Impact

IPPFoRB Parliamentarians from 7 countries signed the Sarajevo Declaration at the Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliament, facilitated by IPPFoRB in the context of the launch of its Southeast Europe Network. Thi was widely covered by the media in the region, bringing FoRB to the region's public agenda.

IPPFoRB Parliamentarians issued a public statement placing FORB and freedom of expression on the political agenda. The declaration calls for repeal of Blasphemy Laws, addresses hate speech, politicization of religion, and discrimination against religious minorities. An op-ed in Jakarta Post higlights the importance of the topic.

IPPFoRB Parliamentarian Hon. Carmen Asiain introduced a bill allow religious minorities to observe their religious holidays. The bill was passed by the Senate and the case brought FoRB to the national spotlight.

IPPFoRB Parliamentarian Hon. Ramesh Singh Arora advocated for the long-delayed registration rules, which were finally framed Jan. 2025.

IPPFoRB Parliamentarian Hon. Sardar Ramesh Arora led the passage of the Sikh Marriage Act in Punjab, Pakistan, a world’s first.

IPPFoRB Parliamentarian Hon. Ephraim Abel Kayembe ensured enforcement of a High Court ruling allowing Rastafarian children to attend school with dreadlocks.

Ghana’s parliament passes the Criminal Offenses (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which seeks to proscribe witchcraft accusations, championed by by IPPFoRB Parliamentarian Hon. Godfred Jasaw.

IPPFoRB Parliamentarian Hon. Amadou Camara led efforts to block a bill repealing the FGM ban, framing it as a violation of FoRB. The bill was defeated in Parliament. UN salutes ‘monumental achievement’ as lawmakers uphold FGM ban.