The mother of disappeared Philippines activist Jonas Burgos arrives in the UK next week on the first leg of a European tour highlighting the plight of her son and other missing persons.

Human rights groups have deplored the execution and crucifixion which took place in Saudi Arabia yesterday. Ahmed bin 'Adhaib bin 'Askar al-shamlani al-'Anzi was beheaded and his body crucified publicly in Riyadh.

Amnesty International has called on the Malaysian authorities to release five government critics arrested in the last week, if they cannot charge them with recognisable criminal offences. The wave of arrests is part of a new crackdown on dissent.

The grim situation in Sri Lanka shows the hazards of extreme ethnic nationalism, says Savi Hensman. In today’s world, many people – whether they regard themselves as atheists, agnostics or religious believers – in reality put their ‘nation’ first, often symbolised by a flag.

Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, from Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), a community organization working for empowerment, were released from Mlondolozi Prison on Thursday 6 November, three weeks to the day they were arrested.

The World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation have called on the Prime Minister of India requesting his intervention to end the violence in the state of Orissa. They are also backing Christian prayer and solidarity.

Davis MacIyalla, director of the lesbian and gay rights group Changing Attitude Nigeria, has been granted asylum in the United Kingdom. Mr Davis has been subject to a range of attacks and death threats for his Christian work.

Anti-arms trade campaigners say that a new 'ethics' report commissioned by weapons giant BAE Systems will not change public perceptions of the company, following a High Court ruling over investigations into corruption charges.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown look set to boycott a summit of European and African leaders to be attended by the Zimbabwean President. It follows a call at the weekend by Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, to take a tougher line on Zimbabwe.

An alliance of southern African Christian organizations has called for the African Union and other bodies on the continent to help stop human rights violations being perpetrated on Zimbabweans by the country's government.