July 17, 2003

Human Rights group criticizes religious freedom violations in France

During a press conference on July 17, 2003, Aaron Rhodes, President of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, presented a report on violations of religious freedom within member states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The IHF report states that some countries limit religious freedom and justify discrimination against religious minorities through nationalism and intolerance. France and Belgium are targeted for having published in the 1990s lists of religious organizations categorized derogatorily, even though their activities have been peaceful and legal.