EVENT SUMMARY In a moment when religious persecution is rising around the world, and atrocities are being committed without consequence, this event is an opportunity to reflect on the present efforts of the United Kingdom and the United States to address this problem, and explore where there is potential to improve our response for a greater impact. The IRFB Alliance, …
U.S. State Department Releases 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom
The U.S State Department released its 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom on June 2, 2022. This comprehensive report provides a broad overview of the state of religious freedom for almost 200 countries around the globe.
RFI’s Stephen Rasche Interviewed on Islamic Extremism in Nigeria
Stephen Rasche, RFI’s Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom in Conflict Regions, was recently interviewed on National Catholic Register’s “Religious Freedom Matters” podcast to discuss how Islamic extremism is the unacknowledged root of violence against Christians in Nigeria. Throughout the interview, Rasche discusses the abuses Nigerian Christians are suffering due to religious prejudice, and the Western world’s lack of understanding of the situation.
RFI’s David Trimble Interviewed by Laboratory of Religious Freedom in Poland
In a November 2021 interview for the Academy of Freedom series of the Laboratory of Religious Freedom in Poland, David Trimble, Director of RFI’s National Center for Religious Freedom Education, discussed how religious freedom plays a critical role in securing and strengthening other freedoms in society. He also noted how religious liberty contributes to a host of other societal goods.
RFI’s Paul Marshall Discusses Repression in South and Southeast Asia
Paul Marshall, Director of RFI’s South and Southeast Asia Action Team, was recently interviewed on the National Catholic Register’s “Religious Freedom Matters” podcast to discuss the rise of religious repression in India, Pakistan, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. In the course of the interview, Marshall addressed the background and religious dynamics of different countries in the region, the types of affronts to religious freedom that are occuring, and what he believes are contributing factors.
Hard evidence of China’s genocide
In an article published today in WORLD Magazine, RFI Executive Vice President Eric Patterson examines the evidence recently uncovered in Chinese government documents exposing atrocities the Chinese Communist Party is committing against Uyghur Muslims.
Securing Peace For Egypt’s Christians At Coptic Eastertide
Miles Windsor, Senior Manager for Strategy and Campaigns for RFI’s Middle East Action Team, recently authored an article for Religion Unplugged titled, “Securing Peace For Egypt’s Christians At Coptic Eastertide.”
RFI’s Miles Windsor Speaks with Archbishop Angaelos on the Enduring Coptic Experience of Persecution
Miles Windsor, Senior Manager for Strategy and Campaigns for RFI’s Middle East Action Team, recently interviewed His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in London, on the Coptic Church’s long experience and understanding of persecution.
Recognizing Warning Signs on the Path to Genocide
Jeremy Barker, Director of RFI’s Middle East Action Team, this week authored a piece for Providence Magazine titled, “Recognizing Warning Signs on the Path to Genocide.” In it, he addresses Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent determination that “members of the Burmese military committed acts of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya community in Burma.”
RFI’s Paul Marshall Interviewed on U.S. Declaration of Genocide in Burma
Paul Marshall, Director of RFI’s South and Southeast Asia Action Team, was recently interviewed on EWTN News Nightly to discuss Burma’s violent persecution of Rohingya Muslims, and the related U.S. declaration of genocide earlier this week.
The Travail of International Religious Freedom, and of U.S. Leadership
In an article published recently in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s First Freedom Blog, RFI President Tom Farr writes, “In the 21st century, religious freedom is under growing pressure around the world, including in the United States. This alarming development should matter to all of us.”
Senior Christian Leaders in Algeria Face Prison as Rights Decline Continues
In an article published recently in Newsweek, Miles Windsor, Senior Manager for Strategy and Campaigns with RFI’s Middle East Action Team, observes:
The Protestant Christian community in Algeria is under siege from its own government. The persecution of Christians by the Algerian state has been a sustained campaign for many years with the latest wave of repression beginning in November 2017.
United Voices in U.S. Senate Introduce Legislation for USCIRF Reauthorization
On Tuesday, March 22, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a short and simple piece of legislation “to reauthorize the independent, bipartisan United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through fiscal year 2024.”
Grounds for passing the bill are clear and compelling.
Olympic Boycotts: From Berlin 1936 to Beijing 2022
In an article published recently in Providence, RFI’s Executive Vice President Eric Patterson compares the controversial 1936 Olympics held in Nazi-controlled Germany to this year’s Olympics in Beijing. He goes on to explore the historical precedent for boycotting Olympic games held in certain countries and banning certain countries from competing.
RFI’s Jeremy Barker Discusses Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan on CBN News
Jeremy Barker, Director of RFI’s Middle East Action Team, was interviewed on CBN News’ “Faith Nation” about the ongoing humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S. troops last August.
The Remarkable Baroness: A Review of Lela Gilbert’s “Baroness Cox: Eyewitness to a Broken World”
Paul Marshall, Director of RFI’s South and Southeast Action Team, recently authored an article for Providence reviewing the latest biography by Lela Gilbert titled, Baroness Cox: Eyewitness to a Broken World. He outlines his personal interactions with Caroline Cox, Baroness of Queensbury, and explains why she is such an important figure in the fight to protect the rights of religious minorities in societies around the world.
RFI’s Eric Patterson: “Beijing’s Berlin Moment”
RFI Excecutive Vice President Eric Patterson recently authored an article published in WORLD titled, “Beijing’s Berlin moment.” In it he draws parallels between the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and asks what should have been done differently in the lead up to the current games, and what should be done now as they begin, to avoid letting “the Olympics overshadow China’s human rights abuses.”
RFI Senior Fellow Delivers Urgent Message to University Students on Christian Persecution in Nigeria
Stephen Rasche, RFI Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom Policy, spoke at the Franciscan University of Steubenville last week on the ongoing persecution of Nigerian Christians by Boko Haram and other Islamist groups. His presentation, titled, “Nigeria on the Brink: The Current Crisis of Anti-Christian Violence in Nigeria and the International Response,” was moderated by Kathryn Jean Lopez of National Review and covered in an article by Catholic News Agency (CNA).
RFI’s Jeremy Barker Joins Drew Mariani Show to Discuss Contemporary Christian Persecution
Jeremy Barker, Director of RFI’s Middle East Action Team, joined the Drew Mariani Show earlier this week to discuss the ongoing persecution of Christians around the world in the context of the release of Open Door’s 2022 World Watch List report.
The Crises Awaiting the New Ambassador for International Religious Freedom
RFI President Tom Farr recently authored an article published in RealClearReligion titled, “The Crises Awaiting the New Ambassador for International Religious Freedom.” In the article, Farr praises the Senate’s recent confirmation of Rashad Hussain as U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom.
What’s religion got do with it?
Kareem P.A. McDonald, research fellow for RFI’s Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team, authored an article recently published in The International Journal for Religious Freedom. In the article titled, “What’s religion got to do with it?” McDonald explores the religious aspects of harassment cases in Danish asylum centers, as well as frustrations of local religious leaders with center managers and their faulty understanding of religious freedom.
RFI Executive Vice President Remarks on U.S. Advancement of International Religious Freedom
RFI Executive Vice President Eric Patterson, in commemoration of the enactment of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, remarked this week on the current state of religious freedom around the world and the integral role the United States has in defending and advancing this fundamental right.
Catholic University Hosts Human Rights Lecture Featuring Former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
On Tuesday, October 19, the Catholic University of America’s (CUA) Institute for Human Ecology hosted its Annual Human Rights Lecture, which focused on the fundamental, international, and constitutional right to religious freedom. The event featured former U. S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, and RFI Senior Fellow and Director of the Program in Human Rights for CUA’s Institute for Human Ecology, William Saunders.
RFI Executive Vice President Discusses Global Christian Persecution on Relevant Radio
RFI Executive Vice President Eric Patterson joined the Drew Mariani Show earlier this week to discuss the ongoing, violent persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Afghanistan, Nigeria, and elsewhere.
RFI Executive Vice President Discusses Afghanistan Crisis, Plight of Persecuted Christians
RFI Executive Vice President Eric Patterson this week discussed the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan in the wake of the U.S. military withdrawal, with an emphasis on the plight of Christian minorities who are now subject to Taliban rule.
Relentless Religious Persecution in Russia
Last June, a Russian court sentenced Jehovah’s Witness, Andrew Stupnikov, to six years in prison. He previously spent nearly eight months in detention and four months under house arrest. The same day of Stupnikov’s sentencing, another Russian court sentenced four other Jehovah’s Witnesses to 3-5 years in prison. These cases have been prosecuted under counter-terrorism laws.
Thinking about the Afghan Crisis: Vietnam, Cuba, or Iran?
In an article published today in Providence, Eric Patterson, RFI Executive Vice President, draws our attention to the ways past experiences inform how we see the world today. Political and military leaders grappling with the ongoing chaos in Afghanistan are not immune from this tendency.
August 21 & 22: Universal Days of Mourning
For the past week, the world’s attention has been focused on Afghanistan. Hence, it is not surprising that many missed two annual commemorations. The first is August 21st: International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The second is August 22nd: International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
The imminent danger for Afghanistan’s women and minorities
In an article published earlier this week in The Hill, Farahnaz Ispahani, RFI senior fellow and former member of the Pakistani Parliament, describes the dire situation unfolding in Afghanistan, especially for religious minorities there.
Seven Years and Counting: Yazidi Genocide Survivors Still Pursuing Justice
It was seven years ago today that ISIS extremists attacked the Yazidi heartland of Sinjar in northern Iraq.
On August 3, 2014, hundreds of thousands of Yazidis fled to the neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan Region and tens of thousands took refuge despite brutal and dangerous conditions on Mount Sinjar. Those who were unable or unwilling to escape were killed or taken captive, where they were forcibly enslaved and subjected to forced labor, torture, and rape.
The needs of the Yazidi community and other survivors of the genocide are extensive, central among those concerns is justice and accountability.
Iran’s New President Poses a Great Threat to Religious Minorities
In an article published recently in the New York Post, Miles Windsor, RFI’s Senior Manager for Campaigns and Strategy, Middle East Action Team, discusses why the rise of Iran’s new president, Ebrahim Raisi, “is bad news for all Iranians, especially members of religious minorities.”
Imran Khan Has Normalized Prejudice in Pakistan
In an article published recently in The Diplomat titled, “Imran Khan Has Normalized Prejudice in Pakistan” RFI Senior Fellow and former Member of the Pakistani Parliament Farahnaz Ispahani discusses how the Pakistani prime minister and his party colleagues are fueling intolerance toward religious minorities in the country.
Iran Continues Its Vicious Campaign Against its Own Citizens
As the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) publishes its latest annual report, Iran once again is in the spotlight. Last year’s USCIRF report stated that “religious freedom conditions in Iran remained egregiously poor.” It’s particularly troubling therefore that this year’s annual report records that “In 2020, religious freedom conditions in Iran deteriorated.”
ما هي المؤشرات والتداعيات التي رافقت زيارة البابا فرانسيس للعراق
بناء جسور التواصل كما قالها قداسة البابا فرانسيس نصيحتهُ لبناء الانفس قبل بناء المباني بين مختلف الأديان والطوائف ليصل الجميع الى نقطة الالتقاء فحينها سيكون الطريق سالكاً امام السير بعجلة التقدم على جميع الأصعدة.
What Are the Indications and Repercussions that Accompanied Pope Francis’ Visit to Iraq?
As Pope Francis said, his advice is to build souls before the buildings, building bridges between different religions and sects so that everyone can reach the meeting point. Then the road will be clear for moving forward to accelerate progress on all levels.
RFI Co-hosts Working Meeting of the Iraq Religious Freedom Roundtable
On April 1-2, 2021, the Religious Freedom Institute co-sponsored a two-day working meeting of the Iraq Religious Freedom & Anti-discrimination Roundtable (IRFAR) in Erbil, Iraq. The purpose of this event was to bring the roundtable members together, discuss the current situation of religious freedom and discrimination in Iraq, and to identify practical and collaborative solutions for addressing these challenges.