosion, resulting in a massive number of deaths of Christians at the church and Muslims attending the mosque next door.

Please join us in thanking these brave men with your signature to honor their sacrifice.

We will deliver the letter and the list of signatures to the individuals and families of those involved, including the family of the officer who lost his life.

Today's action is from International Christian Concern:

"It is time again for the United States Congress to reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Every few years, USCIRF must be reauthorized in order for it to keep doing the essential work of monitoring religious freedom conditions around the world. It serves a crucial role in raising awareness about the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities around the world.

We invite you to sign this petition to ask the United States Congress to pass legislation as soon as possible to reauthorize USCIRF so that they may continue their most important work. In doing so, you will be raising your voice to signal that religious freedom remains an important value to the United States."

Today's post comes from Voice of the Martyrs and its Prisoner Alert project:

"Pastor Meron Gebreselasie was arrested on June 3, 2004. Meron, also known as Million, was the pastor of Massawa Rhema Evangelical Church in Massawa, a Red Sea port city. He was also an anesthetist at Massawa Hospital.

Meron was arrested shortly after Pastor Tesfatsion Hagos of Asmara, who was arrested on May 27, 2004 while visiting Meron. On his way to return Tesfatsion’s belongings to his home in Asmara, Meron was detained at a checkpoint. He has been in prison ever since.

He was held for two months at Asmara’s 2nd Police Station before being moved to the maximum-security Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center, where many of Eritrea’s prominent Christian leaders arrested after the 2002 religious crackdown are believed to be held. None have been charged, tried or given prison sentences."

From the link below, click "Petition Official" underneath his picture on the left.  Then click on "Charge d'Affaires," also on the left. 

In your email to the Eritrean Charge d'Affaires (like a deputy Ambassador) please be brief and respectfully request Meron Gebreselasie's release. Do not mention Voice of the Martyrs, Prisoner Alert or Engage Daily. I suggest you also ask the government of Eritrea to respect Article 18 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states the following:

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

Today's action comes from Open Doors:

"Throughout history, God has used persecution as part of His sovereign plan to spread His gospel and strengthen believers. Scripture tells us repeatedly that we will not always understand God’s ways. But we continue to pray even when things don’t make sense in our heads and hearts, trusting God and His wisdom–remembering that He is good.

We have the opportunity to stand with some of our Christian brothers and sisters in Iran as they find themselves imprisoned or facing long prison sentences.

As part of the Body of Christ, you have the opportunity to write to these brothers and sisters in Iran—strengthening and encouraging them to cling to Christ and His Word as they walk through the fire."

From the link below, please be sure to read and follow the writing and security guidelines listed before composing your note.

Today's action comes from In Defense of Christians:

"The Coptic Christian Community is the largest Christian minority in the Middle East and faces ongoing violence and threats from terrorists, once being described by ISIS as their “favorite prey”. Over the last year they have been the target of repeated bombings and shootings which have killed over 100 people. In response to this persecution, Rep. French Hill (R-AR-2), Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI-1), Rep. Luis Correa (D-CA-46), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), and 13 other members have introduced Resolution 49 which reaffirms the importance of the U.S.-Egypt partnership in the region and the fight against terrorism, and encourages the Egyptian government to bring terrorist who have targeted Coptic Christians to justice. It also pushes for Coptic Christians to be given the same rights as other Egyptian citizens. IDC is excited to be working in partnership with these legislative champions to promote the justice and safety for the Coptic Christian community in Egypt and the broader Middle East. 

Please take a moment to send your Member of Congress a letter encouraging them to cosponsor House Resolution 49. We can not be silent while the Coptic Christian community continues to be the target of violence."

Today's action comes from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW):

"[February 18 marked] 365 days since Leah Sharibu was abducted. For a whole year she’s been held in captivity and treated like a slave. For a whole year she’s refused to give up her faith or give up on God. Now is the time to show the world that we haven’t given up either. 

Email the Nigerian ambassador today and join us in calling for the Nigerian government to negotiate Leah’s immediate release – and the release of Alice Ngaddah, the humanitarian worker being held captive with Leah."

Today's action comes from Open Doors:

"The new 2019 World Watch List report reveals a dark reality for girls and women who are persecuted for both their gender and their faith. In some societies, violent attacks on women and girls are simply a highly effective means of inflicting debilitating and long-term physical and emotional damage on Christians in that area and even worldwide.

That’s why as the Body of Christ, we need to be voices of encouragement and prayer for women like Aisha whose story is, unfortunately, not uncommon for women in the 50 countries on the World Watch List. Warning – Aisha’s story includes sexual violence and may trigger those who have experienced sexual violence themselves.

Aisha is a 28-year-old wife and mother of three children from Nigeria (up from #14 in 2018 to #12 on this year’s World Watch List). Tragically two years ago, Aisha’s northern Nigerian community of Kano was attacked by Hausa-Fulani Islamic militants who forced their way into her home. They saw a Bible in the room and assumed Aisha’s husband was a pastor. Immediately, they grabbed him and took him away. She assumed they would kill him. Then the men demanded sex from her. When she refused, they beat her up. Two of the attackers raped her.

Thankfully, Aisha’s story doesn’t end there. A few hours later, her husband returned. When he asked her what happened, she didn’t want to tell him. Finally, she found the words, and her husband pledged to stay by her side. Aisha is still emotionally traumatized at times. Fortunately, she has twice participated in Open Doors’ trauma care and counseling where she has found healing.

She asks, “Tell the world these things we are going through in Nigeria.”

Would you take a few minutes and write this brave sister in Christ a letter of encouragement? Let Aisha know that the world is hearing about what she and women in northern Nigeria are going through. That we are listening to their stories.

And that they are not alone."

Today's action comes from Open Doors:

"Looking for a simple way to pray for persecuted Christians in need around the world? Pray for the Persecuted Church will send you regular, specific prayer requests submitted by Christian leaders, field staff and partners living out their faith in the world’s most difficult places. This app allows you to quickly scroll through the prayer request from one screen and then click “I prayed” to let persecuted Christians know that you’re standing with them in prayer.

If a particular request grabs your attention or pulls at your heart, you have the option to share the prayer request to your social media, email or text with just one-click. In this way, you can also encourage others to learn about and pray for persecuted brothers and sisters around the world."

Today's action comes from Christian Freedom International:

Asia Bibi is reportedly being hunted by Islamic radicals after being acquitted by Pakistan's Supreme Court of false charges of blasphemy.

She was released from jail,but is not free in a country filled with Islamic vigilantes seeking to execute her.
 
Several countries may offer her asylum. The U.S. should join them - and make it more difficult for Islamists to find her.
 
Send this petition to your congressmen, senators, Secretary of State Pompeo and the White House.

Today's action is from 21Wilberforce:

"Write on behalf of imprisoned Kachin pastors Langjaw Gam Seng and Dumdaw Nawng Latt.

These two Baptist leaders have been through thrown into a military prison in Myanmar (Burma) and need immediate help. After their formal arraignment, these two leaders potentially face long prison sentences for their commitment to highlight a governmental bombing of a Catholic Church."

Here is the sample text they provide for your email to the Burmese Attorney General:
 
"Please drop all charges against Pastor Langjaw Gam Seng and Pastor Dumdaw Nawng Latt.
 
Also, please ensure that, pending their release, Pastor Seng and Pastor Latt are not ill-treated, are held in humane conditions and have access to lawyers, family and adequate medical care."

Today's action comes from The American Center for Law & Justice:

"Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been arrested yet again for being a Christian.

Iranian authorities brutally beat him as his terrified family watched.  His young son was tasered by authorities after he opened the door.

Years ago, the ACLJ worked tirelessly to save Pastor Youcef who was sentenced to death after refusing to recant his Christian faith and convert to Islam.

Now he’s been thrown into an Iranian prison, notorious for its appalling inhumane conditions – because of his Christian faith.

Iran’s actions violate its own constitution that guarantees religious freedom, and multiple international human rights treaties.

We’re once again ramping up our legal advocacy efforts to fight across the globe for Pastor Youcef’s freedom and hold Iran accountable for its heinous persecution of Christians.

We must take swift action to free Pastor Youcef before it’s too late."

For background, see yesterday's action.  Today's action comes from the American Family Association (AFA).

Today's action is from The Colson Center for Christian Worldview:

"Today, please join me, Ed Stetzer, and thousands of Christians in petitioning President Trump to grant asylum to Asia Bibi and her family."On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, reports surfaced that Islamic radicals in Pakistan were “hunting house to house” for Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi.

Her story should be painfully familiar by now.

Bibi has been in hiding since Pakistan’s supreme court acquitted her of blasphemy charges–this after a 9 year imprisonment and legal battle that left at least two of her supporters dead. She now faces a vigilante campaign for her execution, the execution of her family, and the three high court judges that rendered the verdict. Her attorney has already fled the country.

A few countries, including Canada and Australia, seem to be working with Pakistan to grant her asylum, but so far the United States has remained silent.

This should . . . not . . . be."

Here is the sample letter provide by Roberto Rivera of the Colson Center:

As you undoubtedly know, on October 31, a Pakistani woman named Asia Noreen, better known as “Asia Bibi,” was found not guilty of blasphemy, which is punishable by death in Pakistan, by that country’s Supreme Court.

The ruling ended a nine-year legal battle for a woman whose only “offense” was being, along with her family, the only Christians in her village.

While Asia Bibi is no longer in legal jeopardy, she is still in great danger. As you also know, Islamists in Pakistan were outraged by the verdict. Prominent Islamist leaders threatened the Supreme Court with death — no small threat in a country where the two politicians who spoke out on Asia Bibi’s behalf were assassinated.

And, of course, they have vowed to obtain extrajudicially what they couldn’t obtain through the courts: Asia Bibi’s death.
Noreen and her family are trapped in a nation filled with people who would gladly kill her. She is being “guarded” by security services whose Islamist sympathies are well-documented. And, as the Guardian rightly put it, newly elected prime minister Imran Khan is playing a dangerous game with regards to her safety: defending the Supreme Court while appeasing extremists by also defending the blasphemy law.

The sooner Asia Bibi and her family are out of Pakistan the better.

And that brings me to my purpose for my writing you. While the Netherlands, Britain, and Canada have all been mentioned as possible destinations for the Noreen family, the UNited States has been conspicuous by its absence in these reports.

The United States is without question the safest place of refuge for Asia Bibi and her family. We have a 230-plus year commitment to religious freedom and tolerance. That the United States isn’t being mentioned as her ultimate destination is a betrayal of those principles and an abdication of our responsibilities.

I urge you to do whatever is in your power to change this. To have Asia Bibi still in danger after her legal ordeal because we weren’t willing to “step up” and back up our words with our deeds would leave an indelible stain on our national honor.

Thank you for your kind attention to this important matter.

Today's action is from CitizenGo:

"Asia Bibi was finally acquitted in Pakistan after over eight years of court proceedings. She has been in prison since June 16, 2009, accused of the crime of breaking a Sharia-based blasphemy law. Her Muslim co-workers, who reproached her for being a Christian, brought the accusation after an argument over a drinking vessel.Her family has been informed that, in recent months, her physical condition has gotten worst during her stay in Multan prison.

However, although she has been acquitted, her problems are not over.

Her acquittal has provoked a wave of violence throughout Pakistan that has already left several dead. Asia Bibi's lawyer has had to flee the country in order not to be killed. The situation is more delicate than ever. 

We at CitizenGO wish to help take Asia Bibi and her family out of the country and give them a better life. However, they are now prohibited from leaving Pakistan, and her court case might be reviewed.

That is why we are asking the Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, to intercede as soon as possible so that this Christian woman and her family can leave, and that the necessary security measures will be taken to keep them alive."

Today's action is from ADF International and CitizenGo:

"Stand up for Christians and other religious minorities in Africa and Asia facing persecution. Stand together with healthcare workers in Europe who seek to act according to their conscience. Help us defend the most vulnerable in society, whose right to life is being threatened around the world.

This December we will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But many rights have been limited, neglected, or distorted.
We ask you to sign your support for The Geneva Statement, which will be delivered to the United Nations in the run-up to the anniversary: 'We urge all nations to uphold the fundamental right to life, family, and religious freedom, as recognized by the Universal Declaration.'
The UN and its member states have not done enough to protect these fundamental rights. We want to make sure that your voice for the voiceless is being heard at the highest levels. Make your voice heard today and sign the Statement - for the persecuted and the neglected; for inherent human dignity and for fundamental freedoms."

Today's action is from The American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ):

"Christian Pastor John Cao – a U.S. permanent resident – has been wrongfully convicted and sentenced in China.After decades working in China and Burma (Myanmar), providing for the poor, sharing the love of Christ, and establishing schools for impoverished children, Pastor John was arrested and imprisoned by Chinese authorities as part of their increased crackdown on Christian pastors.

Pastor John’s wife and 2 sons (all U.S. citizens from North Carolina) desperately want their father released and returned home to America.

Pastor John has been unjustly targeted for his Christian faith and sentenced to seven years in prison.

He’s been imprisoned since March 2017. His health is deteriorating, and he’s lost over 50 pounds. He’s forced to share a cell with a dozen inmates and only 1 bed.

We're representing Pastor John's family, aggressively working internationally for his ultimate freedom. We’ve mobilized our resources across the globe and are urging China to release Pastor John and allow him to come home to the United States to be reunited with his wife and kids."

Today's action comes from Engage Magazine:

"The Orange Letter Campaign has been a cornerstone of Engage Magazine since 2016. It all began on February 15, 2015, when ISIS released a video of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in orange jumpsuits being martyred on a Libyan beach. Gripped by the reality of persecution that Christians face all around the world, Engage launched the Orange Letter Campaign, asking for letters of encouragement and prayer to send to these Christians suffering for the sake of Jesus Christ.

For the next week, November 26 – 30, Engage Magazine is partnering with Uncharted Ministries to reach out to persecuted Christian widows in Nigeria. The Fulani Herdsmen, a Muslim terrorist group, has ravaged their land, burning churches and villages to the ground, kidnapping women and girls, and leaving many without husbands. The Nigerian widow situation is one of the most severe examples of Christian persecution in the world today. 

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). We want to invite you to join us in solidarity with these women, our sisters in Christ, and let them know they are neither forgotten nor alone. 

We are asking for letters filled with Scripture, prayer, and encouragement. If you would like to write a letter but do not know what to say, pray and spend time in your Bible. More than anything, these women need the Word of God to speak to their hearts.

To send your letter, simply email it to orange@afa.net and it will be delivered.

Today's action is from In Defense of Christians:

"ISIS’s criminal acts against Christians and other religious minorities in Syria and Iraq was designated as a Genocide by the U.S. Congress and administration in 2016.  The rise of ISIS and the volume and scale of its atrocities demonstrate that when violence and wars break out, they are rarely contained.  Their detrimental consequences spill over into neighboring countries and reverberate for decades to come.  Worse, this kind of violence only fuels additional waves of atrocities, human rights and religious freedom violations around the world.IDC believes that preventing such violence and ongoing persecution against the most vulnerable communities is a matter of national security to the United States and should be treated as a priority. 

The Elie Wiesel Act will make it United States Policy that it is in our best interest to prevent violent atrocities or acts of genocide in the future by responding quickly to early warning signs. 

The Elie Wiesel Act has passed the House and is now stuck in the Senate. Send your Senator a strong signal that you support the Elie Wiesel Act and stopping genocides before they happen."

Today's post comes from Voice of the Martyrs and its Prisoner Alert project:

"Mussie Ezaz was arrested in September 2007 when Eritrean authorities came after him for his work as a youth minister with the Kale Hiwot (Word of Life) Church. He worked as an evangelist for 14 years and served with Youth for Christ for a number of years before developing a ministry to youth at the Kale Hiwot Church, and other believers described him as a kind, generous and gifted leader.

Recent reports indicate Mussie is located at the maximum-security crime investigation unit (Wenjel Mermera) in the capital city of Asmara. Many other pastors and church leaders are and were imprisoned there, some for more than 10 years. As with other Christians imprisoned in Eritrea, Mussie has never been tried or charged. His family has no idea whether he will ever be released.

Mussie is married and has three children waiting for him to come home."

From the link below, click "Petition Official" underneath his picture on the left.  Then click on "Deputy Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the United Nations," also on the left. 

In your email to the Eritrean Ambassador to the United Nations please be brief and respectfully request Mussie Ezaz's release. Do not mention Voice of the Martyrs, Prisoner Alert or Engage Daily. I suggest you also ask the government of Eritrea to respect Article 18 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states the following:

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

Today's action is from In Defense of Christians:

"Saudi Arabia has a long history of promoting religious intolerance through schoolbooks for young children. In particular, Saudi textbooks promote Wahhabism, the radical ideology that serves as inspiration for Al-Qaeda and ISIS. These books, which encourage dehumanization of Christians, Jews, and others, are distributed by Saudi Arabia internationally and commitments made by Saudi Arabia to recall hate propaganda have not been adequately met.

Write your member of Congress and tell them to support H.R.4549 - Saudi Educational Transparency and Reform Act, a bipartisan resolution that mandates increased oversight from The State Department on Saudi Arabia’s performance on previous commitments to reform their education curriculum."

Today's action is from The American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ):

"It’s an ultimatum: Boko Haram has promised to kill a Christian teen held captive for her faith.  A 15-year-old girl is being held captive by Islamic jihadists in Nigeria because she is a Christian. We must take action to save her.

Boko Haram – the Nigerian jihadist militia pledged to ISIS – stormed a village and abducted 110 schoolgirls. Five of those were killed, and 104 were freed.

Yet one brave teen named Leah Sharibu remains a prisoner because she won’t renounce her Christian faith.

Nigerian Christians are being targeted, abused, and murdered by sadistic jihadist groups like Boko Haram. Their government seems unable or unwilling to stop this violence against Christians.

We’ve delivered a critical oral intervention at the U.N. on behalf of Nigeria’s Christians. We’re sending a critical legal advocacy letter to the government of Nigeria demanding it act to free Leah.

Christian children must be protected. Leah Sharibu must be brought home safely. Now she urgently needs YOU before it’s too late."

Today's post comes from Voice of the Martyrs and its Prisoner Alert project:

"Mussie Ezaz was arrested in September 2007 when Eritrean authorities came after him for his work as a youth minister with the Kale Hiwot (Word of Life) Church. He worked as an evangelist for 14 years and served with Youth for Christ for a number of years before developing a ministry to youth at the Kale Hiwot Church, and other believers described him as a kind, generous and gifted leader.

Recent reports indicate Mussie is located at the maximum-security crime investigation unit (Wenjel Mermera) in the capital city of Asmara. Many other pastors and church leaders are and were imprisoned there, some for more than 10 years. As with other Christians imprisoned in Eritrea, Mussie has never been tried or charged. His family has no idea whether he will ever be released.

Mussie is married and has three children waiting for him to come home."

From the link below, click "Petition Official" underneath his picture on the left.  Then click on "Ambassador Representative," also on the left. 

In your email to the Eritrean Ambassador to the United States please be brief and respectfully request Mussie Ezaz's release. Do not mention Voice of the Martyrs, Prisoner Alert or Engage Daily. I suggest you also ask the government of Eritrea to respect Article 18 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states the following:

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

Today's action is from 21Wilberforce:

"On Monday, a special three-member panel of Pakistan’s Supreme Court heard the final appeal for justice by Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death on charges of blasphemy. Following three hours of testimony by Asia’s defense attorney, the panel delayed its verdict indefinitely, again sending Asia back to prison while ordering the media and those present to refrain from discussing the case.

The mother of five already has spent more than eight years in prison, accused of making derogatory remarks against Islam during a 2009 argument with her Muslim co-workers. The argument began when Asia drank water from a communal cup while working in a field alongside the other women — an act that her co-workers charged made the water unclean for them because Asia is a Christian.

In 2010, Asia was found guilty of blasphemy and sentenced to death by hanging under section 295-C of Pakistan’s criminal code. In the years since, she has languished in solitary confinement as her appeal has moved slowly through the Pakistani judicial system. Her case has been at the center of an international uproar against blasphemy laws and resulted in the 2011 assassinations of then-Governor of Punjab Salmaan Taseer and the Pakistani Minister of Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, both advocates for Asia’s release. Her family continues to live in fear of mortal threats and harassment.

Hardline Islamists have warned of “terrible consequences” if Asia is granted leniency, which some believe may have contributed to the Court’s decision to reserve its judgment until a later, undetermined date.

“This is the truth of how the blasphemy law operates in Pakistan,” writes Reema Omer, a legal adviser for the International Commission of Jurists. “The accused has to suffer prolonged periods of pretrial detention, which in many cases is followed by years on death row before their appeals are decided. Additionally, lawyers and judges in blasphemy cases live in a climate of fear and face very real threats of violence.”

If Asia loses her appeal at the Supreme Court, her only recourse will be a desperate and direct appeal to Pakistan’s president for clemency. Under the current government of newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has publicly defended Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, the prospects of a response favorable to Asia seems tenuous. Failure at this step could mean Asia Bibi would be the first person in Pakistan to be executed for blasphemy.

Like other human rights groups, 21Wilberforce is concerned that blasphemy laws — in Pakistan as well as some 70 other countries — are being exploited by religious extremists and used to settle personal scores against religious minorities. Indeed, the U.S. Secretary of State placed Pakistan on a Special Watch List earlier this year for severe violations of religious freedom. 21Wilberforce supports S. Res. 647, introduced by Senators James Lankford [R-OK] and Christopher Coons [D-DE], calling for the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws."

Click below to see if one of your Senators is on the Foreign Relations Committee, then email him or her a quick note to urge passage of S. Res. 647.