FAITH & FREEDOM OF BELIEF-2019

FAITH & RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
SHUTTERSTOCK
nessed some success on the battle against violence and discrimination on
religious grounds, thanks to the action of governments willing to implement
human rights reforms, and advocacy from civil society organisations and human
rights defenders, national human rights institutions, UN agencies and
the international community.
For instance, in the last year several individuals who were jailed because of
their religion or beliefs have been released from detention, after concerns
raised by the international community. We are also witnessing how some
countries are trying to liberalise their legislation on religious freedom or are
moving away from a strict implementation of religious principles in their legislation
(e.g. seeking equality in inheritance law between men and women).
It is worth noting that some religious actors and non-believers remain strong
human rights advocates across the world, for instance by providing assistance
and care to migrants and asylum seekers in distress, or by leading efforts
of inter-faith dialogue to tackle sectarian conflicts.
Does the rise of populism in politics influence directly
the freedom of religion and in what ways?
Luisa Ragher
Head of Human
Rights Division ,
European External
Action Service
(E.E.A.S.).
In our daily work, we witness how FoRB is contested around the world.
OUR WORLD | 2019
25