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EU Parliament Working Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief Report 2013

Conclusions and Recommendations regarding freedom of religion or belief in the world.

Direct Link to Full 24-Page Report:

http://www.religiousfreedom.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/EPWG-2013-Report-Final-for-printing.pdf

This report takes stock of developments regarding religious freedom and concludes that this human right is increasingly violated, around the globe. The report proposes to give the promotion of religious freedom a more prominent place in EU foreign policy. It furthermore makes recommendations for EU action in case of fifteen countries where the situation is particularly dire.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................................................... 2

FOREWORD............................................................................................................................................. 3

INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................... 4

METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................................................... 4

1. KEY CONCERNS.................................................................................................................................... 5

1.1 Intimidation, discrimination, violence and lack of state protection.......................................... 5

1.2 Denial of freedom to change or leave one's religion or belief .................................................. 8

1.3 Denial of freedom to worship, alone or in community with others.......................................... 9

1.4 Denial of freedom to teach, promote, and publicly express religion or belief........................ 10

1.5 Persecution under blasphemy and defamation of religions laws ........................................... 11

1.6 Denial of the right to conscientious objection......................................................................... 11

1.7 State violations: eradication policies ....................................................................................... 12

2. FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF IN EU FOREIGN POLICY ............................................................. 14

2.1 FoRB and the external relations of the EU............................................................................... 14

2.2 European External Action Service (EEAS) ................................................................................ 14

2.3 Strategic Framework Action Plan on Human Rights and FoRB................................................ 14

2.4 EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief ................ 15

2.5 European Parliament monitoring role..................................................................................... 15

2.6 European Parliament Working Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief ................................ 15

3. RECOMMENDATIONS........................................................................................................................ 17

3.1 Institutional recommendations ............................................................................................... 17

3.2 Country-specific recommendations......................................................................................... 18