News releases
To mark Human Rights Day, IPPFoRB has launched “Freedom of Religion or Belief: The Hidden Right,” a new awareness video highlighting global FoRB violations and the vital role parliamentarians play in protecting this fundamental freedom. The video aims to strengthen understanding of FoRB as a cornerstone of human dignity and peaceful societies.
The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) convened a Regional Academy in Singapore from 23–25 November, gathering a new cohort of ASEAN Parliamentarians. The Academy culminated in the adoption of an ASEAN Parliamentarians’ FoRB Declaration, reaffirming a shared commitment to protect and advance freedom of religion or belief in Southeast Asia.
The 2025 IPPFoRB Regional Academy in Accra convened lawmakers from across Sub‑Saharan Africa for three days of expert-led training on freedom of religion or belief. The Academy concluded with the adoption of the Accra Declaration, a landmark commitment by participating MPs to advance FoRB in their home countries.
The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) hosted a workshop and co-organized the first dedicated track for parliamentarians at the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit, bringing together legislative leaders for tailored sessions and discussions on advancing religious freedom.
The IPU and IPPFoRB have launched a global webinar series equipping parliamentarians to counter hatred based on religion or belief. Running from late 2024 to mid‑2025, the series explores FoRB, hate speech, social media challenges, and non‑legislative approaches, culminating in an interfaith dialogue conference in June 2025.
The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) had a workshop in Accra, Ghana this November. The workshop aimed at equipping Members of Parliament (MPs) across Africa with the tools to better address issues related to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) within their countries.
New law has sparked widespread concern over the broader repression of freedoms in Belarus. The Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations was adopted in Belarus by a Law on Amending Laws on the Issues of Activities of Religious Organisations signed by Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
The Kristiansand Interfaith Dialogue occurred on May 4th during the Kristiansand’s Democracy Week and facilitated meaningful discussions on enhancing democracy and human rights while addressing the balance between freedom of expression and hate speech. The event was co-organized by IPPFoRB, the Kristiansand Municipality, the University of Agder, Faith Associates and the Council for Religious and Life Stance Communities in Norway (STL).
IPPFoRB Launches Advocacy Letter showing concern on Belarusian New Law. Sitting and Former Parliamentarians are invited to sign the letter.
Malaysia recently underwent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in January 2024, IPPFoRB and the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) developed a “Toolkit for Parliamentarians to Promote an Inclusive Malaysian Society Through the UPR Process.”
In honor of International Women's Day, we are thrilled to present an exclusive interview with Sabina Ćudić, a member of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Parliament. With a robust background as a political scientist holding a master's degree in human rights, Sabina has been deeply involved in the human rights sector through her work with non-governmental organizations prior to venturing into politics and academia, where she focuses on the political science of human rights. Sabina Ćudić is a women human rights defender!
January 19, 2024, marked a pivotal moment in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the official launch of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief - Southeast Europe (IPPFoRB SEE) network. In the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, this inaugural event represented a significant advancement towards protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief in the region.
The 5th IPPFoRB Academy is set to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from December 12 to December 15, 2023. The Academy will feature intensive training and strategic sessions, with a special collaborative workshop with the G20 Interfaith Forum and the Brazilian Center for Studies in Law and Religion.
In a landmark event from October 1-3, 2023, IPPFoRB and Humanists International joined forces in Bangkok, Thailand, for the South Asia Regional Workshop on Freedom of Religion or Belief, uniting parliamentarians from Nepal and Sri Lanka with critical stakeholders to address pivotal aspects of the human right to freedom of religion or belief.
In response to the growing interest in establishing a regional network of parliamentarians for freedom of religion or belief in the Western Balkans, the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) organised an online consultation. The Zoom consultation, held on August 28, 2023, brought together current and former parliamentarians from Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Romania.
The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) is proud to introduce an original podcast series: "FoRB and Politics" in collaboration with the Freedom of Religion or Belief Leadership Network, FoRBLN.
Reflecting on 2022, this article delves into IPPFoRB's multifaceted efforts, from educational initiatives to actionable advocacy, highlighting the strides made and challenges encountered in promoting inclusive, non-discriminatory environments for all religious and belief individuals globally.
Hon. Sanela Shkrijelj, a distinguished Member of Parliament from North Macedonia, and Paulina Andrea Nunez Urrita, a respected Member of Parliament from Chile, are the new members of the IPPFoRB Steering Group. We congratulate Honourable Nqabayomzi Kwankwa on his well-deserved promotion to the IPPFoRB Steering Group Vice Chair position.
From 2 to 14 May 2023, IPPFoRB brought parliamentarians from all over the world to discuss Freedom of Religion or Belief and the UN 2030 Agenda in Nairobi, Kenya.
IPPFoRB convened a digital workshop with the participation of a broader group of parliamentarians from Southeast Asia and Africa. The workshop series “The Learning Path” aims to accomplish multiple objectives, including introducing new Members of Parliament (MPs) to the competence-building activities organized by IPPFoRB. Additionally, participants will be able to share their experiences and evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies devised during their timeatn the Academy in Oxford.
Norwegian parliamentarian Abid Raja is all set to join as the new Chair of IPPFoRB Steering Group. As a long-time defender of freedom of religion or belief, Raja has been instrumental in advancing dialogue and actions on strengthening this human right, both nationally and internationally.
The right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and freedom of expression (FoE) have many similarities. Both protect the individual’s dignity and right to develop an independent way of thinking. One cannot exist without the other.
Last month, we hosted our third High-level Dialogue on ‘Education and Freedom of Religion or Belief’. As part of bringing forward learnings from these Dialogues, this article summarizes the different themes and issues explored by participants during the webinar together with recommendations and a way forward.
IPPFoRB welcomes the election of women to leadership positions in Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), one of Indonesia’s most prominent Islamic organizations.
As we approach the 73rd year commemorating Human Rights around the world, this year’s theme, “focusing on how rights are the beginning of peace within societies, and a way to create a fairer society for future generations", couldn’t have come at a more apt time as we continue to grapple with this catastrophic pandemic and the balance of human rights embroiled in all this.
At the launch of the ’Strengthening the Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Western Balkans: A Roadmap for Parliamentarians’ report this month, parliamentarians from the Western Balkans region discuss ways to build mutual dialogue and cooperation, across political and religious lines, at the national, regional and international level, to advance the right to freedom of religion or belief for all in the broader region.