Masking Religious Freedom Violations

On November 20th at 10am, The Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University and Canopy Forum in collaboration with the International Institute for Religious Freedom hosted a virtual symposium, Masking Religious Freedom Violations. This symposium explores the complex and multifaceted nature of religious discrimination, moving beyond traditional analyses and narrow definitions to incorporate perspectives from political economy and human security. The discussion addresses the limitations of conventional approaches to the empirical study of religious freedom violations, which often focus on overt displays such as the prohibition of religious literature, restricted access to places of worship, and limitations on the registration and activities of religious organizations. Instead, we seek to highlight how religious minorities, while sometimes enjoying traditional protections to a certain degree, face significant subversive discrimination in other critical areas. In addition to this empirical element, the symposium explored new epistemological frameworks to better understand and articulate the complexities of religious discrimination. By incorporating these diverse perspectives, the symposium aims to set a new research agenda that broadens the understanding of religious freedom, providing a more comprehensive framework for analyzing and addressing the challenges faced by religious minorities worldwide.