Faith Must Be a Liberating Force: IARF Statement on the Berlin CSD Attack
IARF condemns the attack near Berlin CSD, mourns those harmed, and affirms faith as a liberating and reconciling force against hatred and collective blame.
Please Sign the Petition for Yezidis in the Netherlands
In recent months, IARF has supported young Yezidis in the Netherlands in their efforts to oppose a recent change in Dutch asylum policy, under which it is now deemed safe for Yezidis and followers of some other minority religions to return to Iraq and resume their previous lives, whereas international organisations and experts say the […]
Spiritual and Religious Journey to Japan
Eleven IARF members from the US, UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany spent two weeks in Japan this May, sharing spiritual encounters, visits to member organisations, and moments of reflection across Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, and Koyasan.
When Wealth Fences in the Sacred
On 5 March, the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) addressed the UN Human Rights Council to highlight a structural failure in many jurisdictions where private property and quiet enjoyment rights are not balanced against the rights of indigenous communities to practice their faith and honor their deceased. The situation is starkly illustrated by the […]
Protecting Ancestral Heritage: IARF Addresses the UN on Indigenous Burial Rights on Private Land
March 5, 2026 — During the ongoing session of the UN Human Rights Council, the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) took the floor to address a critical but often overlooked intersection of human rights: the right of Indigenous Peoples to access and care for their ancestral burial sites when those sites are located on […]
Update from the US Chapter: Concerns Raised Over New “Religious Liberty Commission”
The IARF US Chapter has officially endorsed a lawsuit filed by the Interfaith Alliance challenging the Department of Justice's new "Religious Liberty Commission." Read the full statement from President George Garland regarding concerns over religious bias and the violation of federal law.
Unitarian Beginnings and Heritage in Poland: A Historical Pilgrimage
Dates: May 20–26, 2026 | Location: Poland | Organizer: Polish Unitarian Society & Partners We are pleased to share a unique opportunity for IARF members—particularly those in Europe—to explore the deep roots of liberal religion. This historical study tour is hosted by leaders from the Polish Unitarian Society, a member group of the IARF, in […]
In Memoriam: The Rev. John Clifford
The International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) is deeply saddened to share the news of the death of the Rev. John Clifford. John was a dedicated internationalist, a passionate advocate for peace, and a universally respected leader within the Unitarian movement. His commitment to interfaith understanding and his service to our organization spanned decades, leaving […]
Sit-in Demonstration by Yezidis in The Hague Because of Recent Dutch Policy Change
Young Yezidis are holding a sit-in demonstration this month in front of The Hague Central train station to express their concerns about a recent change in Dutch policy. Under this new policy, the government now considers it generally safe for Yezidis and other religious minority groups to return to Iraq—either to the city of Sinjar […]