ADF International today filed a complaint requesting the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to declare Yahaya Sharif-Aminu's prosecution contrary to international law.

Following a six-month investigation, West Midlands Police have confirmed that they will not bring charges against Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, issuing an apology for the length of time to reach the decision not to prosecute her for silent prayer.

ADF International experts address Parliament, “Bill is unconstitutional, dangerous and not in line with international human rights standards”.

ADF International has filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of Nicaraguan bishop Rolando Álvarez.

UN independent experts address concerns from human rights groups regarding the ethnic, tribal and religious crisis unfolding in Manipur.

Religious freedom was repeatedly violated during COVID. Yet it is essential for everyone—not only for people of faith. ADF International's Sofia Hörder writes for European Conservative.

The criminal trial of Finnish parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola is underway before the Helsinki Court of Appeal.

The criminal trial of Finnish parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola is underway before the Helsinki Court of Appeal.

Päivi Räsänen’s criminal "hate speech” appeal trial begins tomorrow Aug 31st. Räsänen available for questions at online press conference hosted by ADF International on Sep 1st.

Mary, an 18-year-old Christian convert, successfully secured protection from members of her family who threatened to kill her for converting from Islam.

Pakistani Christian communities subjected to severe violence from recent mob riots; ADF International is actively engaged in religious freedom efforts in Pakistan.

Päivi Räsänen will be available for questions at an online press conference hosted by ADF International on 1st Sep at 17:00 CEST (11:00 EDT) after her trial

Pastor Hamid Soudad, an Algerian Christian-convert and leader in the Evangelical Church of Algeria, has been released from prison.

Regiane Cichelero prosecuted by local authorities in Brazil after choosing to homeschool her son. Appeal filed at highest court in the state of Santa Catarina, supported by ADF International, highlighting international human rights protections for homeschooling.

Civil society leader and former Mexican Congressman, Rodrigo Iván Cortés, has been convicted of “gender-based political violence,” including digital violence, for social media posts on Twitter and Facebook referring to transgender-identifying Mexican Congressional representative, Salma Luévano, as a “man who self-ascribes as a woman”.

Will free speech in Finland prevail? Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen is hopeful as the anniversary of her acquittal approaches. The Finnish state prosecutor has continued her censorship campaign against Räsänen as she faces a second trial over her Bible tweet post.

Chilean high court unanimously rules in favor of family that participated remotely in U.S.-based homeschooling program, upholding the human right of parents to choose the kind of education given to their children.

Top EU official Dr. Ján Figeľ challenges 2021 COVID restrictions on public worship at the European Court of Human Rights

In an urgency resolution the European Parliament has called for the government of India to “take urgent steps to restore calm” in the midst of a tribal and religious crisis unfolding in Manipur.

Hrvatica je u Njemačkoj dobila pobjedu na sudu protiv grada Pforzheim: Njena molitvena grupa ima pravo okupljati se u blizini ustanove za pobačaj Hrvatica je u Njemačkoj dobila pobjedu na sudu protiv grada Pforzheim: Njena molitvena grupa ima pravo okupljati se u blizini ustanove za pobačaj Savezni upravni sud u…

Violence against Christians and other religious minorities in India has escalated over recent years with dramatic upticks in 2022 and 2023.

Rodrigo Iván Cortés, civil society leader and former Mexican Congressman, was convicted of various forms of “violence” for social media posts relating to gender.

In a new ruling, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig confirms that blanket bans against peaceful prayer gatherings near abortion organisations are impermissible.

The European Commission’s proposal to require member states to recognize surrogacy as an acceptable form of parenthood disregards the best interest of children and fails to uphold the principle of subsidiarity, writes ADF International's Martina Divković.

European Top Human Rights Court declines to hear legal attack on Poland’s pro-life protection for unborn babies with disabilities European Top Human Rights Court declines to hear legal attack on Poland’s pro-life protection for unborn babies with disabilities In AM and Others v. Poland abortion advocates sued Poland saying they…

209 international and Nigerian human rights advocates call for the immediate release of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu.

German hybrid school—innovative in-class and at home learning model—takes challenge to European Court of Human Rights after accreditation denied

ADF International files case on behalf of Rachel Zalma* before Europe’s top human rights court after she was unlawfully banned from living in Türkiye.

ADF International released a video thanking members of the European Parliament for their support of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu in a near-unanimous urgency resolution.

In an urgency resolution the European Parliament has called for the release of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a young Nigerian musician sentenced to death under the blasphemy law of Kano state, northern Nigeria. The resolution “recalls that blasphemy laws are in clear breach calls of international human” and “contrary to the Nigerian…

ADF International has joined 70 other international religious groups and leading experts in sending a letter to the Biden Administration urging relevant officials to address the persecution endured by religious minority groups in Vietnam.

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian Christian-convert and leader of a 400-member house church, has been released from prison in Iran.

The former Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU, Dr. Ján Figeľ, has brought a challenge to the 2021 COVID restrictions on public worship in Slovakia at the European Court of Human Rights.

Let’s take Finnish MP Räsänen’s words to heart: “Now it is time to speak. Because the more we are silent, the narrower the space for freedom of speech and religion grows.”

Will free speech in Finland prevail? Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen is hopeful as the anniversary of her acquittal approaches. The Finnish state prosecutor has continued her censorship campaign against Räsänen as she faces a second trial over her Bible tweet post.

Europe’s Top Human Rights Court condemns Russia for punishing a Christian pastor for hosting prayer group in his home Europe’s Top Human Rights Court condemns Russia for punishing a Christian pastor for hosting prayer group in his home Don Ossewaarde was arrested, convicted, and fined over a prayer gathering at…

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bolivia challenges the forcible closure of their teachers college, shut down by the 2010 General Education Act. 

Coinciding with the expert meeting of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, the high-level event, hosted by Poland, Hungary, and ADF International, brought together the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief and other actors to discuss challenges and solutions to the problem of forced conversions.

The charity volunteer and the Priest on trial for praying in an abortion facility censorship zone have both been acquitted of all charges in a ruling handed down by Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 16 February, 2023.

Priest faces legal battle for “praying for free speech” – and pro-life bumper sticker “This is About Saying No To All Forms of Government-Led Discrimination and Persecution of Religious Minorities”: Nigerian Human Rights Defender Appeals to International Community Father Sean Gough stood silently holding a “praying for free speech” sign…

Delegates from all over the globe were present at the 2023 International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, DC over the last two days.

It was exactly one year ago, on a cold, dark winter evening in January 2022, when Paul Coleman arrived in Helsinki for the modern-day heresy trial of Finnish MP Dr. Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola.

The European Parliament has condemned “in strong terms the enforcement of blasphemy laws” and stressed the importance of the “freedom to choose one’s religion”.

In March 2023, Canada will expand its already shockingly broad MAiD, or Medical Assistance in Dying, law, to make death-on-demand available to Canadians—including so-called ‘mature minors’—suffering from mental illness.

Video emerges of charity volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce arrested and charged for a silent prayer “thought crime” in UK. ADF International is supporting Isabel as part of a wider campaign to challenge censorship zone legislation.

ADF International attorneys have filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of Mexican Congressman Gabriel Quadri.

MEP Carlo Fidanza brings attention to Nigerian musician’s appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria

Bulgarian government labeled Protestant Christians as “sect”, said that attending their church services could result in “mental disorders”, and warned children against them in school lessons

Former Belgian Ambassador Frans van Daele takes on mandate as the EU’s Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU

Countries must protect the rights of both women and unborn children—so pledge the 36 government signatories of the Geneva Consensus Declaration, launched in November 2020.

Elon Musk's highly anticipated acquisition promises meaningful change for the Twitter landscape, with the prospect of canceled voices being soon released from the dark recesses of Twitter "jail." Those of us who have lamented the shrinking space for free speech online should celebrate these signs of hope.

A notice of appeal has been filed with the Supreme Court of Nigeria for the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Nigerian Sufi musician, who was sentenced to death for charges of blasphemy.

The removal of Nigeria from the U.S. State Department’s “Country of Political Concern” (CPC) list has led to the worsening of religious freedom abuses in the country. Petition calls on U.S. government to reinstate Nigeria—one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian—to upcoming State Department…

This was an opportune moment for the EU to recommit to the protection of freedom of religion or belief by reinforcing the existing EU instruments aimed at doing so and highlighting cases concerning minorities where this right has been violated. Yet, it did the exact opposite, writes ADF International's Georgia…

At a high level event on “Freedom of Religion in Türkiye” held in the European Parliament today, victims of faith-based discrimination highlighted atrocities committed by the Turkish government and parts of society against Christian minorities in the country.

At a high level event on “Freedom of Religion in Türkiye” held in the European Parliament today, victims of faith-based discrimination highlighted atrocities committed by the Turkish government and parts of society against Christian minorities in the country.

At a high level event on “Freedom of Religion in Türkiye” held in the European Parliament today, victims of faith-based discrimination highlighted atrocities committed by the Turkish government and parts of society against Christian minorities in the country.

Experts and witnesses to highlight grave violations committed against Christian minorities at event hosted by MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen and ADF International

European Court of Human Rights rules that Belgium failed to conduct proper investigation into circumstances of the 2012 euthanasia of Godelieva de Troyer

The European Court of Human Rights is set to rule on landmark euthanasia case Tom Mortier v. Belgium. The case highlights the dangers of legalising euthanasia, and demonstrates that so-called ‘safeguards’ cannot make safe the practice of intentionally ending a life.

Christian was at risk of losing his license to practice psychology, among other sanctions.

More Christians were killed in Nigeria in 2021 than in the rest of the world combined.

"The censorship of academic speech is dangerous for us all. Silencing students and professors stunts free thinking. When free speech is shut down in schools, a domino effect ensues," writes Elyssa Koren.

The Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) responded to complaints against recent graduate, Christian Cortez Pérez, with formal proceedings to ban him from practicing psychology. A group of professors has called on the University to silence and sanction Christian because of the content of his graduation speech.

The European Court of Human Rights has found inadmissible an application by Fondation Jérôme Lejeune claiming that the French Broadcasting Council’s designation of a Down syndrome video as not “a message of general interest” constituted unjust censorship. The Court’s failure to condemn the French authority’s treatment of Down syndrome voices…

“Every human life is valuable and deserves protection. I am heartened that we will be able to resume our prayer vigils in support of women and their unborn children in the place where we think it makes the most sense. It is a great relief that the court has recognized…

Can authorities prohibit a silent prayer gathering on a public street in Pforzheim, Germany? This question will be addressed for the second time by the court on Thursday, 25 August.

Couple speak out on new documentary by ADF International, directed by Emma Webb, ahead of UN Int'l Day for victims of violence based on religion or belief.

An Iranian Christian convert in Germany faces likely death for his faith as deportation looms.

Can a silent, peaceful prayer be a criminal act? Not according to the case of 76-year-old grandmother Rosa Lalor, from Liverpool, who successfully challenged the penalty with support from ADF International.

Can the state censor conversation on a public street? Should the government have the power to prevent people from being influenced — and penalise those “guilty” of influencing?

High-level, non-partisan event this week showcases unprecedented support across the political spectrum on the urgent issue of Christian persecution.

High-level, non-partisan event this week showcases unprecedented support across the political spectrum on the urgent issue of Christian persecution.

High-level, non-partisan event this week showcases unprecedented support across the political spectrum on the urgent issue of Christian persecution.

Nigerian religious leaders came together at the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit in Washington, D.C., to sign an important declaration on principles of inter-religious and civil society cooperation and religious freedom.

High-level, non-partisan event this week showcases unprecedented support across the political spectrum on the urgent issue of Christian persecution.

US Supreme Court justices have decided that each U.S. state has the freedom to determine its own abortion laws, including protections for unborn life from its earliest stages.

European Parliament urges Turkey to implement “positive and effective reforms” to protect freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Human rights advocates denounce poor treatment of Stephen Masih, who suffers from bipolar disorder.

The rate of euthanasia in Belgium has increased from 235 lives lost per year (2003), to 7 lives lost per day (2021) .

European Parliament rejects motion to debate Christian persecution, in particular in the case of Deborah Yabuku, brutally murdered last week when her school peers accused her of blaspheming in a class group chat

This was an opportune moment for the EU to recommit to the protection of freedom of religion or belief by reinforcing the existing EU instruments aimed at doing so and highlighting cases concerning minorities where this right has been violated. Yet, it did the exact opposite, writes ADF International's Georgia…

On 3 May, the European Parliament adopted a report on “The persecution of minorities on the grounds of belief or religion”. Human rights experts have denounced the report as “openly hostile towards religion”.

The Finnish state prosecutor has filed her appeal against the unanimous court decision which exonerated a Finnish MP and bishop of “hate speech” allegations for sharing their faith-based beliefs.

A Pakistani Christian fearing persecution in case of deportation has won his case at the European Court of Human Rights.

Fifteen countries are engaging in “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” violations of religious freedom – as identified by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its 2022 Annual Report published today.

The decisions of parents regarding how and by whom their children will receive religious education may be disregarded – so ruled the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

“The Finnish prosecutor has announced she will appeal Räsänen and Pohjola’s acquittal on 'hate speech' charges."

“If you think that the free speech-v-cancel culture tension has already been pushed to its limits in the UK over the past year, you probably haven’t heard of 40 Days for Life."

“In a remarkable show of bipartisan cooperation, last week, the Senate unanimously reauthorized the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act."

“Rosa, a 76-year-old grandmother, was arrested while walking and praying during lockdown. Due to court backlogs, she is still awaiting trial."

After a unanimous court decision and strong recommendation by the police not to proceed with prosecution in the first place, the Finnish state prosecutor intends to push criminal proceedings against MP and bishop into their fourth year.

“A Finnish member of parliament has won on all charges in a groundbreaking free speech trial involving a Bible tweet..."

A Finnish court has upheld the right to free speech by dismissing all charges against Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola.

Numerous international religious freedom NGOs have penned a public letter calling on US Senators to reauthorize legislation to hold gross violators of human rights accountable.

A Finnish court is expected to rule on the Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola's free speech case on 30th March. Both stand accused of having engaged in “hate speech” for publicly sharing their faith-based beliefs.

A married Sudanese Christian convert couple is currently on trial facing baseless charges after they converted to Christianity despite the decriminalization of apostasy.

Disability rights organisation faced discrimination after video speaking out about life with Down Syndrome was censored on state television channel

UN human rights experts call on governments to not lose sight of religious minorities in Afghanistan who “remain stranded under constant fear of death”

Human rights experts have raised concerns about a ruling the Belgian Constitutional Court handed down on February 17th. The Court upheld amendments expanding the Belgian euthanasia law.

Finnish parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola faced their second day on trial in Helsinki.

Finnish parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola will face their second day on trial in Helsinki.

“Once we are no longer free to tweet unpopular opinions — or even unpopular Bible verses — we will find ourselves living in an Orwellian future..."

“The prosecutor began the day by trying to explain that this case was not about beliefs and the Bible..."

Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen has spoken about her dedication to free speech ahead of her criminal trial on 24 January.

Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen has spoken about her dedication to free speech ahead of her criminal trial on 24 January.

Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen has spoken about her dedication to free speech ahead of her criminal trial on 24 January.

A criminal conviction for posting a Bible tweet is now a very real possibility in Finland. On 24 January, former Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen will face a criminal trial after being accused of engaging in “hate speech” for publicly voicing her deeply held beliefs on marriage and human…

“Whichever way you slice it, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) delivered a win for free expression this week..."

Northern Irish bakers Daniel & Amy McArthur will not be forced to ice messages that are incompatible with their religious beliefs

This week, Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya was released on bail after being convicted and jailed for sharing gospel tracts and praying with fellow citizens.

 A 40-Days-for-Life prayer group acted lawfully in gathering in front of the Frankfurt branch of the Pro Familia abortion organisation in 2020 – so ruled the Administrative Court of Frankfurt, Hesse, in a judgment handed down on 16 December.

A new campaign on public transport risks policing thoughtcrimes.

The U.S. Senate has just confirmed Rashad Hussain as new Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom (IRF).

46 leading global advocates and organisations for religious freedom call for Biden Administration to reinstate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”.

Two Bulgarian pastors are standing up against a scaremongering campaign by their local government to label all non-Eastern Orthodox Christians as sects and warn children off against them.

In a blow for the right to freedom of expression, the Administrative Court of the Republic of Slovenia found that the pro-life NGO Zavod ŽIV!M, whose bus ads had been removed in 2018, had not been discriminated against.

On Tuesday, Pastor Keshab was sentenced to two years in jail and a fine for sharing gospel tracts and praying with fellow citizens.

The case presents an opportunity for the Court to uphold Mississippi’s law protecting unborn children and their mothers, affirm that life is a human right, and overturn the harmful precedent set in 1973.

A German court announced it will hear the appeal against a prohibition on silent prayer gatherings in the proximity of an abortion organization.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, publishes a special report on legal harassment and abuse of the judicial system against the media

The video in which Colombian YouTuber Kika Nieto shared her beliefs about marriage, should not have been censored - so ruled the Colombian Supreme Court.

U.S. State Department removes Country of Particular Concern designation for Nigeria despite worsening religious freedom situation

After nearly two years of major reforms on human rights and democratic governance, the coup has the potential to destabilize the country. In particular, the coup puts the historic progress that Sudan had made recently on protecting religious freedom at grave risk and bodes ill for the rest of Africa,”…

Is it legal for a government to completely ban public worship in the name of protecting public health?

On the International Day of the Girl Child, Catholic Bishops have taken action to challenge religious freedom violations against teenage girls.

Almost two months after the rapid takeover of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva has adopted a resolution to condemn, “in the strongest possible terms”, the ongoing violations and abuses of human rights perpetrated in Afghanistan, including against persons belonging to religious minorities.

This International Day of the Girl Child (11 October), many girls in South Asia fear for their safety. 14-year-old Maira is one of the estimated 1000 girls that are “converted” against their will through a forced marriage in Pakistan every year.

The government concession comes after three cases have been filed to challenge Covid-19 restrictions which maintained a blanket ban on worship, even when malls and business centers could open.

More than six weeks after the rapid takeover of the Taliban in Afghanistan, civil society groups are still calling on states to take resolute action to protect vulnerable religious minorities who face serious threats to their lives.

Recent world events have called attention to the significance of religious freedom. But is the international community doing enough to protect the human rights of those persecuted for their faith?

"We hope to see this decision appealed" - ADF International's Robert Clarke has issued this response to the High Court's judgment regarding abortion up to birth for babies with disabilities.

Failure to focus on the persecution of Christians can “lead politics to be timid towards regimes that violate religious freedom on a daily basis," said Carlo Fidanza MEP.

The police, crime, sentencing and courts bill is an opportunity to address critical issues within the law.

"I felt like at any moment there would be a knock at the door, I would open it, and the police would arrest me," recalls Kika. "I cried oceans." And all because of a YouTube video?

Will Finland imprison an MP over a Bible-Tweet? The Helsinki District Court has set the date for the hearing in the censorship case of Finnish Member of Parliament, Päivi Räsänen, for 24 January 2022.

An alliance of Catholic, Evangelical and Muslim faith representatives, along with parliamentarians, have brought a legal challenge to Uganda’s restrictions on public worship because of COVID-19 before the Constitutional Court.

Today, Christos Stylianides set to leave role as Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU, after less than five months in the role.

How can we prevent religious minorities from suffering under conflict? Today, human rights experts addressed this question at the UN Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Conflict Prevention and the Protection of the Human Rights of Minorities.

The European Court of Human Rights upholds freedom of religion for Christian employees.

Doctor wins case on freedom of conscience.

The European Court of Human Rights rules in favour of Hungarian church freedom.

Turkey defies European Convention on Human Rights by discriminating against Christians.

ADF International supported Christian convert fleeing persecution.

The European Court of Human Rights confirmed church autonomy as a basic right deserving protection in its 47 Member States.

Today, a large and varied group of human rights experts and advocates for religious freedom have urged U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to re-designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

UN: Human rights experts call on governments to take robust, coordinated action.

Without any clear plan from the United States to evacuate Afghans under special threat, not to mention the remaining thousands of American citizens, Afghan Christians and many other religious minority groups are stranded.

This week, a Pakistani Christian couple, who had been on death row for seven years on false blasphemy charges, has safely arrived in Europe*.

Christians are finding themselves in trouble with the law for using allegedly “threatening or abusive” language. The police are too quick to penalise the speech complained of, rather than consider what rights the accused has to speak freely in public.

This week, a Pakistani Christian couple, who had been on death row for seven years on false blasphemy charges, has safely arrived in Europe*.

A church in Kampala and a representative from the Muslim community have commenced legal action challenging the Ugandan government’s ban on public worship after new national lockdown measures were announced on Friday.

Will the right to share Christian views online be safeguarded? Today, the human rights organization ADF International filed a brief in the censorship case of Erika “Kika” Nieto, calling for the protection of freedom of speech.

"I'm afraid I can't let you through," said the man at the airport desk. "The government has issued a permanent re-entry ban against you."

President Biden announced Friday his nomination of Rashad Hussain as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom (IRF).

What do you think is the better deal: three meals out with cockroaches scurrying round your feet and burnt food on the menu, or one meal out with a pool-side view, Michelin starred food, and great company?

The Chilean Constitutional Tribunal has handed down a key decision in Latin America upholding parental rights.

On Wednesday, ADF International hosted a dinner event on the grave challenges facing Nigeria regarding the protection of religious freedom.

Five United States Senators, two Republican and three Democrats, signed a letter this week, addressed to United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressing concern and urging action regarding increased persecution of religious minorities in Algeria.

Tomorrow, ADF International will host a dinner event on the grave challenges facing Nigeria regarding the protection of religious freedom.

The Colombian Constitutional Court has agreed to review the case of Colombian social media star Erika “Kika” Nieto. There are high hopes for a positive ruling affirming freedom of speech.

“This is not just about confronting or taking on China,” a senior official in Biden’s administration said this month. “But until now we haven’t offered a positive alternative that reflects our values, our standards and our way of doing business.”

Being a woman can bring life-threatening challenges to those living in South Asia – from before birth all the way into adulthood. Bhavana*, a young mother in Dhanbad, Jharkhand is familiar with such discrimination.

Freedom of speech is one of the most fundamental American values. This value was brought all the more sharply into focus recently when my fellow expat, Prince Harry, quite royally offended his host nation by calling the First Amendment “bonkers” on the California-based Armchair Experts podcast.

Are people of faith barred from being elected to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights?

Can state-owned service providers pull down ads that authorities decide they don’t like? In Slovenia, a state-owned bus company removed ads commissioned by the pro-life NGO Zavod ŽIV!M in 2018.

Around the world, religious institutions bore the brunt of coronavirus rules. We can’t let this happen again.

The Lahore High Court has overturned a death sentence for a Catholic Pakistani couple. A session court had sentenced Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel to death by hanging in 2014 over blasphemy charges.

Most people live in environments with significant restrictions on freedom of religion.

Vaguely worded hate-speech laws can end up criminalising almost any opinion. Paul Coleman is the executive director of ADF International, a human-rights organisation defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. He is the author of Censored: How European Hate Speech Laws are Threatening Freedom of Speech.

Are people of faith barred from being elected to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights? A coalition of human rights experts and religious freedom advocates voiced their concern this week. The coalition published an open letter to member states of the Organization of American States calling for a fair election…

The City of Edinburgh Council has admitted that they were wrong to cancel a Christian event on the basis of the beliefs of the keynote speaker.

"Billy Graham wouldn’t be welcomed into Britain today..." Read Lizzie Throughton's article in The Critic UK.

 Prohibitions on silent prayer gatherings in the proximity of an abortion organization may remain – so indicates a German court’s ruling on 12 May, which dismissed the challenge of the leader of a prayer initiative to have restrictions on their prayer vigils lifted.

Most people live in environments with significant restrictions on freedom of religion.

Will the decisions of parents be respected when it comes to the religious education of their children? The Inter-American Court of Human Rights will soon answer this question for 35 American countries in the landmark case of Pavez v. Chile.

People of faith are signing an open letter, addressed to the Irish Prime Minister, Micheál Martin TD, demanding a commitment never to ban church worship in Ireland again.

Belgium has been challenged on the human rights implications of its euthanasia law at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland this week. Undergoing a “Universal Periodic Review”, during which states are scrutinized on their human rights record and called to consider reforms, various states urged…

In India and other parts of the world, girls are targeted for abuse and discrimination, from before birth and throughout their lives.

Imprisonment for posting a Bible tweet is now a very real possibility in Finland. The Finnish Prosecutor General has brought three criminal charges against Finnish Member of Parliament, Päivi Räsänen.

Ireland will no longer be the only place in Europe to have completely prohibited public worship – so announced the government on 29 April, signalling a partial lifting of the disproportionate ban as of 10 May.

A Christian church is challenging Russian authorities at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for seizing the congregation’s property and leaving the community to gather outside in a tent.

Are we allowed to share Christian views on social media? The Constitutional Court will have to answer this question, at least for Colombia. Responding to a viewer’s question in an “Ask Me Anything” video, social media star Erika “Kika” Nieto had shared her views on marriage while expressing tolerance for…

Is there a free speech crisis at UK universities? At least 10,000 members of the public think so and have added their name to a petition addressed to number 10.

Maira* loved to sing hymns at her church's Easter service. This Easter, she is forced to hide rather than be able to join in celebrations. She had been abducted, forcibly married to a much older Muslim man, and must now wait in hiding after escaping. Forced “conversion” through marriage affects…

It’s known to be a season of hope, but Irish Christians cannot gather to worship at church this Easter Weekend. This month marks nearly a full year of the blanket ban on public worship being in place throughout the country.

The Scottish government's treatment of churches during the pandemic has been unlawful - so ruled Lord Braid in a judgment handed down today from Scotland's top civil court.

Which views and opinions are acceptable on UK campuses? According to a survey

The Glasgow Priest who is raising financial support from members of the public to challenge the government’s COVID-19 worship ban is preparing for his hearing at Scotland’s top civil court on Thursday 11th- Friday 12th March.

Will the decisions of parents be respected when it comes to the religious education of their children? The Inter-American Court of Human Rights will soon answer this question for 35 American countries in the landmark case of Pavez v. Chile.

This International Women’s Day, Christian girls in Pakistan fear for their safety. Maira Shabaz knows the dangerous reality more than most. She escaped her captor – but not before he brutalised, blackmailed, married and forcibly “converted” her from her Christian faith.

Canon Tom White, the Glasgow Priest challenging the Scottish government’s blanket ban on public worship, has moved his case into the court room.

Today, the Department for Education released a report titled “Higher Education: Free Speech and Academic Freedom”, which recognises the harmful effects of censorship at UK universities, and lays out new proposals to tackle the problem.

Can a local authority ban even silent prayer on the streets? This is the question asked by the “40 Days for Life” group in Pforzheim, Germany, who were prohibited from gathering to peacefully pray near a pre-abortion advisory center.

David Byle, a Christian evangelist living in Turkey, was forced to leave the country he had called home for 19 years, where he had raised his children and had become a close-knit member of the community – simply because he shared his faith.  

Are universities stifling students’ views? Midwifery student Julia Rynkiewicz believes so, and her newly-settled case provides one such example.

In Pakistan, a fourteen-year-old girl and her family were forced into hiding after she escaped her abductor who forcibly married her. She escaped and gave a statement to the court saying she was abused and blackmailed.

On 25 August, former Minister of the Interior and serving Member of the Finnish Parliament, Päivi Räsänen, faces her third police interrogation in recent months.

On Friday, ADF International submitted what could be the final legal arguments on behalf of Tom Mortier in his case against Belgium at the European Court of Human Rights. The case is Mr Mortier’s last chance to seek justice for the loss of his mother who was euthanized by lethal…

In evaluating a response measure, it is important to first understand the form it has taken -- whether it is a legislative policy, executive order or decree, or a military ordinance and how that impacts the nature of the response measure.

Vitaliy Bak, the leader of a Baptist community in Southern Russia, may soon be forced to demolish his house for holding allegedly illegal religious worship services there.

Are people holding public office allowed to express their deeply held beliefs? On 2 March 2020, member of the Finnish Parliament Päivi Räsänen faced a police investigation because of a tweet she posted on June 2019.

A midwifery student was forced to suspend her studies after facing a fitness to practise investigation over her involvement with a pro-life society. Julia Rynkiewicz, a final year midwifery student at the University of Nottingham, was subject to an almost 4-month long investigation after concerns were raised about her involvement…

Amidst reports of increasing religious persecution in Russia and in the run up to Christmas, an international human rights organization has brought a case alleging violations of freedom of religion before the European Court of Human Rights.

In India, girls are aborted every day simply because they are not boys. Tomorrow is the International Day of the Girl Child, which was introduced to help focus on the status of girls in society all over the world.

President Trump isn’t known as a champion of human rights, but on Monday he became the first American president to convene a meeting at the United Nations on religious freedom. He kicked off the U.N. General Assembly’s annual session with a “Global Call to Protect Religious Freedom.

A pro-life student society - “Nottingham Students for Life” - has been granted affiliation by the University of Nottingham Students’ Union after the initial decision to deny the group affiliation was challenged.

Today, Asia Bibi arrived in Canada, according to her lawyer. Late last year, her death sentence for blasphemy was overturned by the Pakistani Supreme Court in a landmark ruling, sparking violent protests. Despite her acquittal and significant international criticism, Bibi was kept in custody and not allowed to leave the…

The European Court of Human Rights agreed to consider the case of Tom Mortier. Belgian authorities have refused to pursue Mr Mortier’s case meaning the Court is now his only chance to seek justice for the loss of his mother.

The case against a doctor who killed a woman for being depressed and then didn’t have anyone inform her son until the next day is headed back to a Belgian criminal court.

The European Court of Human Rights rules Christian woman’s rights violated in 20-year-old case.

Alliance Defending Freedom filed an application with the European Court of Human Rights Wednesday on behalf of Tom Mortier, who is challenging Belgium’s laws that allow doctor-prescribed death.

Europe’s highest human rights court says Christian crosses can stay in Italy’s classrooms.