All cases
Car insurance Revoked Over ‘Jesus Loves You’ Stickers
August 7, 2026, United KingdomA Christian driver in the United Kingdom was told that his car insurance could not continue unless he removed “Jesus Loves You” messages displayed on his vehicle. The case has raised concerns about whether peaceful expressions of Christian belief can affect access to ordinary commercial services.
Scottish Teacher Takes Legal Action After Dismissal For Expressing Pro-Life Beliefs
July 30, 2026, United KingdomA Catholic teacher in Scotland has brought an employment tribunal claim after being dismissed for expressing her pro-life beliefs in response to pupils' questions during a classroom discussion. She alleges that her dismissal discriminated against her because of her Catholic beliefs and violated her freedom to express them in the workplace.
Call to Remove Religious Symbols Hits European Court
July 28, 2026, FranceIn July 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) communicated Union of Atheists v. Greece (Application No. 001-244533), a case seeking the removal of Christian icons from Greek courtrooms. The application reflects a broader attempt to eliminate longstanding religious symbols from public institutions across Europe, raising concerns about whether state neutrality is increasingly interpreted as requiring the erasure of religious heritage from public life.
NI Police Guidance Warns Carrying a Bible Could Be an Offence Under "Buffer Zone" Law
July 28, 2026, United KingdomNew guidance issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has raised concerns that ordinary Christian pastoral ministry could fall within the scope of Northern Ireland's abortion buffer zone legislation. According to the guidance, activities such as praying with patients at their request, reading Scripture or carrying a Bible through certain areas of a hospital may constitute criminal offences if they are considered capable of influencing or causing distress to a person accessing abortion services. Critics argue that the guidance illustrates the far-reaching scope of buffer zone legislation and risks creating a chilling effect on the peaceful exercise of freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
Swiss Evangelical Leaders Challenge Geneva's Ban on Religious Symbols for Elected Representatives
July 17, 2026, SwitzerlandThree Swiss evangelical leaders have filed a legal challenge against a constitutional amendment in the Canton of Geneva prohibiting elected representatives from wearing visible religious symbols while carrying out their official duties. The applicants argue that the measure violates freedom of religion and undermines democratic representation by requiring parliamentarians to conceal their religious identity.
Police Intervention Against Christian Praying and Holing Bible at Brandenburg Gate
July 3, 2026, GermanyA video recorded at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate raises concerns about interference with the right to freely manifest one's religion after police officers told a Christian he could not pray at the site because it was "not a place for praying" and "not a church". Although the Christian was quietly reading from his Bible and praying without using amplification or engaging passers-by, officers treated his conduct as a demonstration because he was publicly holding a Bible. The incident raises questions about the understanding of religious freedom among law enforcement officers and the protection of peaceful religious expression in public spaces.
Catholic religion teacher in Belgium receives threats after conversion from Islam
June 30, 2026, BelgiumIn June 2026, Ahmed Yetrib, a Catholic religion teacher in the Charleroi region and convert from Islam to the Catholic faith, reported receiving threats on social media because of his online content sharing the reasons for his conversion. The report concerns alleged harassment which has caused concern for his personal safety, further highlighting the difficulties experienced by individuals converting from Islam to Christianity.
Draft Bill Raises Concerns about Church Governance and Parental Rights
June 25, 2026, United KingdomOn 25 June 2026, the Spanish Congress of Deputies approved a bill introducing prison sentences for broadly defined “conversion therapies”, even when the person concerned has consented. Christian organisations warn that the proposed offence is not clearly defined and includes “acts of any other nature” intended to modify, repress, eliminate or deny what the bill terms a person’s “sexual orientation, sexual identity or gender expression”. They argue that, without an explicit exemption for voluntary prayer and pastoral accompaniment, legitimate religious support could be exposed to uncertain criminal interpretation.
European Court of Human Rights Upholds Right to Door-to-Door Religious Outreach
June 9, 2026, BulgariaOn 9 June 2026, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Bulgaria violated the right to freedom of religion by upholding a municipal ban on door-to-door religious outreach in the city of Shumen. The Court found that the measure amounted to a disproportionate restriction on religious freedom because it broadly prohibited religious evangelisation at residents’ homes without sufficient justification. The judgment reaffirms that peaceful missionary activity is protected under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
ISIS-related online threats ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain
June 2, 2026, SpainAs reported on 2 June, a media outlet of the so-called Islamic State posted an online threat which appeared to be targeting Pope Leo XIV in anticipation of his visit to Spain and the start of the World Cup. Following the circulation of the image, local groups urged the government to take effective counterterrorism measures.
ECtHR Condemns Türkiye for Removing Greek Orthodox Priests from Minority Foundations
May 26, 2026, FranceThe European Court of Human Rights ruled that Türkiye violated the rights of two Greek Orthodox priests who had been removed from the governing boards of minority foundations in Istanbul solely because they were members of the clergy. The Court found that the authorities lacked a legal basis for excluding the priests from the management of institutions belonging to the Greek Orthodox community, violating their freedom of association interpreted in light of freedom of religion. The judgment represents an important affirmation of the right of religious minorities to govern their own institutions without undue state interference.
Finnish Authorities Fine City Over Traditional Christian Song at School Celebrations
May 15, 2026, FinlandAuthorities in Finland have fined the city of Espoo €10,000 and ordered it to pay a pupil €2,500 in compensation after ruling that exposure to traditional Christian song during Christmas and end-of-year school celebrations amounted to discrimination.
Pastor Convicted Under "Buffer Zone" Law for Open-Air Sermon Near Hospital
May 7, 2026, IrelandRetired pastor Clive Johnston was convicted on 7 May 2026 at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act 2023 for conducting an open-air Sunday service within a "buffer zone" outside Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The sermon did not refer to abortion or contain explicit pro-life messaging, but the court ruled that, given the location and surrounding circumstances, the conduct constituted a criminal offence.
Päivi Räsänen appeals to European Court of Human Rights
May 7, 2026, FinlandFinnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) after the Finnish Supreme Court convicted her of “agitation against a minority group” over a Christian pamphlet published more than 20 years ago, a case that has become a major free speech dispute in Europe.
Church Appeals Public Order Notice Restricting Street Outreach in Colchester
May 1, 2026, United KingdomBread of Life Community Church in Colchester, Essex, is appealing against a Community Protection Notice (CPN) restricting its street outreach. The notice is believed to be an unprecedented use of public-order legislation against an entire church, rather than individual street preachers, and raises concerns as it addresses not only the manner of preaching but also the content of religious messaging.
Lib Dems Admit Religious Discrimination Against Former Candidate
April 29, 2026, United KingdomThe Liberal Democrat party has admitted religious discrimination against journalist David Campanale following a four-year legal dispute over his deselection as a parliamentary candidate. Campanale had been removed after expressing Christian views on issues such as abortion and assisted suicide. The case has raised serious concerns about the treatment of individuals holding religious convictions within political parties and the potential impact on participation in public life.
Supreme Court Acquits MP for Bible Verse Tweet, Convicts Over Church Pamphlet
March 26, 2026, FinlandFinland’s Supreme Court has unanimously acquitted parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen of “hate speech” charges related to a 2019 social media post in which she cited a Bible verse to express her views on marriage and sexual ethics. At the same time, in a narrow 3–2 decision, the Court convicted Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola over the publication of a church pamphlet originally written in 2004.
Catholic Priest Faces Criminal Investigation Over Statements on Church Teaching on Sexuality
March 20, 2026, IcelandMonsignor Jakob Rolland is facing a potential criminal trial after explaining Catholic teaching on homosexuality in a radio interview and stating that the Church offers spiritual guidance to persons with same-sex attraction who seek it. Following the interview, LGBTIQ advocacy groups launched a campaign calling for legal action, leading to a police examination of the Catholic priest under Iceland’s 2023 ban on “conversion practices”.
Aachen Court: Police Order Banning Pro-life Prayer Gatherings Near Abortion Facility Are Illegal
March 18, 2026, GermanyThe Administrative Court of Aachen has ruled in favour of a pro-life association, finding that a police order prohibiting its monthly prayer gatherings within 100 metres of a gynaecological practice in Aachen was unlawful. The ruling found that no blanked "buffer zones" could be established under the law and that gatherings remain protected under freedom of expression and assembly as long as they do not obstruct or directly harass patients.
UPDATE: Maltese court clears Matthew Grech of all charges
March 4, 2026, MaltaMatthew Grech, a Maltese Christian, has been cleared by a Maltese court following charges related to his participation in a TV show in April 2022. During the interview, Grech shared his personal testimony of leaving a homosexual lifestyle after finding the Christian faith. The case was brought under Malta’s ban on “conversion practices,” but the court concluded that the programme constituted a public discussion and that Grech had merely shared his personal experience about sexual morality.