23 July 2021 | Forum 18
Belarus
Removal from office of priests considered disloyal to the regime; regime reportedly also seeks to ban prayers for imprisoned opposition activists
"To put the church in its place" (Appeal or News Release, English)
21 July 2021 | Forum 18
Uzbekistan
Imprisoned Muslim man reportedly threatened with torture and denied access to his lawyer; journalists and editors of 2 news websites fined for publishing articles on religious themes without consent of the Religious Affairs Committee
"The regime wants to shut people up" (Appeal or News Release, English)
16 July 2021 | Forum 18
Belarus
Authorities deny right to freedom of religion and belief to political prisoners, including visits by priests, access to religious literature or subscription to religious publications and wearing neck crosses
Political prisoners' freedom of religion or belief restricted (Appeal or News Release, English)
8 July 2021 | Forum 18
Armenia, Azerbaijan
Nagorno Karabakh: Access to Davidank monastery located in territory that fell under Azerbaijani control after October 2020 war denied to Armenian pilgrims since May 2021
"They hold services and pray there, but without a congregation" (Appeal or News Release, English)
5 July 2021 | Forum 18
Uzbekistan
Article on new law on religion; many restrictions including on religious education, sharing beliefs with others, publication of "materials of religious content" and others remain in place
President to sign restrictive new Religion Law? (Appeal or News Release, English)
30 June 2021 | Forum 18
Uzbekistan
Shia muslims blocked from reopening 5 mosques in Bukhara; authorities refuse or ignore applications to register Christian and Jehovah's Witnesses communities; religious law adopted without publishing the final version
Shia mosque reopenings blocked, Religion Law passed with no published text (Appeal or News Release, English)
25 June 2021 | Forum 18
Russian Federation
List of Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims who were given suspended sentences or fines on extremism-related charges since 2017
"Extremist organisations" suspended sentences and fines - list (Appeal or News Release, English)
23 June 2021 | Forum 18
Russian Federation
69 Jehovah's Witnesses were given suspended sentences under "extremism" law since 2017
More "extremist organisation" trial outcomes: suspended sentences, fines (Appeal or News Release, English)
17 June 2021 | Forum 18
Azerbaijan
Restrictive new religion law entered into force, foreseeing greater state control over religious communities
Religion Law amendments "more controlling mechanisms" (Appeal or News Release, English)
16 June 2021 | Forum 18
Azerbaijan
Article on 8 judgements by the European Court on Human Rights (ECtHR) and full list of 9 new cases with regard to freedom of religion and belief
8 new Strasbourg judgments, 9 judgments awaited - list (Appeal or News Release, English)