Law and Religion Headlines
Monday, 9 February 2026
Tracking religious freedom violations with the Violent Incidents Database
(Dennis P. Petri, Kyle J. Wisdom, John Bainbridge, International Journal for Religious Freedom)
Nigeria takes centre stage as US lawmakers reopen hearing on global religious freedom
(Timothy Enietan-Matthews, RipplesNigeria)
Jailed Turkish scholar and journalist Ali Ünal honored at religious freedom summit in Washington
(Abdülhamit Bilici, Turkish Minute)
Top court to hear cases against Turkey labeling Christians ‘security threat’
(Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post)
At least 31 killed in Islamabad Shi'ite mosque bombing, Islamic State claims responsibility
(Asif Shahzad, Reuters)
Khartoum Anglican cathedral comes to life, three years after war forced its closure
(Fredrick Nzwili, anabaptist World)
Articles of interest - 9 February 2026
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
IFRC calls for stronger regional solidarity as humanitarian needs continue to rise in Asia Pacific
(International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)
Caritas Bangladesh calls for global defense of human dignity on Int’l anti-Trafficking Day
(Stephan Uttom Rozario, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Human dignity at center of social justice, development, says Vatican diplomat at UN
(Gina Christian, OSV News)
Saint Death v. church and state: The political economy of Santa Muerte in Mexico
(R. Andrew Chesnut, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
KAICIID launches its 2026 International Fellows Programme, expanding its global network of dialogue leaders
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
Zambia’s Catholic Bishops urge priests and faithful to steer clear of partisan politics
(Paul Samasumo, Vatican News)
CCCB statement on Bill C-218: No “MAiD” for mental illness
(Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Hong Kong Catholic activist Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison
(Clemente Lisi, Religion Unplugged)
‘Official’ Chinese Church backs ban on unregistered clergy
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Pope Leo is coming to this Muslim country: here’s what it means for Africa
(Fatima Zohra Zaidi, Religion unplugged)
CAQ abuse of notwithstanding clause concerning: Quebec Bar Association
(Caroline Plante, The Canadian Press)
Muslim countries, EU join condemnations of Israeli moves deepening West Bank control
(Nava Freiberg, Leon Kraiem, and Noam Lehmann, Times of Israel)
Friday, 6 February 2026
Religious minorities in India suffer escalating attacks
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Australia’s new hate crime laws need human rights monitoring
(Annabel Hennessy, Human Rights Watch)
Thursdays in Black boosts African church efforts against gender-based violence
(World Council of Churches)
Egypt’s crackdown on online discussion of religion violates fundamental freedoms, Amnesty International warns
(Aaryaa Shinge, Jurist)
Egypt legalises 160 additional churches, service buildings nationwide
(Egypt Today)
Pakistan: Suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque on Islamabad’s outskirts kills at least 31 and wounds scores
(Munir Ahmed, Associated Press)
Canadian Jewish groups decry axing of antisemitism envoy in favor of ‘rights, equality and inclusion’ advisory council
(Grace Gilson, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
No Compulsion in Religion–No Exceptions: Islamic Arguments for Religious Freedom
(Mustafa Akyol, Cato Institute)
Faith, policy, and the future: A cohesive vision for the G20 Interfaith Forum (Part 1)
(Marianna Richardson, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Iran formally allows women to drive motorcycles: What to know
(Al-Monitor)
Lakemba Mosque receives second 'threatening letter' weeks out from Ramadan
(Jean Kennedy, ABC News Australia)
Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan visits WCC
(World Council of Churches)
Iran: Religious persecution and issues – Monthly Digest January 2026
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
How American technology helps China persecute its Christians
(Samuel Ben-Ur, The Diplomat)
Kenya’s President Ruto, clergy condemn violence during service attended by politicians
(Vincent Matinde, Christian Daily)
Clear legal framework needed to regulate online religious activities
(Vietnam Net Global)
Laura Fernández pledges a government that respects religious freedom in Costa Rica
(Javier Bolaños, Christian Daily)
Zambian faith leaders pledge peaceful elections through interfaith pact
(Winston Mwale, Africa Brief)
PM urged to act over rally against ‘illegal’ houses of worship
(Mohamad Fadli, Free Malaysia Today)
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
IRF Summit details how nations can promote religious freedom abroad: Be ‘persistent’
(Tessa Gervasini, EWTN News)
IDF okays protocol aimed at enabling Haredi troops to stay religious throughout service
(Emanuel Fabian, Times of Israel)
Kazakhstan, Holy See advance interfaith cooperation in peacebuilding and global ethics
(Ayana Birbayeva, Astana Times)
Statement on interfaith responsibility in a time of rising authoritarianism
(Parliament of the World's Religions)
The rise of populism: Implications and complications for international religious freedom
(Mae Elise Cannon, Institute for Global Engagement)
Bangladesh’s Hindu minority in fear as attacks rise and a national election nears
(Julhas Alam, Al Emrum Garjon and Sheikh Saaliq, Associated Press)
IRF Summit: The inspiring life-or-death work uniting Trump, Nicki Minaj, the Dalai Lama and the UN
(Tad Walch, Deseret News)
Legal Journal Number 4 (21): January (Spanish)
(Observatorio de Libertad Religiosa de América Latina y El Caribe)
National Council Of Churches In India approaches Supreme Court to challenge anti-conversion laws
(Nirmala Carvalho, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Why religious freedom matters: Human rights and human flourishing
(Allen D. Hertzke, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Pope Leo XIV echoes Cuban bishops’ warning that fuel blockade could cause “chaos and social violence”
(Xavier Burgos, Aid to the Church in Need)
Christian communities in Iraq fear resurgence of ISIS-linked violence
(Georgena Habbaba, EWTN News)
Global system of human rights in ‘peril’, warns HRW in its annual report
(Al Jazeera)
Sri Lanka’s Anglicans warn anti-terror bill will entrench repression
(George Conger, Anglican Ink)
Philippine churches stand with communities defending land and life in Nueva Vizcaya
(World Council of Churches)
‘Conscience is not the business of the state’: India’s anti-conversion legislation has turned suspicion into the default posture of the law
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
Malaysia: Religious extremism threatening public harmony won't be tolerated, says minister
(Iylia Marsya Iskandar and Amalia Azmi, New Straits Times)
Philippines: Traslacion 2026 leaves four dead
(EJ Macababbad, The Philippine Star)
Brazil: Religious intolerance follows a wave of violence in 2026 (Portuguese)
(Ministério dos Direitos Humanos e da Cidadania)
‘Conscience is not the business of the state’: India’s anti-conversion legislation has turned suspicion into the default posture of the law
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
Monday, 2 February 2026
Comoros Islands: MWL provides aid during food shortage
(X, Muslim World League)
Iranian Jews caught between frustration and hope as US debates intervention
(Simone Saidmehr, Forward)
China criticizes decision to award a Grammy to the Dalai Lama
(Associated Press)
Articles of interest - 2 February 2026
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Iran’s brutal religious persecutions
(Doug Bandow, Acton Institute)
Fujian: Police mobilized to demolish village‑funded temple, several injured
(Zeng Liqin, Bitter Winter)
The future of development work: do core principles for development require a prophetic voice?
(Katherine Marshall, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Human flourishing in the Age of AI
(Marianna Richardson, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
China: Religious persecution and issues – Bimonthly Digest January 16-31
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
New federal hate speech laws- impact on religious freedom?
(Neil Foster, Law and Religion Australia)
Vol. 18 No. 2 (2025): Religious freedom and measures of tolerance
(International Journal for Religious Freedom)
Why faith and traditional leaders are essential to ending gender-based violence
(Izeduwa Derex-Briggs, Modern Ghana)
India: Supreme Court issues notices to 12 States on plea over anti-conversion laws
(Krishnadas Rajagopal, The Hindu)
The NSW inquiry showed us how to protect children from the harms of pornography — will we rise to the challenge?
(Matt Tyler and Maree Crabbe, ABC News Australia)
Burma Research Institute releases new report documenting severe violations of religious freedom against Christians in Burma
(Burma Research Institute)
Cracks in India’s ‘Hindu unity’
(Asif Ullah Khan, The Diplomat)
Friday, 30 January 2026
The Egyptian government’s escalation against religious minorities reinforces USCIRF’s recommendation for placement on the Special Watch List
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Anwar pledges stronger support for ‘pondok’ schools, urges balance of faith and AI-era skills
(Malay Mail)
Archbishop Hérouard represents COMECE at the 25th Holy Land Coordination
(The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE))
Vietnam: Religion accompanies the nation
(Nhân Dân)
Why Hinduism rose and fell in Southeast Asia
(Akhilesh Pillalamarri, The Diplomat)
Cuba: State Security summons priests Alberto Reyes and Castor Álvarez in Camagüey (Spanish)
(Ciber Cuba)
Trump’s framing of Nigeria insurgency as a war on Christians risks undermining interfaith peacebuilding
(Aili Mari Tripp, The Conversation)
‘Christophobia’ bills seek to bar religious costumes in Brazil’s Carnival
(Eduardo Campos Lima, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pakistan's Shiite community anxious about Iran crisis
(Shamil Shams and Manaf Siddique, Deutsche Welle)
KAICIID and UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (OSAPG) renew cooperation to strengthen conflict prevention through dialogue
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
Colombian bishops demand respect for Christ after President Petro’s ‘blasphemous’ comments
(Eduardo Berdejo, EWTN News)
Celebrating 2025: A year of global impact and interfaith collaboration
(G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Korean activists, religious groups oppose nuclear power plants
(Herald Malaysia Online)
South Sudan bishops warn of genocide, plead for peace
(Fredrick Nzwili, OSV News)
The OIC participates in the Eighth Meeting of the International Coalition for the Two-State Solution in Ireland
(Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)
Woman faints after being caned 140 times under Indonesian province’s sharia law
(AFP, The Guardian)
Wednesday, 28 January 2026
State regulation of religion exposed: What Prof Xulu’s resignation reveals
(YouTube Video, Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA))
Khartoum Anglican cathedral comes to life, three years after war forced its closure
(Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News Service)
In divided central Africa, a cardinal presents ‘Family of God’ as path to peace
(Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Global Buddhist convention focus on unity, protection – OpEd
(Subir Bhaumik, Eurasia Review)
Thai bishops warn Catholics about fraud, graft ahead of polls
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
‘Crisis of relativism’ threatens peace in Europe, pope says
(Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic Standard)
How to kill a religion: South Korea’s proposed “Church Dissolution Act”
(Massimo Introvigne, Bitter Winter)
Madras HC says there is no religion for encroachment, orders removal of church Madras HC says there is no religion for encroachment, orders removal of church
(Sureshkumar, Times of India)
Argentina: Catholic Church rejects Milei bill to lower age of criminal responsibility
(Buenos Aires Times)
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