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High-level panel debate in the EU Parliament calls for EU coordinator for combatting anti-Christian hate crimes
December 5, 2024,In response to current trends of rising religious intolerance in Europe, religious freedom experts met at the European Parliament on December 4, 2024, to discuss the necessary steps and means to protect believers and safeguard religious freedom. The panel was chaired by MEP Dr Paulius Saudargas and consisted of religious freedom experts from different backgrounds: Dr. Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism and Promoting Jewish Life; Dr. Gudrun Kugler, Austrian Member of Parliament and Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; Alessandro Calcagno, COMECE Adviser on Fundamental Rights and Article 17 TFEU; and Anja Hoffmann, Executive Director of OIDAC (Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe), presented pressing issues and meaningful responses to current challenges in the area of religious intolerance and discrimination.
OIDAC EUROPE REPORT 2024
November 15, 2024,In its “Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe Report 2024” OIDAC Europe identified 2,444 anti-Christian hate crimes which were documented by police and civil society in 35 European countries in 2023, including 232 personal attacks on Christians, such as harassment, threats and physical violence.
Christians most persecuted religious group in Turkey
September 4, 2024, TurkeyChristians in Turkey are the most persecuted religious group in Turkey, with a total of 22 attacks in 2023, according to the Freedom of Belief Initiative.
1 in 4 Irish worried about losing right to free speech
June 20, 2024, IrelandNew polling by Whitestone Insight commissioned by ADF International reveals that a quarter of Irish people feel they can’t speak freely in social settings, like in a pub, or in their place of work or study. The same number of people are concerned about losing their right to free speech. Furthermore, 90% of Irish people said they think freedom of speech is "very important".
Study: More than half of UK Christians experience hostility
June 13, 2024,A new study carried out by Voice for Justice UK, surveying more than 1,500 Christians, reveals that more than half of respondents experienced hostility and ridicule when sharing their Christian beliefs. These alarming numbers match the observations of OIDAC Europe on growing pressure against Christians.
Ukrainian Supreme Court rules on objections to military service on religious grounds
May 8, 2024, UkraineOn May 8, the Ukrainian Supreme Court confirmed the appeal court’s ruling about Dmitry Zelinsky’s conscientious objections to military service on religious grounds. The Supreme Court of Ukraine ruled that conscientious objectors will not only have to prove that they belong to a religious organisation, but also that they have deep spiritual convictions.
U.S. Religious Freedom Report 2024 - Europe
May 6, 2024,On May 1, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom released its Annual Report 2024, which highlights a number of worrisome developments around the world. According to the U.S. monitoring, conditions worsened in 10 countries, remained the same in 18, and improved in only one. While mainly focusing on the global situation and those countries that are of particular concern regarding persecution on religious grounds, the report also mentions concerning cases and developments in Europe.
France records almost 1,000 hate crimes against Christians in 2023
April 8, 2024, FranceIn an interview with the French Christian radio station fcr.fr the spokesperson of the French Ministry of Interior said that almost 1,000 anti-Christian hate crimes were recorded in 2023.
New Documentary by OIDAC Europe: "Self-Censored" (2024)
December 5, 2023, AustriaOIDAC Europe has produced a documentary that explores the topic of self-censorship. The film shows the experiences and thoughts of Christian university students in Europe, when trying to share their faith or live according to their beliefs in a highly secular environment. This project led to reflection on Christianity, society, freedom of speech, social media, and many other topics. The students also shared ideas for ways to encourage open conversations and mutual respect among groups of individuals holding different opinions and beliefs.