By: Kaitlyn Lancaster, Jillisa Gary, Adonis Agha, and Georgia Dunphy
Across Africa, faith communities play an essential role in social life. Yet, in numerous countries, churches face increasing pressure through burdensome or unreasonable regulations. These restrictions can range from excessive registration requirements and arbitrary shutdowns to limits on speech, association, or property ownership. Such regulations not only threaten religious freedom but also hinder the positive social impact of the church in local communities.
Recognizing this growing concern, the Regent University Center for Global Justice, in partnership with Advocates Africa, has stepped in to research and respond to these challenges. Our team has begun researching the legal frameworks governing faith-based organizations, identifying instances where governments impose unjust limitations, and are working toward creating a guide that will assist in equipping local advocates to promote reform through lawful means.
This collaboration merges the Center’s expertise in international human rights and rule of law initiatives with Advocates Africa’s contextual understanding of various African legal systems and cultural dynamics. The research aims to provide a clear picture of how regulatory practices affect churches in different African nations and to develop legal and policy recommendations that promote fairness, accountability, and respect for religious liberty.
At the Center for Global Justice, our team has researched various countries throughout the region, the current regulations in place that hinder church creation and religious freedom, and what other organizations have said about religious freedoms globally. Our research is geared to identify the current regulations and provide legal and policy recommendations to support religious freedoms.
Beyond research, this partnership embodies Regent University’s mission to serve justice globally through faith and law. By supporting Advocates Africa, who are courageously addressing these complex issues, our research is assisting in amplifying the call for reform for communities across Africa.
As this work continues, our goal is not only to protect the freedom of churches to gather and worship but also to strengthen the rule of law and uphold human dignity across the region. Together, Advocates Africa and the Regent University Center for Global Justice are demonstrating how collaboration rooted in faith, scholarship, and advocacy can make lasting change for the good of Africa’s people and the future of religious freedom. The ultimate goal through our research and recommendations is to provide safety, security, and stability to religious organizations throughout Africa.
This post was written by a student at Regent University School of Law. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of Regent University, Regent Law School, or the Center for Global Justice.