PARL World News: December 16, 2022

These news briefs are compiled and shared by the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) as a useful resource for current events.

North American Division – November 20, 2022

NAD released a statement regarding the Respect for Marriage Act, a legislation advanced by the U.S. Senate on November 16, 2022, that addresses state and federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriage. The legislation also includes protections for freedom of religion or belief.

Read the statement at: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/seventh-day-adve...

Philippines – October 27, 2022

An inter-faith lunch was hosted by the Adventist church in the Philippines, where more than 300 pastors from various faith groups gathered to pray and share messages of hope for the world. This initiative reflects the Church’s advocacy to develop positive relations with other religious organizations. Read more here: https://atoday.org/interfaith-lunch-hosted-by-adve...

Global News on Religious Liberty:

Ghana – October 24, 2022

Christian Nationalism threatens human rights in Ghana.

Read more here: https://www.africanliberty.org/2022/11/20/in-ghana...

Algeria – November 4, 2022

USCIRF issued a report on the intersection of laws, religion and politics in recent Algerian history, highlighting the risk it poses to freedom of religion or belief.

Read more at: https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/202211/...

Nigeria – November 14, 2022

The increasing use of blasphemy laws seriously threatens religious freedom or belief, USCIRF warns. Reports show that blasphemy laws are often discriminatory and undermine the use of societal respect for interfaith tolerance in Nigeria.

Read more here: https://baptistnews.com/article/uscirf-warns-of-da...

A Nigerian musician, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, was sentenced to death for musical blasphemy. Sharif Aminu is now challenging blasphemy laws by appealing at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Blasphemy laws violate not only international law but also the Nigerian constitution.

Read more at: https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/11/song-lyrics...

Indonesia - November 15, 2022

Religious freedom issues were raised at the UN in Geneva. Reports show a rise in religious intolerance and attacks on religious minorities and on places of worship.

Read more at https://hrwf.eu/indonesia-religious-freedom-issues...

Iran – November 15, 2022

USCIRF condemns Iran’s death sentences for protesters asserting religious freedom and other rights. Read more at: https://www.uscirf.gov/release-statements/uscirf-c...

India – November 22, 20222

USCIRF issued a report investigating how Indian policies are cultivating an increasingly hostile environment for religious minorities in the country.

Read more at: https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2022%20...

Nicaragua

Christian religious freedom is in danger in Nicaragua, USCIRF reports.

Read more at: https://www.heritage.org/religious-liberty/comment... and https://www.uscirf.gov/events/hearings/crackdown-r...