News

Religious Freedom

18 posts.

11 October

Belarus - Seven fined for talking about Easter in street

Belarus is following the Russian government as it moves to further restrict religious freedom within the country. Here’s a good article discussing the new initiative and some backstory.

30 August

RUSSIA: Freedom of religion and belief monitoring group to be liquidated

It becomes very difficult to hold governments to account when they have removed those who monitor their behavior. Vladimir Putin continues to pressure religious groups by now shutting down the leading religious freedom monitor in Russia.

25 August

Annual USCIRF Report on International Religious Freedom

One of the most important and comprehensive reports on RF is the Annual USCIRF Report on International Religious Freedom

27 March

A Talk on International Religious Freedom

A discussion on International Religious Freedom between the present and a past United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

12 November

Violence and Religious Freedom in Nigeria

Nigeria in the past, has experienced religious tolerance and harmony. But in the last decade non-state actors have stirred up violence and the failure of political leadership has resulted in ongoing and increasing violence for religious communities.

12 November

Religious Freedom in Egyptian Schools Reforms

An interesting USCIRF Conversation: Assessing Religious Freedom in Egyptian Curriculum Reform. Egypt has been encouraged to examine its school curriculum and improve the educations system approach to issues of freedom of religion.

14 August

An American Univeristy crosses the line on religious freedom of students

University of Iowa found guilty of religious discrimination. The crime: forcing student groups to accept University appointed leaders for their group. Groups argued that UI targeted them for requiring student leaders to sign a statement of faith.

24 July

International Religious Freedom Summit 2021

The Summit this month in Washington D.C. is Bipartisan, Multifaith conference bringing together an array of faith and political leaders with the goal of tackling discrimination around the globe. This is a significant event!

27 June

International Religious Freedom Summit July 2021

The International Religious Freedom Summit is July 13-15 in Washington D.C. and it will also be available online.

27 April

Governments Don't Get a Pass on Violating Religious Freedom in a Pandemic

While the pandemic prevented our team from meeting in-person with victims of religious persecution, abusive governments around the world do not get a free pass to deny the fundamental right of freedom of religion or belief.

30 December

Legal Restrictions to Religious Freedom in Brunei

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has done a series of excellent reports on specific nations and their activities on religious freedom. Here is a recent Spotlight episode on Brunei

23 October

Answering the Call to Protect Religious Freedom: A Year in Review

A report from the U.S. Department of State on work to protect religious freedom over the past year.

03 October

Religious freedom under assault in 'Europe's last dictatorship'

Belarus President Lukashenko makes no secret of his atheism. He has mostly refrained from overt actions against religious groups, but now there are worrying signs that his government is actively undermining the independence of religious groups.

03 September

USCIRF Encourages Religious Freedom Progress on Vietnam National Day

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) congratulated the government of Vietnam on its National Day, and encouraged the government to take steps to improve religious freedom conditions in the country.

A monitor displays the words "Commission on Unalienable Rights" behind Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as he speaks during a news conference at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, July 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)
17 July

Pompeo says US should limit which human rights it defends

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has argued for a more limited U.S. view of global human rights advocacy based on the principles laid out by America's Founding Fathers, a suggestion critics assumed meant stepping away from more modern concepts.

15 July

Can Human Rights Advocacy Resolve the North Korea Nuclear Impasse?

North Korea’s weapons programs and human rights violations derive from the same root causes: the government’s perception of its insecurity and lack of transparency.

President and Mrs. Trump visit the John Paul II Shrine prior to the President signing the Executive Order. (Photo credit: LifeSite News)
05 June

A Huge Step for Advancing International Religious Freedom

President Trump has issued an executive order “Advancing International Religious Freedom.” The Institute on Religion and Democracy commends the President for his ongoing commitment to defend persecuted Christians and other religious believers.