Religion and the Rule of Law Certificate Training Program
2019-11-04 - 2019-11-10 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Religious Freedom, the Secular State, and Human Dignity: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Chile's Religion Law
2019-11-04 - 2019-11-06 | Santiago, Chile

Fifth Annual Southeast Asia Freedom of Religion or Belief (SEAFoRB) Conference
2019-11-04 15:00 - 2019-11-06 00:00 (America/Denver) | DC
The fifth annual Southeast Asia Freedom of Religion or Belief Conference will take place in Bangkok, Thailand.

Conference at the Religious Freedom Institute
2019-11-08 15:00 - 2019-11-10 00:00 | DC
The conference will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Council of Experts Review on Uzbekistan's Draft Law on Freedom of Conference and Religious Organizations
2019-11-09 15:00 - 2019-11-10 00:00 | DC

ICLARS Book Launch
2019-11-10 15:00 - 2019-11-14 00:00 | DC
The book launch will take place in Rehovot, Israel.

Second Caribbean Symposium on Religious Freedom
2019-11-12 - 2019-11-14 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Lecture: Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land: The Hebrew Bible in the United States
2019-11-19 20:00 - 21:00 | DC
Join us on Tuesday, November 19 to hear Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, Director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University in New York City, speak on the recent publication, Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land: The Hebrew Bible in the United States.
From the abstract:
Turning to the Hebrew Bible for inspiration, solidarity, comfort, and purpose, as the members of the First Continental Congress did, is a common theme in American history. In fact, one cannot understand the American political tradition without understanding America’s relationship with the Five Books of Moses. This sourcebook assembles the primary sources of American public history and allows the reader to hear the Hebraic echoes that have formed the cultural vocabulary of the Puritan settlers, revolutionaries, African slaves, leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, and the broader population.
The lecture will be held on Tuesday the 19th at 1:00 pm in the 3rd floor assembly hall of the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center. The lecture is sponsored by the International Center for Law and Religion Studies. Learn more about the book and Rabbi Dr. Soloveichik here.

Secularism and Secularity Conference and Book Launch
2019-12-05 15:00 - 2019-12-09 00:00 | DC
The conference and book launch will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Call for Papers: Human Dignity and Human Rights – Christian Perspectives and Practices: A Focus on Constitutional and International Law
2019-12-10 - 2019-12-11 | New Orleans, LA, United States
For a full description of the project, please read the full document: https://www.iclrs.org/app/uploads/2019/09/Christian-Perspectives-on-Human-Dignity-and-Human-Rights.pdf
The organizers invite scholars at any level of their careers to submit an abstract of no more than 300-words and one-page CV by December 10, 2019 to andrea.pin@unipd.it (Andrea Pin) AND dmtr.vovk@gmail.com (Dmytro Vovk). The abstract should address at least one of the following topics:
– Christian views on human dignity and human rights, also vis-à-vis other competing ideals;
– Secular translations of Christian values;
– The participation of Christians in the public discourse, in the political process, and in judicial litigation;
– Christian views on pluralism and reconciliation of disagreement;
– Christianity, rights and social welfare;
– The relationship between individual and group rights and duties according to Christian doctrines;
– Human dignity, people’s dignity, and state sovereignty in the light of Christian thinking;
– Inter-Christian dialogue and cooperation in promoting Christian legal doctrines;
Abstract proposals should develop themes against the backdrop of constitutional and internationallaw. Normative, comparative, and descriptive approaches are equally welcome.
Selections will be made by January 10, 2020. The authors of the accepted proposals will be invited to present at a workshop in Christ Church (Oxford, UK) during the last week of July 2020 (exact dates will be announced later), with the view of seeking later publication of the presented papers.
The International Center for Law and Religion Studies will cover travel and accommodation costs of presenters.

Religion and Rule of Law Certificate Training Program
2019-12-10 15:00 - 2019-12-14 00:00 | DC
The training program will take place in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Conference: South Africa Commission on Culture, Religion, and Language
2020-01-19 15:00 - 2020-01-23 00:00 | Durham, South Africa

A Discussion on the new publication "Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: Policy Guidance”
2020-02-10 15:30 - 22:00 | DC
On February 10th, the Brigham Young University Law School’s International Center for Law and Religion Studies, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and the Technology, Law and Security Program at American University Washington College of Law co-sponsored a one-day discussion on the ODIHR new publication “Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: Policy Guidance.” The event, held at American University in Washington, D.C., included members of government, academics with expertise in this area, and representatives of the ODIHR. Discussion focused on two specific parts of the “Policy Guidance” – Section 4.2. dealing with “’Extremist’ speech and literature and security” and Section 4.3. concerning “Screening, monitoring and searches in places of worship and meeting places and security.” After lively discussion and debate amongst the participants, the consensus seemed to be that the “Policy Guidance” is an important document for consideration and application by governments and civil society as well as religious and faith-based communities.

U.S. State Department and Kazakhstan Delegation Working Group
2020-02-10 20:00 - 2020-02-11 23:30 | DC
Associate Director Elizabeth Clark joined a round table with a delegation from Kazakhstan, members of the US State Department, and representatives of NGOs and religious associations to discuss issues of international religious freedom.

Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
2020-02-11 17:30 - 19:00 | DC
Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a briefing on the nexus of freedom of religion or belief and security, including findings from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ (ODIHR) recent publication, Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: Policy Guidance.
In the OSCE region, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is violated by some governments who use the pretext of national security to justify repression. For example, in Russia’s Tatarstan region, cameras are installed in mosques to transmit videos of worshippers during their prayers to state security services. In Uzbekistan, thousands of religious prisoners remain incarcerated for “extremism” or the possession of “extremist” religious literature. In Azerbaijan, authorities continue to deny legal registration to Baptists and Jehovah’s Witnesses residing outside the capital. Although these actions aim to improve security, failure to balance security with freedom of religion or belief can actually undermine it.
Freedom of Religion or Belief: Policy Guidance clarifies the interrelationship between FoRB and security as mutually reinforcing objectives, in line with the OSCE’s comprehensive framework for peace and security. The document includes guiding principles, practical guidance, and recommendations to address pertinent issues at the intersection of the freedom of religion and security, including the registration of religious communities, religious literature deemed “extremist”, the monitoring of places of worship, and restrictions on conversion.
Panelists will present the policy guidance document, discuss its findings and recommendations, further explore the intersection of security and FoRB, and consider tools and strategies for governments and other relevant stakeholders to advance both objectives simultaneously. There will be an interactive question and answer period with audience members after the panelist presentations.

Remarks

Tony Perkins, Chair, USCIRF
Gayle Manchin, Vice Chair, USCIRF

Panelists

Kishan Manocha, Senior Advisor on Freedom of Religion or Belief, OSCE/ODIHR
U.S. Department of State official (invited)
Elizabeth Clark, Professor of Law, Brigham Young University School of Law

This briefing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. RSVP is required. Please RSVP to events@uscirf.gov by Friday, February 7. For any questions please contact Jamie Staley at Jstaley@uscirf.gov or 202-786-0606.

Law and Religion Course, NALSAR, Hyderabad, India
2020-02-17 - 2020-03-04 | DC
Professor W. Cole Durham, Jr. teaches law and religion at NALSAR.

American and Caribbean Ambassadors meet to discuss Human Dignity
2020-02-24 19:00 - 21:00 | DC
On February 24, 2020, the European Union Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted a diplomatic luncheon to discuss the Punta del Este Declaration on Human Dignity for Everyone Everywhere. The event was organised under the auspices of the Mission of the Republic of Honduras to the European Union and the Mission of the Republic of Peru to the European Union.

Conference, NALSAR, Hyderabad, India
2020-02-29 16:00 - 2020-03-01 23:30 | DC
W. Cole Durham, Jr. participating

Visiting Azerbaijani Delegation
2020-03-10 16:00 - 22:00 | DC

International Advisory Council Spring Meeting
2020-04-03 01:00 - 19:00 | DC

International Society Conference
2020-04-06 - 2020-04-07 | DC

Leimena Institute Conference, Jakarta, Indonesia
2020-04-13 - 2020-04-16 | DC

Eastern Europe Regional Conference
2020-04-23 - 2020-04-26 | DC
Human Dignity: Perspectives from Sociology, Law, Ethics, Religion, and Philosophy
Minsk, Belarus

CEU Conference
2020-05-15 - 2020-05-17 | DC
Central European University, Vienna, Austria

ACLARS Conference
2020-05-17 - 2020-05-21 | DC
Nairobi, Kenya

AMAR Conference on Religious Persecution
2020-06-15 - 2020-06-18 | DC
London and Windsor Castle

Religious Freedom Annual Review: E Plurubus Unum: Religious Freedom, Unity, and Diversity in America
2020-06-18 01:00 - 23:30 | DC
The freedom to practice one’s religion is one of the most significant rights a human can possess. Join us for the Religious Freedom Annual Review where attendees will hear media, legal, and religious leaders from around the country speak on topics such as why religious freedom matters, how we can find common ground with LGBTQ rights, religious freedom in the media, and how to be a leader in promoting religious freedom in your community.
Attendees will have the opportunity to attend workshops, speak with experts in formal and informal settings, and gain the skills necessary to be leaders of religious freedom in their homes and communities, regardless of their profession or experience. No specialized background necessary. Come join us!
Registration will be available soon.

European Academy of Religion Annual Conference
2020-06-22 - 2020-06-26 | DC
Bologna, Italy
