What is “Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience” (CAP Freedom of Conscience)?

CAP Freedom of Conscience is a secular European NGO with United Nations Consultative Status, created in 1995 and dedicated to protect the Right of Freedom of Religion and Belief.

CAP Freedom of Conscience combats all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief by alerting European and International bodies.

CAP Freedom of Conscience collects testimonies of discrimination and human rights violations affecting religious or belief communities in order to disseminate them to international bodies, and in order to raise awareness and inform them as well as to generate debate on the protection of Freedom of Religion and Belief.

CAP Freedom of Conscience also advocates for any religious or spiritual group facing discrimination to have their right to Freedom of Religion and Belief recognized.

CAP Freedom of Conscience is a member of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB), European Network Of Religion and Belief (ENORB) and participate to the Civil Society Platform of Fundamental Rights created by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency DAFOH Partners in Combating and Preventing Forced Organ Harvesting

Annual Report of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children: Cyberbullying and Protection Issues

Annual Report of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children: Cyberbullying and Protection Issues

The report A/HRC/61/38, entitled “Annual Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children,” was published on December 24, 2025, and submitted to the Human Rights Council for its 61st session, scheduled for February 23 to April 2, 2026. Prepared by Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children, this document outlines the mandate established by General Assembly resolution 62/141.

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Submission to UN Special Rapporteur Details Systemic Discrimination in German Public Procurement

Submission to UN Special Rapporteur Details Systemic Discrimination in German Public Procurement

In preparation for the upcoming official visit to Germany by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the non-governmental organization CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC) has submitted a comprehensive report addressing specific concerns regarding systemic discrimination. The Special Rapporteur’s visit, scheduled to take place from 26 January to 6 February 2026, aims to assess the situation of freedom of opinion and expression in the country. This assessment includes reviewing legal, institutional, and policy frameworks that protect or restrict these fundamental rights, as well as measures addressing intolerance, negative stereotyping, and stigmatization.

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CAP Liberté de Conscience Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls

CAP Liberté de Conscience Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls

In response to the Call for Input issued by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls for her report to the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council, CAP Liberté de Conscience has submitted a comprehensive analysis titled “CAP LC report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls.” The submission, accessible via the official call https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2026/call-input-report-special-rapporteur-violence-against-women-and-girls-62nd, examines specific forms of institutional violence faced by mothers in contexts of intrafamilial violence, with a focus on the French socio-judicial system.

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YURII SHELIAZHENKO*, conscientious objector to military service and human rights defender, under immediate threat

YURII SHELIAZHENKO*, conscientious objector to military service and human rights defender, under immediate threat

The undersigned organizations express serious concern regarding the continued persecution of Ukrainian human rights defender Yurii Sheliazhenko, a conscientious objector to military service. He is currently under an alarming threat of being arrested and forcibly conscripted under Ukraine’s system of universal military registration, which is enforced through coercive measures including arbitrary detentions and forced transfers to conscription offices. Such practices effectively compel conscientious objectors to act against their beliefs and directly violate Article 18(2) of the ICCPR, which prohibits coercion impairing freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

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CAP Liberté de Conscience Submits Report to UN Women CSW70 Addressing Barriers to Justice for Women and Girls

CAP Liberté de Conscience Submits Report to UN Women CSW70 Addressing Barriers to Justice for Women and Girls

In August 2025, CAP Liberté de Conscience, in collaboration with a network of independent experts, submitted a communication to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) under the United Nations’ communications procedure for the seventieth session (CSW70) scheduled for March 2026. The report addresses systemic barriers to justice for women and girls and provides evidence-based documentation on institutional and societal discrimination. The initiative is part of CAP Liberté de Conscience’s ongoing advocacy to enhance the protection of human rights at the international level.

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CAP Freedom of Conscience involvement UNITED NATIONS

LASTEST NEWS

Germany violates its Constitution by discriminating against a peaceful religious minority

On 16 June 2021, the City of Munich has been condemned by the Bavarian State Administrative Court of Appeal for discriminating against an artist who is a member of the Scientology religion, by refusing to give her a grant for the purchase of a “pedelec” (e-bike). The Court now obliged the city to pay her a grant for the purchase of an eBike.

18 Organizations and Individuals Call for the Review of Somalia’s VP Position at the Human Rights Council Bureau Given Their Apostasy Law

GENEVA 13 July 2021 | 18 organisations and individuals released a letter to all Human Rights Council Member and Observer States condemning the choice of Somalia to replace the abrupt resignation of Sudan from the Vice-President position of the Bureau in June 2021. While Sudan has taken strides to improve human rights, most notably through the repeal of the death penalty for apostasy [the first modern country to do so] Somalia has, on the other hand, made no improvements to merit their new VP position and have rather increased religious freedom or belief violations.

Mocevic Case: Oral statement at the 47th UN Human Rights Council Session

CAP Liberté de Conscience (21.06.2021) – Mr. Dalibor Močević, a Croatian and Bosnian national of Serbian descent, is a victim of human rights violations in Croatia. Following the prohibition of discrimination based on race, sex, language and religion in the Charter of the United Nations, the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights became the next important step in the legal consolidation of the principle of equality before the law and the resultant prohibition of discrimination.

13th July conference the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims Worldwide

On 13 July 2021, UN human rights experts have expressed their deep concern over the lack of attention to the serious human rights violations perpetrated against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community around the world and called on the international community to step up efforts in bringing an end to the ongoing persecution of Ahmadi Muslims.

A/HRC/47/NGO/178 : State Funding of anti-religious associations in France

CAP Liberté de Conscience is concerned about the relaunch of the fight against religious minorities in France since the recent reorganization of MIVILUDES (the Interministerial Mission of Vigilance and Fight Against Cultic Deviances) has been implemented.

At the beginning of 2020, the French Prime Minister announced a reorganization of MIVILUDES in response to a report from the Accounting Court (Cour des Comptes) which denounced the lack of professionalism of MIVILUDES in its working method and questioned the relevance of such an organization.

A/HRC/47/NGO/167 Misusing Taxes for Discriminating Against Religious and Spiritual Minorities: A Global Problem

Tax weapons have been often used to discriminate against religious and spiritual minorities. This is becoming a global problem, and one the human rights community should be aware of.

In France, in 1996 a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry established a blacklist of spiritual groups classified as “cults” (in French, sectes). 172 groups were thus criminalized, and a policy of repression was instituted against these spiritual movements.

Freedom of Religion and Belief Scientology in Hungary A situation report UDHR article 12 and Article 18

On 30 August 2018 Mr. Fernand de Varennes (Special Rapporteur on minority issues), Mr. Joseph Cannataci (Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy) and Mr. Ahmed Shaheed (Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief) addressed the Hungarian Government in a letter 1 “concerning discriminatory measures against the Church of Scientology on the basis of religious belief.” 2

Freedom of Expression Policy Toward Tamils History Posts Removal and Restriction, on Facebook, Google, Youtube and other social medias.

The Internet with Social Media has become “one of the most powerful instruments of the 21st century for increasing transparency in the conduct of the powerful, access to information, and for facilitating active citizen participation in building democratic societies.” The formation of an inclusive information society requires universal ability to access and contribute information, ideas, and knowledge so citizens can participate in discussions on public affairs and be part of the decision-making process. The Internet offers a new opportunity for developing policies on proactive transparency and dissemination of information and ideas of all kinds. Its speed, decentralization, and low cost allow both the State and private parties to disseminate information without barriers of borders, opportunity, or bureaucracy that once hampered such circulation

Demands and Pledge from Several thousand people joined the march

Pottuvil to Polikandy (P2P) – Demands and Pledge from
Several thousand people joined the march across the island
nation’s north and east, with demands that linked Eelam
Tamil civil society.
The five-day march for justice held across Sri Lanka’s north and east last february 2021
drew attention for more than one reason.
After months of restricted movement due to the pandemic and military restrictions, it was
the first instance of several thousand people taking to the streets to assert their rights.

The Religious Factor in the Farmers Bills Protests in India

The Religious Factor in the Farmers Bills Protests in India

CPR – International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 132 Session : State Funding of anti-religious associations in France

CAP Liberté de Conscience is concerned about the resumption of the fight against religious minorities in France since the recent reorganization of MIVILUDES (the Interministerial Mission of Vigilance and Fight Against Cultic Deviances) has been implemented

SUBMISSION 39th session UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW 2021 – Thailand

5. There are approximately 1,000 Ahmadi refugees in Thailand. Many of these individuals face harrowing circumstances in their home country (Pakistan) simply for claiming their religious identity, exercising or manifesting their faith. This includes serious threats to life, liberty and physical integrity, leading them no choice but to flee their homes, towns, or countries, with or without their families, to countries where they think they could seek protection

SUBMISSION 39th session UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW 2021 Hungary

we would like to express our concern about the repeated denial and unjustified delay on the permission for the Church of Scientology to maintain its headquarters and place of worship in Budapest. We also express serious concern that the criminal investigations carried out against the Church of Scientology, which led to the seizure of several documents including of a private nature and to restrictions on places of worship, may be incompatible with international human rights standards

HRC 46 Item 4 Human rights situations that require the Councils attention CROATIA Mr. Dalibor Močević

HRC 46 Item 4 Human rights situations that require the Councils attention CROATIA Mr. Dalibor Močević

HRC 46th Item 3 General Debat Ahmadiyya Muslims are victims of state-sponsored persecution in Pakistan

HRC 46th Item 3 General Debat Ahmadiyya Muslims are victims of state-sponsored persecution in Pakistan

Item 3 Human Rights Coucil 46th Session 22 February to 23 March 2021 : Balochistan is facing a humanitarian crisis

Balochistan is facing a humanitarian crisis. The military establishment of Pakistan and its clandestine death squads are kidnappings, torturing, and murdering activists and human rights defenders to counter the Baloch people’s demand to exercise their right to self-determination.

HRC 46 Item 3 Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief : GERMANY SECT FILTER

HRC 46 Item 3 Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief GERMANY : GERMANY SECT FILTER

HRC 46 ID Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism : Statement on France

The Minister Delegate has also decided to strengthen her collaboration with anti-religious associations which, for decades, have created a hostile climate towards religions and beliefs.

REPORT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON ITS 37TH SESSION

Coordination des associations et des particuliers pour la liberté de conscience noted
that a religious minority was undergoing trial in unacceptable conditions. The evidence had
been gathered by persons who were opposed to that religious minority. It was concerned that
Czechia had refused to listen to requests for that minority to be treated fairly, as any other
religious group in the country

UN Human Rights Council 45: UK statement on China for item 4 general debate

UN Human Rights Council 45: UK statement on China for item 4 general debate

Joint Statement on the Human Rights Situation in Xinjiang and the Recent Developments in Hong Kong, Delivered by Germany on Behalf of 39 Countries

Joint Statement on the Human Rights Situation in Xinjiang and the Recent Developments in Hong Kong, Delivered by Germany on Behalf of 39 Countries

HRC45 – CAP Liberté de Conscience joins ACLU’s demands to the OHCHR for the elaboration of the report on structural racism and law enforcement

HRC45 – CAP Liberté de Conscience joins ACLU’s demands to the OHCHR for the elaboration of the report on structural racism and law enforcement

HRC 45 : Unabated Religious Persecution and the Danger of an Escalation — A Case Study on 20 Years of Persecution of Falun Gong in People’s Republic of China

Unabated Religious Persecution and the Danger of an Escalation — A Case Study on 20 Years of Persecution of Falun Gong in People’s Republic of China

This World Day Against Death Penalty The International Community must take immediate steps to ensure states repeal laws which mandate the death penalty for apostasy or blasphemy

This World Day Against Death Penalty
The International Community must take immediate steps to ensure states repeal laws which mandate the death penalty for apostasy or blasphemy

CAP Freedom of Conscience involvement in Europe

OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting 2016

This  Task  Force  has  proceeded  to  biased  investigations  upon  the  denouncements  received  by  MIVILUDES,  where  the members of minorities were systematically presumed guilty.   CAP received a number of testimonies over the years  which evidence  their  prejudice,  such  people  suspected  of  shamanist ic  practices  whose  homes were raided and were put in custody, groups o f persons denounced  to MIVILUDES as “dangerous sects” who were interrogated and put under  pressure  to  denounce  their  “guru”,  others  denounced   as  being  “gurus”  who were put in preventive detention for up to 18 months, etc.   Coordination of Associations and   Individuals for Freedom of Conscience (CAP) CAP Liberté de Conscience

FECRIS, a NGO financed by the French government

Moreover, FECRIS says in its bylaws that « the action of the Federation is neither religious nor political ». If the action of FECRIS is not religious and claims to be neutral in this regard, how can it explain that an organization registered in a secular state – France – is massively financed with the money of all French tax-payers, while its vice-president, Alexander Dvorkin, a Russian citizen is blessed and financed by the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church for its anti-sect activities. This same Russian Orthodox Church which, along with Putin, has been persecuting religious minorities for years in Russia.

ODIHR/Venice Commission Guidelines on the Legal Personality of Religious or Belief Communities

The purpose of these Guidelines is to ensure that those involved in drafting and applying...

Freedom of Religion or Belief, Fostering Mutual Respect and Understanding

Coordination of Associations and Individuals for Freedom of Conscience (CAP) Human Dimension...

Synthesis of the voluntary work side event OSCE – HDIM – 2014

Synthesis of the voluntary work side event OSCE - HDIM – 2014 Voluntary work in spiritual...

Report on France OSCE 2014

For years, France has had a policy of stigmatization and negative stereotyping of minorities of religion or belief it has labeled as “sects” or, more recently as “sectarian movements”. This derogatory classification corresponds to the improper assessment of religion or beliefs and the consideration that some of them, new or minority ones not belonging to traditional Churches or Institutions are “deviant”, can only stem from a “psychological hold” on the followers and constitute “sectarian abuses”.

Rudy Salles fails to export anti-religious policies to the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe

The recommendations of French MP Rudy Salles which would have had the effect of exporting French anti-religious policies to the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe has not been adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Europe, sects and freedom

It’s not often that Jehovah’s Witnesses, secularists and humanists find themselves on the same side, and rejoicing for the same reason, but this seems to be one such moment.

More than 10 000 demand Council of Europe stop anti-religious recommendations

 PRESS RELEASE More than 10 000 demand Council of Europe stop anti-religious recommendations      ...

Rhodes blasts the Rudy Salles report

Co-founder of the Freedom Rights Project; President of the Forum for Religious Freedom-Europe; former Executive Director of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

I appreciate this opportunity to speak in the framework of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

As I understand it, the main role of the Parliamentary Assembly is to undertake investigations and make recommendations to the member states of the Council of Europe.

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Human Rights in Pakistan- Interactive Talk

Human Rights in Pakistan- Interactive Talk

This March, GHRD is visiting Geneva to host the Parallel Event Human Rights in Pakistan. This event will be held during the 52nd regular session on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which spans from the 27th of February to the 4th of April. In attending the sessions, GHRD will focus particularly on the following agenda points: enforced or involuntary disappearances; safety of journalists and the issue of impunity.

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