(AUTOMATIC TRANSLATION FROM ORIGINAL FRENCH) Since January 2024, the National Union of Associations for the Defense of Families and the Individual (UNADFI) has benefited from a €150,000 grant , kindly provided by MIVILUDES. Officially, this public windfall is supposed to finance a project to "digitize and share the association's documentation," which is touted as a heritage project. … Continue reading MIVILUDES Grant: UNADFI’s Great Digital Diversion
USCIRF Hearing on Azerbaijan Highlights Lack of Religious Freedom and Destruction of Armenian Heritage
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing on Thursday, June 5, on Religious Freedom Conditions in Azerbaijan that highlighted political prisoners and lack of freedom of speech in the country, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). The hearing focused on Azerbaijan’s “concerning” religious freedoms and destruction of … Continue reading USCIRF Hearing on Azerbaijan Highlights Lack of Religious Freedom and Destruction of Armenian Heritage
Hayakve warns of threat to religious freedom in Armenia
The Hayakve national civil group has proposed the creation of a nationwide public body to defend the Armenian Apostolic Church. The proposal was announced in a public statement released by the organization. The group has also initiated a round-the-clock presence around the Mother See to conduct early warning and prevention efforts in case of possible … Continue reading Hayakve warns of threat to religious freedom in Armenia
Papal diplomats must always defend poor, religious freedom, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Every papal diplomat around the world must let people know that the Catholic Church is always on the side of the marginalized and is ready to face everything "out of love," Pope Leo XIV said. "I count on you so that everyone in the countries where you live may know that … Continue reading Papal diplomats must always defend poor, religious freedom, pope says
France arrests three over attacks on Jewish sites with foreign interference suspected
The three suspects behind the apparent antisemitic vandalism are Serbian nationals who were reportedly apprehended while trying to leave France. Three Serbian nationals have been arrested in France in connection with the vandalism of Jewish sites in Paris over the weekend, according to local media, with the incident drawing parallels with previous similar cases where … Continue reading France arrests three over attacks on Jewish sites with foreign interference suspected
In Brazil, Court Rules in Favor of Seventh-day Adventist Judoka
Tiago Corte de Alencar is a lawyer and a Seventh-day Adventist in São Paulo, Brazil. A lover of physical activity and fitness, he chose to dedicate his free time to practice judo. As a Sabbathkeeper who believes that the seventh day of the week is sacred and set apart by God, he faced some hurdles … Continue reading In Brazil, Court Rules in Favor of Seventh-day Adventist Judoka
USCIRF asks Bangladesh to end violence against minorities
The chief of an independent, bipartisan US federal government body has asked Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure the right to freedom of religion and prevent violence against minority communities during its upcoming elections. The message was communicated during the recent week-long visit of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) chair Stephen Schneck. Schneck told … Continue reading USCIRF asks Bangladesh to end violence against minorities
Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia: Concrete Pillars, Spiritual Bridges
On a late spring afternoon in Columbus, Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia stands beneath the stone arches of Hitchcock Hall, the hum of student footsteps echoing across the quad. He is dressed casually—a blazer over a crisp shirt—yet carries an air of quiet authority. By day, he directs Ohio State’s Coal Combustion Products Program and teaches … Continue reading Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia: Concrete Pillars, Spiritual Bridges
Multiple Threats to Sri Lanka’s Freedom of Religion or Belief
In Sri Lanka, where a tapestry of religions weaves through its landscape, the promise of religious harmony at times masks a reality marked by religious intolerance and unequal protections. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, recent years have seen a continuation of discrimination, intimidation and violence against religious minorities. A new report by the National … Continue reading Multiple Threats to Sri Lanka’s Freedom of Religion or Belief
‘No respite’: Cuba continues crackdown on freedom of religion
The Cuban government continued its repression of freedom of religion last year, a new report from an international human rights organization focused on faith freedom revealed. Christian Solidarity Worldwide documented 624 separate cases in 2024 of attacks on freedom of religion or belief. Most of those cases involved multiple violations of faith freedom, bringing the … Continue reading ‘No respite’: Cuba continues crackdown on freedom of religion