US lawmakers introduced a resolution condemning the persecution of Christians in Muslim-majority nations. The document cites human rights violations in countries including Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan. It highlights targeted killings, church closures, and arbitrary arrests. ADF International endorsed the measure, urging the US government to prioritize religious freedom in foreign policy. The resolution references Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List, noting that over 380 million Christians face discrimination globally. Co-sponsors include several other Republican lawmakers. The text calls for using diplomatic tools to protect persecuted believers.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution urging the protection of Christians and other religious minorities in Syria. This action follows a deadly suicide bombing at a church in the capital, which killed at least 25 people. An Islamist group claimed responsibility for the attack. The resolution condemns violent Islamist extremism and calls for accountability from Syrian transitional authorities. It also highlights systemic harassment, economic discrimination, and vandalism against Christian communities in various cities. A legal organization welcomed the move, calling for EU sanctions and a special envoy to promote religious freedom globally.
Canadian campaigner Chris Elston, known as Billboard Chris, was fined 806 Australian dollars and forcibly removed by police in Brisbane on March 25, 2025. Authorities accused him of obstructing pedestrians while wearing a sign about puberty blockers. This incident occurred days before a major legal challenge against the Australian eSafety Commissioner begins in Melbourne. Elston, supported by ADF International and X, is contesting the geo-blocking of a post criticizing a World Health Organization expert. The case is described as a critical test for free speech protections against government censorship in Australia. (Source: ADF International)
At Poole Magistrates’ Court in Bournemouth, UK, police officers testified that they did not personally witness Christian retiree Livia Tossici-Bolt engaging in harassment. Tossici-Bolt, 63, was fined for holding a sign offering conversation within an abortion buffer zone. Council officers Rukan Taki and Francesca Alice Ozanne stated they saw no intimidation or clinic visitors affected. The trial continues as ADF International supports her defense, arguing that peaceful, consensual dialogue should not be criminalized under vague public space orders. The case highlights tensions between free speech and buffer zone regulations in Britain.
A court in Pakistan has permitted a Christian brick kiln worker to correct his National Identity Card, changing his religious designation from Muslim to Christian. His employer had fraudulently registered him as Muslim to facilitate enslavement and withhold wages. After a six-year legal battle supported by an international advocacy group, an appellate judge overturned a previous rejection, ruling the conversion was false. This decision highlights systemic barriers in Pakistan where changing religious designation on ID cards is difficult. The case coincides with warnings regarding human rights violations and forced conversions affecting religious minorities in the country.
London will host the UK premiere of the documentary Live Not By Lies on June 30, 2025. The film, based on Rod Dreher’s book and directed by Isaiah Smallman, warns of rising authoritarianism and censorship in Western democracies. The event features remarks from Konstantin Kisin and a panel with Dreher and Smallman. ADF International spokesperson Lois McLatchie Miller notes the film highlights cases like that of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who was prosecuted for silent prayer near abortion facilities in Birmingham. The screening aims to draw attention to the erosion of freedom of expression and conscience in Britain.
On July 1, the highest court in Santa Catarina, Brazil, will hear oral arguments regarding Regiane Cichelero’s right to homeschool her son. Local authorities previously fined Cichelero over $20,000 and threatened custody removal after she continued home education following the pandemic. ADF International is supporting her defense, citing international human rights protections for parental educational choices. The case highlights the conflict between state mandates and family convictions, with over 70,000 children currently homeschooled in Brazil. The outcome may influence parental rights across the country.
NHS Fife in Scotland suspended American midwifery student Sara Spencer after she posted pro-life views on a private Facebook group. The health authority initiated a fitness-to-practise investigation, citing concerns about her social media conduct. ADF UK provided legal support, arguing the suspension violated free speech and conscientious objection rights. Although Edinburgh Napier University later cleared Spencer of all allegations, NHS Fife initially objected to this outcome. The incident has drawn attention from US Vice President J.D. Vance, who raised free speech concerns with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a White House visit. Spencer continues to seek assurances against future discrimination.
Former UK Justice Secretary Michael Gove criticized the prosecution of individuals for silent prayer near abortion facilities in Great Britain. Speaking on GB News, Gove argued that such actions violate fundamental free speech and religious freedom principles. This statement coincides with US Vice President J.D. Vance highlighting similar concerns during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington. Vance cited the conviction of Adam Smith-Connor as an example of authoritarian censorship. Additionally, Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay faced scrutiny over laws that may criminalize private prayer within buffer zones. ADF International’s legal counsel supported these defenses, calling for restored human rights standards.
US Vice President J.D. Vance criticized the UK government during a security conference in Munich, calling the conviction of Adam Smith-Connor for silent prayer near an abortion facility concerning. Smith-Connor, an army veteran, was convicted in November 2024 for praying silently in a public buffer zone. Vance argued that free speech is retreating in Europe and highlighted the case as an example of authoritarian censorship. Smith-Connor expressed gratitude for the support and plans to appeal the ruling in July with assistance from ADF International. The UK has since nationalized buffer zones banning influence near abortion clinics.
Belgian police arrested Lois McLatchie Miller and Chris Elston in Brussels on June 5, 2025, for displaying signs regarding child protection. The pair were detained while discussing puberty blockers with Members of the European Parliament. ADF International states the arrests occurred despite the activists' peaceful conduct and surrounding aggressive crowds. Both were released without charge after hours in custody. Paul Coleman, ADF International's executive director, condemned the actions as authoritarianism and a violation of free speech rights. The organization is now assessing legal options to challenge the arrests in Belgium.
The UK Parliament is debating amendments to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, with significant backlash from medical professionals and politicians. The Royal College of Psychiatrists stated it cannot support the legislation due to numerous concerns. ADF International’s Robert Clarke argued the bill endangers vulnerable people, citing data from Oregon where many recipients of lethal drugs felt they were a burden. MP Rebecca Paul warned the law would harm more people than it helps. The debate highlighted issues regarding conscientious objection and the potential for implicit pressure on patients, raising serious human rights questions about the proposed changes to assisted suicide laws in Britain.
A legal challenge against the Australian eSafety Commissioner regarding the geo-blocking of a post on Elon Musk’s X platform will be heard in Melbourne starting March 31, 2025. The case involves Canadian resident Chris Elston, known as Billboard Chris, and the X platform itself. The content in question criticized transgender activist Teddy Cook’s suitability for a World Health Organization advisory panel. After the eSafety Commissioner issued a removal order, X blocked the post in Australia. ADF International and the Australian Human Rights Law Alliance are supporting Elston’s appeal, which they describe as a critical test for free speech rights in the country. The Administrative Appeals Tribunal is reviewing the matter.
In Birmingham, United Kingdom, on 10 February 2025, West Midlands Police instructed charitable volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce to leave a public space near an abortion facility. The officer claimed her mere presence caused distress, citing her pro-life beliefs. This incident occurred despite previous payouts and apologies for wrongful arrests related to her silent prayers. ADF UK obtained footage of the confrontation. Vaughan-Spruce, supported by legal counsel, argues this constitutes viewpoint discrimination. She has previously been found innocent of breaching buffer zone laws. The group states that silent prayer is not criminal under current guidance.
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a woman arrested for silent prayer in Birmingham, criticized the UK Home Office for dismissing claims of two-tier policing. A leaked dossier labeled such concerns as a right-wing extremist narrative. Vaughan-Spruce stated this dismissal contradicts the experiences of many British citizens, citing her own arrests and trial for praying near an abortion facility. Jeremiah Igunnubole of ADF UK argued that police resources are misallocated, focusing on peaceful expression rather than violent crime. This controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding Christian rights and law enforcement priorities in the United Kingdom.
A judge in Bauchi State, Nigeria, fully acquitted a Christian mother of five of blasphemy charges. She spent 19 months in prison after allegedly sharing a video condemning a student's lynching. She faced up to five years in prison under local penal codes. ADF International supported her legal defense, citing international human rights concerns. The group stated that no one should be punished for peaceful expression. The woman is now safe in an undisclosed location following the court's decision.
A coalition of sixty religious freedom organizations, including ADF International, sent a letter to Senator Marco Rubio on December 19, 2024, congratulating him on his nomination as US Secretary of State. The group urged him to make the advocacy for religious prisoners of conscience a central priority in American foreign policy. The letter highlighted specific cases in Nigeria and Egypt, where individuals face imprisonment or death sentences for their faith. ADF International stated it supports legal defense for these persecuted individuals, hoping Rubio’s leadership will increase pressure on violators and secure the release of those unjustly detained.
Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court rejected an appeal by parents who refused to hand over their 17-year-old daughter’s identity documents for a legal gender change. The court ruled that lower courts must enforce the change or face criminal charges against the parents. The family has been separated for over a year due to objections regarding the child's transition. ADF International supported the appeal, arguing the decision violates parental rights. The parents are considering an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. The case has drawn global attention and criticism from various public figures.
The US House Judiciary Committee criticized the UK’s abortion center buffer zones and Online Safety Act as part of a global censorship trend. The committee highlighted the case of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who was unlawfully arrested for praying in Birmingham. They also noted the conviction of Adam Smith-Connor for silent prayer. The group warned that UK and EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act, force platforms to censor speech globally due to high financial penalties. ADF International executive Paul Coleman stated these practices harm the UK’s reputation. The intervention aims to alert the incoming US administration to these free speech threats.
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