Latin America

While FoRB violations in Latin America are generally less violent, constitutional gaps and the misuse of religion in politics remain pressing concerns. IPPFoRB has hosted regional workshops and is developing a model law initiative to guide legal reforms and safeguard religious freedom within democratic frameworks.

Testimonials

Deepening and widening the knowledge base of parliamentarians and developing their capacity regarding the protection of freedom of religion or belief is essential to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and in accordance with their human dignity. That is particularly important for indigenous people in Latin America, who have been violated in their most essential rights for a long time, despite possessing valuable ancestral cultures.

Professor Rodrigo Vitorino

Brazilian Center of Studies in Law and Religion

Some opponents of FoRB argue that we must stop advancing religions, but FoRB is not about advancing religion, it is about protecting people. We need more people who specialize in this field, who champions this right.

Carmen Asiain

MP Uruguay

Even today, people try to impose other religious on indigenous populations, as if we were not considered human, as if we needed another spirituality or a baptism to become people with souls.

Vanda Witoto

Indigenous Leader Witoto Community (Amazonas, Brazil)

MP signature IPPFoRB Academy Brazil Rio de Janeiro

See photos from this region

Events in this region

April 2026

IPPFoRB Latin America Academy 2026, São Paulo

December 2023

IPPFoRB Academy 2023

Steering Group Member for the South East Asia Region

Paulina Núñez Urrita

Paulina currently serves as President of the Senate of Chile, and is a member of the Senate of Chile since 2022.

She served as the President of the Permanent Committee on Environment, Climate Change, and National Assets. Additionally, she was a member of the Special Committee of the Bicameral Group on Transparency, the Permanent Committee on Women and Gender Equity, and the Bicameral Committee responsible for reviewing the Regulations of the new constituent body.

Paulina Urrita holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law and is a qualified lawyer. Besides, she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta Campus, in 2009. Further enhancing her expertise, she completed a Master's Degree in Government and Organizational Culture from Universidad de Navarra, Spain, in 2023.