Story number 2 for 28 Nov 2002

(Turkmenistan) — Meanwhile, more than 43-thousand people are petitioning for more religious freedom in Turkmenistan. A delegation from Christian Solidarity Worldwide presented the petition to the Turkmen Embassy last week. Officials are praying that this will be the beginning of what could be a long road to freedom of worship in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan is one of the most repressive regimes in the world as believers face harassment, detention and torture. Authorities have been known to raid religious gatherings and have bulldozed places of worship.