Tag: Religious freedom

Uncertain future for Canada religious freedom post

February 17, 2016 Andrew Bennett, Canada, Europe, Human rights, Islamic State, Lord Alton, Minorities, Religious freedom, UK

Canada’s ambassador for religious freedom has had his contract extended for another month, but the post may still be abolished. Andrew Bennett became Canada’s first ambassador for religious freedom when he was appointed three years ago, but Canada’s new Foreign Affairs Minister, Stéphane Dion, said religious freedom should not be . . . Read More

Imprisoned Mexican Protestants allowed home

February 10, 2016 Mexico Catholics, Chiapas, Exile, Mexico, Pentecostals, Protestants, Religious freedom

Two Mexican Protestants who were imprisoned and then expelled from their community for refusing to renounce their faith have been allowed to return to their homes with a guarantee of full religious freedom. Casto Hernández, 31, and his cousin Juan Placido Hernández, 26, of the United Pentecostal Church of Mexico, . . . Read More

Renovated church re-opens 30 miles from IS

November 23, 2015 Turkey Assyrians, Churches, Islamic State, Mardin, Protestants, Religious freedom, Turkey

The re-opening of an abandoned church in Mardin, SE Turkey, just 30 miles from Islamic State territory, is a symbol of “universal religious freedom”, worshippers were told at the renovated building’s dedication service on 7 November. Local politicians and leaders of all denominations were at the reopening ceremony “as a . . . Read More

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws ‘fundamentally unfair’

November 11, 2015 Pakistan Blasphemy, Islamic extremism, Pakistan, Prisons, Religious freedom

Pakistan’s implementation of its controversial blasphemy laws is “fundamentally unfair”, according to a report by the International Commission of Jurists. The ICJ report documents problems including: intimidation and harassment of judges and lawyers, bias against defendants, undue rejection of bail and prolonged pre-trial detention, “incompetent” investigation and prosecution, the prosecution . . . Read More

UN report focuses on children’s rights

November 5, 2015 Iraq Children, Converts, Divorce, Minorities, Religious freedom, UN

This little girl and her family were forced out of their home in Iraq by the Islamic State.Courtesy Open Doors International States must pay more attention to violations of the rights of children and their parents, particularly minorities and converts, according to the latest report from the United Nations’ . . . Read More

Indian court provides ‘minor relief’ from ban on Christianity

October 21, 2015 India Chhattisgarh, Human rights, India, Raipur, Religious freedom, Vishva Hindu Parishad

The high court of Chhattisgarh state in central India has asked the state government to ensure that anti-Christian resolutions passed by village councils will not infringe religious freedom. A Christian organization challenging the local resolutions said the court order is “only a minor relief.” In July 2014, the village of . . . Read More

SE Asia rights groups sign religion charter

October 6, 2015 Human rights, Minorities, New York, Religious freedom, Southeast Asia

Almost 70 religious and human rights groups met with UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, last week for a conference committed to improving religious freedoms in Southeast Asia. The two-day event – the first of its kind – was co-organised by the Asian Forum for . . . Read More

New initiative encourages FoRB in the Commonwealth

September 28, 2015 Commonwealth, Human rights, Minorities, Religious freedom, UK

A new freedom of religion initiative to encourage Commonwealth parliamentarians to speak out about the issue will launch on 1 October in the UK. The Commonwealth Initiative for the Freedom of Religion or Belief (CIFORB) will be based at the University of Birmingham’s Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding . . . Read More

Obama appoints religious minorities envoy

September 28, 2015 Barack Obama, Central Asia, Iran, Iraq, Minorities, Pakistan, Religious freedom, Syria, USA

President Obama has created a new special envoy position to address the persecution of religious minorities. Knox Thames was appointed to the long-awaited position of special envoy for religious minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia to coincide with the visit of Pope Francis to the White House . . . Read More

‘Scandalous’ choice of Saudi for UN rights panel

September 24, 2015 Saudi Arabia Arabian Peninsula, Churches, Human rights, Religious freedom, Saudi Arabia, UN

Critics are accusing the UN of handing a key human rights role to the country with ‘arguably the worst record in the world when it comes to religious freedom’, writes the Independent. The appointment to the Human Rights Council of Saudi ambassador to Geneva, Faisal bin Hassan Trad, was uncovered . . . Read More

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