All cases
Restrictions on Training of Clergy in Turkey Remain
March 29, 2011, TurkeyIndividual religious communities in Turkey are restricted in their training of clergy. The Turkish legislation does not provide for private higher religious education for minorities and such opportunities are inexistent in the public education system.
Non-Muslim Religious Communities in Turkey Face Obstacles in Using Places of Worship
March 20, 2011, TurkeyNon-Muslim religious communities living in Turkey report difficulties opening, maintaining, and operating houses of worship. These groups may not build new churches because of the often arbitrary refusals to issue construction permits for places of worship. The reason behind this discriminatory behaviour is the fact that all unofficial meetings for religious minorities are considered potentially subversive.
Italian School Rejects Cardinal’s Visit
March 17, 2011, ItalyAn Italian school from Genova, Pertini-Diaz, rejected Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco’s visit. The spokesperson for Pertini-Diaz expressed concerns about the pastoral purpose of the visit, and the security staff that the cardinal would bring along with him. The Pertini-Diaz school would however welcome a non-pastoral visit.
Attempt to Silence Catholic Teacher
March 7, 2011, CroatiaCatholic catechism teacher of a Zagreb primary school was accused of homophobia for staying in line with the Catholic Church teachings during catechism classes.
Christian Drug Expert Sacked from Government Advisory Panel Over Gay Dispute
February 14, 2011, United KingdomThe Christian General Practitioner (GP) was sacked as a Government drugs adviser because he co-wrote a study linking homosexuality to paedophilia. In June 2011 he announced to take legal action to answer “increasing attempts” to marginalise Christians in public life.
Christians Flee After Verbal Attacks and Threats
February 10, 2011, Bosnia and HerzegovinaA Christian family of Kakanj suffered repeated verbal attacks and threats. They finally decided to leave their home as the pressure was becoming unbearable.
One of the World's Oldest Monasteries Expropriated
January 31, 2011, TurkeyThe lands surrounding the Syrian-orthodox monastery of Mor Gabriel, near Midyat in South-Eastern Turkey, have been expropriated by Turkey’s supreme court. According to the verdict, the treasury of Turkey has a right to claim the lands.
EU Seemingly Pressured Moldova Into Strong Anti-Discrimination Legislation
December 31, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)The Council of the European Union proposed a visa liberalisation action plan for Moldova without much room for negotiations about the conditions: in a unilateral document, it was required to accept policies which would potentially infringe on the freedom of conscience or expression as well as that of religious institutions and organisations.
Mental Health Worker Threatened With Sack After Sharing Opinions About Post-Abortion Syndrome
December 1, 2010, United KingdomChristian Mental Health worker suspended after talking to colleague informally about abortion risks and told „never to do this again“ and reinstated only several weeks later.
Conservative Party Councillor Gets Suspended After Objecting Gay Talks in a School
November 25, 2010, United KingdomA conservative party councillor in Bristol has been “voluntarily suspended” and asked by the party to meet with homosexualist activists after he objected to appearances by a homosexualist campaigner and actor, Sir Ian McKellen, at local schools.
Polish Minister Excluded From EU-Jury Because of “Homophobic” Statement
October 3, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Polish equality minister Elzabieta Radziszewska not asked to be a jury-member for this year’s EU journalism award “Together against Discrimination” after explaining rights of schools with regard to employing homosexual teachers.
Summary of Anti-Christian Incidents in Occupied Cyprus
September 10, 2010, CyprusThe U.S. House of Representatives deplores: the inability of Orthodox Christians, clergy and other religious communities to access and hold services at their place of worship and cemeteries in the north; the disrepair of churches and cemeteries and the preservation of religious heritage (iconography, mosaics, and other religious symbols); the lack of schools and perspectives for young people in the north.
The Ecumenical Patriarch in Turkey Cannot Use His Ecclesiastical Title
August 1, 2010, TurkeyPatriarch Bartholomew leads 250 million Orthodox Greeks worldwide. The community in Turkey has dwindled to a few thousand. The Turkish government refuses to recognize the title Ecumenical Patriarch, or Bartholomew's role as an international religious leader. A journalist from CBS asked Bartholomew about his feelings, he said that he felt “crucified” by the difficulties he faces every day in Turkey.
English Footballer Prevented From Mentioning Religion
June 17, 2010, InternationalA Football Association official prevented a prominent footballer for England’s World Cup team from talking about his Christian faith to reporters during a press conference.
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation at the Workplace
May 29, 2010, United KingdomEvangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes at the workplace with a special focus on the medical profession.
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation in the Area of Education
May 28, 2010, United KingdomEvangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to education.
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation with Regard to Hiring Venues
May 28, 2010, United KingdomEvangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to hiring venues.
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation with Regard to Hiring Venues
May 28, 2010, United KingdomEvangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to hiring venues.
Personal Experiences of Repression of Religious Symbols and Public Prayer
May 28, 2010, United KingdomEvangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to religious symbols and prayer in public.
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation in the Area of Adoption and Fostering
May 26, 2010, United KingdomEvangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to "Adoption and Fostering".
28-Year-Old Postal Employee Dismissed For Refusing to Distribute Sex-Flyers
April 21, 2010, SwitzerlandThe postal worker Emmanuel N. was fired because he refused to distribute erotic flyers on the grounds of his Christian faith.
Non-Muslim Communities Face Problems with Obtaining Legal Personality
March 25, 2010, TurkeyVarious non-Muslim organised religious groups continue to deal with difficulties in Turkish society that seems to refuse to them the right to legal personality. The main implications of this problematic situation lie in their property rights, their access to justice and their ability to raise funds.
Non-Muslim Identity Card Holders in Turkey Face Discriminatory Practices
February 1, 2010, TurkeyPersonal documents of Turkish citizens include information on religion, leaving potential for discriminatory practices. Examples include reports of harassment by local officials of persons who converted from Islam to other religions and wanted to change their ID cards.
Christian Teacher Sacked From Her Job For Offering To Pray For Sick Girl
December 21, 2009, United Kingdom‘I feel if I had spoken about almost any other topic I would have been fine but Christianity is seen as a no-go area. It felt as if I was being treated as a criminal. It is like a bad dream that had come true,’ says sacked teacher Olive Jones.
Judge Suspended and Fined for Delaying Adoption in a case of Homosexual Parents
October 30, 2009, SpainJudge Fernando Calamita sentenced to 10 years of occupational ban and fined for delaying the adoption of a little girl by the lesbian partner of her mother as a form of conscientious objection.
Charity Drops ‘Church’ Name to Get Public Funding
August 29, 2009, United KingdomA charity in Scotland decided to drop the word ‘church’ from its title, saying that it creates “unnecessary barriers” to accessing public funding. The chairman of Perth-based Churches Action for the Homeless (CATH) said he had been told “off the record” that their perceived religious identity made it more difficult for them to receive grants. Trustees asked the charity’s supporters to suggest a new “fully inclusive” name for the group.
Nurse Fired For Religious Advise In a Role Play Training
May 1, 2009, United KingdomAnand Rao, a nurse with over 40-years of experience, has been sacked after he suggested two people playing patients might go to Church and pray during a role play session on a training course.
Archbishop’s Homeless Charity Suspends Christian for Answering Questions about His Faith
March 27, 2009, United KingdomAn employee at a Christian ‘homeless’ charity, whose Patron is the Archbishop of Canterbury, was suspended for answering questions about his faith to a colleague at work.
School Receptionist Faces Dismissal over Prayer Request
February 12, 2009, United KingdomA five-year-old girl was reprimanded for talking about her faith at school and her mother, Jennie Cain, who worked part-time at her daughter’s school, was investigated for professional misconduct and faced disciplinary action. The school has settled out of court.
Christian Carer Struck Off
February 8, 2009, United KingdomA Christian foster carer has been struck off because she allowed a Muslim child in her care to convert to Christianity.
Nurse Suspended for Offering Prayer to a Patient
February 2, 2009, United KingdomA nurse was suspended from work without pay for having asked a patient whether she wanted prayer. The nurse has been reinstated after public protests.
London Homelessness Prevention Officer Suspended for Mentioning Faith
January 29, 2009, United KingdomA homelessness prevention officer with Wandsworth Council has been suspended from work for nearly two months for encouraging a homeless woman with an incurable medical condition to look to God for help.
(Scotland) Christian Radio Presenter Sacked
January 11, 2009, United KingdomMuslim Radio sacks Christian presenter after six years of cooperation.
Christian Teacher Suspended For Disagreeing With Gay Issues At Training
January 2, 2009, United KingdomChristian teacher suspended pending a disciplinary investigation after disagreeing with and complaining about the way a staff training session promoted homosexuality.
Religion Professor Under Cancer Therapy Suffers Discrimination
October 18, 2008, SpainFrancisco Javier Romero, a religion professor in Sevilla on sick leave because of cancer treatment, claimed discrimination with regard to finding a substitute teacher by a more difficult procedure. When he asked why he was given a different treatment respect to other professors on sick leave, he was told "because you are a Catholic Religion teacher".
Christians Arrested During Prayer
September 27, 2008, TurkeySoldiers arrested a priest and more than 20 Christians in a Turkish Province during prayer. The Christian community wanted to hold a religious service in this region. When the Christians started to distribute sweets to the children and Bibles to the adults the security forces intervened and arrested them.
Writer and BBC Guest is Not Longer Welcome by the Media Corporation
September 25, 2008, United KingdomRev Graham P Taylor, author of the best-seller Shadowmancer, sometimes called the new C. S. Lewis, said the BBC does not welcome him anymore because he could be seen as promoting Christianity. Taylor, a parish priest who signed a £3.5 million contract to publish Shadowmancer claims that the relationship with the BBC went well "until they realised that there were religious allegories in my stories".
Street Preacher Asked to Stop Activity
September 15, 2008, United KingdomThe St Edmundsbury Borough Council told open air preacher, Brian Dee, who had been preaching in the marketplace in Bury St Edmunds for over 10 years, that he was not allowed, under a local bye-law aimed at reducing litter, to distribute tracts. A strongly worded letter was sent to the Council warning that Mr Dee had a right to preach and distribute tracts and if the Council continued to interfere with his rights legal action would be taken. The Council backed down conceding that there was no evidence that Mr Dee had caused a litter problem and accepted that he could continue preaching and distributing tracts.
Police Officer Discriminated Against for Traditional Values
July 9, 2008, United KingdomPC Graham Cogman has taken his police force to an Employment Tribunal on grounds of harassment because of his traditional Christian values after a series of complaints and investigations suggesting he is ‘homophobic’ – something he strenuously denies. He says that the ‘over the top’ promotion of homosexual rights within Norfolk Police makes being a Christian policeman, or an officer with traditional family values, extremely difficult, unless a person is prepared to ignore his or her conscience.
Council of Devon Revokes Civil Ceremonies License of Christian Earl Due to Refusal to Host Gay Ceremonies
February 7, 2008, United KingdomAs a result of refusing by the Earl of Devon to allow a homosexual couple to hold a civil partnership ceremony, the local Council revoked the licence for hosting all civil ceremonies in the Castle. The Earl of Devon is a devout Christian, who lives with his family in the event location at stake in Powderham Castle.
Catholic Airport Worker Suspended for Displaying a Picture of Jesus
October 10, 2007, United KingdomManchester, England - A Catholic airport worker was suspended for displaying an image of Jesus on a staff room wall after a Muslim colleague made a complaint against him.
Students of non-Islamic religions discriminated against in Turkey
October 1, 2007, TurkeyThe European Court for Human Rights requested Turkey to bring its education system and domestic legislation into line with Article 2 of Protocol 1 to the ECHR. What triggered this decision was the discovery that religious culture and ethics classes, mandatory in primary and secondary schools, provided exclusively specific instruction in the guiding principles of the Muslim faith and its rites.
Bishop in Court for Criticing Homosexual Behaviour
April 15, 2007, BelgiumIn April 2007 André-Mutien Léonard, then the Roman Catholic bishop of Namur gave an interview in the weekly magazine Télé Moustique, where he was asked his opinion on homosexuality. In his answer he referred to Sigmund Freud and deduced that homosexuality was essentially psychological in nature. The court cleared the bishop - but the fact that he went through trial is of great concern.
Religion Teacher Mobbed At Madrid High School
January 26, 2007, SpainFernando Perez Crespo, teacher of religion at Carlos III High School, filed a formal complaint for mobbing. For the last four years, the schedule for his class had not been respected by the school authorities, parents who had requested religious instruction discovered that their children had been enrolled in other courses instead of Perez Crespo's religion class. At times Mr. Perez Crespo was compelled to use the school bathrooms or the smoking room to for teaching.
Girl Banned From Wearing Cross at School
January 10, 2007, United KingdomA British schoolgirl has been barred from wearing a crucifix necklace in class, the Daily Mail reported.
Tourism Office Suggests to “Avoid Religious Symbols in Holiday Apartments”
October 17, 2006, AustriaAccording to the reports of www.kath.net, the business manager of the Office of Tourism in the municipality of Schruns/Tschagguns in Southern Tyrol, Manuel Bitschnau, asked landlords of 300 holiday apartments to remove religious symbols. This was done in the course of a program of “improvement” in the tourism sector. The reason he gave: people of religions other than Christian could feel offended.
Anti-Christian Controversy About a Catholic Becoming Equality Minister
May 9, 2006, United KingdomRuth Kelly, a devout Roman Catholic was made Minister for Women and Equality. Gay rights campaigners reacted with disbelief and stirred up a worrying debate whether a Catholic was fit for such a government position.
War Memorial Cross Removed
March 1, 2006, NetherlandsWar Memorial Cross was removed in Baarsjesweg, Amsterdam, after Moslems in the neighborhood said that it “disturbed” them. After protests of war veterans it was subsequently reinstalled.
Government Officials Threat to Boycott Spanish Budget to Defund Catholic Church
January 16, 2006, SpainMembers of the socialist party said that they would vote against the National Spanish Budget as long as the government continues the provision of funds to the Catholic Church. During an interview broadcast by the media Ser, MP Victorino Mayoral, a socialist representative, claimed that the Catholic Church funding is "dubious, not to mention unconstitutional". Mayoral says that the secular government of Spain cannot afford the funding of a religious organizations that "revives Franco's times“.
European Parliament Declines Plegded Support of € 1,5 Million for World Youth Day
December 15, 2004, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)On December 15th 2004 the European Union rejected funding for the upcoming 2005 World Youth Day (WYD) during the second reading of the 2005 budget.
Practicing Catholic Rejected as a Member of the European Commission
October 1, 2004, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Rocco Buttiglione was dismissed by the European Institutions as EU Commissioner because of his Catholic convictions.
Staff Sacked after Refusing Sunday Work
February 1, 2004, United KingdomStaff sacked after refusing Sunday work.
Two Council Workers Threatened with Dismissal for Participating in Homosexual Adoption
March 25, 2003, United KingdomThe Sefton (North West of England) Council workers, Norah Ellis and Dawn Jackson, refused to take part in adoptions for gay parents as not compatible with the Christian concept of family. As a consequence they have been threatened with dismissal for not doing their job.
Call for Head Teacher to be Suspended for Defending a Christian View of Marriage
June 5, 2002, United KingdomA highly respected comprehensive school head teacher, Bill Beales, faced calls for his suspension after he told pupils that Christians were being “placed on trial” for defending their beliefs on marriage.
Dutch MP Fined for Critical Comment on Homosexuality
December 30, 1996, NetherlandsA politician was fined in the first instance for hate speech in criticizing homosexuality. Even though the court of second instance lifted the sentence, the hypersensitivity of the first court is a worrying sign.
Conscientious Objection Denied
January 1, 1996, United Kingdom(1995/1996) Several instances have been collected in which staff were denied the right to conscientious objection and lost their jobs.
UK Government Laywers Tell Christians: Leave Faith at Home or Find a New Job!”
January 1, 1970, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Government lawyers have told the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that Christians should “leave their religious beliefs at home or move to another job” when faced with a clash between the requirements of their faith and their employment.
French Government to “Dissolve” “Religious Pathology” and “Excesses” in the Church
January 1, 1970, FranceInstead of tackling the enormous number of anti-Christian vandalisms, President Hollande announced a new 'the National Observatory of Secularism' to come into being this year, tasked with closely monitoring religious organisations for any potential 'excesses.' French Interior Minister Manuel Valls highlighted various Catholic organisations, stating that "All excesses are being minutely registered in case we have to consider dissolving it."
Women At Pro Life Manifestation Attacked
January 1, 1970, PolandMale pro-abortion protesters physically attacked several pro-life women during a rally on March 10 in Warsaw, pushing and kicking them. The pro-lifers were part of the organization Fundacja Pro and were carrying a controversial banner of a woman who died during an abortion.