freedom of religion
19 articles
GwenCoptic Orthodox Church holds online conference commemorating 21 Christians executed by ISIS
Six years after the killings, the Coptic Orthodox Church marked the anniversary of the 21 Christians executed in northern Libya by ISIS with an online conference, “The Day...
Russia Intensifies Crackdown on Jehovah’s Witnesses in Crimea and Across Russia
Russia’s persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses is continuing in occupied Crimea and elsewhere in the Russian Federation, according to a report by the Crimean Human Rights Group. The group...
Des Moines, Iowa, church sues state civil rights commission over transgender bathroom rules
The Fort Des Moines Church of Christ filed a lawsuit Monday against the Iowa Civil Rights Commission in Des Moines. The church says the commission is violating its...
Jehovah’s Witnesses representative from Crimea detained at Sochi, Russia, airport, European association confirms
The European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses has confirmed that Ilya Churtov, a 28-year-old representative of a religious organization from Crimea, was detained by Russian security forces at Sochi...
Over 275 Jehovah’s Witnesses Imprisoned Worldwide for Their Faith, Group Reports
Over 275 Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide are imprisoned for their faith as of October 2026, according to a report published by the group on its official news website. The...
Crimea Arrests and Searches Target Jehovah’s Witnesses in Dzhankoi, Crimea, Ukraine
Rights groups and local reports say at least 21 people in occupied Crimea are in various stages of criminal prosecution for their religious beliefs. The source describes them...
UN experts voice concern over possible dissolution of Unification Church in Japan
A paper presented at the conference “Resilient Memories in East Asia: Remembrance, Acknowledgment, Reconciliation,” held at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania, on October 10–11, 2025, examines religious...
Italy’s Refusal to Negotiate with Jehovah’s Witnesses Condemned by ECHR as Discriminatory
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on 11 June 2025 that Italy discriminated against Jehovah’s Witnesses by refusing to conclude a legal agreement that would allow...
European Court of Human Rights Rejects Complaint Against Jehovah’s Witnesses Over Disfellowshipped Member’s Readmission
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) dismissed a complaint from a former Jehovah’s Witness in Norway who had been disfellowshipped by the organization. The case centered on...
