A secular charity with a more than 135-year-old magazine has been absorbed by a larger counterpart. The Rationalist Association, which has published New Humanist magazine since its founding in 1885, will become part of Humanists UK. The Rationalist Association was set up to promote rational inquiry in place of doctrine and to encourage ethical living free … Continue reading Secular charity dissolves into Humanists UK
NGO Committee on FoRB: Latest News
New UK Special Envoy on FoRB David Smith Condemned Torture and Religious Persecution in UN Human Rights Council Statement
Geneva. On March 4th the United Kingdom called for urgent global action to combat torture and protect freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in detention centers, following a stark warning from the UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB about systemic violations in countries like Myanmar and Sudan, and her Hungary country visit report. Delivering the UK’s statement at … Continue reading New UK Special Envoy on FoRB David Smith Condemned Torture and Religious Persecution in UN Human Rights Council Statement
Hope is resistance: An interview with CSW’s India Researcher
CSW relies extensively on the documenters, journalists, experts and activists that gather first-hand evidence of violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in the countries we work on. Last month, our Advocacy Intern Anna Shannon spoke with CSW’s India Researcher, whose name has been withheld for security reasons, to discuss what … Continue reading Hope is resistance: An interview with CSW’s India Researcher
Filipino religious leaders call for peace in troubled region
Religious leaders in the Philippines' only Muslim-majority and conflict-plagued region have called for dialogue to establish peace during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which coincides with the campaign period ahead of midterm elections in May. Ramadan is a "special time of purification of the heart and love of neighbor" when Christians and Muslims should explore … Continue reading Filipino religious leaders call for peace in troubled region
Global Crackdown on Religious Freedom through Registration Laws Silencing Minorities
GENEVA — On March 5, 2025, a packed room at the Palais des Nations in Geneva bore witness to a sobering reality: governments around the world are using registration laws to systematically silence religious minorities. Hosted by the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), the event brought together advocates, pastors, and human rights experts to expose how … Continue reading Global Crackdown on Religious Freedom through Registration Laws Silencing Minorities
Hungary’s Refusal to End Religious Discrimination and the Politicization of Human Rights Debates
The UN’s latest discussions on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) once again revealed two troubling trends: Hungary’s continued refusal to address serious religious discrimination, and the misuse of the FoRB space by multiple states to wage geopolitical battles, rather than advocate for the protection of religious minorities. While the Special Rapporteur on FoRB, Nazila Ghanea, presented a detailed report outlining systemic religious discrimination … Continue reading Hungary’s Refusal to End Religious Discrimination and the Politicization of Human Rights Debates
Pakistan, Three Ahmadi Mosques Attacked in Punjab Within Ten Days
The authorities seem unable to resist the pressure and threats of the extremist organization Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan. “Bitter Winter” devoted a series of seven articles to Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a violent political-religious Islamic organization that Pakistani authorities try unsuccessfully to contain, more often than not surrendering to its pressure. This is especially true when TLP threatens or demands … Continue reading Pakistan, Three Ahmadi Mosques Attacked in Punjab Within Ten Days
The Finnish Line: The Supreme Case of Päivi Räsänen After 6 Years
A Nation Watches as One of Its Most Respected Leaders Goes to the Supreme Court for Speaking Her Faith The case of Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen is more than a legal battle; it’s a test of Europe’s commitment to democratic values. As one of Finland’s most respected politicians, Päivi now faces the Finnish Supreme Court … Continue reading The Finnish Line: The Supreme Case of Päivi Räsänen After 6 Years
Conference Attendees Urged to Celebrate and Cultivate Virtues of Religious Freedom
Government officials, faith representatives, academics, and other experts in freedom of religion or belief gathered for a conference in Auckland on 21 to 23 February 2025 to explore the theme: “Freedom to do, to be, and to become—Enhancing individuals’ opportunities to believe and live as they choose within the framework of the law.” Read full … Continue reading Conference Attendees Urged to Celebrate and Cultivate Virtues of Religious Freedom
Religious freedom is routinely curbed in Central Asia – but you won’t often see it making international news
Freedom of worship is tenuous around the globe. The Pew Research Center’s latest annual report found “high” or “very high” levels of government constraints on religion in 59 of the 198 countries and territories it analyzed – a new record. When Pew began releasing reports on the issue in 2007, just 40 countries’ restrictions on religion were … Continue reading Religious freedom is routinely curbed in Central Asia – but you won’t often see it making international news