*Tato a další zprávy jsou (pouze v aktuální den) v originální anglické verzi zde.

Police in at least one region of Belarus have threatened to halt the activity of a network of Baptist churches if they do not register by the end of this month. Armed with the country's restrictive 2002 religion law, Vladimir Marchenko, an official in the Brest region, promised that "destructive sects" would be "disbanded." He instructed local officials and the police to "halt the illegal activity of members of unregistered Baptist organizations" by Monday, March 1, based on a countrywide order from the Justice Ministry. Baptists in the Brest region have complained of growing "persecution." It is unclear whether similar instructions have been issued elsewhere in Belarus. The crackdown comes amid rising levels of fines on Baptist pastors and other Protestants who have led unregistered religious services. The International Union of Baptist Churches adheres to a rigid principle of separation of church and state. As a result, none of its 3,705 congregations across the former Soviet Union are registered. Church leaders say such registration leads to unacceptable state meddling in church activity. (Forum 18 News Service)

CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY DIVIDED ABOUT RELIGIOUS REFORM

In recent years the religious policies of the Chinese Communist Party have drifted further away from modern reality, reflecting the dogmatism of the Maoist era rather than the dynamic growth in religion across China. Communist hard-liners such as former President Jiang Zemin tend toward complete suppression of religion while pragmatists such as new President Hu Jintao dvocate a softer approach of managing and manipulating religious adherents. This conflict is evident between the United Front Work Department (UFWD), responsible for the overall control of religious policy, and the Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB). The UFWD is willing to allow house churches to register directly with the government rather than the Three Self Patriotic Movement . However, the RAB bitterly opposes this suggestion. It appears any true reform of religious policies will be impossible until these tensions are resolved. (Compass)

BUDDHIST MONKS TO RUN IN SRI LANKA'S NATIONAL ELECTIONS

When Sri Lankans elect a new government on April 2, religion will play a significant role. The Supreme Council of Monks had been pressuring the two main political parties, pledging their support if the party would enact new laws banning "unethical conversions." When it appeared that neither party would accept these conditions, the monks put forward the names of 260 leading monks as candidates under the Jathika Hela Urumaya Party (National Heritage Party). This is the first time that Buddhist monks have entered Sri Lankan politics as candidates, and their presence in the political arena is causing concerns among Christians who have been facing severe persecution in recent months. The monks pledge to build a nation based on "Dhamma values" (the basis of the Buddhist worldview) and said that they entered the race because of political corruption and concerns about alleged "unethical conversions." One of the monks running for office, Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera, is regarded by many as the successor to Gangodawila Soma Thera who recently died amidst controversy. The monks defended their decision to enter politics, saying that they would give "due place" to other religions and not threaten them. However, many of the acts of aggression against Christians in Sri Lanka in recent months have been organized and led by Buddhist monks. (Voice of the Martyrs)

SEMINARS HELP NEPALESE CHRISTIANS BUILD FAMILY COMMUNICATION

Some couples in Nepal braved floods and landslides to attend seminars that taught about relationships within the family as well as responsibilities to the local church and other believers. Christian workers are promoting Christian families in remote valleys of the Himalayas. Even many Christian Nepalese are not accustomed to talking about marital and familial relationships. After marrying, many husbands and wives fail to communicate. Instead of being supportive of each other, they often become alienated from their spouses and, eventually, from their churches. During the past year, one Nepalese ministry brought together 100 participants from far-flung villages in the mountain kingdom and held four family seminars. Many people repented and asked for God's help in applying the teachings to their lives. (Missions Insider)

MINISTRY TO SLAVE GIRLS IN GHANA HELPS TRANSFORM VILLAGES

Fetish slavery continues to exist in parts of the West African country of Ghana. Young girls are given to the local fetish priests to atone for the crimes of others. A group from International Needs Network (INN) recently took a professional video crew to Ghana to film the plight of these women and to inform Christian groups that there is hope for these girls. INN's Rody Rodeheaver says a Christian program is in place where the girls have the opportunity to receive a basic education and learn job skills. Biblical materials are used to teach them to read and write. They are also given skills training, healthcare and emotional counseling while their children are cared for and educated. About 95 percent of these women become Christians and have a positive impact in their communities. Many of the villages now have schools and churches, and lives are being changed. So far more than 3,500 slave girls have been released, but another 1,700 remain in bondage. INN is hoping that in time slave practice will end and young girls will no longer be taken away from their families. (Mission Network News)

MORE MISSIONARIES, AID WORKERS LEAVE HAITI AS ANARCHY SPREADS

Missionaries and aid workers are continuing their exodus from Haiti this week. They join other Americans fleeing an uprising that has overwhelmed the northern half of the Caribbean nation. While not fearing rebel attacks, there is concern about crossfire issues, says Dennis Fulton of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). Unlike the 1991 coup, in this rebellion "no one is taking over," he says. "It's just becoming anarchy, and that's what makes this one such a scary situation. As anarchy continues to spread throughout the country, there's no rule of law. It's just the whim of the mob. That's what makes it difficult to try to realize where we should be and where we shouldn't be."

Fulton says instability has forced the evacuation of many family members related to MAF. "We've decided to move our dependents out -- the women and children. We'll be taking them out this week. But we'll remain with our planes and pilots to continue to support missions and church groups that are still out there in the interior of the country needing air support." The planes in Haiti carry supplies, medicines, food and personnel such as teachers, doctors and pastors. Instead of days of travel across treacherous roads, a 20-minute flight transports missionaries, helping them make much more efficient use of their time and energies.

Meanwhile, Food for the Poor (FFP), one of the largest relief organizations operating continuously in Haiti for the last 18 years, has increased its aid to the troubled nation. While FFP retains its operations there, other missionaries have decided to leave. FFP has sent in additional shipments of rice, beans, canned goods, and medical supplies shipped to Port-au-Prince. Direct shipments are being made to Cap-Haitien to supply the northern part of the country due to the blocking of the main transportation routes. More than 30 containers of assistance have arrived, and additional shipments are in transit. The Presbyterian Church (USA) also announced today that all mission personnel have left Haiti. (Mission Network News/Assist News Service/PCUSA News)

* Staff members from the HCJB World Radio Engineering Center in Elkhart, Ind., have been working with OMS International to establish a satellite radio network based at 4VEH in Cap-Haitien that will deliver programs to FM stations nationwide. Downlinks have been installed in Turtle Island and Pignon, and at least three more are planned. However, the project is on hold until the situation in Haiti settles down. The unrest has forced OMS to evacuate most of its missionaries from the country. HCJB World Radio also helped partner World Gospel Mission with a small station in Port-au-Prince.

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