ECR Policy Working Group on Religious Freedom
Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. It is included in all major human rights instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Art.18), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Art. 18) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (Art. 10). It seeks to protect people from all faiths and those who want to change or abandon their belief.
Religious freedom is under tremendous pressure. It is violated every day in many parts of the world. This can extend from bullying at work to the death sentences for alleged blasphemy. Religious persecution is increasing year on year. According to Pew Forum, in 2018, government restrictions on religions reached the highest levels since the organisation started tracking these developments. 56 countries had high levels of government restrictions, while 53 countries had high levels of social hostilities. Research by Pew and other organisations, such as Open Doors, shows that Christians are persecuted more than any other religious group, followed by Muslim minorities (for example, Shi’a in Sunni-majority countries and vice-versa) and Jewish minorities. Atheists and practitioners of indigenous religions and beliefs are also often persecuted.
In 2013, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted ‘EU Guidelines for promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief’. During the Juncker Commission, the EU had a Special Envoy to promote freedom of religion or
belief, Mr Jan Figel. The Von der Leyen Commission initially refused to renew this position, but following pressure from ECR and others, appointed Mr Christos Stylianides as new Special Envoy in May 2021.
ECR Members have consistently defended religious freedom.
Some examples of our actions:
10 November 2021
Wednesday 10 November 2021 @ 13:30 CET
Webinar “Network of Networks: The Muslim Brotherhood in Europe”On Wednesday, 10 November, a webinar organised and hosted by MEP Charlie Weimers, Chair of the ECR's Working Group on Religious Freedom, will bring together key experts on the Muslim Brotherhood to discuss the organisation’s radical intolerant Islamist ideology that runs counter to European values and fundamental rights.
DETAILS