Recent News

Report names world's worst religious freedom violators

A United States agency has named 16 countries, from Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa, as nations that engage in “particularly severe” violations of religious liberty....READ MORE

British Prime Minister welcomed in White House ceremony

IRLA deputy secretary general, Dwayne Leslie, was a guest at the White House March 14 as President Barak Obama welcomed British Prime Minister David Cameron to the United States. ...READ MORE

Religious friction fuels Nigerian conflict, IRLA tells State Department

In a letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the IRLA and others express “deep concern about the continuing religiously motivated violence in Nigeria.”...READ MORE

It’s time for Turkey to step up religious freedom protection, says IRLA leader

Could the re-writing of Turkey's constitution offer new hope to the country's small non-Muslim population, which has long endured official discrimination and tough regulations?...READ MORE

‘Religious intolerance resolution’ could backfire, says UN expert

A United Nations resolution aimed at “combating religious intolerance” could actually compromise one of the freedoms it seeks to protect. ...READ MORE

IRLA decries Iran's decision to proceed with execution of Christian pastor

The IRLA has joined an eleventh-hour effort to focus international attention on the plight of an Iranian pastor facing imminent execution for refusing to give up his faith....READ MORE

Passing on the torch: IRLA Secretary General speaks to students in Texas

“We cannot stay silent when people around the world today are persecuted, or even killed, simply because of their religious choices,” Dr. John Graz told students in Dallas, Texas....READ MORE

Escalating religious violence in Nigeria impacts churches

An upsurge of attacks against Christian churches by the extremist group Boko Haram beginning late last year has led to ongoing sectarian violence between Muslim and Christian groups in northeast Nigeria....READ MORE

ARCHIVE OF ALL NEWS STORIES

• 2012
  • April 2012
    • Report names world's worst religious freedom violators
  • January 2012
    • IRLA Mourns Loss of Human Rights Champion
    • Reintroduced law jeopardizing status of some churches in Hungary
  • February 2012
    • Croatian activists say religious freedom is foundational to Europe’s future
    • Escalating religious violence in Nigeria impacts churches
    • ‘Religious intolerance resolution’ could backfire, says UN expert
    • Passing on the torch: IRLA Secretary General speaks to students in Texas
    • It’s time for Turkey to step up religious freedom protection, says IRLA leader
    • IRLA decries Iran's decision to proceed with execution of Christian pastor
  • March 2012
    • Religious friction fuels Nigerian conflict, IRLA tells State Department
    • British Prime Minister welcomed in White House ceremony
• 2011 News Archives
  • May 2011
    • IRLA Think Tank to Explore Secular Challenge to Freedom
    • Top Speakers Confirmed for 7th IRLA World Congress
    • Inter-America IRLA Gears Up for 2012 World Congress
    • IRLA Urges Stronger Action on Pakistan
  • June 2011
    • News Note: White House Welcome for German leader
    • Concern for freedom in Hungary as lawmakers consider new restrictions
    • IRLA Secretary General Praises Focus of South American Activists
    • IRLA Leader: “Religious freedom deserves higher profile in US foreign policy”
    • Evangelism Ban Proposed in Nepal
  • April 2011
    • IRLA Welcomes Confirmation of Ambassador
    • 9th Annual Religious Liberty Dinner Broadcast
    • Washington Dinner Celebrates Religious Freedom
    • Global Faith and Freedom Records New Season
    • UN Drops Controversial "Defamation of Religion" Resolution
    • Religious Freedom "Is Not a Luxury"
  • July 2011
    • IRLA urges South Sudan to make human rights a “cornerstone of national identity”
    • IRLA leader: "We Pray for Healing in Norway"
    • IRLA Joins Call for South Central Asia and Near East “Religious Minorities Diplomat"
    • IRLA Promotes Mutual Respect in Conflict-weary Chiapas
  • August 2011
    • Troubling Signs that the "Religious Freedom Divide" is Growing
    • Big Plans for Newly Formed Russian Religious Liberty Association
    • IRLA Euro-Africa Leader Dies in Swimming Accident
    • IRLA Experts Gather in Australia to Address the Challenge of Secularism
    • Karel Nowak: One Man's Legacy Lives On
    • Remembering a Man of Integrity and Wisdom
  • September 2011
    • Karel Nowak: A Last Farewell
    • IRLA Leader Remembers His Friend
  • October 2011
    • Commentary: For Iranian Pastor, a Medieval Nightmare
    • Uncertain Future for Key Religious Freedom Body
    • IRLA Calls for Release of Iranian Pastor
  • November 2011
    • Education is Key to Nurturing Religious Tolerance
    • Congress Sets New Deadline For Funding of Religious Freedom Body
  • December 2011
    • Moscow Conference Highlights Upswing in Persecution of Christians
    • Looming De-registration of Churches in Hungary Prompts IRLA Meeting with Ambassador
  • March 2011
    • IRLA Strengthens Ties with Colombian Religious Freedom Activists
    • In Ethiopia, Dozens of Christian Churches Burned in Interfaith Violence
    • Event Opens New Conversation with Islamic World
    • Human Rights Get a “New Look”
    • IRLA Condemns Pakistan Assassination as an Attack on Freedom
    • Middle East Meeting: "We Need More Religious Freedom Advocates"
  • February 2011
    • Remembering a "Giant of Moral Courage"
    • Religious Liberty Sidelined at Ecumenical Meeting
    • Loma Linda Event Breaks New Ground
    • Step Forward for Church-State Relations in Azerbaijan
  • January 2011
    • IRLA Strengthens Partnership with American Religious Town Hall
    • IRLA Mourns The Passing of Sam Ericsson
    • “Don’t Take Religious freedom for Granted:” Caribbean Activists Urge Action
    • Graz Recognized at Richmond Gala
    • For Immediate Release
    • IRLA Secretary General Visits Ecumenical Patriarch
• 2010 News Archive
  • October 2010
    • IRLA Meets Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
    • IRLA Announces Reorganization
  • March 2010
    • IRLA Secretary General Meets Senior Indonesian Religious Leaders
    • IRLA Secretary General Meets the President of East Timor
    • First Religious Liberty Congress and Festival in Guatemala
  • February 2010
    • New IRLA Middle East Partnership
  • January 2010
    • IRLA Applauds Secretary Clinton’s Speech on Internet Freedom
• 2009 News Archives
  • December 2009
    • IRLA Answers the Swiss Ban on Minarets
  • November 2009
    • UN Vote Shows Waning Support for Limits on Religious Speech
  • October 2009
    • IRLA Fights Against Global Blasphemy Law at the UN in Geneva
    • IRLA Announces New United Nations Representative
  • September 2009
    • Religious Freedom Association Forming in Mongolia
    • Reject Defamation of Religions Laws, Panel of Experts Advises
  • August 2009
    • International Think Tank to Tackle Thorny Defamation of Religions Issue
  • July 2009
    • Russian Experts Examine New Freedom of Conscience Violations
    • First Religious Liberty Festival in Jerusalem Draws Hundreds
  • June 2009
    • Continued Activism Urged at Annual Religious Liberty Forum in Washington
  • March 2009
    • IRLA Concerned over UN Defamation of Religions Resolution
  • February 2009
    • IRLA Secretary-General Promotes Human Rights on National Swiss Radio
• 2008 News Archives
  • November 2008
    • Brazilian Charter of Religious Liberty to be launched during UDHR 60-year commemoration
  • October 2008
    • Bucharest: One Community and Several Faiths
  • September 2008
    • Romania hosts 10th International Religious Liberty Association meeting of experts
  • June 2008
    • Mongolia: First religious liberty meeting draws government, international religious freedom leaders
• 2007 News Archives
  • October 2007
    • "Objective criticism of religion is a human right," affirmed Ms Asma Jahangir, United Nations special rapporteur at a meeting in New York on October 25.
  • September 2007
    • IRLA Third South American Congress to Take Place in Chile in 2008
    • IRLA Support of the 2008 World Festival of Religious Freedom
    • "Religion the Problem, Never the Solution": The Role of Reconciliation in Sustaining Religious Freedom
  • June 2007
    • IRLA Meets to Honor its "Outstanding President"
  • May 2007
    • Georgian Human Rights Expert Consults IRLA Leaders
    • IRLA Secretary General Plans Symposium in Mongolia
  • April 2007
    • United Nations Wakes up to Religion
  • February 2007
    • IRLA World Congress: Reflections-Day One
    • "Combat Religious Intolerance!" The World Congress Begins
    • New Challenges in Africa and Middle East
    • NGO Reports on Religious Freedom
    • Charismatic South African Local Premier Speaks Out for Religious Freedom Rights
    • Building a Wall Between Church and Hate
• 2006 News Archives
  • December 2006
    • Russian Affiliate Holds Conference, Elections
  • September 2006
    • Religion and Nationalism: Board of Experts Examines Conflicts and Concerns
  • July 2006
    • Visits to Pacific Island Nations Highlight Religious Freedom Concerns
  • May 2006
    • United States: Sen. McCain Tells Adventists America's Leadership Tied to Its Moral Standing
  • April 2006
    • Top UN Expert Accepts IRLA Invitation
    • UN Expert on Religious Freedom Calls for Greater Support
    • Accra, Ghana: All-Africa Congress on Religious Freedom Convenes
    • Leaders from Religious Freedom Congress Visit President of Ghana
  • March 2006
    • UN Commission on Human Rights Closes Down
  • January 2006
    • Moscow, Russia: Religious Freedom Conference
    • Ecuador: New Religious Liberty Association Proposed
• 2005 News Archives
  • November 2005
    • "Not Taking Religion as Seriously as We Should": Call to Government from Religious Freedom Coalition
    • Religious Freedom Experts Confront Bans on Religious Expression
  • October 2005
    • Republic of Georgia: New Religious Freedom Initiative Launched
    • UN Expert on Religious Intolerance Appeals for Support
  • September 2005
    • Peru: Proposed Law on Religious Freedom and Equality Submitted to Government
    • Dr Gallagher Visits Peru
  • August 2005
    • Indonesian Leader Visits IRLA HQ
    • IRLA Hosts Muslim Women Leader
  • July 2005
    • IRLA Awards Special Commendations
  • June 2005
    • IRLA Secretary General Speaks at Major International Congress
  • May 2005
    • Muslim Leader Visits IRLA Headquarters
  • April 2005
    • IRLA Participates in Open Forum with UN Special Rapporteur
    • United States: Senator Clinton Promotes Religious Freedom Issues at IRLA Event
  • March 2005
    • Indonesian Leaders Visit IRLA Headquarters
  • January 2005
    • Trinidad and Tobago: Prime Minister Speaks Out for Religious Freedom
• 2004 News Archives
  • October 2004
    • Newly-appointed UN Religious Freedom Expert Pledges Action
  • August 2004
    • International Religious Conference Draws High-level Participation
  • July 2004
    • Muslim Religious Leaders Visit IRLA Headquarters
  • June 2004
    • IRLA secretary general with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
    • Religious Symbols and Religious Commitments in the Public Sphere in Europe
  • May 2004
    • Vietnam Official Visits International Religious Liberty Association
    • U.N. Looking to NGO’s Involvement in Anti-Semitism Declaration
  • April 2004
    • Ambassador of Spain Speaks Passionately for Religious Freedom at IRLA HQ
  • March 2004
    • IRLA Statement: Azerbaijan Situation
    • International Religious Liberty Experts Speak at the U.N.
  • February 2004
    • Netherlands Antilles: Religious Freedom Association Launched
• 2003 News Archives
  • December 2003
    • Indonesia: Religious Liberty Leaders Report Progress in Ambon
  • October 2003
    • IRLA Secretary-General Addresses Church State Experts at Laval University
  • September 2003
    • Chile: Worship Law an Example for Latin America
  • July 2003
    • Religious Freedom a Priority for Muslim Imam
    • Russian Delegation Visits Adventist Headquarters As Part of Study Tour
    • Bulgarian Ambassador Affirms Religious Freedom at IRLA Headquarters
    • Azerbaijani Religious Liberty Advocate Addresses OSCE Conference
    • Top-level Conference Calls for Respect of Religious Freedom in Fight Against Terrorism
  • June 2003
    • Responses to Terrorism Dominate Religious Freedom Debate
  • April 2003
    • Religious Liberty Dinner Held on Capitol Hill
• 2002 News Archives
  • December 2002
    • Religious Freedom Conference Aims to Teach Children Tolerance
    • Coalition Brings Religious Freedom and Human Rights Issues to the Forefront
  • November 2002
    • Religious Freedom Experts Confront Issues of Security, Terrorism
    • Delegation from Poland Visits IRLA Headquarters
  • October 2002
    • Lotz Re-Elected IRLA President
  • September 2002
    • IRLA Deputy Secretary General Promotes Religious Freedom in Romania
    • French Officials May Have Second Thoughts Over "Anti-Sect" Policy
    • Violence Against Christians Continue in Pakistan
    • How Can We Forget the Past?
  • August 2002
    • Moldovian Parliamentarians Call for Religious Equality
    • Indian Religious Leader Warns of Coming Religious Freedom Crisis
  • July 2002
    • UN Expert Presents Albert Schweitzer Award to Religious Freedom Campaigner
  • June 2002
    • Philippines: National Leaders Endorse Fight Against Religious Intolerance
    • UN Human Rights Expert Speaks Out Against Religious Intolerance
    • Religious Freedom a Vital Security Benefit Says Former US Ambassador-at-Large
    • World Congress Adopts "Statement of Concern" on Religious Freedom Violations
  • May 2002
    • Religious Freedom Report and its Impact on Religious Freedom
    • Azerbaijan State Official Encourages Religious Freedom
  • March 2002
    • Former Deputy of Turkmenistan Receives Political Asylum
    • IRLA Secretary-General Visits Indonesia
  • February 2002
    • Beijing Mayor Served with Lawsuit for Persecutions
    • Violence Against Christians Continues in India
  • January 2002
    • Government and Religious Leaders Gather In Kyrgyzstan
    • IRLA Secretary General Presents at Briefing in U.S. Senate Office
• 2001 News Archives
  • November 2001
    • Venezuela: Launch of National Religious Liberty Association
    • Russian Commissioner on Human Rights Visits IRLA International Office
    • Coalition Builds for Religious Freedom
    • Secretary General Addresses UN Conference on Religious Freedom in Education
    • Peru: Politicians Support Concept of Religious Freedom as a Tool for Peace
  • August 2001
    • IRLA Interviewed by Channel 1 on Afghanistan Situation
    • IRLA Delegation Meets Serbian Minister of Religions
  • July 2001
    • New Spirit of Tolerance Needed in Indonesia, Says Leader
  • May 2001
    • Portugal Votes New Religious Freedom Law
    • IRLA-International Hosts Indonesian Visitors for Religious Freedom Briefing
    • IRLA Experts Develop Religious Education Strategy
    • Experts and Academics Debate Opposition to Evangelism
  • April 2001
    • IRLA Appeals for Religious Freedom in Turkmenistan
  • March 2001
    • Major Religious Freedom Conference to Convene in Bermuda
    • UN Ambassador to Visit Bermuda for Religious Freedom Conference
    • Top Cuban Diplomat Says Religious Freedom Improving in Cuba
  • February 2001
    • RLA Arranges Meeting With Indonesian Journalists on Religious Freedom and the Media
    • Romanian Campaigner Makes Religious Freedom Relevant
• 2000 News Archives
  • March 2000
    • IRLA Conference of Experts Adopts Document on Responsible Proselytism
    • Historic Religious Liberty Conference in Cameroon
  • February 2000
    • Religious Liberty Experts call for "Responsible Dissemination of Religion or Belief"
  • January 2000
    • Religious liberty experts are calling for a "responsible dissemination of religion or belief" by members of religious communities.
• 1999 News Archives
  • November 1999
    • "World at Turning Point for Freedom and Toleration," say Religion Experts
    • Indian Leaders Call for Increased Protection of Religious Rights on World Tolerance Day
    • World Conference on Religious Freedom Inaugurated by Inter-faith Prayer Meeting
  • May 1999
    • Religious Liberty Experts Debate Proselytism and Religious Freedom, Look to Produce Guidelines