Country information
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Here you can find links to organisations that provide information about the state of freedom of religion or belief in particular countries and regions. Reliable information and analysis is an essential foundation for promoting the right, as is a good understanding of the wider human rights situation in the country or region concerned.
Advice on choosing sources
When you look for information, remember that it is impossible to understand the situation of one group without understanding their wider context, including how other belief groups are affected. There are no countries where the rights of only one belief group are violated. In all cases multiple groups are affected, in different ways and to different degrees. This doesn't mean that you should disregard reliable sources that focus on one group - but that you should read more than one source about more than one group.
Think critically!
When reading information, be aware of the risk of propaganda and bias. Some governments obstruct human rights monitoring and reporting, using propaganda, intimidation and coercion. Information from national governments about their own country situation may therefore be unreliable. Sometimes information provided by foreign governments or religious and civil society actors can also be biased or misleading. Sometimes there is intentional political bias. Often a misleading impression of the situation as a whole is the unintentional result of focusing on one group alone. Use a variety of sources and think critically!
Sources focusing on FORB for all and multiple countries
Here are some of the sources available that provide original reporting on freedom of religion or belief for all in a range of countries.
The inclusion of a link to a website maintained by a national government in no way implies any support of or endorsement by this learning platform and its partners of the policies and actions of that government.
Advice on choosing sources
When you look for information, remember that it is impossible to understand the situation of one group without understanding their wider context, including how other belief groups are affected. There are no countries where the rights of only one belief group are violated. In all cases multiple groups are affected, in different ways and to different degrees. This doesn't mean that you should disregard reliable sources that focus on one group - but that you should read more than one source about more than one group.
Think critically!
When reading information, be aware of the risk of propaganda and bias. Some governments obstruct human rights monitoring and reporting, using propaganda, intimidation and coercion. Information from national governments about their own country situation may therefore be unreliable. Sometimes information provided by foreign governments or religious and civil society actors can also be biased or misleading. Sometimes there is intentional political bias. Often a misleading impression of the situation as a whole is the unintentional result of focusing on one group alone. Use a variety of sources and think critically!
Sources focusing on FORB for all and multiple countries
Here are some of the sources available that provide original reporting on freedom of religion or belief for all in a range of countries.
The inclusion of a link to a website maintained by a national government in no way implies any support of or endorsement by this learning platform and its partners of the policies and actions of that government.
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FORB in a wide range of countries Country visit reports by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief |
FORB in countries with serious violations The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom’s annual report. |
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Minority rights (including FORB) worldwide Minority Rights Group focus on religious and ethnic minorities worldwide. They run the Minority Voices Newsroom, an online multimedia library where people can share their stories online. |
FORB in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Russia, Belarus and Crimea, with occasional analyses on Turkey Forum 18 provides original monitoring and analysis of FORB violations against people of all faiths and none. |
FORB in the 57 participating States of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) U.S. Commission on Security and Co-operation in Europe's web page on FORB. |
Sources providing original monitoring and analysis on specific countries or groups
The following sources provide information about particular groups or countries. We have chosen to limit our selection to organisations carrying out original research and analysis, rather than those who report the research of others.
Missing information about a particular group or country? Send us tips of reliable information sources to share with others!
The following sources provide information about particular groups or countries. We have chosen to limit our selection to organisations carrying out original research and analysis, rather than those who report the research of others.
Missing information about a particular group or country? Send us tips of reliable information sources to share with others!
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Christian Solidarity Worldwide CSW report on a number of countries. Their reporting has a predominant, but not exclusive focus on the situation of Christians. Burma Human Rights Network Original research and reporting, with a particular focus on the situation of Muslims in Burma. International Human Rights Committee An organisation devoted to highlighting the situation of Ahmadis around the world. Open Doors Analytical On the reports page of this website you'll find the World Watch List reports along with country reports from Open Doors, an organisation that focuses solely on Christians. Password: freedom (shown here with permission) |
International Humanist and Ethical Union IHEU publish an annual Freedom of Thought Report focusing on the situation of secularists, humanists and atheists. Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Research on Christians in the Middle East (in German). Jehovahs Witnesses International News reporting on legal developments affecting JWs, such as imprisonments, banning of literature and conscientious objection to military service. |
Shia Rights Watch Reporting on the situation of Shia Muslims around the world. World Watch Monitor News reporting that presents the stories of Christians around the world under pressure for their faith. Middle East Concern MEC report on and work for the rights of Christians in the Middle East, including Christians with a Muslim background. World Evangelical Alliance Reports to United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms in Geneva from The World Evangelical Alliance, a voice for national evangelical alliances worldwide. |