--- title: International freedom of religion or belief conference 2022 date: 2022-05-27T14:27:00+01:00 author: Alicia Edmund canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/international-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-conference-2022" section: Pages --- #### On Tuesday, 5 and Wednesday, 6 July 2022 the foreign, commonwealth and development office will host its first freedom of religion or belief conference in London. Hundreds of faith leaders, foreign ministers, and non-governmental organisations will come together to discuss and agree action to tackle religious persecution and discrimination around the world. Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is an important human right, protected in international human rights law and reinforced in domestic legislation like the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998. FoRB protects all individuals in the religious belief they choose to practice privately and publicly and also protects individuals who decide not to subscribe to any religion or philosophical belief. A core principle of FoRB is that neither the state, government actors or individuals within a society can mistreat, coerce or discriminate against another based on religious or no belief. It truly is a human right protecting all people around the world. ### Focused action on reducing Christian persecution overseas The Open Doors 2021 watchlist report found that more than 360 million Christians around the world suffer significant persecution for their faith. This injustice is not limited to one region or political system, but unfortunately permeates every continent around the world. The international ministerial conference in July is an important opportunity for the UK government and wider British society to discuss and learn about the importance of religious freedom and the scale of abuse experienced around the world. Both the Evangelical Alliance and the World Evangelical Alliance will be attending the conference and meeting conference delegates and government officials to share specific action the state and government can do to advocate for persecuted Christians overseas. ### Westminster focus [ ![Freedom of religion and belief must be a mainstream issue, it cannot be ignored or overlooked](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Inspiring-with-parliamentarian.jpg) ![Inspiring parliamentarian](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Inspiring-with-parliamentarian.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/freedom-of-religion-and-belief-must-be-a-mainstream-issue-it-cannot-be-ignored-or-overlooked) [#### Freedom of religion and belief must be a mainstream issue, it cannot be ignored or overlooked ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/freedom-of-religion-and-belief-must-be-a-mainstream-issue-it-cannot-be-ignored-or-overlooked) Politicians, faith and civil society leaders call for protection and liberty for all [ ![Danny Webster](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/danny-webster) [ Danny Webster ](/author/danny-webster) 07 July 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/freedom-of-religion-and-belief-must-be-a-mainstream-issue-it-cannot-be-ignored-or-overlooked) [ ![Advancing religious freedom must be a priority for global leaders](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![WEA delegation at the conference](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/WEA-delegation.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/advancing-religious-freedom-around-the-world-must-remain-a-top-priority-for-global-leaders) [#### Advancing religious freedom must be a priority for global leaders ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/advancing-religious-freedom-around-the-world-must-remain-a-top-priority-for-global-leaders) Global Director of Advocacy from the World Evangelical Alliance, shares her reflections from this week’s intergovernmental ministerial. [ ![Janet Epp Buckingham](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/janet-epp-buckingham) [ Janet Epp Buckingham ](/author/janet-epp-buckingham) 08 July 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/advancing-religious-freedom-around-the-world-must-remain-a-top-priority-for-global-leaders) [ ![Freedom of Religion or Belief - Conference Focus](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![FORB](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/FORB.jpeg) ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/videos-and-podcasts/freedom-of-religion-or-belief-conference-focus) [#### Freedom of Religion or Belief - Conference Focus ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/videos-and-podcasts/freedom-of-religion-or-belief-conference-focus) Watch Jo, Peter, Danny and Alicia share their reflections from the conference and update from the parliamentary prayer breakfast. [ Watch now ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/videos-and-podcasts/freedom-of-religion-or-belief-conference-focus) [](https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/videos-and-podcasts/freedom-of-religion-or-belief-conference-focus) [ ![Being a special envoy in prayer](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Fiona Bruce MP](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Portrait.jpeg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/being-a-special-envoy-in-prayer) [#### Being a special envoy in prayer ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/being-a-special-envoy-in-prayer) Belief-based persecution, particularly of Christians, remains at an all-time high globally. Fiona Bruce MP explains the urgent situation, and how we can intercede in prayer. [ ![Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/fiona-bruce-mp-for-congleton) [ Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton ](/author/fiona-bruce-mp-for-congleton) 04 August 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/being-a-special-envoy-in-prayer) [ ![Persecution survivors deserve to see progress at religious freedom summit](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Human Standing Beside Crucifix Statue on Mountain](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/pexels-pixabay-415571.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/persecution-survivors-deserve-more-than-empty-words-at-the-global-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-summit) [#### Persecution survivors deserve to see progress at religious freedom summit ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/persecution-survivors-deserve-more-than-empty-words-at-the-global-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-summit) Three years on from a major review into the persecution of Christians overseas, we assess what progress the government has made [ ![Alicia Edmund](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/alicia-edmund) [ Alicia Edmund ](/author/alicia-edmund) 27 May 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/persecution-survivors-deserve-more-than-empty-words-at-the-global-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-summit) [ ![Learn more about the FoRB fringe](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Courageous Advocacy image in Idea Apr - Mar 2022](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/iStock-1152037726.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/learn-more-about-the-forb-fringe) [#### Learn more about the FoRB fringe ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/learn-more-about-the-forb-fringe) Faith and belief organisations from the UK and beyond will host events, workshops and exhibitions at July’s freedom of religion or belief conference [ ![Alicia Edmund](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/alicia-edmund) [ Alicia Edmund ](/author/alicia-edmund) 01 June 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/learn-more-about-the-forb-fringe) ### Be inspired by our brothers and sisters around the world ##### Connecting you with stories from the persecuted church - read, learn and share with others [ ![Iranian church planter’s message to the UK church](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Farshid-thumbnail.png) ![Farshid thumbnail](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Farshid-thumbnail.png) ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/videos-and-podcasts/iranian-church-planters-message-to-the-uk-church) [#### Iranian church planter’s message to the UK church ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/videos-and-podcasts/iranian-church-planters-message-to-the-uk-church) Farshid shares his experience of persecution in Iran, the suffering Christ endured for us and the core of discipleship, suffering for Christ (2 Timothy 3:12) [ Watch now ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/videos-and-podcasts/iranian-church-planters-message-to-the-uk-church) [](https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/videos-and-podcasts/iranian-church-planters-message-to-the-uk-church) [ ![The hidden persecution of Christian women and girls](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Sierra Leone women](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/annie-spratt-SPS796v4KmM-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/the-hidden-persecution-of-christian-women-and-girls) [#### The hidden persecution of Christian women and girls ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/the-hidden-persecution-of-christian-women-and-girls) Open Doors’ recently published report ‘The Persecution of Christian Women and Girls’ tells of the persecution experienced by our sisters across the world [ ![Nicola Martin](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/nicola-martin) [ Nicola Martin ](/author/nicola-martin) 31 May 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/the-hidden-persecution-of-christian-women-and-girls) [ ![Can Nigeria dare to dream for a brighter future of religious freedom?](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Abel marquez 0ch Vl3b15 MQ unsplash](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/abel-marquez-0chVl3b15MQ-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/can-nigeria-dare-to-dream-for-a-brighter-future) [#### Can Nigeria dare to dream for a brighter future of religious freedom? ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/can-nigeria-dare-to-dream-for-a-brighter-future) Pastor Ayo, CEO of peace organisation PSJ UK, shares his highlights from the fringe events at the Freedom of Religion or Belief Conference, and his hopes for Nigeria [ ![Pastor Folajimi Ayo Adedoyin](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/pastor-folajimi-ayo-adedoyin) [ Pastor Folajimi Ayo Adedoyin ](/author/pastor-folajimi-ayo-adedoyin) 18 July 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/can-nigeria-dare-to-dream-for-a-brighter-future) [ ![Brothers united in prayer](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![World Evangelical Alliance Team at Geneva](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/WEA-in-Geneva.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/brothers-in-arms-and-in-prayer) [#### Brothers united in prayer ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/brothers-in-arms-and-in-prayer) World Evangelical Alliance: Pray for us as we advocate with the local church in Algeria, where freedom of religion is under threat [ ![Wissam al-Saliby](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/wissam-al-saliby) [ Wissam al-Saliby ](/author/wissam-al-saliby) 27 May 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/brothers-in-arms-and-in-prayer) [ ![“Five years in an Iranian prison… it was worth it”](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![The Iranian Church](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/image_2020-09-01_21-58-59.png) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/five-years-in-an-iranian-prison-it-was-worth-it) [#### “Five years in an Iranian prison… it was worth it” ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/five-years-in-an-iranian-prison-it-was-worth-it) Farshid Fathi, an Iranian church planter, shares his remarkable story of spending five years in jail in Iran because of his Christian ministry [ ![Farshid Fathi](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/farshid-fathi) [ Farshid Fathi ](/author/farshid-fathi) 01 June 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/five-years-in-an-iranian-prison-it-was-worth-it) [ ![Why it’s time to speak up against Pakistan’s blasphemy law](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![16 by 9 Pakistan flag](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/hamid-roshaan-9Kj1C8iuX84-unsplash-2_2022-05-31-154519_eywk.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/why-its-time-to-speak-up-against-pakistans-blasphemy-law) [#### Why it’s time to speak up against Pakistan’s blasphemy law ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/why-its-time-to-speak-up-against-pakistans-blasphemy-law) Pakistan’s blasphemy law must be repealed – Christians and other religious minorities live in constant fear for their lives, family safety and livelihoods [ ![Nasir Saeed (CLAAS-UK)](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/nasir-saeed-director-claas-uk) [ Nasir Saeed (CLAAS-UK) ](/author/nasir-saeed-director-claas-uk) 31 May 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/why-its-time-to-speak-up-against-pakistans-blasphemy-law) [ ![“I didn’t expect to survive”: the terrifying reality of being a Christian in northern Nigeria](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Release International partners distribute aid to Christians forced to flee persecution](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/2-Nigeria-aid.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/i-didnt-expect-to-survive-the-terrifying-reality-of-being-a-christian-in-northern-nigeria) [#### “I didn’t expect to survive”: the terrifying reality of being a Christian in northern Nigeria ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/i-didnt-expect-to-survive-the-terrifying-reality-of-being-a-christian-in-northern-nigeria) Release International’s Kenneth Harrod on the dire situation for Christians in Northern and Central Nigeria [ ![Kenneth Harrod](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/kenneth-harrod-2) [ Kenneth Harrod ](/author/kenneth-harrod-2) 21 June 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/i-didnt-expect-to-survive-the-terrifying-reality-of-being-a-christian-in-northern-nigeria) Loading... ## Everything Advocacy Sign up for a monthly update from the advocacy team, keeping you in the loop on the latest public policy and public leadership news, as well as how you can get involved. 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