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High-level panel debate in the EU Parliament calls for EU coordinator for combatting anti-Christian hate crimes

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

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

Christians 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

New 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

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

On 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

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

In 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)

OIDAC 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.

OIDAC EUROPE'S ANNUAL REPORT 2022/23 RELEASED

Today, on the International Day of Tolerance, OIDAC Europe presents its new Annual Report 2022/23. The report finds an increase of anti-Christian hate crimes by 44% over the last year. Arson attacks on churches increased even by 75% between 2021 and 2022. OIDAC Europe’s annual report also found legal discrimination against Christians who expressed traditional Christian worldviews.

Hundreds Gather to Demand Justice for Victims of Religious Persecution in Bern

The Bundesplatz in Bern was filled with 500 wooden crosses, 1,000 roses, and a long list of names of victims of religious persecution on the 9. July. This was organized by the Working Group for Religious Freedom of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance SEA. They want to show solidarity with the more than 5,000 Christians worldwide who die because of their faith. And they warn that the number of people persecuted for their faith across different religions is increasing. Still, the organizers want to also communicate hope for the future.

Religious Freedom in Danger if a Russian Invasion of Ukraine would succeed

In the light of the current invasion of Ukraine by Russia, experts and human rights activists are concerned for religious freedom. They fear religious minorities will face the same human rights violations as in Russian controlled areas. Religious groups suffer discrimination in Crimea and the pro-Russian controlled areas of Luhansk and Donetsk.

New OSCE Hate Crime Report Documented 980 Anti-Christian Incidents

Hate Crimes against Christians in Europe increased by 70%

Newsletter: Nantes Arson Update; Fundamental Rights at Risk in Malta and Scotland

Observatory in the News: Headlines & Links

Newsletter - Nantes Cathedral Fire & Recent Incidents In France

Europe and the challenge of religious freedom

Newsletter - European Commission Terminates Religious Freedom Envoy Mandate

Newsletter - Freedom of Religion & COVID-19 Restrictions in Europe

Van Maren Show Interview

Our Executive Director discusses the Observatory's work with Jonathon Van Maren.

Newsletter - UN Report Attacks Religious Freedom

Newsletter: UN Report Attacks Religious Freedom and other news

The Holy See slams UN Report on religious freedom

The Holy See has attacked the latest UN report on religious freedom. Decrying particularly the document's many references to gender ideology, the Holy See called the language a sort of "ideological colonization on the part of some States and international institution." The Holy See said the Report is an "attack to religious freedom."

Switzerland Votes to Expand Hate Crime Law

On February 9, 2020, Swiss voters approved the addition of sexual orientation to the existing anti-discrimination legislation to the penal code. Christian groups have called the expansion of the hate crime law to include sexual orientation "superfluous," noting that existing laws offered sufficient protection and that the new law could be used to attack religious freedom, freedom of speech, and freedom of conscience.

German Pharmacist's right to act in line with conscience affirmed in landmark court trial

Are pharmacists allowed to act in accordance with their conscience? In Berlin, a pharmacist who would not sell the ‘morning-after-pill’ for conscience reasons has recently faced legal proceedings initiated by the Berlin Chamber of Pharmacists. For the first time, a German court ruled on this matter and upheld his right to act in accordance with his conscience regarding the sale of certain products. The Pharmacists’ Chamber may still appeal against the decision with the appeal period due to expire on 20 January. ADF International supported the pharmacist in this case.

Newsletter: Germany must do more to protect Christian converts

Northern Ireland: places of worship attacked every three days

May Newsletter: Official figures for France; Persecuted Christians Worldwide; Attack in Rome

March Newsletter: Officials in UK and Sweden use Bible Passages to Reject Asylum Claims

Court Rules in Favor of Seventh-Day Adventist; Requires Reasonable Accommodation

Bishops in Scotland say Hate Crime Laws Must Allow for Robust Debate

February Newsletter: Vandalism and Desecration of French Churches

European Parliament: EU Should Better Promote and Protect Global Religious Freedom

Aid to the Church in Need 2018 Report: aggressive nationalism is fueling religious hatred —West is failing to act

A surge in aggressive nationalism in key parts of the world is to blame for a rise in violence and other intimidation targeting religious minorities—and the West is failing to convert words of concern into action. This is one of the principal findings of a new report on the state of religious freedom around the world produced by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), an international papal charity that serves the persecuted and suffering Church.

Newsletter: Ashers Victory at Supreme Court

After a four-year legal battle, Ashers Baking Company in Belfast has won in the United Kingdom Supreme Court!

Christian Tennis Player fled from Iran; Arrested in Italy trying to get to London

The Geneva Statement: Commemorating 70 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

We urge all nations to uphold the fundamental right to life, family, and religious freedom, as recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Resumen Informe Observatory en Español: España acumula el 20% de los casos de cristianofobia en Europa, sólo superado por Francia

2018 Report Highlighted on The Catholic Thing

"The Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe has published a 74-page 2018 Report that’s a real eye-opener. This is not simply a compilation of complaints or over-sensitive reactions to clashes in pluralist societies. It provides a portrait of an extensive problem that everyone who cares about liberty, religious liberty included, should be aware of." - Robert Royal, editor-in-chief of The Catholic Thing, and president of the Faith & Reason Institute in Washington, D.C.

Observatory Participated in International Seminar in Slovakia

Ellen Fantini joined Ján Figel', EU Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU, and Tristan Azbej, Hungary's Deputy State Secretary for Persecuted Christians, on a panel in Bratislava.

Report 2018: Over 500 Documented Cases in 2016 and 2017

The cases in Observatory's report for 2016 and 2017 represent the range of hostilities Christians experience in their daily lives: from the ‘squeeze’ of interference with religious liberty, parental rights, freedom of expression and conscience, to the ‘smash’ of physical attacks, and vandalism of churches and cemeteries.

Germany: Afghan Man Sentenced to Life for Murder of Christian Woman

Germany: Officials Recorded Nearly 100 Anti-Christian Attacks in 2017

Germany’s federal police recorded almost 100 attacks on Christians or Christian institutions in Germany in 2017, with most of the violent incidents occurring among asylum seekers living in refugee centers.

OSCE/ODIHR Publishes 2016 Hate Crime Data

To mark the International Day for Tolerance, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) published hate crime data for 2016 on November 16, 2017.

Sebastian Kurz Promises to Work for Protection of Christians

In a message to the hundreds of participants in the torchlight procession in solidarity with persecuted Christians he said, "The protection of Christians needs to be strengthened in our foreign policy, bilaterally and at the EU level."