News releases 

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. 

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.

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.

We are pleased to introduce the new member of the IPPFoRB team, Mia Meyer Walle-Hansen. She will be joining us for the coming months' activities, including the Nairobi Global Conference.

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.

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.

Last month, we hosted our second High-level Dialogue on ‘Gender and FoRB: opportunities for synergies and learning’. As part of bringing forward learnings from these Dialogues, this article lays out the different themes and issues explored by participants during the webinar together with recommendations and a way forward.

This 27th October, on the International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day, the two new IPPFoRB Steering Group parliamentarians draw attention to the importance of seeing this human right in a broader context, including its interconnections with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Last month, we hosted our first High-level Dialogue on 'Applying a FoRB lens to achieving the SDGs'. As part of sharing learnings from these Dialogues, this article lays out the different themes and issues explored by participants during the webinar together with recommendations and a way forward.

This month, the Centre for Freedom of Religion or Belief in the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC), where the IPPFoRB Secretariat is based, received its first student intern from the Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo.

Published ahead of the Global Goals Week to #Act4SDGS, and the first in a series of publications called ‘Leaving No One Behind’, the ‘Freedom of Religion or Belief and Sustainable Development Goals’ briefing paper is an innovative take on addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).

We must work collectively and meaningfully to curb violence in the name of religion and belief across the world. Smaller, collective, and sustained efforts can result in a wave of positive change.

This September, on the anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ‘Global Goals Week’, we launch the first of our six High-Level Dialogues in our ‘Leave No One Behind: Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Sustainable Development Goals’ series.

Parliamentarians and religious leaders from Indonesia have signed the “Sentul Declaration for Peace Building and Freedom of Religion or Belief”.

The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) will play a major role in the project ‘Freedom of Religion or Belief Leadership Network’ (FoRBLN).

On this six-year anniversary, we look at six ways IPPFoRB continues to advance the right to freedom of religion or belief for everyone, everywhere.