Guinée

"Le sud-est de la Guinée est secoué depuis plusieurs jours par des violences inter-ethniques qui ont fait plus de 54 morts, selon une source médicale citée par l'AFP. Les violences, concentrées autour de la ville de N'Zérékoré, près de la frontière ivoirienne, ont opposé depuis dimanche deux ethnies du sud-est de la Guinée, les Guerzé (chrétiens ou animistes) et les Konianké (musulmans)" — Guinée : plus de 50 morts dans des violences inter-ethniques (AFP, Le Monde)

Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée

"La Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée (PNG), pays d'Océanie d'environ 7 millions d'habitants, va lancer une consultation populaire sur la liberté religieuse, afin de déterminer s'il faut interdire les confessions autres que chrétiennes. Une motion proposant ce débat, soumise vendredi 12 juillet, a été adoptée à l'unanimité par le Parlement, selon le site d'informations Pacific Flash" — Le christianisme, bientôt seule religion autorisée en Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée ? (David Métreau, La Vie)

Though religion is quite widespread in Cameroon with Christianity being the most represented, very little research has been carried out on the subject. There has been a remarkable proliferation in religious movements following the advent of Independence. In 1960, most Churches were of foreign origin, established by missionaries. Current statistics show that approximately 65% ​​of the population identify themselves as Christians. Catholics and Protestants considered “traditional” or “classic” trends numerically outnumber all the others. Despite the upsurge of “new Churches”, over the years, the numerical superiority of the established Churches appears to be growing. However, many “new” Churches, belonging mostly to the Pentecostal movement manage to overtake the “senior” traditional Churches thanks to their entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. In doing this, they alert government authorities. Entrepreneurial and innovative spirit may not be the problem, but the methods and their social impact. The purpose of this review is to discuss one aspect of this multiplication despite the tangible tension with administrative authorities.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the European Union and the Council of Europe have become increasingly prominent in the struggle with religious freedom in Europe and beyond. Three recent steps have confirmed the trend, exposing opportunities and liabilities inherent in the rise of European institutions as key actors in the interaction of law, politics, society and religion.

On 24 April 2013, in Strasbourg, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution N. 1928 (2013), ‘Safeguarding human rights in relation to religion and belief, and protecting religious communities from violence’. The Assembly warned against ‘the increasing occurrence of violent attacks against religious communities and individuals throughout the world on the basis of their religion or beliefs’ and noted that ‘there is not only physical, but also psychological violence against persons because of their religion or beliefs’. Representatives of national Parliaments to the Council of Europe therefore condemned ‘such violence in unequivocal terms’ (n. 1). Witnessing the growing conversation between European institutions, the Assembly also called on ‘the European Union, in its political dialogue with non-member countries, to enhance its monitoring of the situation of communities and individuals defined by religion or beliefs’ (n. 14).

Vietnam

"Le vice-Premier ministre Nguyen Xuan Phuc a souligné le rôle important des affaires extérieures en matière de religion dans la diplomatie vietnamienne, ce qui permettra à la communauté internationale de mieux comprendre la vie religieuse au Vietnam et la politique constante du Parti et de l’Etat sur le respect de la liberté de croyance et de religion" — Renforcement des affaires extérieures en matière de religion (VietnamPlus)

Egypte

"Le gouvernement a prêté mardi serment, moins de deux semaines après le renversement par l'armée du président Mohamed Morsi, alors que l'Égypte reste secouée par des violences meurtrières" — Égypte : un gouvernement sans Frères musulmans mais avec trois femmes (AFP, Le Point)

"Les chrétiens d'Égypte accueillent avec joie l'éviction du président Mohamed Morsi, qu'ils accusent d'avoir contribué à leur marginalisation" — Reportage. Égypte : le soulagement des Coptes (Denise Ammoun et Armin Arefi, Le Point)