Editorial: ISHR Newsletter May 2026
Human rights work today is unfolding in a world undergoing profound transformation.
Bangladesh: Endangered Childhood
The Grim Reality of Child Rape-Murder, Male Sodomy in Residential Madrasas, and the Human Rights Crisis
Bangladesh: Growing Crisis of Violence, Impunity, and Insecurity
The ISHR Bangladesh expresses deep concern over the alarming rise in violent crimes and human rights violations across the country during the first four months of 2026.
Belarus: Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
Over 840 Political Prisoners – Regime Practices Nuclear Warfare: ISHR demands the immediate release of all political prisoners
Cuba: Poverty, Hunger and Repression on Independence Anniversary
ISHR demands the immediate release of over 1,200 political prisoners in Cuba
Bangladesh: Children at Risk over Measles Outbreak and the Failure of Public Health Accountability
The ISHR expresses its profound concern over the alarming resurgence of measles across Bangladesh in 2026, which has already resulted in significant loss of young lives and exposed deep vulnerabilities within the national public health system.
Bangladesh: International Workers’ Day
On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, I write as the Bangladesh representative of the ISHR to reflect on the state of labour in our nation.
Ukraine: ISHR observes court proceedings
Fair proceedings despite the war
Russia: Political prisoners. Our mission: To remember, to warn, to help
According to information from OVD-Info, the only remaining human rights organization operating underground in Russia, approximately 1,400 to 1,700 people are currently imprisoned for political reasons.
Pakistan: Christian girls are forced to convert to Islam
Courts legitimise abuse of minors
Nigeria: Largely unnoticed, the killing of Christians continues
The ISHR helps survivors
Pakistan: The third generation is already toiling like slaves
Even the grandfather of 15-year-old Sania fell into debt bondage
Iraq: Promoting skilled workers and the willingness to stay
Subaz Ali is a doctor because the ISHR enabled her to study medicine
Bangladesh: Arrest Over Online Satire Sparks Debate on Civil Liberties
We express our deep concern over the recent arrest of a Facebook user in Bangladesh for allegedly sharing a satirical cartoon on social media.
Worldwide: “Chain of Lights for Persecuted Christians” in Hamburg receives award
Foundation honours initiative with “Stephanus Special Prize 2026”
Pakistan: Unknown assailant shoots Ahmadi
Structural persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat continues
Pakistan: A Christian has been behind bars for years for alleged blasphemy
The ISHR and the Evangelical News Agency IDEA have named Pakistani Christian Imran Rehman their “Prisoner of the Month” for April 2026.
China: House church co-founder released from prison
Zhang Chunlei, co-founder of an evangelical house church, was released on March 16, 2026, after serving a five-year prison sentence.
‘Russian society is atomized’
Russia is home to members of various indigenous peoples. For example, the Itelmen in Kamchatka. Itelmen human rights activist Dmitry Berezhkov, who lives in exile in Norway, explains how they are oppressed in Vladimir Putin’s empire.
Bangladesh: A Worrying Turn in Human Rights
Concerns about humanrights conditions in Bangladesh are not new, yet recent developments indicate that the problem is deepening and becoming more complex.
