This report outlines how the enjoyment of human rights, particularly freedom of religion
and expression, continues to be contingent on state permission under the pretext of
strengthening religious tolerance and dialogue.
Kazakhstan (48th Session)
Iraq (48th Session)
This report addresses the situation of religious minorities in Iraq, including particularly the impact of laws criminalizing religious offenses, as well as discriminatory legislation on legal identity and personal status on their enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression. The report also highlights the continued displacement of many Christians and Yazidis as well as acts of targeted violence perpetrated by militias and other armed groups.
Continue readingIslamic Republic of Iran (48th Session)
This report addresses the adverse impact of laws criminalizing blasphemy and the prohibition of proselytism and apostasy on the enjoyment of the human rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Continue readingEgypt (48th Session)
This report addresses the situation of religious minorities in Egypt, especially Coptic Christians, particularly the impact of laws prohibiting blasphemy and other religious expression on their enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression. Furthermore, the report highlights the ongoing barriers to the registration and maintenance of churches, as well as attacks against Christians across the country, including incidents of mob violence targeting places of worship, extremist violence, and the abduction, forced marriage, and forced religious conversion of women and girls.
Continue readingBolivia (48th Session)
This report addresses violations of the right to education, including freedom of education, as well as parental rights in Bolivia.
Continue readingAlbania (47th Session)
This report highlights the urgent need for the government of Albania to intensify its efforts to eradicate the practice of prenatal sex selection within its territory. It points out that the imbalance in the sex ratio at birth is deeply ingrained in the country’s prevalent culture of son preference, and offers recommendations aimed at addressing the root causes behind the occurrence of this harmful practice.
Continue readingCosta Rica (47th Session)
This report illustrates the state of homeschooling in Costa Rica, highlighting that relevant restrictions violate its obligations to respect freedom of education and parental rights under international human rights law.
Continue readingEthiopia (47th Session)
This report contends that Ethiopia must repeal its blasphemy laws in order to safeguard the full enjoyment of the human rights to freedom of religion and expression. It also addresses the urgent need to prevent and end all forms of religiously motivated persecution and violence. This includes preventing and responding to attacks directed against followers of Orthodox Christianity, Protestantism, Islam, and indigenous religions.
Continue readingNorway (47th Session)
This report acknowledges the positive trend of fewer children being placed in alternative care, which prevents their separation from families, and commends the legislative progress made in this regard. Nevertheless, it expresses serious concern over Norway’s ongoing practice of unjustifiably separating children from their parents, a process that hinders efforts towards family reunification and disproportionately impacts migrant families.
Continue readingNicaragua (47th Session)
This joint submission highlights systematic patterns of harassment against the Catholic Church and its members in Nicaragua, including the targeting of churches, clergy members, and other religious figures by both state and non-state actors. It also draws attention to the practice of arbitrary arrests and detentions, followed by expulsions and the revocation of citizenship of clergy members.
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