Italy: Council for Religious Freedom Calls for Stronger Global Protection of Persecuted Christians

The Italian Council of Religious Freedom held a press conference titled “Religious Freedom and Persecuted Christians in the World” at the Italian Parliament in Rome on November 18.

The event was jointly organized by the Commission for Foreign and Community Affairs, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Italy, and the Italian Roundtable on Religious Freedom or Belief. It highlighted the urgent need to defend religious freedom worldwide, especially where Christians face persecution.

Shahid Mobeen, President of the Italian Roundtable on Religious Freedom or Belief, said their mission focuses on raising awareness and working with civil institutions to protect communities whose right to religious freedom is most violated. He stressed that Italy can play a leading international role through its foreign policy and economic relations.

Presenting ACN’s latest report, Mobeen noted that 413 million Christians live in countries with severe restrictions on religious freedom, and 220 million face direct persecution. He called for a stronger and sustained commitment to defending this right, as guaranteed by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Mobeen proposed four key actions:

1.      Italy’s formal membership in the International Alliance for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IRFBA).

2.      Creation of a national body to monitor global religious freedom violations.

3.      At least two annual fact-finding missions to countries where religious freedom is denied.

4.      Scholarships for Christian students in minority contexts, where discrimination in education and employment remains widespread.

Vice president of the Commission of the Foreign and Community affairs in Italy, Paolo Formentini highlighted the Italian government’s ongoing efforts, including the Fund for Christian Minorities, and urged Parliament to strengthen its commitment to persecuted Christians.

Dr. Sandra Sarti, President of ACN Italy, stressed the importance of collaboration between institutions and civil society, noting that the latest ACN report shows “alarming” levels of violations worldwide.

The Italian Council for Religious Freedom or Belief brings together various civil society groups and Church organizations, including ACN, the Association of Pakistani Christians in Italy, the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Oasis International Foundation, and Pro Terra Sancta.