Geneva, June 25, 2025 — In a significant step for the international protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), the NGO Committee on FoRB for UN Geneva has elected a new Bureau during a meeting held today at the United Nations’ Geneva headquarters. The event drew a diverse group of civil society leaders and was … Continue reading New Leadership Elected to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief at UN Geneva
Upcoming meetings and side-events during HRC 59 in Geneva
June 16th - 3PM-4PM - Room XXV - Human Rights in Japan “The eradication and dissolution of a religious community of 600000 followers: The Case of the Unification Church in Japan" June 16th - 5PM-6PM - Room XXV - Human Rights in China “Criminalizing Faith: Religious Persecution and Forced Organ Harvesting in China" June 17th … Continue reading Upcoming meetings and side-events during HRC 59 in Geneva
In Poland, Religion and Ethics Classes in Schools Are Being Reduced
The Holy Synod of the Polish Orthodox Church has joined the Roman Catholic Church in Poland in expressing concern over the new regulation of the Ministry of Education on the reform of the teaching of Religion and Ethics in schools. By order of the Ministry of Education, from the new 2025 school year, religious education … Continue reading In Poland, Religion and Ethics Classes in Schools Are Being Reduced
Deregistration attempt of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Norway declared invalid by the Court of Appeal
On Friday 14 March, the Borgarting Court of Appeal issued a landmark judgment declaring the loss of registration and denial of state grants for the years 2021-2024 invalid. It unanimously concluded that the practice of social distancing does not expose children to psychological violence or negative social control. Furthermore, the Court found that their practice … Continue reading Deregistration attempt of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Norway declared invalid by the Court of Appeal
Spanish evangelicals: “Much remains to be done on religious freedom in Spain”
Read full article here On December 20, the Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE), published its annual report on religious freedom in the country between 2023 and 2024. ... With this report, FEREDE firstly aims to make visible and denounce situations of discrimination. But, it also seeks to highlight the value of religious fact before government … Continue reading Spanish evangelicals: “Much remains to be done on religious freedom in Spain”
Call for input for Mary’s next report to the Human Rights Council on human rights defenders working in remote and rural areas
Purpose: To inform the Special Rapporteur’s report on human rights defenders working in remote and rural areas, to be presented to the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in March 2025. Background In line with the Human Rights Council’s request to study trends, developments and challenges concerning human rights defenders (A/HRC/RES/16/5), the Special Rapporteur … Continue reading Call for input for Mary’s next report to the Human Rights Council on human rights defenders working in remote and rural areas
Special Rapporteur’s 2018 annual reports
The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. The current mandate holder, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, has been in post since November 2016. Report, Feb 2018: State-Religion Relationships and their Impact on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Report, Sept 2018: Relationship between freedom of religion or … Continue reading Special Rapporteur’s 2018 annual reports