The Cuban government has approved the construction on a new church building, making this the first church they have allowed in 55 years. The church is expected to be built in Sandino, a town located in the far western province of Cuba. Since the 1959 revolution, the Catholic Church has had tense relations with Cuba’s…
The All Party Parliamentary Group on International Freedom of Religion or Belief And Asylum Advocacy Group is calling for evidence on ‘Claiming asylum in the UK if you are persecuted for your faith or belief’. As persecution on the grounds of religion or belief increases so does the number of people claiming asylum due to…
Questions answered on asylum, anti-Semitism and refugees in Iraq highlighted some interesting gaps in government information: it is not known how many people have claimed asylum on the grounds of religious persecution there is no central record of how often issues of persecution and freedom of religion or belief are raised with foreign governments the…
The Catholic News Agency reports that more than 200,000 people have signed a petition asking European leaders to offer “real help” for persecuted Christians and other religious minorities around the world. Luca Volonté, a board member of CitizenGo and president of the international foundation Novae Terrae, told CNA that the petition seeks to address the…
The Independent reports that his body was left on display on a cross. Pictures being shared online show a banner attached to the teenager’s chest saying the boy has been crucified for taking photos of Isis military bases, as well as receiving “500 Turkish lira” for any footage taken. The message describes the ruling for the…
Under the headline A new booklet on apostasy in Islam has rattled extremist Somali clerics Guuleyste Ali writes in Kenya’s Daily Nation that “It’s not often that we hear of a battle of ideas between reformist the Muslim scholars and fundamentalist clerics of Somalia, who are fighting tooth and nail to silence the voice of moderation…
In a press release last week the independent NGO described the emergence and deterioration in a litany of grave human rights concerns across the country and stated that the prevailing political situation, and rise in religious extremism were proving significant hurdles in mounting any serious efforts to deal with these concerns. It continued “There has been…
Lady Hermon MP (North Down) (Independent) asked to what extent the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was assisting persecuted Christians around the world. Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) David Lidington MP (Aylesbury) (Con) replied: The promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief is one of the UK’s human rights…
Nigel Baker, UK Ambassador to the Holy See, blogged on this topic yesterday on the Foreign Office website. “The question of freedom of religion or belief is a challenging and sensitive one. It is a fundamental right, touching the conscience of the individual, underpinning many other rights,” he said, continuing “we must ensure that FoRB remains…
Lord Alton of Liverpool, vice chair of this APPG, has asked a series of written questions on issues of persecution. He asked if the Government have requested that the United National Security Council refer those responsible for religious persecution in the areas of Iraq and Syria controlled by ISIS to the International Criminal Court. Responding,…