First International Day For Victims of Anti-Religious Violence

Yesterday was the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, as created by a United Nations Resolution (full text) adopted earlier this year. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a statement (full text), saying in part:

Commemorating victims of violence based on religion or belief is critical, but that’s only the beginning of the world’s work to achieve justice for the survivors of past tragedies, like the genocide of Yazidis, Christians and Shi’a Muslims in Iraq by ISIS...

White House Expresses Concern Over Religious Violence In Central African Republic

The White House Press Secretary yesterday released a statement regarding religious violence in the Central African Republic (full text), saying in part:

The United States is extremely concerned about recent attacks against civilian centers, including Tuesday’s attack on a Christian church in the Fatima neighborhood of Bangui and the retaliatory attacks on Muslim community members.  We urge Central African Republic (CAR) government officials to provide safety and security for all of its citizens, regardless of faith.  CAR’s security forces must be professional in the face of ongoing security challenges.

New York Times has coverage of the violence.

India Supreme Court Orders Protection For Inter-Religious Marriages

In Vahini v. Union of India, (India Sup. Ct., March 27, 2018), a 3-judge panel of the India Supreme Court in a 54-page opinion ordered India's central government and its state governments to take various measures to prevent assemblies of Khap Panchayats -- community assemblies that decide to take steps to prevent inter-caste or inter-religious marriages through violence or honor killing. The court ordered state governments to identify areas where honor killings or Khap Pahchayats have been reported in the last 5 years, and take special steps in those areas.  Authorities are to warn against action when they receive a tip.  The court went on:

Despite taking such measures, if the meeting is conducted, the Deputy Superintendent of Police shall personally remain present during the meeting and impress upon the assembly that no decision can be taken to cause any harm to the couple or the family members of the couple, failing which each one participating in the meeting besides the organisers would be personally liable for criminal prosecution. He shall also ensure that video recording of the discussion and participation of the members of the assembly is done on the basis of which the law enforcing machinery can resort to suitable action....

Despite the preventive measures taken by the State Police, if it comes to the notice of the local police that the Khap Panchayat has taken place and it has passed any diktat to take action against a couple/family of an inter-caste or inter-religious marriage (or any other marriage which does not meet their acceptance), the jurisdictional police official shall cause to immediately lodge an F.I.R. under the appropriate provisions of the Indian Penal Code....

Additionally, immediate steps should be taken to provide security to the couple/family and, if necessary, to remove them to a safe house within the same district or elsewhere keeping in mind their safety and threat perception.

India Today reports on the decision.

Congressional Commission Holds Hearings on Countering Religious Violence

On May 24, the U.S. House of Representatives Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission held a hearing on Freedom of Belief: Countering Religious Violence.  A video of the hearing and transcripts of prepared remarks of members and witnesses are available on the Committee's website.