All cases
Left Wing Activists Block Registered Pro-Family Demonstration in Vienna
June 14, 2014, AustriaOn June 14th, approximately 200 left wing activists hindered a pro-family demonstration of about 50 Christians to proceed on the registered route. After the police unsuccessfully tried to persuade the left wing activists to leave, they took their names. Five activists who refused to show their ID were briefly arrested.
Muslim Disrupts Easter Mass
April 20, 2014, FranceIn the region of Jura, France, during a celebration of Easter Mass in the community of Notre Dame de Dole, a Muslim entered, and, putting his carpet next to the altar, began to read parts of the Coran and then proceeded to write in Arab in the parish registry. The same man had already disturbed the Palm Sunday liturgy in two different places, so the police had been warned, and when they showed up on the scene on Easter they calmly asked the man to leave.
Attempts to Prevent Palm Sunday Precession in Morbihan
April 19, 2014, FranceThe parishioners of the church of Saint-Gildas in l’île d’Houat were the victims of a failed attempt by members of the Association of Freethinkers of France to prevent the Palm Sunday procession. These protestors tried to work within the legal framework, saying that the procession did not have the correct municipal authorisation also claiming that it did not fall within any of the three categories of legal processions. Their attempt failed this year, but the question still remains whether or not such attempts will be successful in future years.
Christian Demonstrations Violently Attacked by Left Wing Radicals in Baden-Württemberg and Cologne
March 23, 2014, GermanyA new governmental sex ed curriculum of Baden-Württemberg has caused outrage among Christian parents. Several manifestions suffered serious attacks by left wing activists which were later identified as LGBT activists. Eyewitnesses reported in shock to the Observatory.
Aggressive Left-Wing Activists Interrupt Demonstration of Parents in Stuttgart
February 2, 2014, GermanyA protest of parents who were not happy with a new educational plan seeking to implement “sexual diversity education” had to end early due to massive opposition. Protesters were physically attacked and it was felt that the Police failed to protect the parents’ basic right of assembly.
34 Anti-Life Activists Arrested for Attacks and Violations of Freedom of Assembly against Praying Christians
July 26, 2013, AustriaA peaceful prayer-manifestation of young Christians in Salzburg was interrupted by aggressive pro-choice activists who blocked streets and insulted the Christian activists. Police officers had to rearrange the walking route of the march and finally arrested 34 pro-choice activists for the violation of freedom of assembly. Two pro-choice activists also attacked a police officer.
Police Brutality Directed Against Pro-Family Demonstrators
June 26, 2013, FranceTear gas attacks and beatings by the police, arbitrary arrests, solitary confinement, illegal finger print storing, and countless other human rights violations were conducted by the French police against a peaceful mass demonstration opposing government policy on gay marriage and adoption.
Stalking Law Used Against Freedom of Assembly of Pro-Life Christians
May 21, 2013, AustriaAnti-stalking legislation is used against side-walk counselling or picketing. On October 25th, 2011, the state court of Graz, Styria, upheld a judgement of the first instance condemning pro-life side-walk counsellors to pay fines on the grounds of “stalking.”
Freedom of Assembly Limited by Court Order in Germany
May 21, 2013, GermanyChristian-inspired non-governmental pro-life organisations often express their faith and their convictions by protesting in front of abortion clinics, or by simply standing in front of clinics or counselling centres in order to offer conversation and alternatives. In the German cities Freiburg and Munich, this activity has been severely limited. Local courts have given in to the pressure by the targeted locations, which could have been mainly financial ones. Courts have restricted the form of manifestation as well as established a geographical ban. Appeals are on-going.
Pro-Life Manifestations Frequently Prohibited
May 21, 2013, FranceLaw 93-121 of January, 27th, 1993, so- called “loi Neiertz” made it a specific offense to obstruct abortions. Therefore manifestations in front of hospitals are frequently not permitted. A well-known doctor and embryologist, Xavier Dor, was condemned and sentenced to prison several times because he prayed together with a few others in front of a hospital and obstructed legal abortions. At 83, his latest trial is on-going.
Freedom of Association Limited to So-Called Non-Discriminatory Activities
May 21, 2013, SpainThe law states that “the public authorities shall not provide any assistance to associations in the case where the admission process or its operations discriminate on grounds of birth, race, sex, religion, opinion or any other condition or personal or social circumstance.”
Numerous Human Rights Violations Against Pro-Family Demonstrators
April 23, 2013, FranceThe recent attacks on pro-family mass-demonstrations included: tear gas against children, overbearing police force, unconstitutional state action and human rights violations, death threats against organisers on social media and stabbing of a protester, as well as violations of freedom of assembly.
Anti-Christian Counter Manifestation to Pro Life Activity
February 9, 2013, FranceDuring a prayer meeting in front of the abortion clinic of the l’Hôpital Tenon in Paris, pro-lifers were confronted with a counter demonstration of the group “Hâter la République” (“Rush the Republic”) which held up posters depicting Jesus carrying the cross comparing the cross to an UID, a contraceptive loop. It said: “Jesus too… had a loop!”
Thousands Petition to Keep Chapels Open at Complutense University in Madrid
January 4, 2013, SpainTens of thousands petitioned Jose Carrillo, the rector of Complutense University asking that the agreement with the Archdiocese of Madrid be adhered to and that the closing of university chapels be stopped. According to a spokesman for the religious-liberty organization MasLibres, Miguel Vidal, the “rector has argued that the university is not trying to shut down chapels, but to revise its agreement with the archdiocese.”
Church in Lithuania Set on Fire a Second Time
October 4, 2012, LithuaniaA church was set on fire and burned to the ground on October 4 2012. This was the same church where an attempt at burning the church was made in September 2012.
Pro-Life Activists Continuously Attacked
October 3, 2012, GermanyPro-Life activists continuously suffer attacks from radical groups, including physical attacks and property damages; as well as negative stereotyping by the media; and an infringement on freedom of assembly and expression by a ban mile.
Traditional Bible Reading Marathon Not Permitted in Paris
October 1, 2012, FranceEvangelical Protestants who have organized an annual "Marathon of the Bible" with over 500 participants reading and sharing in Paris since 2003, did not obtain the permission to hold a session in 2012.
Violence and Damages in Aggressive Disruption of a Pro-Life Manifestation
July 24, 2012, AustriaMore than 80 pro-abortion-activists attacked the pro-life manifestation “1000 Crosses-March” organized by the Youth for Life and Human Life International in Salzburg-City. Blockages, insults and windows smashed kept a large number of police busy.
Left NGO Calls for Violence Against Christians
July 17, 2012, AustriaThe Salzburg-based NGO „Infoladen“ calls for violence against Christians when expressing pro-life views. In July they called for a counter-demonstration against a pro-life manifestation. „Let’s make their 1000-crosses-manifestation a disaster!“ and „Sink the 1000 crosses!“ are some of the slogans on their website.
Writing on Church Walls in Lithuania
June 17, 2012, LithuaniaJune 17th 2012, the walls of a church in Vilnius were spray painted with writing.