Uganda has lifted a 96-day ban on public worship following a new presidential directive in September. The restriction previously prohibited gatherings at churches and mosques, even outdoors, while allowing malls and businesses to operate. This decision follows legal challenges by a Kampala church and Muslim representatives before the High Court, Constitutional Court, and East African Court of Justice. Agnes Namaganda and Tomusange Ismael highlighted the discrimination against faith groups compared to commercial entities. Sean Nelson of Alliance Defending Freedom noted that such blanket bans are often ruled unlawful internationally. Ongoing cases aim to prevent future discriminatory restrictions on religious freedom.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that the European Convention on Human Rights does not guarantee a right to abortion. The decision came from a 2010 case brought by three women against Ireland, who sought abortions in Britain. While the Court found Ireland should have provided clearer legal information for one applicant, it dismissed the broader claims. Alliance Defending Freedom lawyers argued that sovereign nations retain the right to protect unborn life in their constitutions. The ruling confirms that international law does not override national protections for the right to life from conception.
A pastor in India faces trial after arrest for alleged forced conversion. He spent months in jail before release on bail. The high court noted he had no criminal record and no victims came forward. An advocacy group states the charges are baseless and that anti-conversion laws violate human rights. The group argues these laws are misused to target religious minorities under the guise of preventing forced conversions. A hearing for prosecution witnesses is scheduled for later in the year.
Four individuals in Nigeria successfully defended themselves against apostasy charges in Sharia courts. According to ADF International, these converts faced severe penalties, including death or life imprisonment, after embracing Christianity. Their cases were dismissed recently after Alliance Defending Freedom lawyers provided counsel. The group states that accusers, including family members and clerics, repeatedly failed to appear in court, leading to the dismissals. Kelsey Zorzi, an advocacy director, urged the Nigerian government to protect religious converts from harassment and unfair trials. These outcomes highlight ongoing risks for Christians in the region.
In Portugal, the Ministry of Education ordered two young boys to repeat two school years because their parents sought exemption from controversial citizenship classes. Ana Guimares had previously secured exemptions for her children from a public school in Porto. However, a new curriculum made the content compulsory. The Ministry insisted on the penalty despite the family's appeal. A first-instance court ruled in favor of the family, but a second-instance court overturned that decision. An injunction currently prevents the boys from being held back while the case proceeds to the Supreme Administrative Court in spring 2022. Alliance Defending Freedom is supporting the family's legal battle.
A court in central India acquitted a pastor and his family of charges under disputed anti-conversion laws. This legal victory follows a 2016 incident where nationalists attacked the congregation and police detained the family. Although initially convicted, the recent ruling clears them of forced conversion allegations. Advocacy groups describe the decision as a significant win for religious freedom, noting that such laws often lead to arbitrary imprisonment and mob violence against Christians in the region. The case highlights ongoing challenges for religious minorities in India.
A French public broadcasting authority removed a video titled 'Dear Future Mum' from state television, ruling it was not a message of general interest. The Fondation Jérôme Lejeune, supported by Alliance Defending Freedom, challenged the decision at the European Court of Human Rights. On September 1, 2022, the court declared the case inadmissible. The video featured eighteen young people with Down syndrome sharing their experiences to reassure pregnant mothers. The organization stated the ruling was a failure of justice for persons with disabilities and freedom of expression. The group argues that censorship based on disability status violates international human rights law.
A top graduate from a university in Baja California, Mexico, faces potential disqualification from practicing psychology following his June 2022 commencement address. The university initiated proceedings after professors complained about his speech, which criticized gender ideology and defended traditional family values. In response, the student filed a counterclaim with support from Alliance Defending Freedom to protect his free speech rights. A final judgment regarding his professional license is expected on September 18. The case highlights ongoing tensions between academic expression and institutional sanctions in Mexican higher education. (Source: ADF International)
A 19-year-old Christian student has escaped captivity in a district of Pakistan after being abducted in late 2019. She was forced into a coerced marriage at age 16 by a neighbor and accomplices, who threatened her with acid and violence to sign the documents. She endured imprisonment and abuse for over two months before fleeing through an unlocked door. An international legal organization is supporting her lawyer in seeking to annul the marriage. The victim’s family continues to face death threats from the abductors, which severely hinders her education and personal safety. (ADF International)
A Mexican federal congressman was sanctioned by the nation’s highest electoral court for tweets questioning whether men identifying as women occupied congressional seats reserved for women. The court ordered the lawmaker to delete the posts, issue a public apology, and register as a gender-based political violator. The congressman argues these measures violate his free speech rights and international human rights obligations. With domestic appeals exhausted, he has petitioned the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for relief, supported by Alliance Defending Freedom. The ruling raises concerns about future political eligibility for Mexican politicians expressing similar views. (Source: ADF International)
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Datingscout on UnsplashPersecuted church
In Berlin, Germany, pharmacist Andreas Kersten is facing continued legal proceedings after refusing to sell the morning-after pill due to his conscience. The Berlin Chamber of Pharmacists initiated the case in 2018. Although a court ruled in Kersten's favor in 2020, recognizing his right to conscientious objection, the Chamber appealed the decision. Felix Böllmann of Alliance Defending Freedom stated that no one should be forced to choose between their beliefs and their profession. The case highlights the ongoing conflict between professional duties and personal conscience in Germany. (Source: ADF International)
A Sudanese couple who converted to Christianity has arrived safely in the United States. They fled their home country after facing criminal charges for adultery, stemming from a Sharia court annulment of their marriage. Although apostasy was decriminalized in 2020, the couple faced potential lashes and exile due to pressure from the wife’s family. Alliance Defending Freedom reports that the legal system is being used to persecute converts. The case highlights ongoing risks for religious minorities in Sudan following the 2021 military coup, despite previous legal reforms. Advocates urge international protection for those targeted for their faith.
German authorities have denied accreditation to the Association for Decentralized Learning, which operates hybrid primary and secondary schools in Germany. The decision, upheld by domestic courts including the Constitutional Court in December 2022, cites concerns that students spend insufficient time together during breaks. Dr. Felix Böllmann of Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a case at the European Court of Human Rights, arguing the ban violates educational freedom and parental rights. The association claims its model meets state criteria and provides high-quality education through weekly classroom attendance and home learning.
A bishop in Nicaragua was released after more than 500 days of detention. He had been exiled to the Vatican following a conviction for preaching on human dignity and justice. The regime sentenced him to 26 years for allegedly undermining national integrity. An international legal group supported his case, citing violations of freedom of expression. The group welcomed his release but noted he cannot return to Nicaragua. This action followed international pressure and petitions to human rights bodies regarding the sham trial and lack of due process.
Regiane Cichelero, a mother in Brazil, was fined over $20,000 and threatened with losing custody of her 12-year-old son for choosing to homeschool him. In September 2025, a state court in Santa Catarina ruled that the child must attend an accredited school, denying Cichelero’s request to continue home education. Cichelero plans to appeal the decision to Brazil’s highest court. The case highlights the conflict between parental rights under international human rights law and local enforcement in Brazil, where over 70,000 children are currently homeschooled. Alliance Defending Freedom is supporting her legal challenge against the penalties and custody threat. (Source: ADF International)
The European Court of Human Rights declared inadmissible a case brought by former EU official Ján Figeľ against Slovakia’s COVID-19 communal worship bans. The court ruled that Figeľ could not be considered a victim because the specific negative impact on him was not sufficiently clear. The challenge, co-represented by Alliance Defending Freedom and lawyer Martin Timcsák, argued that the bans lacked a legal basis under Slovak emergency law. Although Figeľ and legal representatives expressed disappointment, stating the decision disregarded provided evidence, the ruling cannot be challenged. The case aimed to protect religious freedom during the pandemic in Slovakia.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Sweden violated human rights by planning to deport an Iranian Christian convert to Iran without a current risk assessment. The applicant, who converted from Islam to Christianity in 2010, had previously been denied asylum. Alliance Defending Freedom and the Jubilee Campaign submitted legal arguments to the Grand Chamber, challenging a lower court's decision that suggested the man could hide his faith. The November 2016 judgment stated that ignoring the dangers faced by converts violates Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This decision overruled the earlier precedent and protected the individual's right to religious freedom.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in September 2017 that church autonomy is a fundamental right protected across its 47 member states. In the case of Nagy v. Hungary, the Grand Chamber upheld the ability of religious groups to manage internal discipline without state interference. The decision concerned Karoly Nagy, a Hungarian minister removed from his post by an ecclesiastical court. Hungarian state courts had previously refused to intervene, citing church autonomy. The European Court agreed, stating that religious institutions must be free to regulate their own affairs. This judgment reinforces the principle that freedom of religion includes institutional independence from government control.
In April 2014, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Hungary violated religious freedom and assembly rights. The decision addressed a 2011 law that reduced recognized religious communities from over 300 to just 14. Nine groups, including four Christian churches represented by Alliance Defending Freedom and Dr. Daniel Karsai, challenged the measure. The court found the registration criteria arbitrary and contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights. The ruling confirmed that de-registering established churches breached their fundamental rights to freedom of thought and conscience. This judgment holds significant importance for religious liberty protections in Hungary.
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