IIRF Updates

The leading non-Christian targets of religious violence
The IIRF has published a report using its VID, highlighting the ten countries with the most documented incidents of violence against religious groups other than Christians between November 2022 and November 2024.

Shining a light on religious freedom: a new tool for global insight
One of the flagship initiatives of the IIRF, the VID, represents a landmark contribution to the global effort to promote religious freedom.

New book on religious freedom in Mexico and Colombia now available
IIRF has published Camila Sánchez Sandoval’s book Religious Freedom in Mexico and Colombia, making her innovative and groundbreaking work available in English.

IIRF and ISHR leadership involved in Faith & Freedom Summit IV in the Latin American Parliament
The fourth Faith & Freedom Summit focusing on FoRB took place under the title “Practicing What We Preach” in the Latin American Parliament in Panama City.

Religious freedom conference in South Africa
The IIRF’s Cape Town office will cosponsor the second Conference on Religious Freedom in South Africa, scheduled for January 29–30, 2026.

International religious ethnography conference
The IIRF and OLIRE, along with the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, will co-host the third International Congress on Religious Ethnography.
Statements

Protecting Life: Nobody should be killed for their choice of religion or belief
UNGA resolution Moratorium on the use of the death penalty

Visit of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to Nigeria
Press release from the Christian Association of Nigeria on the visit of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to Nigeria

The appeal of Euromaidan SOS and the Religious Freedom Roundtable in Ukraine
The appeal of Euromaidan SOS and the Religious Freedom Roundtable in Ukraine regarding the attack on religious freedom during the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine

IIRF Publishes Audit Statement of World Watch List 2022
The International Institute for Religious Freedom published its audit statement of Open Doors International’s World Watch List (WWL) 2022 that was released.
SOS Letter on Nigeria from Concerned Groups
The State Department’s removal of Nigeria from the designation of ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) in terms of religious freedoms The Honorable Antony BlinkenDepartment of
All deportations of the Ahmadis from Germany should be stopped
We urge the German Government to stop the deportation of all other Ahmadis to Pakistan, who can potentially face life imprisonment or the death penalty under blasphemy law for practicing their belief. These members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are currently seeking protection in Germany.
Religious Freedom News

Keep commissioner for religious freedom, IIRF president urges Germany
IIRF President Thomas Schirrmacher has called on the parties negotiating a new government in Germany to retain the office of the Commissioner for Religious Freedom

Turning point in Damascus: How do Christians in Syria look to the future?
An interview with His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East of the Syriac Orthodox Church

New on-demand course on FoRB
The Swedish Mission Council (SMC) has released a new online course, “Christian Theology and FoRB,” to help Christians understand why their faith commitment should call

The IIRF shares several calls for papers and upcoming religious freedom conferences
ISFORB Conference • Fjellhaug Symposium • Symposium on religious freedom: normative basis – actual state – resulting challenges • Kongress Christenverfolgung heute

Hope Amid the Rubble: The Resilience of Gaza’s Christian Community
Interviews with Dr. Ronald Boyd-MacMillan, Director of Global Strategy and Research for Global Christian Relief. RBM is one of the world’s experts at reading the

Shifting Sands: How India’s election results redefine the power and the future of religious minorities
Interviews with Dr. Ronald Boyd-MacMillan, Director of Global Strategy and Research for Global Christian Relief. RBM is one of the world’s experts at reading the