Category: English
-
Figeľ v. Slovakia: Freedom of religion in defense against the formalistic doctrine of victim status
By dr. Ľalík Tomáš On 4 September 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) adopted a decision in the case of Figeľ v. Slovakia. Ján Figeľ alleged a violation of his freedom of religion due to the absolute prohibition of public worship during the Covid-19 pandemic in Slovakia. The case concerns the protection of freedom of…
-
JAPAN: The Dissolution of the Family Federation is “Arbitrary”
Freedom of Religion Is the Litmus Test of Democracy — Japan Must Not Fail It By Jan Figeľ, Former EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, President of FOREF Europe.(Dr. Figeľ delivered the following address at a distinguished Info Event in Geneva, co-organized by UN-affiliated NGOs and attended by senior United Nations officials)…
-
“How to Build a Sustainable Peace in Europe?”
Lausanne, September 8, 2025. On September 8, 2025, the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe, in partnership with the Jean Monnet Association, hosted a public dialogue at the University of Lausanne entitled “How to Build a Sustainable Peace in Europe?” Two former members of the European Commission participated in the discussion: Ján Figel’, President of the Scientific…
-
Attack on FoRB in Japan
Speech at the UN HRC Side Event, Geneva, September 26, 2025
-
A Missed Chance To Defend Core Freedoms: ECHR Rejects Worship Ban Case
Last week’s decision from the European Court of Human Rights marks a sobering moment in the struggle to defend fundamental freedoms across Europe. The Court declined to rule on the substance of my challenge to Slovakia’s blanket COVID-19 era worship bans, declaring the case inadmissible on the grounds that I could not be considered a…
-
Figeľ: “The Unification Church Case Highlights the Threat to Religious Freedom in Japan”
By Bitter Winter Jan Figeľ was born in 1960 in the former Czechoslovakia. He served as European Commissioner from 2004 to 2009, Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia from 2010 to 2012, and later as Chairman of the Christian Democratic Movement (2009–2016). In 2016 he became the first EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or…
-
European Court rejects religious freedom case over Covid worship bans
The European Court of Human Rights has dismissed a complaint brought by former EU special envoy Jan Figel challenging Slovakia’s bans on communal worship during the pandemic. The Strasbourg-based court ruled the case inadmissible, saying it was not clear how Figel was personally affected by the restrictions and that he could not therefore be regarded…
-
How to Build a Sustainable Peace in Europe?
Dialogue between two former European commissionners: Ján Figel’ and Mariya Gabriel. On 8 September 2025, The Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe, in collaboration with the Jean Monnet Association, welcomed Ján Figel’ (Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Clementy Schuman Legacy Foundation, former Member of the European Commission, former Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia) and…
-
European Court Dismisses Challenge to Slovakia’s COVID Worship Bans
Strasbourg (4 September 2025) – In a disappointing decision for religious freedom, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled Dr. Ján Figeľ’s challenge to Slovakia’s sweeping bans on communal worship during the COVID-19 pandemic inadmissible. The Court concluded that it would not rule on the merits of Figeľs challenge because it was not sufficiently clear how Figeľ himself was negatively impacted by the measures taken…
-
JAPAN – Religious Freedom at Risk, Warns Former EU Envoy
The Dissolution of the Family Federation is “Arbitrary” Jan Figeľ, Former EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Warns Japan Against Ignoring UN Recommendations Sekai NippoSeptember 2–3, 2025By Yosuke Yamazaki – US Correspondent of Sekai Nippo (World Times) Jan Figeľ was born in 1960 in the former Czechoslovakia. He served as European Commissioner…