The Ministerial Conference of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) addressed the topic of Freedom of Religion or Belief under Authoritarian Regimes. The conference explored the misuse of religion for political purposes, building resilience and the role of new technologies in the suppression of religious or belief minorities. The main panel sessions also analyzed past experiences in Central Europe under communist rule, and considered how this may help understand the means by which repressive regimes currently restrict freedom of religion or belief. The objective of the conference was also to highlight how sports and youth engagement can build interreligious and cross-cultural communities that encourage a shared culture of respect. The final part of the conference was dedicated to women's rights, and how they can be articulated with freedom of religion. We appreciate the collaborative spirit in discussions, Q&A sessions and informal meetings of the 300 participants in the Czernin Palace and other 200 participants at the side events together from 60 countries. Such active involvement means a crucial contribution in promoting FoRB and advocating for specific people suffering for their religion or belief around the globe. The goal was to open new channels of discussion in order to raise a greater awareness of the diversity, mutual recognition, equality, and freedom of religion or belief. Each session was dedicated to a specific person suffering for faith or belief as the ultimate goal of our efforts.

For the first time, members of the Steering Committee formed a delegation, which visited Algeria.

The Envoys met representatives of the Protestant Church (EPA) including the head of the church, who highlighted their problems, including the closure of 29 places of worship since 2017 (with concerns that there would only be one left open), and his own recent arrest and trial. Other pastors are currently appealing prison sentences. The Algerian Bible Society also report that Bibles have been stuck in customs for over a year; they are currently banned from importing such literature.

An Ahmadi representative reported difficulties in registering as a religious association, how that restricted their ability to worship, and the tracking of their movements by the security services. Many Ahmadis have also had fines imposed on them, totalling over £50,000 across the community since 2017.

The Jewish community representative confirmed good relations with the government but difficulties remained in trying to re-open a synagogue (this is currently not one synagogue open in Algiers despite the Jewish community numbering around 1000 individuals).  

The Catholic Church were particularly concerned by the closure of the NGO Caritas by the authorities – a closure which happened on the very day the IRFBA delegation was meeting with the Catholic Church and which was evidently distressing

Meetings with the Algerian government Ministries of Religious Affairs and the Interior over two mornings were lengthy and friendly.

The Ministry of the Interior spoke about Algeria’s struggles with Islamist terrorism in the nineties, which led to thousands of deaths. They have subsequently made efforts in reconciliation and de-radicalisation, with rules shaping the practice of all religions, including Islam. They noted that mosques and madrassahs have been closed, including one the previous week for non-compliance with regulations. They also highlighted the State’s positive interventions, such as the organisation of a beatification ceremony, inviting representatives of minority groups to national celebrations, and government provided financial support.

 The dialogue with government officials about improving conditions implied an openness to continue engagement and opened up channels of communication, which had previously been patchy.  The delegation felt that the visit had been productive in this regard and look forward to further dialogue – a future visit is planned.

The International Ministerial Conference to advance FoRB on 4-6 July 2022 was held in London. During the year we moved the dial from a planned 300 delegates conference to a significant gathering of over 1000. The Conference and its associated fringe brought together government delegations, faith and belief group leaders and civil society from over 100 countries, with 88 countries sending official delegates for rich discussions to address challenges to the right to FoRB.

The Conference explored the many facets of FoRB through seventeen themed panel sessions and gave a platform to those persecuted for their religion or belief. There was an active FoRB Fringe events programme of over 100 events both inside and outside the conference centre, working closely with the UK FoRB Forum. The Chair also hosted and spoke with the Deputy Special Envoy at receptions at the Speaker’s Banquet in Parliament, Lancaster House, No10 and the US Embassy.

Forty-seven governments, international organisations and other entities made pledges to take action in support of FoRB. Thirty-four countries joined the U.K. in signing up to one or more of a set of statements protecting and promoting FoRB.

The opening plenary session received contributions from: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales; the previous Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Liz Truss MP; Secretary General of the Muslim World League, His Excellency Sheikh Al-Issa; Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad; the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby; Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis; President of Humanists International, Mr Andrew Copson; Spiritual Leader and Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jutha, Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, and President of the Hindu Forum of Britain, Mrs Trupti Patel. I chaired the opening keynote panel and my Deputy, David Burrowes, chaired a panel on the role of civil society. 

The FoRB Ministerial was an important human rights milestone which galvanised international efforts to do more to protect and promote the right to FoRB. The challenge now was to turn words into action – IRFBA and its Council of Experts committed to doing this through building coalitions of government and civil society actors focussed on key themes which emerged from the Ministerial which were brainstormed at the Next Steps Conference which followed it on 7th July at Lancaster House.

These areas of action included work on:

•           Protecting Religious and Cultural Heritage

•           Developing Education Materials on FoRB

•           Inspiring the Next Generation of FoRB Ambassadors

•           Championing Prisoners of Conscience

•           Working with lawyers on Legislative Reform

•           Building an International Network of FoRB roundtables

•           Networking human rights defenders

•           Engaging the Media on FoRB