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
NGO Committee on FoRB: Latest News
‘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
India and Pakistan: Religiously Armed Nuclear Nations
On April 22, 2025, twenty-six, mostly Hindu, tourists were killed in the Indian administered region of Kashmir. This set off a cross-border exchange of armed retaliations between two nuclear-armed nations, Pakistan and India. These attacks raised a global fear that an escalation of hostilities might result in one side or the other or both deploying nuclear … Continue reading India and Pakistan: Religiously Armed Nuclear Nations
Elder Cook meets with religious, education leaders in England, promotes freedom to believe
LONDON, England — As Elder Quentin L. Cook continued his ministry assignment to the Europe North Area, he met with religious and educational leaders at the Coptic Orthodox Church’s Sanctuary at St. Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe in London, England, and at the University of Oxford. On Wednesday, May 28, in Central London, Archbishop Angaelos hosted Elder Cook of the Quorum … Continue reading Elder Cook meets with religious, education leaders in England, promotes freedom to believe
Cardinal Parolin, Dutch PM discuss religious freedom, international conflicts
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, met with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof during a recent trip to the Netherlands. “During their cordial conversation, they discussed the importance of promoting lasting peace, the need to relaunch dialogue as the preferred way to resolve conflicts, the urgency of effective and inclusive multilateralism, as well … Continue reading Cardinal Parolin, Dutch PM discuss religious freedom, international conflicts
Public order trumps religious freedom, according to one Indian court
India (MNN) — A state court in northern India defended anti-conversion laws last month with an interesting constitutional contradiction. The court argued that rights like religious freedom are “subject to public order, morality, and health.” Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs, USA explains the potential ramifications. “So if you are sharing your religion and it’s … Continue reading Public order trumps religious freedom, according to one Indian court
No Intesa, No Recognition? Challenges of the State’s Role in Defining Religion in Italy
ROME — In the historic Sala Matteotti of Italy’s Camera dei Deputati, where law and legacy often converge, a quiet but urgent conversation unfolded this week about who gets to be officially recognized — and who remains invisible — under the country’s religious freedom laws. The conference, titled “Senza Intese: Le nuove religioni alla prova dell’art. 8 della Costituzione“, … Continue reading No Intesa, No Recognition? Challenges of the State’s Role in Defining Religion in Italy
Faith, Freedom, and Child Formation
“The child is not the mere creature of the State.” With those words, issued a century ago, a unanimous Supreme Court recognized that “the fundamental liberty upon which all governments in this Union repose” prevents the government from attempts to “standardize its children by forcing them to accept instruction from public teachers only.” Parental rights … Continue reading Faith, Freedom, and Child Formation
Qatar Arrests Remy Rowhani, Prominent Baha’i Figure Again, Sparking Alarm Over Religious Persecution
In a move drawing strong international condemnation, Qatari authorities have once again detained Remy Rowhani—a prominent Qatari citizen and senior Baha’i dignitary—on what rights groups call “baseless and politically inspired charges.” The Baha’i International Community (BIC) has condemned the arrest, warning that the case mirrors tactics used by Iran to suppress Baha’is and signals a dangerous trend … Continue reading Qatar Arrests Remy Rowhani, Prominent Baha’i Figure Again, Sparking Alarm Over Religious Persecution
From Spain to Sweden: European countries diverge on religious symbols in public office
As Berlin reconsiders its controversial secularism policy, Europe continues to debate the limits of religious expression in public life. In the heart of Germany’s capital, a heated political debate has reignited over the boundaries of religious freedom in the public sphere. The Bundestag's Green Party group has submitted a motion to abolish Berlin's Neutrality Act … Continue reading From Spain to Sweden: European countries diverge on religious symbols in public office