International Religious Freedom News

The latest International Religious Freedom News is up!

1. Jewish School Stripped of License by Swedish Authorities (Jun. 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 (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)

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 (Jun. 23)
7. Alevis Ask for Recognition from Turkey (Jun. 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.

Features:

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

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. For background on the trial, click here.

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