Earlier this month, in an official statement reported by Al-Arabiya (and many more), the Church’s Patriarch Kirill said “Russia took a responsible decision to use military forces to protect the Syrian people from the woes brought on by the tyranny of terrorists.” The Patriarch cited the suffering of Christians in the region, the kidnapping of clerics…
While the Society for Humanism (SOCH) Nepal thanked the Constitution Assembly of Nepal for endorsing a secular constitution, “which is the key to protecting the rights and dignity of all minority groups of the nation,” and stated “Now, the Nepali constitution guarantees the right to accept any religion or leave as per the consent of individual,”…
At a two-day conference held in Bangkok, and the first of its kind, faith-based and other groups committed to working to enhance the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Southeast Asia. For the first time, approximately 70 human rights defenders, members of religious groups, rights groups, UN agencies and representatives from the ASEAN…
The Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion, University of Birmingham, has announced the establishment of the Commonwealth Initiative for the Freedom of Religion or Belief (CIFORB) with effect from 1 October 2015. The Initiative has been funded by a generous contribution from the Templeton World Charitable Foundation and will establish a team of…
With Saturday marking the third anniversary of his arrest, and days after Parliamentarians appealed on his behalf – and days before President Rouhani addresses the UN General Assembly – Middle East Concern reports that the prospects for Saeed Abedini have considerably worsened. A family member was able to visit Saeed yesterday at Rajaei Shahr Prison,…
Cognizant that severe violations of freedom of religion or belief continue to occur around the world, perpetrated by states, state proxies, and non-state actors; Taking note of studies indicating an increase in restrictions on the free practice of religion or belief, with the majority of the global population living in countries where their freedom to…
International Development Select Committee, Oral evidence, Tuesday 15 September 2015 Q38 Fiona Bruce: How can we ensure that minority religious and ethnic groups, who are fleeing persecution from radical forces such as ISIS, are not left behind? If I can set this in context by relaying some concerns from the region, reports from the camp areas say…
NEW YORK 19 September – In the face of rising religious persecution of people on the grounds of faith or belief, parliamentarians from almost 50 countries concluded an unprecedented summit discussing ways to advance freedom of religion or belief for all. Focused on concrete actions, the gathering resulted in the issuance of advocacy letters to the President of…
The Phnom Penh Post reports that the Cambodian government has set a three-month deadline for Montagnards in Phnom Penh to return home or face being forcibly expelled to Vietnam by authorities, an Interior Ministry official said last week. Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the Office of the…
In the face of rising religious persecution of people on the grounds of faith or belief, on September 18-19, over 100 parliamentarians from almost 50 countries will assemble in New York City to discuss ways to advance freedom of religion or belief. The event is cosponsored by the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of…