Statement by Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz on Catholic Magazines – Another Step Toward Discrimination Against People of Faith On March 14, a press briefing was held with the participation of Minister Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz1. The briefing concerned the recently published list of magazines that will receive funding from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. During the briefing, […]

Pilgrimage and Religious Freedom: Integration and Tensions Pilgrimage as a unique form of movement—both physical and spiritual—symbolizes a journey toward the source of values, order, the search for meaning, and the integration of a community in spiritual unity. In this sense, pilgrimages often unite local communities, strengthen social bonds, and constitute an affirmation of religious […]

Religious Freedom Lab in the Croatian Parliament: „Europe Sees a Rise in Hate Crimes Against People of Faith” Although it was expected that Europe would move in a unified direction regarding the protection and respect for religious freedom, it appears to be heading in a different, undesirable direction. This could be one of the conclusions […]

Religious Holidays and Ideological Neutrality Long before Christmas, long before Advent, and recently even before All Saints' Day celebrated on November 1st, holiday decorations referencing Christmas began appearing in many stores. They typically disappear quickly once the gift-buying season is over, thus revealing their commercial character, which we have probably already grown accustomed to and […]

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief On 22 August, the agendas of many countries and international organizations remind us of the victims of violence motivated by religion or belief. This day is observed as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion […]

Hate speech is a pervasive phenomenon in all societies around the world. The countries of the European Union are particularly sensitive to it and strive to influence the prevention and spread of hate speech through legislation and education. As the youngest member of the European Union (with harmonized laws with the European Union - also […]

Abstract: The COVID pandemic has created novel legal issues involving the interplay between a government’s legitimate aim in promoting and safeguarding public health and its obligation to respect religious freedom. Never in the history of the modern Human Rights era have governments, or the courts, had to deal with the balancing of these competing interests […]

From ‘Je suis Charlie’ to the ‘Phobic’ Hysteria. Paradoxes of Free Speech Abstract: In recent years, we have witnessed a striking contrast in the protection of freedom of expression. On the one hand, it is not uncommon to claim that insult or blasphemy are legitimate and genuine aspects of free speech as a fundamental right. […]

Abstract: Violations of religious freedom are increasing dramatically across the globe. Yet, the voices of those victimized by acts of religious bias are often unheard in western discourse. This paper brings visibility to an issue of critical importance to many vulnerable people, specifically Christians and other people of faith who experience acts of intolerance, hate, […]

Abstract: How did we arrive at this point in our thinking about religious freedom? Why are our public debates on such topics so rarely fruitful and so often hostile, especially in a time of pandemic? I will tell a crucial chapter of that history. Seventeenth-century Europe was an age of epidemics and religiously-based persecution, yet […]