Violence against Christians draws international attention
Allie Martin - OneNewsNow - 9/3/2008 8:00:00 AM
Violence against Christians has escalated in Orissa state since the murder of a Hindu leader last month. And a coalition of organizations -- including groups such as Human Rights Watch, Dalit Freedom Network, and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty -- says statements of concern from government officials in Europe and the United States are needed.
Although the Hindu leader was murdered by suspected Maoist rebels, Christians were blamed for the crime and are being targeted by extremists. Niki Humphreys with the Dalit Freedom Network believes the situation is critical.
"Three-hundred villages have been burned, 40 people have died, [and] 800 churches have also been burned," reports Humphreys.
Humphreys says the Dalit Freedom Network and the All Indian Christian Council are calling on officials to take action. "Our international president, who is also the president of the All Indian Christian Council, has written to the prime minister and strongly asked for officials to go in and make an investigation, and really to do more than that to stop the violence because it's continuing to increase," she warns.
The violence has also spilled over into a neighboring state.
