UNHCR statement on religious persecution and the interpretation of Article 9(1) of the EU Qualification Directive. Issued in the context of two references for a preliminary ruling to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) from the Bundesverwaltungsgericht (Germany) lodged on 18 February and 2 March 2011 – Federal Republic of Germany v Y (Case C-71/11) and Federal Republic of Germany v Z (Case C-99/11).