Law and Religion Headlines
Monday, 5 August 2024
As Colombia cease-fire ends, church pushes for reset on peace talks
(Eduardo Campos Lima, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Venezuela: Is the Church in Venezuela facing new risks of persecution?
(Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar)
Occupied Ukraine: Orthodox priest's 14-year "espionage" jail term
(Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service)
Equatorial Guinea’s decree forcing worship registration threatens religious freedom
(Calvin Manika, Religion Unplugged)
Zimbabwe: WCC urges release of detainees, respect for human dignity in Zimbabwe
(World Council of Churches)
Canada: Ontario Superior Court of Justice states Jehovah’s Witnesses have no “systemic” problem of child sexual abuse
(Massimo Introvigne, Bitter Winter)
Two Borneo neighbours on diversity: comparing religious authority in Brunei and Sarawak
(Norshahril Saat, Fulcrum)
Australia: Why the Lord’s Prayer had to remain in Victorian Parliament
(Evan Mulholland, The Catholic Weekly)
Holy See reaffirms importance of fostering a culture of peace
(Thaddeus Jones, Vatican News)
Friday, 2 August 2024
China: Religious issues and persecution – Bimonthly Digest (16-31.07.2024)
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
China: Law and religion in the People’s Republic of China
(Carsten Vala, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Saudi Arabia country update
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
USCIRF solemnly commemorates the Tenth Anniversary of ISIS’s genocide against Iraqi and Syrian religious minorities
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
European Court: Russia to pay 160,000 EUR to 16 Jehovah’s Witnesses, but no chance they will ever see that money
(Willy Fautré, The European Times)
Israel’s military starts drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews – but the battle over serving ‘the army of God’ vs. the army of the state isn’t over, and points to key questions for the country’s future
(Michael Brenner, The Conversation)
Preventing modern slavery – future policy and practice challenges
(JoAnne Wadsworth, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Bangladesh intensifies crackdown with Islamist party ban
(Faisal Mahmud, Asia Times)
Faith leaders advocate for economic justice at UN Preparatory Committee in Addis Ababa
(World Council of Churches)
Russia: Religious issues and persecution – Bimonthly Digest July 16-31
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Syria: Ten years on, why does it matter?
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
Rwanda: Closure of non-compliant faith-based organisations - What are the essential requirements?
(Joan Mbabazi, All Africa)
Wednesday, 31 July 2024
Iraq: Ten years on, many Yazidis uprooted by Islamic State onslaught struggle to find stable homes
(Abby Sewell and Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press)
Iraq: Workshop lays foundation for Iraq’s national diversity management strategy
(World Council of Churches)
Iran: Religious issues and persecution – Monthly digest July
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Fighting China—with faith
(Michael Reneau and Knox Thames, The Dispatch)
India: Muslim groups distance themselves from protests at Catholic university in India
(Nirmala Carvalho, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
India: Churches and Mosques turned into make-shift hospitals in Kerala's landslide-hit areas
(Vatican News)
India: Hindu pilgrimage sparks anti-Muslim discrimination in India
(Yashraj Sharma, Religion News Service)
Who are the Druse in the Golan Heights?
(Ephrat Livni, The New York Times)
‘No religious freedom’ in Russian-occupied areas, Ukrainian reporter says
(The Baptist Paper)
The Russian regime is evil that calls for waging jihad against it, - Imam of the Islamic Cultural Center of Dnipro
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Turkmenistan: Protestant pastor faces arrest threats
(Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service)
KAICIID reaffirms commitment to ethical dialogue at Cairo conference
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
Promoting multi-faith collaboration through education
(Katherine Marshall, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
NZ: Study exposes Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims in Aotearoa New Zealand
(Massey University)
The Cuban Family Code two years on
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
Vietnam, Cambodia suggested to enhance sharing experience to ensure religious freedom
(Vietnam Plus)
Myanmar's junta terrorises, then rebels burn a Rohingya town
(Ruma Paul, Shoon Naing, Wa Lone, Poppy McPherson, Devjyot Ghoshal and Vijdan Mohammad Kawoosa, Reuters)
Combined $1.5M grants support leadership development for Catholic Sisters
(Siobhan Cooney, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
As Russia builds influence in Africa, its Church takes a role
(Andrew Hoyle, The United States Institute of Peace)
Kenya: Ruto receives Task Force report on regulating religious organizations
(Richard Kamau, Nairobi Wire)
Monday, 29 July 2024
Cardinal: Without church, there would be 'no life, no hope and no future' for many Africans
(Ngala Killian Chimtom, Angelus)
Zimbabwe: Second Republic to continue partnerships with Church
(George Maponga, The Herald)
South Africa: Parental rights and CSE in schools - July 25 2024
(YouTube Video, Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA))
UCCRO met with the Secretary of State of the Holy See
(Institute for Religious Freedom, Ukraine)
Workshop update: AI, Human Dignity, and Religion: Perspectives on Freedoms, Responsibilities, and Opportunities
(International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS), Brigham Young University)
The Transmission of Canonized Islamic Legal Knowledge: Practices, Genres, and Institutions
(Eirik Hovden and Christian Mauder, Oxford Journal of Law and Religion)
Articles of interest - 29 July 2024
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Pakistan: Experts urge immediate end to discrimination and violence against Ahmadis
(Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations)
Sri Lanka: Authorities target religious minorities
(Human Rights Watch)
Two weeks in review, 15 – 28 July 2024
(Tal Gross, EJIL: Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law)
Malaysia: Interfaith discourse crucial to dispel Islamophobia in multiethnic Malaysia, PM Anwar tells Muslims here
(John Bunyan, Malay Mail)
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, secretary-general of Muslim Council of Elders focus on deepening cooperation
(World Council of Churches)
Taiwan: 4 facts about religion and diversity in Taiwan
(William Miner, Pew Research Center)
Kazakhstan intensifies efforts to combat extremism
(The Times of Central Asia)
Australia: Press Vietnam to end rights abuses
(Human Rights Watch)
Indonesia: How religion through green Islam can shape Indonesian environmentalism
(Ardra Mahatma Pratama Sutardi, Modern Diplomacy)
India: Religion on school certificate can be changed, says HC
(The Hindu)
Bahrain: Foreign Minister highlights Bahrain’s efforts in combating human trafficking
(Bahrain News Agency)
Friday, 26 July 2024
India: Why BJP’s election upset failed to halt the persecution of Muslims in India
(Apoorvanand, Al Jazeera)
India: Led by bishops, Indian Christians mount pressure on government to curb atrocities
(Anto Akkara, Catholic News Agency)
‘God’s Gang’: Animated series offers up interfaith love in a polarized world
(Maddy Fry, Religion Unplugged)
Canada: Jewish Community Council of Montreal v. Canada (Attorney General)
(Federal Court of Canada)
Destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage: UNESCO Committee strongly condemns Russia's actions for the first time
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Russia: Two more Muslims jailed for religious study meetings
(Victoria Arnold, Forum 18 News Service)
DR Congo government seeks to regulate rise of evangelical churches
(William Minh Hào Nguyen, La Croix International)
The power of interreligious dialogue in a fragmented world
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
Sri Lanka: Faith leaders oppose bills promoting homosexuality in Sri Lanka
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
China: “Strict governance of religion” extends to Hui Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists
(Zhang Chunhua, Bitter Winter)
Taipei’s intelligence: CCP manipulates exchanges between Taoist temples in Taiwan and mainland China
(Massimo Introvigne, Bitter Winter)
Venezuela: A change in government in Venezuela can only benefit the religious sector
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
Wednesday, 24 July 2024
In Africa, what is the role of faith leaders in promoting democracy?
(World Council of Churches)
African faith leaders call for debt forgiveness in 2025 Jubilee year
(Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News Service)
Namibia: “Let us make our voices heard through the ballots,” Bishops Rally Voter Participation ahead of November General Elections
(Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Nigerian interfaith group demands closure of German cultural centre over LGBTQ content
(Victoria Ojeme, Vanguard Nigeria)
Iraqi parliament considers law mandating religion on marriage contracts
(Rudaw)
Where the laws don’t apply: Rural Christian communities in Laos and Mexico face similar challenges
(Ellis Heasley, FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
China: International summit highlights religious freedom challenges in China
(Lauren Canterberry, World)
Myanmar: A prominent Myanmar Christian leader is released from prison for a second time in 4 months
(Associated Press)
As Venezuela heads for July 28 presidential election, what does the religious landscape look like?
(María Teresa Hernández, Associated Press)
Draft law on banning the 'Moscow Church' to be considered in a month - Poturaiev
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Armenia: Only some conscientious objectors allowed alternative service
(Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service)
Ethical paths on Amazon rainforests
(Katherine Marshall, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Sri Lanka’s cremation apology fails to enthuse minorities
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Role of faith action highlighted in UNAIDS report and launch
(World Council of Churches)
Nicaragua: Deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua
(Center for Strategic & International Studies)
Chile: In favor of an inclusive laicism that is open to dialogue (Spanish)
(Nicolás Panotto, El Centro de Investigación Periodística)
Monday, 22 July 2024
Argentine court orders investigation into the Uyghur genocide
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
India court rules against dividing eateries by religion in BJP-ruled states
(Al Jazeera)
India: Include Sarna religious code in Census Cong MP Sukhdeo Bhagat in Lok Sabha
(The Week)
Azerbaijan police detain members of religious group doing missionary work
(Sofia Globe)
Gambia: How women led a dramatic about-face on FGM in Gambia
(Ayen Deng Bior, Christian Science Monitor)
How and why family health is a religious concern: A West African experience with international cooperation
(Katherine Marshall, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Articles of interest - 22 July 2024
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Congo church distances itself from rebels after pol’s speech in parish
(Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican Secretary of State visits the Patriarchal Cathedral of the UGCC in Kyiv
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Far-right Israeli minister Ben-Gvir makes inflammatory Al-Aqsa visit
(Al Jazeera)
Canada: Muslim charity calls court ruling on audit a green light for government overreach
(Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press)
Australia: Faith leaders join call to reject Productivity Commission recommendation
(Cath News)
Religious freedom is a defining factor for the future of Asia
(Samuel Brownback and Katrina Lantos Swett, Korea Times)
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