8. Network for Freedom of Religion or Belief
The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) is a unique, non-partisan global network of parliamentarians dedicated to protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief for everyone, everywhere.
The network currently has more than 400 members from over 90 countries and robust networks in Africa and Southeast Asia. In January 2024, the IPPFoRB Southeast Europe (IPPFORB SEE) was launched.
In 2024, IPPFoRB organised several capacity-building events for parliamentarians worldwide. Among these were the regional IPPFoRB workshop in Sarajevo, Bosnia (18-20 Jan), the Fact-Finding Mission Report presentation and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Toolkit launch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (20 March), the FoRB Regional Parliamentarian Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia (24-25 August), Global IPPFoRB Academy in Oxford, UK (10-12 Sept), FoRB and AI Workshop side-event to the Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (10 Oct), and the UPR toolkit for parliamentarians workshop in Accra, Ghana (11-12 Nov). In addition, nine advocacy initiatives were initiated, amongst others, a Blasphemy Law Campaign.
2024 was the last year that the NHC hosted the secretariat of IPPFoRB. From 2025, the Stefanus Alliance will host the project.