All cases
Christian Union Banned From Holding Meetings on College Premises
June 7, 2016, United KingdomA Christian union has been banned from holding meetings on college premises, as a result of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy "Prevent".
European Court of Human Rights Finds Turkey Interfered with Freedom of Religion
May 24, 2016, TurkeyThe case concerned the inability of Mersin and Izmir Jehovah's Witnesses in Turkey to obtain an appropriate place to engage in worship due to restrictive laws. The ECtHR held that such restrictions amounted to a direct interference with their freedom of religion.
Greens Demand Ban on Pro-Life Presentations at Schools
May 12, 2016, AustriaIn April 2016, members of the Green Party in Austria submitted a Parliamentary Question to evaluate possible actions to stop “pro-life” workshops in religious education.
Turkey Seizes Six Churches as State Property
April 6, 2016, TurkeyIn the region of Diyarbakir, the Turkish government seized huge sections of property, including six churches. One of these is a 1,700 year old Syriac Orthodox Church.
Peaceful Protest in Stuttgart Disrupted by Counter-Demonstrators
February 28, 2016, GermanyA peaceful manifestation by 4,500 supporters of Demo für Alle against a proposed education program was disrupted by counter-demonstrators, resulting in clashes with police and 18 people injured, including 3 police.
Church and Mosque Destroyed in Calais "Jungle"
February 1, 2016, FranceDespite promises to the contrary, officials from the Calais Prefecture bulldozed a church and a mosque in the refugee camp.
Proposed UK School Regulations May Put Christian Sunday Schools and Summer Camps at Risk
December 13, 2015, United KingdomPlans for Ofsted to regulate out-of-school settings could burden churches, discourage volunteers and cause unnecessary distress to children, a Conservative MP has warned.
City Reduces Funding for Holy Week and Refuses to Fund to Corpus Christi
November 23, 2015, SpainThe Department of Culture in Palma de Mallorca has reduced municipal funding for events during the week leading up to Easter (known as “Holy Week” or “Semana Santa”, famous for grand processions) to just 3.000 euros, and has not allocated any funding to the important Catholic feast of Corpus Christi (known simply as “Corpus”).
Arrests in Counter-Demonstration during Students for Life Procession
November 14, 2015, AustriaThe march against abortion by more than 100 participants in Innsbruck was disrupted by counter-demonstrators.
Tasmania's Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to Investigate Catholic Church's Marriage Pamphlet
November 12, 2015, OtherTransgender politician, Martine Delaney, lodged an anti-discrimination complaint in September and on November 12, the commissioner announced it will begin investigation.
Counter-Demonstrators Attempt to Block Berlin’s March for Life
September 19, 2015, GermanyMore than 7,000 pro-life demonstrators took part in the March for Life 2015 in Berlin. About 300 of a total of 1500 counter-demonstrators attempted to block the march. Between these groups stood as many as 1,000 police officers.
Swiss Evangelical Party's Office Attacked for Supporting Pro-Life Demonstration
September 16, 2015, SwitzerlandThe Zurich offices of the Swiss Evangelische Volkspartei (EVP) as well as the Swiss Evangelical Alliance and humanitarian organisations Tearfund and Opportunity were attacked by vandals.
German Left Threatens to Disrupt the "March For Life"
September 8, 2015, GermanyThe German left political party (Die Linke) is organising to disrupt the annual German "March for Life" for the protection of the unborn, the sick, and the aged that will take place in Berlin on the 19th of September. In response, the German Association for Christian Culture (Deutsche Vereinigung für eine christliche Kultur) responded that by doing so, Die Linke is threatening to infringe upon the rights to freedom of assembly and expression and noting that the law recognizes the basic human right to life from the moment of conception.
Disruption, Threats, and Insults at a Catholic Procession
May 14, 2015, ItalyA group of Muslims disrupted a Catholic procession in the Italian municipality of Conselice which was held in honour of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Reportedly seeing the procession as provocation, the group started to threathen and insult Catholics and claimed that the procession offended Islam. Participants were scared and shocked by this aggression.
Attack at Marriage Referendum Event Causes Life-Threatening Allergic Reaction
May 13, 2015, IrelandA 10-year-old girl suffered a severe allergic reaction after an egg attack at a "No-Campaign" event in Meath, Ireland. "Yes-Campaigners" threw objects, including eggs, at people who were expressing opposition to same-sex marriage. "No-Campaign" leader Mr. Manning said that the atmposphere created by "Yes-Campaigners" was "toxic”.
Aggression against Pro-Life Activists in Munich
February 28, 2015, GermanyThe German Christian pro-life group Jugend für das Leben ("Youth for Life") organized a demonstration on the Odeon Square in Munich followed by a Holy Mass at the University Church. The demonstration had previously been registered and approved.
Parents Protesting Against Aggressive Sex Education Attacked by Counter-Demonstration in Hamburg
January 25, 2015, GermanyProtesters demonstrated against the "violation of parents’ rights in education" of their children.150 parents were attacked by about 600 left-wing radicals who threw eggs, fireworks and bottles into the crowd of demonstrators. A 15 year-old girl had to be taken to the hospital. Police intervened.
Organized Campaign Against Building Religious Schools in Madrid
November 28, 2014, SpainA group of people organized a campaign against building religious schools in Spain and painted slogans "Your education - our destruction” on walls of the church of Santa Monica in Rivas Vaciamadrid. Moreover, some protesters in green jerseys (as a symbol of public schools) broke into the church with praying people to express their opinion. Local right-wing party PP decalred that it was another example of the radical atmosphere in the town.
Priest Hospitalized After Attack During Silent Pro-Family Manifestation in Rovereto
October 5, 2014, ItalyOn Sunday, 5th of October, silent demonstrations against “gay marriage” took place throughout Italy under the name “standing sentinels” (“Sentinelle in Piedi”). During the gathering in Rovereto a group of anarchists demanded that the Sentinels leave and started to attack them. Two people, a priest and a young woman, had to been taken to hospital.
Pro-Life Christians Insulted by Pro-Choice Demonstrators in Bologna
June 26, 2014, ItalyThe Christian community “Papa Giovanni XXIII” prays every Tuesday in front of a hospital in Bologna to raise a voice for unborn life. At the same time left wing activists try to counter the manifestation by insulting their religion and singing so loudly that the prayers cannot be heard by others. The attacks happen frequently on Tuesdays when Christians gather to pray in front of a hospital where abortions take place. The insults include: “Go back to your churches!” to “Away, away, with ave Marie” and hurt the feelings of the faithful and violate freedom of assembly.