Mexico (45th Session)

Mexico

(45th Session)

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ADF International is a faith-based legal advocacy organization that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people.

This report highlights the growing prevalence of violence, threats and harassment directed at religious leaders and places of worship in Mexico. It also raises concerns about the unjustified restrictions imposed on the exercise of freedom of expression and the right to political participation, including for members of the clergy. Finally, the report emphasizes the need for Mexico to align its legislation regarding gender-based political violence with its international human rights obligations.

‘Conscience of Europe?’

Censored addresses the rise of so-called ‘hate speech’ laws throughout Europe and their devastating effect on freedom of speech.  In Germany, for example, committing an ‘insult’ is a criminal offence and in Poland offending ‘religious feelings’ carries a two year prison sentence.

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Canada (44th Session)

Canada

(44th Session)

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The following report is a joint submission between ADF International and Canadian Physicians for Life, focused particularly on Canada’s implementation of its obligation to protect the inherent right to life of every person. The information contained in this report was obtained through research and first-hand accounts from these organisations.

ADF International is a faith-based legal advocacy organisation that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people.

Canadian Physicians for Life (CPL) is a national association of pro-life physicians, medical students and residents, and retired physicians. CPL was founded in 1975 and is a registered charitable organisation. It promotes healthcare in the Hippocratic tradition that situates the patient’s good at the heart of all medical practice. Dedicated to humanizing healthcare, it advocates for the value of every human life. CPL affirms that the proper goal of medical science and, therefore, of its practitioners is to preserve and protect life across the full breadth of the human experience.

Germany (44th Session)

Germany

(44th Session)

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ADF International is a faith-based legal advocacy organization that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people.

This report outlines the situation of freedom of religion and freedom of expression in Germany. It expresses concern regarding cases of dismissal of religion-based asylum applications, particularly by Christian converts, despite the significant risk to their lives upon return to their country of origin. Furthermore, the report addresses the violations of freedom of expression, of assembly and of religion or belief resulting from the laws and regulations authorizing so-called ‘protection zones’ around abortion centres.

Russian Federation (44th Session)

Russian Federation

(44th Session)

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ADF International is a faith-based legal advocacy organization that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people.

This report brings attention to the situation of freedom of religion and expression in the Russian Federation, with particular attention to persons belonging to religious minorities. It highlights the barriers related to the registration and operations of unregistered religious groups, as well as cases of police raids and property closures in this regard. It also expresses concern at the impact of anti-extremism laws on religious minority communities, including the censorship of religious publications, the banning of faith-based organizations, and the arrest of hundreds of individuals belonging to affected minority groups. Finally, the report draws attention to a growing trend of targeted threats and arrests of religious leaders for refusing to publicly voice their support for Russia’s military attack on Ukraine.

Bangladesh (44th Session)

Bangladesh

(44th Session)

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ADF International is a faith-based legal advocacy organization that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people.

This report addresses the state of freedom of religion, of expression, and of association, as well as the situation of religious minorities in Bangladesh. In particular, it draws attention with considerable concern to laws criminalizing expression deemed to be outraging or wounding of religious feelings. It also makes note of the rising social hostility faced by Christians and other people belonging to religious minorities.

Uzbekistan (44th Session)

Uzbekistan

(44th Session)

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ADF International is a faith-based legal advocacy organization that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people.

This report brings attention to the situation of freedom of religion and expression in Uzbekistan, with particular attention to persons belonging to religious minorities. Notably, it highlights the barriers related to the registration and operations of unregistered religious groups. It also expresses concern at laws criminalizing peaceful proselytism and the sharing of religious materials, as well as the other overbroad restrictions on the exercise of freedom of expression. Finally, it draws attention to cases of violence, abuse, and intimidation suffered by persons belonging to religious communities at the hands of state and non-state actors alike.

United Arab Emirates (43rd Session)

United Arab Emirates

(43rd Session)

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ADF International is a faith-based legal advocacy organization that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people.

This report outlines the situation of freedom of religion and freedom of expression in the
United Arab Emirates (hereinafter, the ‘UAE’). While noting positive developments in the area of religious freedom, ADF International remains concerned at the continued criminalization of blasphemy, proselytism, and other so-called ‘crimes violating religious creed and rites’, as well as at the country’s failure to recognize marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims, except when the woman is Christian or Jewish.

Montenegro (43rd Session)

Montenegro

(43rd Session)

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ADF International is a faith-based legal advocacy organization that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people.

This report stresses the urgent need for the government of Montenegro to intensify its efforts to eradicate the practice of prenatal sex selection in the country. It highlights that the skewed sex ratio at birth has its roots in Montenegro’s prevalent culture of son preference, and suggests recommendations to tackle the root causes of the practice of sex-selective abortion.

Mali (43rd Session)

Mali

(43rd Session)

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ADF International is a faith-based legal advocacy organisation that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people.

This report highlights the intense hostility and persecution suffered by religious minorities, particularly Christians, in Mali. Furthermore, it explains why Mali should resist calls to expand access to abortion and instead focus on safeguarding and improving access to maternal health care within its borders.