International Religious Freedom News (Jun. 19-26)Jun 27, 2007 International Religious Freedom Archive
If you would like to sign up to have these weekly newsletters delivered straight to your e-mail inbox, click here. 1. Jewish School Stripped of License by Swedish Authorities (Jun. 19)
2. Church in Uzbekistan Closes Following Government Pressure (Jun. 19)
3. Belarusian Religious Law in Violation of Constitution (Jun. 20)
4. UK Support Group for Ex-Muslims Founded (Jun. 21)
5. Azerbaijani Pastor Imprisoned on False Charges (Jun. 22)
6. British Girl Forbidden from Wearing Chastity Ring at School (Jun. 23)
7. Alevis Ask for Recognition from Turkey (Jun. 26) Features:
A five-year legal battle between Catch the Fire Ministries and the Islamic Council of Victoria, Australia, concluded on June 22 with a settlement by Pastors Daniel Scott and Daniel Nalliah, after the Islamic Council agreed that citizens should be allowed to criticize religious beliefs within the limits of the law. The Council had sued the two pastors under Victoria's Religious Hatred law for religious vilification, following a seminar conducted by Catch the Fire Ministries in 2002. (Christian Today - Australia)
For background on the trial, click here.
How a revival of state-sponsored Confucianism could affect religious freedom in China, from Forum 18
Saudi Arabia's Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, from The Economist 1. Jewish School Stripped of License by Swedish Authorities
June 19
Gothenburg, Sweden
The Local reports that Beit Menachem, an independent Jewish school in Gothenburg, Sweden, has been stripped of its license after Swedish authorities discovered that the pupils were segregated by gender during lessons. According to a representative of the Swedish National Agency for Education, the Swedish curriculum provides for "girls and boys living together and learning together" and that the school violated Swedish law by teaching single-sex classes. Alexander Namder, the administrator at Beit Menachem, insisted that the pupils were separated for religious reasons, and that teaching boys and girls separately was permitted under the European Convention of Human Rights. 2. Church in Uzbekistan Closes Following Government Pressure
June 19
Andijan, Uzbekistan
Forum 18 reports that the Resurrection Full Gospel Pentecostal Church of Andijan, Uzbekistan, has decided to close its doors after severe pressure from local authorities and prosecutors. Due to threats and insults reaching a new level in the past year, the congregation felt that it was no longer safe to continue meeting. Bakhtier Tuichiev, the church's pastor, reported that since being fined last December for leading an "illegal" meeting, he is now monitored by the police and prohibited from leaving the country. Another Pentecostal pastor, Dmitry Shestakov, is currently serving four years in a labor camp for his religious activity (full report). 3. Belarusian Religious Law in Violation of Constitution
June 20
Minsk, Belarus
Charter 97 reports that Antony Bokun, the Belarusian pastor who was heavily fined in May for an "unauthorized mass event" in his home, has had his appeal thrown out by a judge in the Minsk City Court. Mr. Bokun had argued that the country's Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations, which requires, among other things, state permission for religious services, is in fact in violation of the Belarusian constitution and international law. 4. UK Support Group for Ex-Muslims Founded
June 21
London, UK
The Telegraph reports that plans are underway for a support group for Muslims who renounce their faith, an initiative sponsored, in part, by the British Humanist Association and the National Secular Society. The Council of ex-Muslims of Britain will begin with an initial membership of twenty-five, ex-Muslims who have agreed to be identified to the public and photographed, and will be led by Maryam Namazie, a human rights activist who was forced to flee Iran. The council aims to speak out against severe punishments for apostasy, as well as to offer an alternative for non-religious Muslims who feel the Muslim Council of Britain does not represent their interests. 5. Azerbaijani Pastor Imprisoned on False Charges
June 22
Aliabad, Azerbaijan
Forum 18 reports that Zaur Balaev, a Baptist pastor imprisoned May 20 after police raided a church service in which he took part, continues to be held on false charges and in poor conditions. Authorities claim that Balaev set a dog on them when they raided his church, though church members claim this did not happen. The authorities insist the raid was justified as the church lacks government registration and is therefore illegal, though the community has attempted to register itself for the past thirteen years. Balaev is said to be in poor health and is expected to be charged with "resisting the authorities with violence". 6. British Girl Forbidden from Wearing Chastity Ring at School
June 23
West Sussex, UK
The Guardian reports that Lydia Playfoot, 16, a student at Millais School in West Sussex, has taken her school to court for religious discrimination after she was forbidden from wearing a chastity ring under the school's uniform policy. Ms. Playfoot, along with several other students, wore the ring as a symbol of her commitment to abstain from premarital sex. Her lawyer argued that the school had no right to rule on manifestations of religious belief, though the school claims that chastity rings are not a religious requirement for Christians. The school allows Sikh students to wear turbans and the Kara, a steel bracelet, while Muslim students are allowed to wear headscarves. 7. Alevis Ask for Recognition from Turkey
June 26
Ankara, Turkey
Today's Zaman reports that the Cem Foundation, an Alevi organization, has applied to register Alevi houses of worship (Cem evleri), in an effort to gain recognition for their religion. Currently, the Turkish government defines Alevis as a "sect" within Islam, and as such will not permit them to operate houses of worship which are cannot be used by all Muslims. The Prime Minister has already denied requests for places for Alevis in Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate and for a fund for Alevi religious practices. Should the request for recognition of cem evleri be denied, the Cem Foundation plans to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights. A detailed history of the Alevi and how they differ from Muslims can be read here.
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