IARF News Digest

A 2026 analysis of religious freedom infrastructure in Europe reveals a lack of a unified network of envoys across the continent. While high-profile appointments have been made at the EU and Council of Europe levels, most national governments continue to manage religious community relations through existing domestic ministries and administrative bodies.

The Allahabad High Court ruled that claiming any faith is the only true religion constitutes a disparagement of other faiths and is a criminal offense under Section 295A of the IPC in a secular state.

This article profiles the 12th-century mystic Hildegard von Bingen and her relevance to modern liberal thinkers. Researcher Kitty Bouwman discusses Hildegard’s visions, her defiance of medieval gender roles by preaching in public, and her ‘eco-centric’ spirituality. Her theology, which views all creatures as interconnected with divine love, is highlighted as particularly relevant for addressing the current climate crisis.

Seventy faith leaders in Tennessee are opposing legislation that would require the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools, arguing that it infringes on religious freedom and undermines the role of families and religious communities in faith-based education.

This article discusses the historical perspective of James Madison on religious freedom and its implications for modern American governance. It explores Madison’s role in the drafting of the First Amendment and his belief that religious freedom is best secured by respecting diversity and preventing the rise of religious factions in political power.

The Norwegian Centre for Human Rights will host a hybrid book launch on March 10, 2026, for the publication ‘Faith in United Nations Human Rights Treaties’. The book provides legal and religious commentaries on international human rights instruments, featuring contributions from international experts, religious leaders, and UN special rapporteurs to explore the intersection of faith and international law.

An Indiana court has issued a permanent injunction preventing the state from enforcing its near-total abortion ban against plaintiffs whose religious beliefs require abortion access. The ruling found that the ban violates Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and extends protection to all Hoosiers with similar sincerely held religious beliefs.

Psychologist Dave Mullins has launched a new podcast titled ‘Aftercult’ to share his ten-year experience in a Gnostic sect and explore the stories of other survivors of high-control groups. The series delves into the psychological tactics used by charismatic leaders and the long-term struggle for survivors to reclaim their lives and free will after leaving.

Turkish Education Minister Yusuf Tekin has initiated a lawsuit against 168 public figures, including prominent writers and artists, who signed the ‘We Defend Secularism Together’ manifesto. The document criticizes the government’s recent education policies as a ‘pro-sharia siege.’ While the minister claims the suit defends the rights of religious students, critics and opposition figures view the legal action as an attempt to suppress secularist voices and further Islamize the public education system.