International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief

10/12/2025

Today, on , we are proud to launch our new video 🎥

Freedom of Religion or Belief ( ) is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Yet, it remains the hidden right, often overlooked, despite being deeply connected to all other rights.

🌍 Human rights are universal, indivisible, and interdependent. Protecting means protecting human dignity, equality, and peace 🕊️.

24/11/2025

🗞️Thanks to Berita Harian Online for the coverage🙏

Singapore’s leading Malay-language daily featured the ongoing , highlighting our efforts to promote freedom of religion or belief ( ) and strengthen social cohesion in multicultural societies.

The article highlights how the IPPFoRB Academy brings together parliamentarians and experts to strengthen freedom of religion or belief ( ) and promote social cohesion in multicultural societies.
It underscores the importance of inclusive dialogue, mutual respect, and collaborative policymaking.

This recognition reinforces our mission: promoting hashtag for everyone, everywhere.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.beritaharian.sg/singapura/elak-keretakan-masyarakat-berbilang-budaya-di-barat-negara-eropah

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Berita - Ciri masyarakat pelbagai budaya yang kian kurang diterima di negara Barat dan Eropah perlu dikaji dengan teliti supaya kita dapat mengelak keadaan yang sama di rantau ini, kata Menteri Negara (Tenaga Manusia merangkap Kebudayaan, Masyarakat dan Belia), Encik Dinesh Vasu Dash. Baca lebih lan...

23/11/2025

🎓 The Singapore has officially begun!

We are deeply grateful to Mr. James Low, Director of the Harmony in Diversity Gallery, for hosting our inauguration in such a meaningful and symbolic space for diversity and dialogue.

We are also honoured to have Minister of State, MCCY & MOM, Mr. Dinesh Vasu Dash, deliver an insightful speech about the importance of multiculturalism in building cohesive societies.

Today’s sessions were truly inspiring, with thought-provoking talks by Prof. Nazila Ghanea, Dr. Thiago Alves Pinto, Dr. Zainal Abidin, and Dr. Mathews.

A big thanks to our engaged cohort of MPs from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines—your participation makes this journey impactful.

Let’s keep the learning and conversations going!

22/11/2025

🌏 The IPPFoRB team has just arrived in beautiful Singapore!
We’re thrilled to kick off our Academy: “Building Peaceful Coexistence”, welcoming parliamentarians from Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Over the next three days, we’ll explore the context of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Southeast Asia, guided by incredible experts:
👤 Prof. Ghanea – UN Special Rapporteur for FoRB
👤 Dr. Thiago Alves – Director of Studies in Religion and Theology, University of Oslo
👤 Birgitte Moe Olsen – Senior Adviser at Stefanus Alliance & co-author of “Freedom of Religion or Belief and Freedom of Expression: a complex and complementary relationship.”
It’s going to be a powerful time of learning, sharing, and connecting. Stay tuned for updates and reflections from the Academy!
📍

10/10/2025

✨ Engagement, participation, leadership are three words to define the first in Accra.

🌍 After three full days of learning, networking and advocacy, has come to a close and we could not be prouder.

With engaged parliamentarians from seven countries in , a regionally tailored program, and a strong emphasis on women’s rights, the academy has been a dynamic and space for collaboration and learning, where we engaged deeply with freedom of religion or belief across the continent.

Thank you to our partners at the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs- ACEPA Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) for their support and collaboration.

More reflections, highlights from our visit to Parliament, and insights from the outcomes of this event will follow soon.

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07/10/2025

Day 2 of the is well underway with yet more engaging discussions and presentations.

Today, we are diving into Regional challenges and the intersection of and , and the Honorable Members of Parliament are sharing their best practices in a dynamic roundtable.

Follow up for more updates!

Fernanda San Martin Centre for Parliamentary Affairs- ACEPA

06/10/2025

🎉 The in Ghana is officially underway!

We kicked off with inspiring opening remarks from IPPFoRB and our partners at the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs- ACEPA , setting the tone for three days of learning, connection, and advocacy.
One of the morning’s highlights was a powerful presentation by Prof. Nazila Ghanea, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, who shared insights on how UN mechanisms support and protect .

We also heard from Rev. Dr. Johnson Mbilla, whose talk on Politics, Religion, and FoRB focused on Africa was both timely and deeply relevant.
The energy is high, the conversations are meaningful, and we’re just getting started.
📢 Stay tuned for more updates as the Academy unfolds.

03/10/2025

⏳ The countdown is on!
We’re getting ready to welcome MPs from across Africa to the IPPFoRB Academy, a high-level program focused on protecting and promoting FoRB for everyone, everywhere.
Together, we’re building a stronger future for Freedom of Religion or Belief. 💪

01/10/2025

🌟 We’re honored to announce that Professor Ghanea, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief ( ), will join as a speaker at the upcoming IPPFoRB Academy in Accra!
Her expertise and leadership continue to shape global conversations on FoRB and to inspire all of us working in the field, and her support has been invaluable to our work.
We’re truly grateful to have her with us. 🙏

29/09/2025

📣 Exciting News!
We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming IPPFoRB Academy in Accra, Ghana, happening from October 6 to 8! 🇬🇭
This Academy will bring together Members of Parliament from across Africa and global experts to advance Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) through collaboration, learning, and strategic action.
We’re proud to lead this initiative with the support of our partners at African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs- ACEPA.
📍 Location: Accra, Ghana
🔔 Stay tuned for updates right here!
👉 Tag a friend who should know about this!

22/07/2025

During our recent visit to Rome, we had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We were warmly welcomed at their temple and learned about the history, symbols, and beliefs of their faith. We appreciated the spirit of mutual understanding and the openness to conversations across different faiths and perspectives.

At IPPFoRB, we work to protect the human right of all individuals to believe, practice, and change their religion or belief. We work with all religions and across political parties to advance freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for everyone, everywhere. Encounters like this remind us that meaningful cooperation can happen when there’s space for respectful exchange and common ground.

A special thank you to Stefano Bosco, Government Relations Director at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who facilitated this visit. And thank you to our hosts for their hospitality and for sharing this moment with us.

15/07/2025

Throwback to last month’s -Parliamentary Union Second Conference on Interfaith Dialogue 🌍
It was a pleasure, as always, to connect with our IPPFoRB ally Thiago Alves Pinto, Director of Studies in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Oxford.

IPPFoRB is proud to count on a global network of experts rowing alongside us in the protection and promotion of for everyone, everywhere. Thiago is one of those outstanding partners, and we couldn’t be prouder to work with him in this field.