Report Shows Increase in Violence Against Christian Believers in Spain
The Observatory of Religious Freedom (OLRC) based in Spain, reported a decrease in the attacks towards fundamental rights and an increase in violence against Catholic believers and places of worship (mostly Christian), on June 8th. According to Maria Garcia, President of the OLRC, 80% of the attacks have been directed against Christians. The report also shows political parties like "Podemos", the left party and the PSOE party as clear opposers of religious freedom involved in acts against Christians. The most affected cities are Madrid, Andalucia and Cataluña.
"It is regrettable that every year more temples are damaged; from 8 in 2014 we have gone to 55 just five years later," - Maria Garcia, president of the OLRC.
She also explains: "Most of the attacks (140, 80%) have been directed against Christians; eight have been directed against Muslims (4.6%) and three have been directed against Jews (1.7%). In addition, 24 attacks (13.7% of the cases) can be considered contrary to all religions. (...) The data obtained in reports prepared in other countries show that this tendency is also present in the rest of Europe."
"As we have affirmed in previous reports, it is unacceptable that the non-denominational nature of the State be confused, as prescribed by the Constitution, with the marginalization of religion from the public space. Respect for religious freedom does not benefit only believers, but favors all the society by promoting peaceful coexistence among citizens. This reality is fundamental and is far from ideological or political approaches." says Maria Garcia.
The Observatory of Religious Freedom demands of the public institutions that they (1) "respect the fundamental right to religious freedom, both from the individual and collective point of view", guaranteeing "the fulfillment of the treaties signed by the Spanish State with the different religious confessions." And that they (2) ensure respect for religious freedom, with measures of vigilance and prosecution to reduce the damage to temples and reducing also harm to religious feelings of believers.
Source: Observatorio para la Libertad Religiosa y de Conciencia, OLRC
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