The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) raised in a dialogue with the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations on freedom of religion or belief the obstacles Christians and other faith groups face when trying to bury their loved ones according to their own religious funeral rites.
“At moments of profound vulnerability, the ability to bury loved ones according to deeply held religious convictions is integral to human dignity”, said Janet Epp Buckingham, director of the WEA Geneva Office, at the United Nations Rights Human Right Council’s 61rd Session.
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She went on to say that the “denial of funeral rites consistent with one’s faith, or obstruction, intimidation, or coercion in carrying them out, constitutes a serious violation of freedom of religion or belief and contradicts international human rights law”.
Oral statement of the WEA to the UN Human Rights Council, on 3 March 2026, in Geneva.
The WEA therefore raises “concerns” about developments in India, “where some families have reportedly been compelled to transport bodies long distances, leave loved ones unburied for extended periods, or undergo coerced re-conversion rituals before burial could proceed”.
The evangelical representative also denounced that “in certain instances, violence, police inaction, and even exhumations have compounded the suffering of grieving families”.
The WEA strongly recommends all countries that are members of the United Nations to implement the recommendations of the special rapporteur an “to consult religious communities in shaping burial policies, ensure equitable access to burial space for all faith groups, and protect families from violence and intimidation during funeral rites”.
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Published in: Evangelical Focus – world
– WEA denounces obstruction of Christian burials to the UN