The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Geneva acts as a sub-committee of the CONGO Special Committee on Human Rights.

It aims to promote the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, and ensure these fundamental freedoms are upheld according to international standards at the UN.

The committee supports and coordinates NGO activities in Geneva and seeks to follow and support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. It also communicates with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, other relevant UN Offices, and UN member states;and works with concerned NGOs in Geneva where the right to FoRB intersects with other rights.

Committee Bureau

President — Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Fundacion para la Mejora de la vida, Cultura y Sociedad
Vice-President — Jonas Fiebrantz, ADF International
Secretary — Michelle Mack Fiore, Jus Cogens

The Bylaws

NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (Geneva) – Rules (Bylaws)

Adopted in accordance with the rules of the Special Committee of NGOs on Human Rights

(as adopted on 18 June 2002, last amended 03 March 2025)

The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (Geneva) (hereafter: the Committee) operates formally as a Sub-Committee to the Special Committee of NGOs on Human Rights (Geneva), which inter alia makes budgetary provisions for the Committee.

It reports on a regular basis to the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (hereafter: CoNGO) as well as to the Special Committee.

Purpose

The purpose of the Committee is to promote freedom of religion or belief through enhanced NGO relations with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, other relevant UN Offices, and UN member states; and through improved communications between concerned NGOs in New York and Geneva.

The role of the Committee is to coordinate NGO activities in Geneva so as to reinforce the efficacy of the United Nations in the areas of promotion and protection of the right of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief as enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law.

Membership

Membership is open to NGOs having consultative status with United Nations through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Other NGOs may be welcomed to join the Committee as observers and can participate in the discussions.

Officers of the Bureau must represent a Member NGO in the Committee, that is an active member of CoNGO[1].

Structure

1. The Committee

2. Ad hoc Working Groups

3. The Bureau

Duties

The Committee meets at least three times a year. It elects the officers and creates ad-hoc working groups as necessary and appropriate. It takes decisions on matters within the scope of the Committee’s mission statement. For special activities, the Committee may raise its own funds.

Ad-hoc Working Groups carry out the mandate given to them by the Committee. They are accountable and report back to the Committee.

The Bureau of the Committee consists of the following officers:

The President, a Vice-President and a Secretary.

Officers of the Bureau, though representing their organisation in the Committee, serve in their personal Capacity.

Voting

The Committee’s decisions are adopted in principle by consensus between its members. Where it is necessary to vote, each member organisation shall have one vote. Observers and absentee members do not have the right to vote. The quorum for any business meeting shall be one half of the members of the Committee.

Duties of the Bureau

The Bureau carries out the decisions taken by the Committee on matters within the scope of its mission statement. When such matters arise between meetings that must be acted upon immediately, the Bureau will take the necessary action and report it at the next meeting of the Committee. The Bureau meets as often as it deems necessary and no less than three times a year.

Duties of the Officers

The President organises the work of the Bureau and conducts the meetings of the Committee.

The Vice-President shares in the organisation of the work and the moderation of meetings as appropriate.

The Secretary takes the minutes of the Committee and sends them out promptly in English; prepares the agenda with the President and sends it out in due time before each meeting; keeps the membership list up to date; acts as Treasurer as necessary.

Election of the Bureau

The officers of the Bureau are elected every three years. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive full terms in the same position or in any executive position (i.e. President or Vice President).

In case of a vacancy prior to the conclusion of the Bureau term, a special election to fill the vacancy until the end of the term may be held no later than 6 months prior to the regular election.

Nominating Committee         
Two individuals representing organizations that are members of the Committee are appointed to serve as the Nominations Committee for the election, responsible for receiving any nominations and liaising with the Bureau prior to the election. Members of the Nominations Committee cannot be candidates.


Eligibility

To be eligible to run for the election, as well as to nominate candidates and vote, the related NGO must be a member of the Committee, and an active member of CoNGO.


Eligibility for candidates requires a minimum of 2 nominations.

Voting

Only those NGOs who are present for the meeting during which the election is held will be able to vote. Presence is not required for the nominations or for those who are running for the positions.

Resolutions and Statements

If agreement is reached on a resolution and statement on any substantive issue at a meeting of the Committee, it should be clearly stated that it is a resolution/statement of the named NGOs which support it and not of the Committee.

Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by a vote of a two-thirds majority of the Committee.

A proposal to amend these rules may be made by at least three member organisations. A proposed amendment shall be notified to the Bureau in time for it to be circulated by the Bureau to all member organizations of the Committee so as to be received with the agenda of its next meeting.

Matters Not Covered by Above Bylaws

Any matter not covered by these bylaws shall be settled in accordance with Rules and Procedures of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CoNGO).

  1. The term “active member of CoNGO” refers to an organization that is registered and up to date on annual membership dues in accordance with the requirements of CoNGO. ↩︎