The French governmental anti-cult mission was sentenced for its lack of transparency and refusal to disclose documents about its funding of private anti-cult associations. Massimo Introvigne reports in the Bitter Winter online magazine: “The French governmental anti-cult mission was sentenced for its lack of transparency and refusal to disclose documents about its funding of private…
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.
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…
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…
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
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…
Members of the All Faiths Network attended a dinner in the UK Parliament hosted by MP Brendan O’Hara and organised by Bellwether International and Roots of Humanity Foundation. Bellwether International responds to freedom of religion or belief in pre- and post- genocide communities and works to prevent or protect communities in these conditions. The meeting…
In yet another indication where French judiciary appear to be pushing further into, and limiting, the religious ‘space’ in the country a civil court, the Tribunal of Lorient, judged against the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Spirit, a Catholic Institution, was determined to have wrongfully dismissed a Sister of that Order. After internal apostolic investigation…
France has passed a shocking new law on 9th April, that targets religious minorities (though can be used against any religion) as well as certain natural health practitioners who have been recategorized as ‘cult leaders’ for not supporting mainstream medical treatments. The core of this new law now states that it is a criminal offence…
When legislation can curtail freedom of expression Päivi Räsänen Päivi, a Finnish medical doctor, active parliamentarian, former Minister of the Interior, mother, grandmother, and Christian along with Bishop Pohjola were prosecuted for the crime of “agitation against a minority group”, under the section of “war crimes and crimes against humanity” in the Finnish criminal code….
