Religious freedom

Latest decisions

1. Ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre

   Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the massacre in Kawel village, Nigeria, and the ongoing persecution of Christians there. It calls on the Nigerian Government to investigate and prosecute those responsible and to reinforce counter-terrorism operations, including against Fulani militants. Parliament also urges Nigeria to address the situation of internally displaced persons and asks the EU Special Envoy for freedom of religion to pay attention to the issue.

   Foreign affairs

   9 Jul 2026 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 19 ballots · voted 13:40 · B-10-2026-0356 · 2026/2800

   Adopted 510–1–86 · by an overwhelming majority
2. The abduction, forced conversion and child marriage of Maria Shahbaz and the protection of girls in Pakistan

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the abduction, forced conversion and child marriage of Maria Shahbaz, a 13-year-old Christian girl from Lahore, and on the protection of girls in Pakistan. The text condemns these practices, calls on Pakistani authorities to protect Maria, investigate her case, and prosecute perpetrators, and welcomes the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026. It urges other provinces to adopt similar laws, asks for a national complaint mechanism, and calls on the EU and member states to raise the issue in bilateral dialogues, including GSP+ monitoring.

   Foreign affairsJobs, social affairs & equality

   9 Jul 2026 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 13 ballots · voted 13:44 · B-10-2026-0351 · 2026/2801

   Adopted no count published
3. Targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and foreign Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the expulsion of foreign journalists and Christians from Türkiye on national security grounds. The text calls on Türkiye to halt deportation proceedings against Iranian journalist Kaveh Taheri and to stop using security codes against foreign nationals without transparent justification. It also asks the Commission to raise these cases with Turkish authorities and affirms support for freedom of religion.

   Foreign affairs

   12 Feb 2026 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 15 ballots · voted 12:17 · B-10-2026-0134 · 2026/2613

   Adopted 502–2–59 · by an overwhelming majority
4. Escalating repression of the Baha’is in Iran

   Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Iran's escalating repression of religious and ethnic minorities, including the Baha'is. The text demands that Iran overturn convictions of specific Baha'is, halt property seizures, and repeal the "Baha'i Question" memorandum. It also urges the EU and member states to raise these issues with Iran and support UN monitoring mechanisms.

   Foreign affairsJobs, social affairs & equality

   27 Nov 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 12 ballots · voted 12:04 · B-10-2025-0528 · 2025/2987

   Adopted 549–7–31 · by an overwhelming majority
5. Urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus

   Parliament adopted a resolution condemning all violent attacks in Syria, notably those targeting ethnic and religious groups, and expressing solidarity with victims. It calls on all actors to cease violence, respect international law, and urges Syrian interim authorities to investigate acts of violence and protect all Syrians regardless of ethnicity or religion. Parliament reiterates that Syria is not safe for refugee returns and welcomes EU sanctions relief and humanitarian aid, while urging support for Syrian civil society.

   Foreign affairsJobs, social affairs & equality

   10 Jul 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 27 ballots · voted 13:07 · B-10-2025-0335 · 2025/2798

   Adopted 625–7–10 · by an overwhelming majority
6. Violations of religious freedom in Tibet

   Parliament adopted a resolution on violations of religious freedom in Tibet, expressing concern over the death of Tibetan Buddhist leader Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche and the abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama. The resolution condemns Chinese policies in Tibet, including restrictions on religious expression and forced assimilation, and calls for targeted EU sanctions against Chinese officials. It also urges respect for Tibetan cultural and religious freedoms and supports the Tibetan community's right to appoint its own religious leaders.

   Foreign affairs

   8 May 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 8 ballots · voted 13:08 · B-10-2025-0259 · 2025/2692

   Adopted 478–30–41 · by an overwhelming majority
7. Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security

   Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the terrorist attacks and targeted killings of Christians by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It calls for those responsible to be referred to the International Criminal Court and for an international commission of inquiry into human rights violations. Parliament supports joint counter-terrorism efforts and urges the EU to help trace funds and raw materials linked to the ADF.

   Foreign affairs

   3 Apr 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 27 ballots · voted 13:37 · B-10-2025-0215 · 2025/2612

   Adopted no count published
8. Repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular

   Parliament adopted a resolution condemning systematic human rights violations by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, including persecution of the Catholic Church, and rejecting the 2025 constitutional reform as regressive. The text calls on the EU and member states to ensure human rights guarantees for funds, support opposition and civil society in exile, and open International Criminal Court investigations into crimes against humanity. It also demands triggering the Association Agreement's democratic clause, expanding sanctions to Ortega and his circle, and forwarding the resolution to EU bodies and international partners.

   Foreign affairs

   13 Feb 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 10 ballots · voted 12:39 · B-10-2025-0126 · 2025/2547

   Adopted no count published
9. Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the detention and death penalty risk for individuals charged with blasphemy in Nigeria, focusing on the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu. The resolution calls on Nigerian authorities to release Sharif-Aminu, ensure his proper treatment, and repeal blasphemy laws, including the death penalty. It also urges a moratorium on executions, condemns mob violence, and asks the Commission and member states to raise the case with Nigerian authorities.

   Foreign affairs

   13 Feb 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 11 ballots · voted 12:40 · B-10-2025-0104 · 2025/2548

   Adopted no count published
10. The cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas

    Parliament adopted a resolution on the cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas. The text calls for their immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of other arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, lawyers, and intellectuals. It also urges China to close all detention camps, respect religious freedom, and urges the Council to continue imposing human rights sanctions on officials involved in abuses.

    Foreign affairs

    10 Oct 2024 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 9 ballots · voted 13:23 · B-10-2024-0118 · 2024/2857

    Adopted 540–23–47 · by an overwhelming majority

Dossiers involved · latest vote first

1. 2026/2800 Ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre 9 Jul 2026 · 1 vote
2. 2026/2801 The abduction, forced conversion and child marriage of Maria Shahbaz and the protection of girls in Pakistan 9 Jul 2026 · 1 vote
3. 2026/2613 Targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and foreign Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts 12 Feb 2026 · 1 vote
4. 2025/2987 Escalating repression of the Baha’is in Iran 27 Nov 2025 · 1 vote
5. 2025/2798 Urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus 10 Jul 2025 · 1 vote
6. 2025/2692 Violations of religious freedom in Tibet 8 May 2025 · 1 vote
7. 2025/2612 Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security 3 Apr 2025 · 1 vote
8. 2025/2547 Repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular 13 Feb 2025 · 1 vote
9. 2025/2548 Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu 13 Feb 2025 · 1 vote
10. 2024/2857 The cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas 10 Oct 2024 · 1 vote

Who backs what

How each group's majority voted on the 6 most recent final roll calls about Religious freedom. A group is "split" when no position won among its members.

The latest final votes, group by group

✦ This theme was found by a model reading the decisions; the list of decisions, the counts and the group lines are computed from the record. Wrongly filed decisions can be reported to the site's maintainer.