UN Geneva NGO Committee on FoRB — Geneva & New York
Defending the Right to Believe at the United Nations
We are a coalition of civil society organisations that works within the UN system to protect and promote freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief for everyone, everywhere.
Discover Our Work
Mission
Protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief Worldwide
The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) works to ensure that every person can hold, practice, and change their beliefs — whether religious or non-religious — without fear of persecution or discrimination. We bring together civil society organisations to speak with one voice at the United Nations, where international human rights standards are shaped and monitored.
Through our work in Geneva and New York, we support the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, engage with the UN Human Rights Council, and collaborate with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
UN
Where We Work Within the UN System
The Committee operates through the principal UN human rights mechanisms based in Geneva and New York. Here is what each of these bodies does and how we engage with them:
Human Rights Council
The UN Human Rights Council is the world's main forum for addressing human rights violations, holding three regular sessions each year in Geneva. We participate by delivering oral statements, organising side events, and coordinating NGO interventions on country situations and thematic issues.
Universal Periodic Review
Every UN member state undergoes a peer-review of its human rights record every four to five years. We support this process by helping NGOs prepare submissions that document FoRB violations on the ground, and by ensuring that these concerns are raised during the interactive dialogue when states present their reports.
Special Rapporteur on FoRB
The Special Rapporteur is an independent UN expert who investigates violations of freedom of religion or belief worldwide, conducts country visits, and reports to the Human Rights Council. We provide the Rapporteur with first-hand information from civil society, facilitate meetings with affected communities, and support the dissemination of their findings.
About
Two Committees, One Mission
The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief operates in both Geneva and New York. The Geneva committee serves as a sub-committee of the CoNGO Special Committee on Human Rights, engaging directly with the Human Rights Council and other Geneva-based UN bodies. The New York committee, established in 1991, coordinates NGO activities at UN Headquarters and works to ensure that freedom of religion or belief is reflected in General Assembly resolutions and other UN instruments adopted in New York.
Both committees maintain regular dialogue with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and collaborate with NGOs worldwide on cases where freedom of religion or belief intersects with other human rights — for example, when restrictions on religious dress affect women's rights, or when blasphemy laws are used to silence journalists and human rights defenders.
CoNGO
Our Place Within CoNGO
CoNGO — the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations — is an independent international membership association founded in 1948, the same year as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It serves as a bridge between civil society and the UN system. CoNGO itself does not take positions on substantive matters. Instead, it provides, through its Substantive Committees, forums where members can discuss issues with UN officials, delegates, and independent experts.
CoNGO provides, through special and ad hoc NGO Committees, fora for discussion of substantive matters by its members and members of the UN Secretariat, UN delegations, and other experts.
The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief is one of nearly 30 CoNGO Substantive Committees. CoNGO brings together 525 member organisations and 106 associate members in support of the UN mission. Our Committee reports regularly to CoNGO as part of the Special Committee on Human Rights in Geneva.
Members
Our Member Organisations
The NGO Committee on FoRB in Geneva brings together a diverse coalition of civil society organisations — faith-based and secular, large and small — united by a shared commitment to defend freedom of religion or belief for all.
Full Members
ADF International
AIDLR
Associazione per i Diritti Umani e la Tolleranza – Organization for Human Rights and Tolerance
Baptist World Alliance (BWA)
CAP LC (Freedom of Conscience)
Conference of European Churches
Fundación para la Mejora de la Vida
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SDA)
Humanists International
ICJW International Council of Jewish Women
International Association for Religious Freedom
Jubilee Campaign
Latter-day Saint Charities
Soka Gakkai International (SGI)
United Religions Initiative (URI)
Universal Peace Federation (UPF)
World Council of Churches
World Evangelical Alliance (WEA)
These organisations hold ECOSOC consultative status and are members of CoNGO, the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations.
ECOSOC Member Organisations
Agence Mondiale pour la Bonne Gouvernance
Baha’i International Community
Center for Inquiry (CFI)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)
Conscience and Peace Tax International (CPTI)
ECLJ
Fundación Vida Grupo Ecológico Verde
GIN-SSOGIE
Humanists UK
Jus Cogens (JC)
Mothers Legacy Project
Muslims for Progressive Values
Quaker United Nations Office
World Jewish Congress (WJC)
Youth With A Mission CIJR (YWAM CIJR)
These organisations hold consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), enabling them to participate directly in UN proceedings.
Participating Organisations
DaN Basel
Daniel Khokhar Foundation
European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB)
European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom
European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights
IAAAE
International Campaign for Tibet (ICT)
Member Care Associates (MCA)
Mundo Younido
Outreach Aid to the Americas (OAA)
Solidarity Advocacy Group
Stefanus Alliance International (SAI)
These organisations participate in the work of the Committee and contribute to advancing freedom of religion or belief worldwide.
Solidarity Advocacy Group
Bureau
Current Leadership
The Bureau, elected in May 2025 for a three-year term, brings together expertise from a range of global faith and advocacy communities.
President
Ivan Arjona-Pelado
President of Fundación para la Mejora de la Vida, la Cultura y la Sociedad. A seasoned advocate for religious freedom with nearly three decades of experience engaging European and international institutions.
Vice President
Jonas Fiebrantz
Advocacy Officer for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International. Chair of the UN Working Group of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable. MA in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution.
Secretary
Stefano Bosco
Director of Public and International Affairs of Latter-Day Saints Charities (LDS Charities), founded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
News
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Latest Updates
Stay informed about our activities at the United Nations, side events, statements, and developments in the field of freedom of religion or belief.
July 19, 2026
Faith at Work, UN Geneva Event Warns of Bias
By Juan Sanchez Gil – 5 July 2026 Speakers urged governments and employers to protect freedom…
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July 15, 2026
Iran: UN experts urge reversal of Tehran church compound seizure and return of its Christian residents
GENEVA – UN experts* today condemned the confiscation of the compound of St Peter’s Evangelical Church…
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June 19, 2026
Nigeria: Urgent call for effective protection and inclusion to secure freedom of religion or belief, says UN expert
ABUJA – There is an urgent need for effective protection and inclusion of people of all…
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For inquiries about the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, membership, or collaboration, please reach out to us.
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