Persecution of Religious Minorities: Role of Democracies

Persecution of minorities is a worldwide issue that needs to be addressed at international forums so that minorities all over the world can be helped and protected. Initially, persecution explicitly referred to oppression due to one’s religious practices and faith, it now encompasses race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation as well as religion. Persecution can be a two-pronged attack from the governments through their actions, laws, and policies, as well as hostile acts from private individuals, organizations, and social groups with the concurrence or toleration of state actors. Presenters from Rohingya Muslim, Dalit, Sikh, Baha’i, Hindu, Chinese, and Indian Muslim communities highlight the problems from their individual experiences and explore avenues for assisting oppressed minorities and the role of interfaith engagement in this work.