On 10th September, Royal Thai Immigration raided a local workplace in Charan Sait Worng, Bangkok, apprehending 15 illegal Pakistani Christian asylum seekers. The families of these arrested individuals urgently approached the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) for help in paying fines related to overstaying in Thailand. Without this assistance, the detainees would face the grim prospect of remaining in overcrowded criminal jails—a nightmare no one should endure. The arrested Pakistani Christians were presented before the judge in Taling Chan Criminal Court, where they were fined 16,000 Baht (£365) each for working illegally and overstaying their visas. Thailand enforces harsh and…
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Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, September 2024 – A catastrophic series of floods hit Vijayawada following the development of a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal between August 26th and 28th, 2024. This system intensified into a cyclone, leading to heavy rainfall across the states of Telangana and Karnataka, which serve as the catchment areas for the Krishna River and its tributaries. Irrigation and power projects in both states were overwhelmed, forcing authorities to release excess water from reservoirs, further exacerbating the flooding downstream. Adding to the crisis, Vijayawada received 26 cm of rainfall in just a few hours—a record-breaking event…
Following devastating torrential rains that caused widespread destruction across multiple districts in Sindh, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has responded with swift and compassionate relief efforts, distributing essential food parcels to affected Christian and Hindu families. The flooding, which occurred after 72 hours of continuous rainfall in late August, claimed 47 lives, left thousands of families displaced, with many losing their homes, crops, and livelihoods. Among the hardest-hit areas were Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, and Badin districts. Read more (here) Several Christian families from the villages of Abdulsangrasi and Farman Rajput in the Sanghar district lost their mud…
Islamabad, 18th September 2024 – Shagufta Kiran, a 40-year-old Christian woman and mother of four, has been sentenced to death under Pakistan’s blasphemy law. The decision was handed down by Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka in a special court operating under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in Islamabad. Alongside the death penalty under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, Shagufta was also sentenced to seven years in prison under Section 11 of the PECA Act and fined Rs. 100,000. The legal process, which has lasted over three years, concluded with Shagufta’s conviction under both Pakistan’s blasphemy…
In a deeply troubling saga of legal setbacks, Zafar Bhatti, Pakistan’s longest-serving blasphemy prisoner, continues to suffer the pain of prolonged detention. Arrested on July 12, 2012, Bhatti has been imprisoned ever since. During a severe police interrogation, he initially confessed to blasphemy, but later retracted his statement, claiming it was made under duress. Since May of this year, the court has scheduled ten hearings, yet the case decision remains unresolved. The next hearing is set for September 23. Zafar Bhatti urgently seeks global prayers and support for his release. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxdgtfKi_to The Unsettling Court Delays The hearing, initially scheduled for…
The family of a mentally challenged Christian woman, who was raped in May, now faces unbearable social and financial hardships in their pursuit of justice. Her elder brother was forced to flee their village due to threats from local men who have turned against the family, treating them as enemies. Despite multiple arrests, the police have failed to apprehend the actual rapist. The primary suspect, who confessed to the crime at the police station, was released by the court due to a lack of evidence. In response, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) stepped in to provide financial assistance to…
Bangkok, Thailand – September 11, 2024 BACA (British Asian Christian Association) is urgently appealing for financial support following the recent arrest of 15 Pakistani Christian asylum seekers in Thailand. On September 10, 2024, the Royal Thai Police raided a workplace in Charan Sait Worng, Bangkok, apprehending these individuals, who are now facing severe legal consequences under Thailand’s strict immigration laws. The families of the arrested have appealed to BACA (British Asian Christian Association) for financial assistance to pay the fines; otherwise, their loved ones face the risk of being sent to a criminal jail. On September 10th, the Royal Thai…
Hannah Chowdhry, a dedicated student lawyer with a passion for humanitarian work, recently participated in a ‘Go Abroad’ volunteering program with Aberdeen University in Thailand. Based in Chiang Mai, she volunteered at an elephant sanctuary and a summer activity program for children, engaging them through various activities and teaching English. This rewarding experience was made possible through the generous support of the Chuffed campaign organized by the Go Abroad Team, for which Hannah is deeply grateful, especially to donors who support BACA and donated to the Go Abroad Chuffed fund. In addition to her volunteer work in Chiang Mai, Hannah…
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: Beginning August 29, 2024, a cyclonic depression brought unprecedented heavy rainfall to Coastal Andhra Pradesh, triggering a severe flooding crisis that has devastated the region. The intense rains also affected the surrounding states of Karnataka and Telangana, which are catchment areas for Krishna River reservoirs. On August 30, Vijayawada City received 26 centimeters of rain in a single day, inundating the city and its surroundings. This deluge, compounded by floodwaters from tributaries like the Budameru Vagu from Telangana, overwhelmed the river’s capacity, leading to severe flooding. VIDEO: Properties were inundated until their second storey. By the evening…
Torrential rains have led to severe flooding in Sindh, displacing thousands of residents who are now seeking refuge on the roads. Affected Christian families have contacted BACA for assistance, requesting food, medicine, and mosquito protection kits to ensure their safety during this crisis. Torrential rains in Sindh, beginning on August 27th, have significantly raised water levels in the Indus River. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that continuous rainfall has led to urban-like flooding in Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, and Badin, impacting thousands of residents. Over a span of 72 hours, the rains have claimed 47 lives, including…