New religious Law in Belarus: Re-registration, Restriction and Repression
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.
IPPFoRB Co-Organizes Interfaith Dialogue in Norway on Freedom of Expression, Anti-Muslim Hatred, and Antisemitism
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).
Freedom of Religion or Belief in Belarus: IPPFoRB launches Advocacy Letter Expressing Concern Over Belarus’s New Law on Religious Organization Activities
IPPFoRB Launches Advocacy Letter showing concern on Belarusian New Law. Sitting and Former Parliamentarians are invited to sign the letter.
Toolkit for Parliamentarians: Promoting an Inclusive Malaysian Society through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Process
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.”
Happy International Women’s Day!
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!
Sarajevo Hosts Launch of IPPFoRB’s Southeast Europe Network (IPPFoRB SEE) for freedom of religion or belief
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.
PRESS RELEASE – Inaugural IPPFoRB Academy in Latin America hosts G20 Interfaith Forum SESSION with Parliamentarians in Rio
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.
STATEMENT – Abid Raja, Chair of IPPFoRB, on the increasing hate speech, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia following the Israel-Hamas war
“The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) is deeply concerned about the surge in hate speech, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia. We are concerned about the impact of the war between Israel and Hamas on civilians, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and the hostages’ situation. We convey our profound solidarity with all the people impacted by the violence in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.
Freedom of Religion or Belief in South Asia: Bangkok Hosts Pivotal IPPFoRB & Humanists International Workshop
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.
Online Consultation Paves Path for Freedom of Religion or Belief Regional Network Launch in the Western Balkans
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.