Quebec court upholds law restricting public officials from wearing religious symbols
The Quebec Court of Appeal upheld Bill 21 on Thursday, the province’s secularism law, which restricts certain public officials from wearing religious symbols while performing their duties. This decision is the latest in a series of legal challenges and discussions surrounding the law since its introduction in June 2019. The court’s ruling specifically addressed the [...]
India court grants bail to journalist jailed under controversial law
The Allahabad High Court Friday granted bail to Kerala-based journalist Siddique Kappan in the case concerning the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Kappan has been in custody since September 9 under the PMLA case and was earlier detained for more than 700 days under the controversial Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) law. Siddique was arrested [...]
India increasingly arrests, rarely convicts under controversial laws, report shows
The Hindu Saturday published its data analysis report on the growing number of cases under three statutes: the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code, aimed promoting enmity between religious groups. The data reflects that, between 2018 and2020, 4,690 individuals were arrested [...]
Over 160 organizations call on DHS to end religious discrimination at US border
Over 160 organizations Monday sent a letter to Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas calling for the end of religious discrimination against Sikh migrants at US border crossing points. The letter was signed by the Sikh Coalition, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona (ACLU-AZ) and the American Civil Liberties Union [...]
French Muslims are in the process of reconciling with the Fifth Republic of France, established with the 1958 Constitution, which declares France to be a secular state. In the past thirty years, secular issues have fractured social order as Muslim women, born and raised in France, wish to wear the hijab (headscarf) in schools and [...]
Human rights report finds persistent persecution of the non-religious
A report by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has found that atheists and other non-religious persons suffer persecution and discrimination all over the world, and that prosecutions of blasphemy have risen...
