Last Articles
Human Rights and Perspectives In and Out of Spiritual Communities
Conference - Friday, 12th of June 2026 from 10.00 – 12.00 CET
Soteria International, in collaboration with:
EMISCO - European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion.
POYRA - Path of YahRa
Family Federation for World Peace and Unification
Invite you to the following conference:
Human Rights and Perspectives In and Out of Spiritual Communities
Date & Time: Friday, 12th of June 2026 from 10.00 – 12.00 CET
Venue: Kulturhuset Union, DYNAMO room
Address: Nørre Allé 7, 2200 København N
and ONLINE through ZOOM.
Working in the field of freedom of religion and belief, we encounter multiple cases worldwide in which spiritual belief systems, groups or religious practices are restricted or even shut down by national law, fueled by media campaigns that foster societal prejudices and misconceptions.
This is influencing, to a major extent, each individual's ability to exercise freedom of religion and belief, since their perspective on various spiritual and religious groups will inevitably be coloured by how the media presents them. This challenge of spirituality and religion is what we aim to address in this conference.
Recovering the Soul of Human Rights
Article by Peter Zoehrer.
He is a writer and independent thinker focused on human rights, ethics, and the moral foundations of democratic society. His work explores the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of human dignity, often examining how modern institutions can reconnect with the original human-centered values behind rights discourse. Through reflective essays and commentary, he advocates for a more compassionate, culturally grounded, and universally meaningful understanding of human rights.
Peter Zoehrer brings a valuable perspetive to the field of human rights. Read his recent article here.
The Tokyo High Court Unification Church Decision. 1. A Caricatural View of the Church
The court reconstructed the theology and practices of the movement founded by Reverend Moon based on selective quotes and hostile sources.
By Massimo Introvigne
On March 4, the Tokyo High Court announced its decision to uphold the Tokyo District Court’s verdict ordering the dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly known as the Unification Church and still often referred to by that name) as a religious corporation. What follows is an analysis of the voluminous decision. The text is often repetitive, and my analysis proceeds by examining its six main themes rather than following its arguments in the order in which they are presented.
Read the full article here
Tokyo High Court’s Blatant Ideological Hit Job on the Unification Church
A dangerous precedent that threatens religious liberty worldwide
By Peter Zoehrer
On March 4, 2026, the Tokyo High Court, under Presiding Judge Motoko Miki, upheld the dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) as a religious corporation. Liquidation proceedings began immediately. This marks Japan’s first-ever dissolution of a religious group based primarily on civil tort claims and alleged violations of vague “public welfare” standards—without a single criminal conviction.
Read full article here
Between Law and Reality: Media and Religious Discrimination
When religious freedom faces a new threat in media reports that obscure and distort reality
by Marco Respinti
Media institutions undeniably wield substantial influence in religious liberty. The general public can, in fact, become aware of human rights violations worldwide—particularly in uncommon or sensitive contexts—only through media reporting. This primary responsibility of the media, however, becomes culpability when inaccurate or deliberately misleading coverage distorts public understanding of religious phenomena. Persistent misrepresentation and selective framing shape societal perceptions and produce especially detrimental effects on religious minorities, which consequently suffer a double injustice: first, from the violations they endure, and second, from the gratuitous stigma generated by superficial or hostile media portrayals. Moreover, the consequences of media distortions extend far beyond the audiences who read newspapers, watch TV, listen to radio shows, or follow online media. They shape policymakers’ attitudes, institutional responses, and ultimately the formulation of policy itself.
Read the full article here
Interfaith Cooperation in Advancing Peace in the World - Copenhagen, Denmark.
On February 1st 2026, Soteria participated in the “Interfaith Cooperation in Advancing Peace in the World”. The first speaker, Fakhra Sheheen from the Immigrant Museum in Farum, Denmark, emphasised the importance of historical documentation and underscored that this documentation must not be limited to the media and social media. She offered glimpses into the museum’s collection as inspiring examples. Fakhra underlined the importance of standing up for values and actively defending them so they are not forgotten.
Mother Han’s Case: The Persecution, the Lions, and the Little Man
A very profound story, one that feels uncomfortably relevant today. Media shaping narratives, condemning without true judgment, while many people become captivated by scandal and sensationalism. Truth often requires courage - and discernment.
Read the full article here.
A Christmas Meditation: From the Manger to the Colosseum
In the spirit of Christmas, Bitter Winter is showing through this article solidarity with the countless voiceless religious minorities who are facing persecution, as a way of ensuring that their stories are told, their dignity defended, and their hope sustained. Read the full article here.
Synthesis: SPIRITUAL HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE, 2025
CHALLENGES OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF IN EUROPE
On the 10th of December 2025, on Human Rights day, Soteria International, together with Human Rights Without Frontiers, Gerard Noodt Foundation for Freedom of Religion and Belief, European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion and Universal Peace Federation, hosted a hybrid conference, in Copenhagen and online.
Moderated by Jonathan Selvig Skjalholt on behalf of Soteria International, the conference brought together human rights activists and representatives of civil society organisations to present increasingly pressing challenges to freedom of religion or belief in Europe and beyond. Across different national, religious, and ideological contexts, speakers discovered a common observation: a growing tension between formal human rights commitments and how it is applied by states, institutions, media, and authorities.
SPIRITUAL HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE, 2025
CHALLENGES OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF IN EUROPE
Soteria International, in collaboration with:.jpg)
- Gerard Noodt Foundation for Freedom of Religion or Belief
- Human Rights Without Frontiers - www.hrwf.eu
- Universal Peace Federation - www.upf.org
- and EMISCO - European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion
Invite you to the Annual SPIRITUAL HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE – 2025:
Date & Time: Wednesday, 10 DECEMBER 2025 from 10.00 – 12.00 CET
Venue: Kulturhuset Union DYNAMO room
Address: Nørre Allé 7
2200 København N Denmark
Or ONLINE through ZOOM:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86941072113?pwd=SSNbVSZt6lavuR1SEyuwM5Pz2qVcDx.1
Meeting ID: 869 4107 2113 Passcode: 207751
Working in the field of freedom of religion and belief, Soteria International comes across cases, worldwide, where the individual belief system or religious practice is restricted by national law and prejudices of society.
