Positive relationships are key to advancing religious freedom, say Latin American advocatesHigh-level leaders from throughout Latin America discussed principles of religious freedom advocacy during an April 25 panel discussion.Santo Domingo festival caps week-long focus on religious freedom in Dominican RepublicSome 2000 people attended the Third Festival for Religious Freedom in the Dominican Republic on April 28. World Congress reflections: Discrimination and the persecutory impulseGregory W. Hamilton, president of the US-based Northwest Religious Liberty Association, reflects on his experiences at the 7th World Congress for Religious Freedom.‘The end of the 7th World Congress is really a beginning,’ says IRLA presidentDenton Lotz, General Secretary emeritus of the Baptist World Alliance, was one of many men and women honored in the final session of the 7th World CongressBaptist leader foresees growing tension between religious liberty and secularismIt becomes more challenging as society grows increasingly multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural, said Rev. Neville Callam, General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance.Leader of Global Christian Forum draws lesson from story of Anabaptist martyrA commitment to principle over self-interest marks the lives of those persecuted for their faith, says Dr Larry Miller at the 7th World Congress.‘There should be no compulsion with regard to faith,’ says leading Muslim human rights advocateSpeaking to almost 900 attendees at the 7th World Congress for Religious Freedom, Judge D Amjad Shammout gave an Islamic perspective on religious freedomLeading Colombian politician challenges Congress attendees to ‘unite for freedom’“We must remember that without rights there is no freedom, because the human being is a slave to his emotions and passions,” said Senator Charles Schultz.IRLA leaders report on human cost of religious intolerance in Nigeria and North KoreaPresentations paint a disturbing picture but “this is our reality,” say leaders.Laws don’t always tell the full story when it comes to religious freedomReports from four regions highlight difficulties in assessing levels of religious freedom protection.

7th World Congress

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, April 24-26, 2012 Breaking news Daily photo galleries World Congress resources Watch daily videos Media contacts