Human rights

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Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gestures while speaking to the media a day after she won the 12th parliamentary elections in Dhaka on Jan. 8, 2024.

Catholic bishop calls Sheikh Hasina death sentence ‘one-sided’ and ‘abuse of power’

Nov 17, 2025

By Stephan Uttom Rozario

A Catholic bishop has criticized Sheikh Hasina’s death sentence as politically motivated, calling it an abuse of power that violates... Read more

A roadside wooden crucifix in Bavaria.

Violence against Christians rises sharply across Europe, report warns

Nov 17, 2025

By Alexander Folz

A new report by OIDAC Europe documents 2,211 anti-Christian hate crimes across Europe in 2024, including a sharp spike in... Read more

Cardinal Michael Felix Czerny, SJ, head of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, visits a stall of Caritas Bangladesh on Nov. 4, 2025, in Dhaka.

Bangladesh’s Indigenous Catholics seek support of the Church

Nov 6, 2025

By Stephan Uttom Rozario

Indigenous Catholic leaders in Bangladesh called for stronger Church advocacy to protect their rights and land during the justice commission’s... Read more

2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado.

Venezuelan opposition leader receives 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

Oct 10, 2025

By Andrés Henríquez

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. Read more

A plane drops food aid over Rafah, in southern Gaza, in August 2025.

Hundreds of Italian priests condemn what they say is ‘genocide’ happening in Gaza

Sep 15, 2025

By Elias Turk

More than 550 priests from 21 countries have united to “support Christian communities in the Holy Land and denounce every... Read more

Marta Petrosillo, editor-in-chief of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Religious Freedom Report.

Aug. 22 observance shines light on religious freedom; report editor notes worsening trend

Aug 22, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief highlights the global rise in... Read more

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CNA explains: How the Catholic view of human rights developed

Jun 24, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

The concept of human rights within Catholic teaching is not a recent addition but rather has roots extending back to... Read more

Jimmy Lai’s wife, Teresa (left), and retired Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun arrive at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts to attend Hong Kong activist publisher Lai’s national security trial in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024.

Jimmy Lai takes the stand in yearslong Hong Kong national security trial

Nov 20, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Catholic pro-democracy and human rights activity Jimmy Lai took the stand Wednesday arguing in his own defense against allegations of... Read more

Adam Smith-Connor on Oct. 16, 2024, was found guilty of praying silently outside of an abortion clinic, with the pro-life advocate facing a near-$12,000 fine over the verdict. 

British army veteran convicted of praying silently near abortion clinic

Oct 16, 2024

By Daniel Payne

A British army veteran and Christian has been found guilty of praying silently outside of an abortion clinic, facing an... Read more

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin attends a plenary session at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Burgenstock resort near Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 16, 2024.

Parolin: International human rights conventions must be safeguarded in Russia-Ukraine war

Sep 18, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Cardinal Pietro Parolin thanked Russia human rights commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova for her role in securing the June 28 release of... Read more

Vienna skyline with St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, Austria.

EU watchdog reports alarming rise in Christian persecution, calls for protections

Aug 22, 2024

By Kristina Millare

The Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe has reported an increase in anti-Christian hate crimes by... Read more

The German Parliament building in Berlin.

‘Black day for democracy’: German pro-lifers condemn ‘censorship zones’

Jul 8, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The proposed Pregnancy Conflict Act claims to protect pregnant women from what supporters call “sidewalk harassment” by pro-life activists. Read more

A bronze sculpture of St. Josephine Bakhita, patron of trafficking victims.

Today begins week of reflection prior to the International Day of Prayer against Trafficking

Feb 2, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The day will be held on Feb. 8, the feast of St. Bakhita, a symbol in the Church of the... Read more

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Investment firm develops Catholic faith-aligned 401(k) plan

Jan 1, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

A Denver-based investment firm is working to develop a 401(k) retirement plan that filters out stocks that promote behavior in... Read more

More than 200 world leaders at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Nov. 18, 2023, signed the “New York Commitment,” which seeks to restore the original meaning of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the occasion the 75th anniversary of its proclamation.

World leaders seek to restore original meaning of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Nov 20, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The fifth Transatlantic Summit organized by The Political Network for Values (PNfV) last week brought together more than 200 leaders... Read more

The Romeike family fled from Germany in order to homeschool their children, and now faces deportation from the U.S.

Congress members urge DOJ to reject deportation of German family who sought asylum in US

Oct 6, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Romeikes were granted deferred action status in 2013 after conflicts with the German government about home-schooling their children. Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matalgalpa, Nicaragua.

Imprisoned Nicaraguan bishop nominated for European Parliament human rights award

Sep 25, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The European Parliament announced the nominees for the 2023 Sakharov Prize, which honors persons and organizations who defend human rights... Read more

An undated ID photo of journalist Evan Gershkovich.

24-hour read-a-thon highlights wrongful detention of WSJ journalist Evan Gerschkovich

Jul 19, 2023

By Zoe Romanowsky

Journalists, as well as family and friends, are gathering in D.C., London, and Singapore to highlight the unjust arrest of... Read more

Photo from a scene in "Sound of Freedom," released in theaters on July 4, 2023.

‘Sound of Freedom’ makes history at the box office

Jul 18, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The independent, crowd-sourced film that no major studio wanted to touch continues to over-perform thanks to the support of millions. Read more

The Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, which houses the meeting room of the U.N. Human Rights Council.

UN human rights council passes religious hatred resolution amid U.S., European opposition

Jul 12, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The resolution urges member states to more aggressively prosecute acts of religious-based antagonism.  Read more