Author: mikeg

Europe | FORB Advocacy | News Items

MEPs call for urgent appointment of EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief: EU does not care about victims of religious violence & persecution in the world
Bymikeg September 16, 2025October 7, 2025

Reprinted from a newsletter by Human Rights Without Frontiers Int’l (www.hrwf.eu) Fifteen months after the European elections, there is still no appointment of an EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Since the mandate of EU Special Envoy was created in 2016, the position has repeatedly been kept vacant for long periods without…

Read More MEPs call for urgent appointment of EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief: EU does not care about victims of religious violence & persecution in the world
News Items | World

Understanding anti-Christians hate crimes
Bymikeg September 12, 2025

Anti-Christian hate crimes are rising in the OSCE region, posing serious threats to societal stability and religious freedom. These acts of violence, vandalism, and threats not only harm individuals and communities but also lead to isolation and decreased religious participation. Governments are urged to recognize and condemn such crimes, enhance education on intolerance, and promote…

Read More Understanding anti-Christians hate crimes
Asia | Christianity | News Items

State-sanctioned intolerance in Azerbaijan
Bymikeg September 12, 2025

In Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan, a recent court ruling imposed heavy fines on five individuals for attending an unregistered Christian worship service, following a police raid that involved detentions and food deprivation. The fines, equivalent to three months’ wages, create significant financial strain, especially for a Korean family who hosted the meeting, with some members reportedly deported….

Read More State-sanctioned intolerance in Azerbaijan
Islam | News Items | Spain

Spanish ban on religious gatherings sparks outcry and accusations of Islamophobia
Bymikeg September 10, 2025October 7, 2025

The Spanish government has denounced a new ban in Jumilla that limits religious gatherings in public sports venues, primarily impacting the local Muslim community. The ban has faced backlash for being discriminatory and fostering “institutionalized Islamophobia.” This incident underscores the broader conflicts in Europe over nationalism and multiculturalism.

Read More Spanish ban on religious gatherings sparks outcry and accusations of Islamophobia
Belgium | Europe | News Items

Comment: The role of the media in the stigmatization of religious minorities
Bymikeg September 5, 2025October 7, 2025

The media plays a crucial role in fostering stigma against religious minorities by labelling them as “cults” or “sects,” which creates an environment of intolerance and violence. This harmful portrayal, influenced by anti-cult activists and sensationalism, undermines protections under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Cases in the UK and Belgium show…

Read More Comment: The role of the media in the stigmatization of religious minorities
Europe | FORB Advocacy | News Items | United Kingdom

UK approach to freedom of religion or belief: Lord Collins’ speech, July 2025
Bymikeg July 15, 2025July 15, 2025

Speaking at Durbar Court in King Charles Street, London, last week, Lord Collins outlined the UK’s approach to freedom of religion or belief. “We promote human rights, including FoRB, not just because it is in our national interest but also because it is the right thing to do. Human rights, the rule of law and…

Read More UK approach to freedom of religion or belief: Lord Collins’ speech, July 2025
Featured | Germany | News Items

Religious Test for Public Contracts: Germany’s Use of “Faith-Breaker” Declarations Draws Scrutiny
Bymikeg July 15, 2025

A growing number of public tenders in Germany —more than 3,465 since 2014 (and 232 since January 2025)— have been found to require applicants to sign so-called “Faith-Breaker” declarations. These clauses force companies to explicitly renounce any association, direct or indirect, with the Church of Scientology, including connections held by employees or subcontractors. The contracts…

Read More Religious Test for Public Contracts: Germany’s Use of “Faith-Breaker” Declarations Draws Scrutiny
Europe | Featured | France | News Items

State-sponsored Islamophobia in France blamed for violence
Bymikeg July 15, 2025

Writing in AlJazeera, Senior researcher with Georgetown University’s The Bridge Initiative Farid Hafez accuses the French Government of State-promoted or condoned Islamaphobia including physical attacks including murder. “There has been a significant spike in Islamophobic acts in France – something the French authorities remain reluctant to publicly comment on. One report showed a 72 percent…

Read More State-sponsored Islamophobia in France blamed for violence
Areas | Christianity | News Items | USA | World

Religious Freedom Under Attack : video
Bymikeg June 10, 2025June 10, 2025

Former U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback discusses religious freedom in the West with OIDAC Europe Executive Director Anja Hoffmann. Christian organisations are increasingly being deplatformed and debanked when engaging in public debate. This conversation explores how to address these challenges and uphold religious freedom for all. See more here

Read More Religious Freedom Under Attack : video
Areas | Europe | Islam | Middle East | News Items

Political Islam in Europe: Balancing freedom of belief and democratic integrity
Bymikeg June 10, 2025June 10, 2025

The website Atalayar examines the problems connected with political versus religious Islam in a new article published this week. Over the past few decades, Europe has undergone profound demographic and cultural changes as a result of immigration and multiculturalism, leading to the emergence of Muslim communities that have become an integral part of the European…

Read More Political Islam in Europe: Balancing freedom of belief and democratic integrity