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 celebrating the positive impact of interfaith work and Inter Faith Week, while acknowledging that its reach often remains limited to those already engaged in interfaith spaces, and is further challenged by societal and funding constraints was published recently. In its recommendations, the report calls on interfaith bodies to work collaboratively and courageously to…
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…
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
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
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,…
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…
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…
The federal judges ruled that the City of Munich cannot ask citizens to declare that they are not Scientologists to be eligible for certain benefits Read the full article here
