Sudan is reportedly set to demolish Christian churches in Khartoum. The government plans to destroy at least 25 churches allegedly said to be “trespassing into residential areas,” News 24 reports.
Religious leader Meilad Musa, who is a member of the Sudanese Christian Church, revealed that the government has been refusing to approve plots for Christians to build places of worship.
“This move targets the churches in Khartoum, because they always claim that these churches have trespassed into public places, but it I think it’s a plan,” Yahya said.
Reverend Yahya Abdurrahman, a pastor of Evangelical Church, slammed President Omar al Bashir’s decision, saying it’s a flagrant violation of religious freedom.
“This move targets the churches in Khartoum, because they always claim that these churches have trespassed into public places, but it I think it’s a plan,” Yahya said.
Several civil rights groups are deeply concerned over this ban. Christian Solidarity Worldwide denounced the move since it violates a person’s right to freedom of religion or belief.
“This policy, and the continued practice of demolishing and confiscating church land, constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief, guaranteed in article 6 and 38 of Sudan’s Interim Constitution as well as article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Sudan is signatory,” stated Andy Dipper, Chief Operating Officer of CSW.
Sources:
News24com. (2017). News24. http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/sudan-to-demolish-at-least-25-christian-churches-in-khartoum-20170202
Chroniclecozw. (2017). Chroniclecozw. http://www.chronicle.co.zw/sudan-to-demolish-at-least-25-christian-churches/
