1.   His first task should be to release all political prisoners and end the persecution of critics.

2.   In New York, the City Council is expected to adopt a resolution Wednesday asking Congress and the president to make ending Christian persecution a diplomatic and economic priority.

3.   One person even sent a Western Union telegram demanding that the Air Force end its persecution of her.

4.   Agnes Kung, also a friend of the archbishop, said he worked during his exile to end religious persecution in his homeland.

5.   Whether the State Department is willing to name Cuba, Sudan and particularly China will be the litmus test of its commitment to ending religious persecution, McFarland says.

6.   At the same time, if it does not, it will be exposed to pressure from human rights groups to end its persecution of gays.

7.   The Awami League says that before it decides whether to join parliament the government must end alleged persecution of opposition members.