Geneva, June 25, 2025 — In a significant step for the international protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), the NGO Committee on FoRB for UN Geneva has elected a new Bureau during a meeting held today at the United Nations’ Geneva headquarters. The event drew a diverse group of civil society leaders and was … Continue reading New Leadership Elected to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief at UN Geneva
Going beyond complacency required to uphold freedom of religion or belief in Zambia: UN expert
LUSAKA – Complacency regarding freedom of religion or belief is holding Zambia back from progressing this freedom further, for all, and on an equal basis throughout the country, a UN expert said today. “Zambians are rightly proud of their country, its openness and their alignment with Ubuntu, cordiality and connectedness,” the Special Rapporteur on freedom of … Continue reading Going beyond complacency required to uphold freedom of religion or belief in Zambia: UN expert
New UK Special Envoy on FoRB David Smith Condemned Torture and Religious Persecution in UN Human Rights Council Statement
Geneva. On March 4th the United Kingdom called for urgent global action to combat torture and protect freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in detention centers, following a stark warning from the UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB about systemic violations in countries like Myanmar and Sudan, and her Hungary country visit report. Delivering the UK’s statement at … Continue reading New UK Special Envoy on FoRB David Smith Condemned Torture and Religious Persecution in UN Human Rights Council Statement
Iran: UN experts call for Hijab and Chastity law to be repealed
GENEVA - UN experts* today expressed concern about a new law in Iran that imposes a series of new penalties on women and girls who fail to wear a hijab. They called on the Government of Iran to immediately repeal it. “The new hijab law marks an intensification of state control over women’s bodies in … Continue reading Iran: UN experts call for Hijab and Chastity law to be repealed
Special Rapporteur’s 2018 annual reports
The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. The current mandate holder, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, has been in post since November 2016. Report, Feb 2018: State-Religion Relationships and their Impact on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Report, Sept 2018: Relationship between freedom of religion or … Continue reading Special Rapporteur’s 2018 annual reports