Categories
News Report

NSW Government Considers Reforms to Protect Places of Worship from Intimidating Protests

Sydney, NSW – The Minns Labor Government has announced plans to explore reforms aimed at enhancing protections for places of worship in New South Wales (NSW) from protests that seek to intimidate or disrupt religious practices. This decision follows recent incidents, including protests outside the Great Synagogue in Sydney, which have raised concerns about community […]

Categories
Webinar

Promoting Religious Freedom: A Global Effort

A recent webinar hosted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) brought together international experts and parliamentarians to discuss the importance of upholding freedom of religion or belief. The webinar emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to combatting religious hatred, promoting interfaith dialogue, and building […]

Categories
Opinion

Advancing Religious Freedom: Trump’s Impact and Vision for the Future

In an article for Newsweek, Peter Burns, executive director of the International Religious Freedom Summit, highlights the impact of Donald Trump’s presidency on advancing global religious freedom. As Burns notes, Trump’s leadership marked a turning point, making religious freedom a core aspect of U.S. foreign policy. A Historic Declaration at the United Nations On September […]

Categories
Webinar

Combatting Disinformation: A Church’s Role in the Digital Age

A 3 December webinar organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), “Religion and Disinformation: How to be a trusted source,” offered case studies from African countries on how to prevent—and combat— disinformation.  A recent webinar hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the World Association […]

Categories
News

WCC Launches Survey on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Geneva, Switzerland: The World Council of Churches (WCC) has initiated a comprehensive survey to assess the current state of freedom of religion or belief (FORB) among its member churches in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. This initiative, inspired by the discussions at the WCC’s 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, aims to build a […]

Categories
Opinion

Christian Peacemaking in a Polarized World: A Call for Action

In an era marked by deep divisions and escalating conflicts, Dennis R. Hoover’s recent article, Christian Peacemaking in a Time of Polarization, offers a timely exploration of how the Christian faith can inspire a path forward. With ongoing crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, and rising polarization in places like the United States, Hoover urges […]

Categories
News

Fundamental rights, religious freedom need to be respected: US

The US has stressed the need for respect for religious and other fundamental freedoms, and basic human rights in Bangladesh amid alleged attacks on minorities. “We are clear that there needs to be the respect of fundamental freedoms; there needs to be respect of religious freedom and basic human rights,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant […]

Categories
News Report

India: Rise in Anti-Christian Violence Sparks Concern

New Delhi, India – A recent report by the United Christian Forum (UCF) has revealed a disturbing trend of increasing violence and discrimination against Christians in India. The organization’s “Violence Monitor Report 2024” documented a significant spike in incidents, including physical attacks, intimidation, and property damage, targeting Christian communities across the country. According to the […]

Categories
News Report

Manipur: A Recurring Cycle of Ethnoreligious Violence

According to a recent report by International Christian Concern, northeastern India’s Manipur state has experienced a troubling surge in ethnoreligious violence after a period of relative calm. The state saw widespread unrest in 2023, leading to hundreds of deaths, the destruction of over 300 churches, and the displacement of at least 60,000 predominantly Christian residents. […]

Categories
News Report

Hungary Vows to Support Syrian Christians as Civil War Erupts Again

Budapest, Hungary – December 3rd, 2024 – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán pledged unwavering support for Syria’s Christian community in the wake of a renewed offensive by militant insurgents. The escalation of violence threatens to reignite the brutal civil war that has ravaged Syria for the past thirteen years. Renewed Conflict Threatens Aleppo Last week, […]