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Religious Freedom Russia

Russia persecuting Catholics in Ukraine: Report

Russia is weaponising Orthodox Christianity as part of a genocidal attack on Ukraine, persecuting Catholics, other Christians and other faith communities in the besieged nation, according to a report. Source: OSV News.

Religious Freedom

Warning that tough new hate crime laws could ‘backfire’

Australia’s tough new hate crime laws have received mixed reactions, with one expert from the Australian Catholic University warning it might have the opposite than intended effect. Source: The Catholic Leader.

Politics Religious Freedom

Parliament votes for tougher hate crime laws 

Displaying hate symbols, funding terrorism and terror crimes will now carry mandatory minimum sentences federally after hate crime laws successfully passed Parliament yesterday. Source: News.com.au.

Bishops Interfaith Religious Freedom

Archbishop Costelloe urges Christians to support Jewish Australians

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has urged Christians to actively support and protect Jewish-Australians under attack from “the violent and senseless attitude which goes by the name of anti-Semitism”. Source: The Australian.

Politics Religious Freedom

New push to beef up hate speech laws in wake of anti-Semitic attacks

A new bid to stamp out hate speech would impose criminal penalties on people who promote hatred over race, religion, gender and other factors in a crossbench move challenging Labor and the Coalition to toughen the law. Source: The Age.

Religious Freedom

Catholic Religious Australia condemns anti-Semitic attacks

Catholic Religious Australia is calling on its members to “reach out to the Australian Jewish community in friendship and solidarity” following a series of anti-Semitic attacks across the country.

New South Wales Religious Freedom

Churches warn NSW hate speech laws could have unintended consequences

The Anglican and Catholic churches warn a proposal to criminalise hate speech in New South Wales could have unintended consequences of criminalising expressions of doctrine. Source: Sydney Morning Herald. 

Politics Religious Freedom

New hate-speech laws could be in force within weeks

Hate speech laws criminalising violent threats against racial or religious groups could be in force within weeks, as Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus rejects claims that the Albanese Government’s policies on Israel have fuelled a surge in anti-Semitism. Source: The Age.

New South Wales Religious Freedom

Minns vows crackdown on hate speech in NSW

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says his government will implement law changes to keep the community safe following the latest anti-Semitic attack, including a ban on protests outside religious institutions. Source: Sky News Australia.