All cases

Filtered by: Access to Justice and Legal Services

Spain Denies Asylum to Iranian Christian Convert Facing Life-threatening Persecution

November 5, 2020, Spain

A 50-year-old Iranian has dealt with hostility for 16 years, since he converted to Christianity from Islam. He fled from Iran, where he was threatened with death by his family and ended up in Barcelona, where he was helped by an evangelical church. His asylum has been rejected three times and now he lives in an unregulated situation since 2018. The hostility and violence towards his Christian faith has also continued in Barcelona, by other Iranians. He tells his story in an interview published on November 5th.

Court Denied Asylum to Converted Refugees and Increased Risk of Deportation

September 30, 2020, Germany

In Germany, the asylum for refugees converted to Christianity has diminished significantly in the last years, according to the Organization Open Doors. The cases vary depending on the federal state and court. In the province of Bayern, the parishes have increasing problems with the state institutions regarding converted. The Administrative Court denies the refugees their decision of their faith being genuine and reject their asylum application. These Christians could face severe sentences including the death sentence for converting to Christianity if they are deported.

Deportation of Convert Refugee Threatened with Death Penalty in Afghanistan

September 22, 2020, Germany

Naser R. is a refugee who converted to Christianity and threatened with death penalty in Afghanistan because of his conversion. He has been living in Hof since 2016 and visited St. Michael Church. He got baptized in the Church and since then, he became a member of the community. The young man is to be deported to Afghanistan, where he would face the death penalty. The Dean Günter Saalfrank and the honorary refugee commissioner of the Deanery of Hof wants to take action.

Mayor "Doesn't Have Time" To Meet the OLRC, Regarding Matters of Religious Freedom in Madrid

September 18, 2020, Spain

The Mayor of Madrid was asked for a meeting by the Observatory of Religious Freedom, based in Spain, to talk about the matter of Religious Freedom and the increase of vandalism against churches in Madrid. The first request was in June, and until September the Mayor did not answer nor did any other consultant confirm a meeting. This was reported by OLRC on September 18th.

Sold Christian Cemetery Planned to Become Holiday Retreat Area

August 28, 2020, Poland

In the North of Poland, in the city of Bialogóra, the cemetery where about 400 Christian believers are buried, is threatened with plans of turning it into a holiday retreat area. Many of the descendants of the buried now live in Lithuania. The community was not warned about the construction plans. The government representatives says they didn't know the history of the property and sold it to a private enterprise, which is continuing their plans in spite of the protest from the community.

Equality Legislation in Malta Threatens Freedom of Religion; Conscience; Expression

July 22, 2020, Malta

Proposed Equality Bills 96 and 97 are ostensibly aimed at protecting an extensive group of people from discrimination and cover areas such as schools, public religious symbols, and services and employment. The Bills would make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, age, religious belief, state of health, and other “protected characteristics.” However, many sectors of society, including educators, professionals, business owners, health workers, parents, faith-based groups, and believers are concerned about the laws' overreach.

Abbess of German Benedictine Convent Charged for Granting Church Asylum

July 20, 2020, Germany

The abbess of the German Benedictine convent Maria Frieden in Kirchschletten faced criminal charges for granting church asylum. The trial against Mother Mechthild Thürmer before the Bamberg District Court was scheduled for July 31. The abbess of the monastery in Upper Franconia had taken in an Eritrean woman in fall of 2018, who was to be deported to Italy. She disputed a penalty order for "aiding and abetting an illegal stay", combined with a fine of 2,500 euros, arguing for freedom of conscience.

LGBT Activist Organization Accused Christian Pro-Life Moment of Hate Speech

May 25, 2020, Italy

The Pro-Life organisation has been accused of Hate Speech for collecting signatures against the new Homo and Transphobic law. The fear is that Christian institutions, organisations, or Christians themselves, particularly those who are against abortion or homosexual marriage, could be sanctioned up to four years of imprisonment. This could, therefore, lead to restriction of freedom of expression and speech.

Organization Barnevernet: Children Taken Away From Parents Because of Religious Teaching

March 10, 2020, Norway

In Norway 16th November 2015, the Norwegian-Romanian family Bodnariu was forcefully separated, all five children were sent to different foster homes, because of the parents' Christian faith. The school teacher expressed concern to the Child Protection Organization Barnevernet, that the children were taught at home that "God punishes sins". There was no family review or court judgment. The Norwegian Authorities interrogated and intimidated the parents during the process. Two hundred and ten days later, the family could finally be reunited. There are several cases of forced adoption and family separations in Norway, influenced by the Organization Barnevernet. There have been protests against this organization, which has "destroyed many families" according to the victims. In another family, Merlita and Terje, whose son was taken away for 12 years, won the case against Norway after taking it to the European Court of Human Rights. Norway was convicted to human rights violations.

Christian Converts Must Prove Continued Faith or Face Deportation

February 16, 2020, Germany

"Kurosh," an Iranian convert to Christianity who received asylum in Germany four years ago, faced a 25,000 euro fine or a prison sentence if he did not respond to a lengthy series of questions about his faith from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). He was also required to provide a certificate from the pastor at his church to demonstrate his commitment to his faith. He reports that he provided all the information requested, but remains in fear that this will happen again. This is the BAMF "Revocation and Withdrawal Procedure."