Catholic organization gathers signatures to call on world leaders to protect religious freedom

The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has launched a petition campaign calling on the United Nations and the Council of Europe to protect religious freedom in the face of the religious persecution occurring in 62 countries.

On its website, the Catholic organization states that “no one should have to choose between their faith and their life.” However, “5.4 billion people, almost two-thirds of humanity, live in countries where individuals and communities continue to face harassment, violence, and even death because of their beliefs.”

ACN is therefore inviting people to sign the petition addressed to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres; U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk; the U.N. General Assembly; European Council President António Costa; as well as democratic governments, ambassadors, and diplomatic representatives.

The goal is to call upon international leaders to permanently protect the fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, “as enshrined in Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights .”

ACN notes that its “ Religious Freedom in the World Report 2025 ” warns that “some 5.4…