Online Consultation Paves Path for Freedom of Religion or Belief Regional Network Launch in the Western Balkans
September 1, 2023 — 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.
Various perspectives were shared regarding the network's potential benefits, challenges, and operational aspects. There has been a general agreement that considering numerous challenges associated with the Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) issues, which are highly specific to this region, collaboration across the region has long been a necessity. Participants concurred that parliamentarians must assume a leading role in tackling these issues within their region and home countries.
The discussion about the potential name of the network touched upon inclusivity and the broader regional context. Participants agreed that the network should encompass a broader Southeast European region, proposing the name Southeast Europe for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SEE FoRB).
Some of the priority areas of emphasis for the proposed network include promoting diversity, fostering respect, and advancing freedom of religion or belief as an integral part of the international human rights framework.
Participating MPs agreed that the role of civil society in the network's work is crucial, and representatives of local CSOs should be included in the network's activities.
It was agreed that the network's launch event should be held in the near future in one of the Western Balkans countries and combined with a workshop to address existing and emerging FoRB-related issues in the region and how parliamentarians and other stakeholders can address them.
For updates on the time and place of the network launch, follow the IPPFoRB webpage and social media.
Sitting and former MPs from the Western Balkans teamed up with regional civil society representatives at the 2022 IPPFoRB Workshop on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Ohrid, North Macedonia.
BACKGROUND
The IPPFoRB has played a pivotal role in facilitating regional networks for freedom of religion or belief in Southeast Asia and Africa, each tailored to the context and resources of the respective region. These networks foster information sharing, advocate for freedom of religion or belief, and promote cross-regional cooperation. They are uniquely positioned to address freedom of religion or belief issues within their regions, leveraging local expertise and relationships with civil society organisations.
In Western Balkans, individual parliamentarians have been active in IPPFoRB since its inception. In previous years, IPPFoRB has produced a Roadmap for Parliamentarians in the Western Balkans and organised several digital and physical meetings with key regional stakeholders.
For further details, contact:
Mar'yana Haydanka, IPPFoRB Senior Adviser, at mh@nhc.no
Sara Machado, IPPFoRB Communications and Advocacy Adviser, at sm@nhc.no