Prisoners of Conscience freed due to COVID-19

(OPINION) In early April, the U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom called for the release of prisoners of conscience in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These prisoners are often detained simply for holding beliefs their government does not recognize. But a prison sentence should not become a death sentence due to the virus.

Large companies are complicit in Chinese religious liberty violations

(OPINION) The Chinese Government facilitated the transfer of Uighur Muslims and other ethnic minorities from Xinjiang to factories in various parts of China, and big companies have profitted from the forced-labor.

Russia continues to restrict religious liberty with broad definition of extremism

Deliberately vague definitions of “extremism” are infringing on the religious liberties of many in Russia. As a result of this legal language, at least 313 Jehovah’s Witnesses have been placed under investigation, and many more have been imprisoned and convicted.

A History Of Impunity In Nigeria Has Led To Increased Christian Persecution

(OPINION) In December 2019, news began to filter out of Nigeria that a Daesh affiliated terror group has been responsible for the brutal murder of several Christians. The new wave of killings does not come as a surprise.

The U.K. breached its Genocide Convention duties without consequences

The Oxford Forum for International Development, the largest student-run International Development conference in Europe, recently hosted discussions on preventing and punishing genocide of religious minorities, among other topics.

Myanmar's internet shutdowns threaten its Muslim minority's human rights

(OPINION) Denying internet access is becoming more common as a tool for suppressing dissent and violating human rights. It puts entire communities in real danger, as is the case for Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims.

Opinion, AsiaEwelina U. OchabFebruary 7, 2020Rohingya, Muslims, Myanmar, Human Rights Watch, Access Now, Telenor Group, Islam, Human RightsComment

U.S. launches first-ever international religious freedom alliance

(NEWS ANALYSIS) At the launch on Wednesday, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed the ever-growing need to combat the increasing violence based on religion or belief, including “terrorists and violent extremists who target religious minorities, whether they are Yazidis in Iraq, Hindus in Pakistan, Christians in northeast Nigeria, or Muslims in Burma” and “the Chinese Communist Party’s hostility to all faiths.”

Challenging Holocaust denial is growing ever more important

(OPINION) Social media is forcing a global reckoning over disinformation. Narratives that deny or distort Holocaust history represent some of the gravest consequences of allowing “alternative history” to take root.

Collective Action Against Anti-Semitism Still Needed 75 Years After Auschwitz

(OPINION) This year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day aims to reflect the “continued importance of collective action against antisemitism and other forms of bias to ensure respect for the dignity and human rights of all people everywhere.”

The Rising Trend of Christian Persecution

(OPINION) Acts of violence based on religion or belief are on the increase globally. This includes atrocities that amount to genocide and crimes against humanity. While such acts of violence affect all religious groups (especially minority religious groups), over the recent months, report after report has been raising the issues that relate to the persecution of Christians globally.

The OSCE Produces Guidance On Freedom Of Religion Or Belief And Security

(OPINION) A new report discusses the issues in 57 countries, including registration and de-registration of religious or belief communities and security, “extremist” speech and literature, security in places of worship, restrictions on conversion and limitations on religious or belief community activities that have a foreign connection.

As Brexit Continues To Divide Britain, A New Genocide Response Initiative Aims To Unite

On November 4, a few British Parliamentarians and experts have launched a new venture to address the issue of genocide. The Coalition for Genocide Response is a new initiative that aims to unite politicians, scholars, and civil society representatives in the common aim to provide a comprehensive response to genocide.

Middle East, Justice, Conflict, OpinionEwelina U. OchabNovember 14, 2019Middle East, Muslims, Genocide, Brexit, Burmese, Daesh, Syria, Myanmar, UN, UN Security Council, Ewelina U. Ochab, IslamComment

Other nations should follow Germany's lead on ISIS prosecution

(OPINION) A husband and wife are being tried for their roles in the campaign of atrocities that ISIS, also known as Daesh, committed. Their prosecutions should serve as models for other justice systems.

Iran's warning to children shows a deepening religious intolerance

(OPINION) Prohibiting students from proclaiming their faith at school is the latest method of persecution against “unrecognized” religions in the country.

U.N. Warns About Ethno-Religious Tensions In Sri Lanka

(NEWS ANALYSIS) The U.N.’s appointed expert on freedom of religion or belief gave recommendations for how Sri Lanka should address underlying tensions that predate the April 2019 Easter bombings that killed more than 200 people.

Are the missing Yazidi women and girls in Iran?

(OPINION) A report that two Yazidi girls abducted by Daesh may be in Iran has prompted a British politician to take some action. The situation should be investigated thoroughly. The report raises questions about the fates of many others.

Opinion, Middle EastEwelina U. OchabSeptember 18, 2019Yazidi, Iran, Daesh, ISIS, abducted, Islam, Ewelina U. OchabComment

India stripping millions of citizenship follows a dangerous precedent

(OPINION) The international community should brace for serious trouble if India continues to revoke citizenship of people who settled there after fleeing Bangladesh.

5 reasons the world needs a wake-up call on religious persecution

(OPINION) The United Nations has established for the first time ever on Aug. 22 a day to draw attention to people groups around the world violently persecuted for their religious beliefs: Yazidis in Syria and Iraq, Christians in Nigeria, faith minorities in Pakistan, Rohingya in Myanmar, Uighur Muslims in China and others.