Billions of people live in countries where religious freedom is not respected, according to the latest edition of the Religious Freedom in the World Report.
Montreal, April 30, 2026 – Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) continues to collect signatures for its international petition in defence of religious freedom and the full implementation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Launched in October 2025 during the presentation of the Religious Freedom in the World Report, the initiative has already gathered more than 21,000 signatures through ACN’s national offices and international outreach.
The petition is being promoted worldwide. In Canada, it can be accessed by visiting the homepage dedicated to religious freedom: https://acn-canada.org/rfr/.
“I believe that religious freedom is one of the most misunderstood rights,” says Marie-Claude Lalonde, national director of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Canada. “I hope that many of our benefactors will sign the petition. Right now, too many people around the world are living as second-class citizens because of their religious affiliation, beliefs, or convictions.”
The steady rise in discrimination is of particular concern to Ms. Lalonde. “It’s a phenomenon that can be very insidious. For example, people might be denied a job because they’ve worked for religious institutions. It’s then difficult to prove that discrimination in hiring has occurred.” She believes that civil authorities have a very important role to play in ensuring equality for all and promoting a society that reflects democratic ideals, such as rights and freedoms. “It is truly time for governments to understand that religious freedom is not a privilege, but is a fundamental right.”
Finally, she encourages people to regularly visit ACN Canada’s social media pages to learn more about the challenges surrounding this issue and to hear personal testimonies. “In the coming weeks, we’ll be posting content regularly that’s easy to share. I encourage everyone to share it widely,” she concludes.
To sign the petition and learn more: https://acn-canada.org/rfr/.
Signatures will continue to be collected until November 2026, with the campaign culminating during ACN’s Red Week — an annual initiative in which churches, public buildings, and monuments around the world are illuminated in red. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness among the general public about the persecution of Christians and violations of religious freedom. The petition will then be presented to international political and institutional leaders.
The petition is supported by several representatives of local churches, including Jacques Mourad, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Homs (Syria), Matthew Hassan Kukah, bishop of Sokoto (Nigeria) and Archbishop Linus Neli, of Imphal (India).
ACN invites the faithful of all denominations and religions—as well as those committed to defending human dignity—to unite in defence of religious freedom.
Defending a fundamental human right
This initiative represents a concrete response to the alarming trends documented in ACN’s Religious Freedom in the World Report 2025, which shows that billions of people live in countries where religious freedom is violated, restricted, or threatened.
During a visit to ACN’s international headquarters in Königstein, Germany, ACN International President Cardinal Kurt Koch, reiterated that freedom of religion is a “cornerstone of human dignity and social justice,” echoing the words of Pope Leo XIV. The cardinal encouraged people everywhere to support the initiative and to uphold the fundamental right to believe. “Today, millions of people continue to suffer discrimination, violence, and oppression because of their faith. Christians, in particular, remain among the most persecuted religious groups. Yet even where they are small and vulnerable minorities, Christians continue to be peacemakers in their homeland. In this spirit, I invite all to support the petition promoted by Aid to the Church in Need to uphold Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Religious freedom is a human right, not a privilege.” Addressed to international institutions, democratic governments, and diplomatic representatives, the petition calls for religious freedom to be made a priority in foreign policy, for protection of at-risk communities, and for emergency and legal assistance for individuals suffering persecution.
Drawing on the findings of the Religious Freedom in the World Report, the campaign aims to raise global awareness and mobilize civil society in defence of a fundamental human right. It also underscores the urgent need for coordinated international action to protect this right.
To sign the petition and learn more, please visit https://acn-canada.org/rfr/
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