Third Ecumenical Report on Religious Freedom 2023

Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. Nevertheless, many people worldwide cannot live out their faith freely – including a large number of Christians.

This joint publication of the German Bishops Conference and the Protestant Church in Germany (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland – EKD) underlines the value of religious freedom and shows where it is lacking or at risk. It aims to give information on the current situation, awaken attention for the situation of oppressed and persecuted Christians worldwide, and highlight the points at which (foreign) policy action is needed. 

Risks and challenges

The first part of the document gives a detailed description of the connections between religious freedom and topics like migration, gender, civil society, public safety and indigenous peoples. This makes clear the importance of this fundamental right, where it is jeopardised and the challenges that still have to be met. 

The second part gives examples from different countries in the world that show how restrictions on religious freedom impact on the life of (Christian) believers at the local level. But it also illustrates how – also in liberal constitutional democracies like Denmark or Germany - religious freedom requires protection from being restricted or instrumentalised by right-wing populists and extremists. 
The authors particularly underline that religious freedom always has to be considered in relation to the other human rights. All these rights protect the freedom of all human beings and must not be played off against each other.

Who is this booklet for? 

• pastors
• congregations
• church and non-church educational institutions
• human rights organisations
• conference centres
• universities
• parties
• government representatives
• ministries
• German Foreign Office
• embassies