Report on Miviludes
A report on the French government office for the ‘fight against cults’ was given to the UK Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief as one of the actions of the Working Group on Religious Discrimination in Europe.
CZECHIA: 16 European scholars in religious studies say “Do not liquidate Jehovah’s Witnesses”
Letter to the authorities of the Czech Republic about the announced liquidation of Jehovah’s Witnesses This letter was sent (in Czech) to the President of the Czech Republic the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic , the Minister of Culture and the Department of Churches and Religious Associations the Minister of Justice the Minister of…
Europe | France | Islam | News Items
French footballers banned fasting during Ramadan
The French Football Federation (FFF) has banned Muslim players from fasting during Ramadan while training with the national team, leading to accusations of discrimination and team division. Players must postpone fasting until after international fixtures. See report here
Christianity | Europe | Finland | News Items
Finnish primary school afraid “Messiah” production could fall foul of laws
A Finnish primary school canceled a concert featuring the Messiah out of fear of having to compensate students unwilling to attend religious events, following a similar case. This decision surprised both believers and non-believers. The government criticized the school’s principal, calling the reaction an overreaction.See the full story here
Christianity | Europe | News Items | Sweden
Asylum for Christian converts, midwives’ rights, religious education, religious slaughter, hate speech laws considered in Swedish report to UN
The Swedish Evangelical Alliance, along with the European and World Evangelical Alliances, submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council for Sweden’s Universal Periodic Review in May 2025. The report highlights concerns about religious freedom in Sweden, covering issues such as asylum for Christian converts, midwives’ right to conscientious objection in abortion, religious education,…
AFN | Europe | France | Islam | News Items
French Hijab ban during sports, ‘discriminatory and must be reversed’ says Human Rights Council
The UN Human Rights Council experts criticized France’s football and basketball federations for banning hijab-wearing players, including at the amateur level, and the government’s decision to prevent hijab-wearing athletes from representing France at the Paris Olympics. They argued that these measures violate fundamental rights, including religious expression and cultural participation. The experts stated that France’s…
Europe | FORB Advocacy | France | Judaism | News Items
French Interior Ministry agency launches “cult” attack on respected kibbutz
In France, Miviludes is a sub-agency of the Ministry of Interior, dedicated to fight against what they call “cults” – a term they interpret to include a large variety of well accepted new religious movements as well as alternative medicine practitioners or even dissident political eco-movements. In their report on “sectarian aberrations” (“derives sectaires” in…
Europe | FORB Advocacy | Islam | News Items
Dutch students banned from prayer at school
Students in the Netherlands report being banned from praying during school hours, with some facing punishment for attempting to do so. Over 180 schools have been named in complaints, with Muslim students most affected due to the specific timing and rituals of their prayers. Christian students also report difficulties. Many students resort to praying in…
AFN | Europe | FORB Advocacy | France
Christian Observatory reports on intolerance and discrimination
Another presentation made at the monthly meeting of the UK Freedom of Religion or Belief Forum (25th June) was presented by Anja Hoffmann, MA, Executive Director of OIDAC Europe. The report, “Monitoring Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians: Growing Challenges to Religious Freedom in Europe” covers European i
AFN | Europe | FORB Advocacy | France
Responses to new French law on “fight against sectarian deviances”
One of two presentations made at the monthly meeting of the UK Freedom of Religion or Belief Forum on the 25th June covered the French law on “The Fight Against Sectarian Deviances”, and gives more insight and understanding on how and where this discriminatory law comes from and it’s potential impact. The presentation is a…