Freedom of Religion or Belief Conference

That the Parliament notes that the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), which was hosted by the UK Government, took place in London on 5 and 6 July 2022; understands that around 700 delegates from over 100 countries attended, representing governments, parliaments, faith groups, and other parts of civil society; believes that delegates were impressed by the first-hand accounts of speakers from North Korea, Eritrea, from Baha’i and Ahmadiyya communities, and others who, it understands, have been persecuted for their faith; understands that themes discussed included an urgency to tackle the early warning signs of FoRB violations by governments, concerns over the use of technology as a tool for FoRB infringement, and the impact of intersecting inequalities, for example, for Yazidi women; believes that this conference has helped raise the profile of freedom of religion or belief as an issue, and considers that if freedom of religion or belief is lost, other freedoms will inevitably be lost as well.