Activities

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