human rights

UN marks International Day for victims of religious violence and persecution

Victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief are commemorated each year on 22 August internationally through a day established by the United Nations. The observance provides an opportunity to express solidarity with people affected by religious persecution and discrimination and to reaffirm the need to protect every person’s right to manifest their…

Aug 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania Marks First National Day of Remembrance for Victims of 1990 Mineriad

Romania on Monday marked for the first time the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the June 13–15, 1990 Mineriad and Anti-Democratic Repression, according to the national news agency Agerpres. The observance was established under Law No. 93/2026, promulgated on June 10 by Romania’s president, the Presidential Administration said in a press release.…

Jun 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Over 5 billion live under religious discrimination, interfaith dialogue seen as remedy

More than two-thirds of the world’s population lives in countries where religious freedom is restricted or violated, according to a 2025 report published by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN International). The document notes that interreligious dialogue and cooperation between communities can help reduce discrimination and promote social peace. Analysing the situation in 196…

Jan 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Blessed are the persecuted: May 14 – Remembrance Day for Communist Prisons Victims

On Wednesday, Romania commemorates the Day of Remembrance for the Martyrs of Communist Prisons, established by the Romanian Parliament in 2017, in honour of those who lost their lives due to inhumane treatment and torture in communist-era prisons. Those arrested by the communist regime were not only former politicians but also wealthy peasants, intellectuals, students,…

May 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Republic of Moldova establishes “Council of Memory” to commemorate victims of communist repression

The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and Research of Moldova have recently established the “Council of Memory,” a consultative body dedicated to honouring the victims of political repression under the totalitarian communist regime (1917-1990). The founding order was signed on February 7 by Ministers Sergiu Prodan and Dan Perciun, aiming to contribute…

Feb 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Spanish Interfaith Dialogue Commission Opposes Repeal of Law Protecting Religious Sentiments

The Interfaith Dialogue Commission of Spain issued a statement on Tuesday expressing its disapproval of the proposed repeal of the law criminalizing offences against religious sentiments in Spain’s Penal Code. Among its members was His Grace Bishop Timotei, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Spain and Portugal. Concerns Over Legal Reform Religious representatives’ concerns arose after…

Dec 12, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolitan Petru urges respect for all born and unborn children in his Christmas encyclical

“The Church defends the unborn life because it looks with love to every woman who must give birth to children,” Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia notes in his Christmas encyclical. “God’s sign is the child,” His Eminence explains referring to the sign promised by God to the Prophet Isiah and by the angels to the shepherds.…

Jan 7, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania calls for Church-State co-responsibility and cooperation to avoid excessive measures

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania has urged co-responsibility and cooperation between the Church and the Romanian State after the pilgrimage to Iasi for the feast of Saint Parascheva was banned for non-locals. Call for co-responsibility and cooperation to avoid excessive constraints: full text The Romanian Patriarchate expresses its full solidarity with all Orthodox believers…

Oct 9, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan warns against religious freedom violations as only locals can venerate relics of St. Parascheva

Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina has warned against the violation of religious freedom rights as authorities decided that only people domiciled in Iași are allowed to enter the Metropolitan Cathedral and venerate the holy relics of Saint Parascheva. “Moldavia is currently living one of the saddest periods in its history.” The Metropolitan released a…

Oct 9, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: It is essential to multiply palliative care institutions

“It is essential to multiply palliative care institutions, not only in urban areas but also in rural areas. We have a very modern palliative care centre here in Bucharest, but it is too small. There is one in Cluj, there are still attempts here and there, but every diocese must have at least one palliative…

Oct 2, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu