EPRID has been organising an interesting webinar series, interviewing experts, politicians and policymakers, all related to Freedom of Religion or Belief. Several have been recorded and published on our YouTube account. You’ll find them here:

The EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief were adopted by the Council of the European Union on 24 June 2013, and represent a significant milestone in the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief. The document provides guidance to EU institutions and member states on how to promote and protect this fundamental right, both domestically and in their foreign policies.​​ As the 10th anniversary of the Guidelines approaches, there is an opportunity to take stock. The primary objective of this event was to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the EU Guidelines on the ​Promotion and ​Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief and to review its implementation and efficacy in protecting those who’s religious or belief rights have been violated. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the ​scope ​of the Guidelines on the ground; to identify best practices and lessons learned ​from ​their implementation and offer recommendations; to review its contents; to reflect on the successes and shortcomings; and to assess opportunities for improvement. Moderators from the EPRID Board of Coordinators: Francesco Di Lillo, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Elizabeta Kitanovic, Conference of European Churches Sina Varaei, Baha'i International Community Programme: First panel Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Frans van Daele, Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU Second panel Anastasia Hartman, EU Advocacy officer, Open Doors International John Kinahan, Forum 18 Raphael Warolin, Policy Officer, European External Action Service.
Celebrating 10 Years of the EU Guidelines on the Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief
Host: Francesco Di Lillo, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints / EPRID Board of Coordinators The European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID) hosted a conversation on the 10th anniversary of the EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief. The conversation featured Arie de Pater, Brussels representative of the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) and the European representative of the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF), and was hosted by Francesco Di Lillo from the European Union & International Affairs Office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and member of the EPRID Board of Coordinators. During the conversation, Arie de Pater discussed the significance of the EU guidelines on freedom of religion or belief. He highlighted that the guidelines reaffirm the European Union's commitment to this fundamental right and provide practical guidance for member states and permanent missions on how to respond when freedom of religion or belief is violated. Arie de Pater also shared his organization's involvement in the drafting process of the guidelines. He praised the openness of the European Union and its willingness to work with civil society during the drafting process. He emphasized the unity and cooperative spirit of civil society in contributing their expertise to the guidelines. When asked about the impact of the guidelines since their adoption, Arie de Pater noted that there hasn't been a formal evaluation of their impact. However, he mentioned that the EU has been active in addressing violations of freedom of religion or belief around the world. He also highlighted the commitment of EU officials to training sessions on the topic, which allowed for a better understanding of the importance of this right. Regarding future revisions or updates to the guidelines, Arie de Pater suggested that the implementation of existing documents should be a priority. He did not see the need for a full revision of the guidelines but mentioned that the issue of technical surveillance, such as biometric remote identification, which has become more prevalent in recent years, could be included in the guidelines and training. Overall, the conversation focused on the importance of the EU guidelines on freedom of religion or belief, civil society's role in the drafting process, and the need for continuous efforts to promote and protect this fundamental human right. ============================================= The EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief were adopted by the Council of the European Union on 24 June 2013, and represent a significant milestone in the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief. The document provides guidance to EU institutions and member states on how to promote and protect this fundamental right, both domestically and in their foreign policies.​​ As the 10th anniversary of the Guidelines approaches, there is an opportunity to take stock. As European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID), together with friends and partner organizations, we hosted two informal roundtables focusing on specific themes, such as the role of civil society in promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief, challenges and opportunities for implementation. We also engaged with experts, academia and representatives of civil society who have been involved at various ​stages​ with the definition, study, or implementation of the EU Guidelines on a number of live interviews. Both roundtables and these live interviews built up momentum and generated ideas leading to our closing conference in Brussels, featuring, among others, Dr. Frans van Daele, European Commission's Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of religion or belief outside the EU, and Prof. Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
#EPRID with Arie de Pater on the 10th Anniversary of the #EU Guidelines #FoRB
Host: Anastasia Hartman, Open Doors International / EPRID During a conversation hosted by the European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID), Dr. Andrea Benzo, Italy's first Special Envoy for the Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief and Interreligious Dialogue, discussed the challenges and successes of his work, and that of the EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Dr. Benzo highlighted that his task was not particularly difficult as Italy has a long-standing history of engagement in the field of FoRB and interfaith dialogue. He emphasized the importance of partnerships between governments, religious actors, and civil society in promoting FoRB and interfaith dialogue. Dr. Benzo acknowledged the significance of the EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of FoRB, stating that they have been useful in raising awareness and increasing the literacy level of diplomats on the relevance of FoRB in various aspects of their work. He mentioned that FoRB violations are not solely a governmental issue but also stem from societal factors. He stressed the importance of interfaith dialogue as a tool to foster cooperation, understanding, and trust among people of different faiths, thereby contributing to a better FoRB environment. Regarding successful examples of implementing the EU Guidelines, Dr. Benzo mentioned that during his service in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, he had several meetings with religious actors and civil society engaged in FoRB issues. He also highlighted the successful organization of an international symposium on FoRB hosted by the Italian Embassy in Cairo, which involved local governments, civil society, religious actors, and international partners. The conference aimed to emphasize the collective effort required to promote FoRB and its interconnectedness with other common goals. In response to a question about promoting the importance of FoRB in cooperation with human rights groups with conflicting perspectives on human rights, Benzo emphasized that FoRB should be seen as part of the broader framework of human rights. He emphasized the interrelatedness and universality of human rights, stating that ultimately there could be no conflict among them. He cautioned against instrumentalizing FoRB or religion to undermine other fundamental rights and stressed the need to prioritize the universality and interdependence of human rights. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of ongoing efforts to protect and promote FoRB and the role of partnerships and interfaith dialogue in achieving these goals. ============================================= The EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief were adopted by the Council of the European Union on 24 June 2013, and represent a significant milestone in the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief. The document provides guidance to EU institutions and member states on how to promote and protect this fundamental right, both domestically and in their foreign policies.​​ As the 10th anniversary of the Guidelines approaches, there is an opportunity to take stock. As European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID), together with friends and partner organizations, we hosted two informal roundtables focusing on specific themes, such as the role of civil society in promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief, challenges and opportunities for implementation. We also engaged with experts, academia and representatives of civil society who have been involved at various ​stages​ with the definition, study, or implementation of the EU Guidelines on a number of live interviews. Both roundtables and these live interviews built up momentum and generated ideas leading to our closing conference in Brussels, featuring, among others, Dr. Frans van Daele, European Commission's Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of religion or belief outside the EU, and Prof. Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
#EPRID with Dr. Andrea Benzo on the 10th Anniversary of the #EU Guidelines #FoRB
Host: Francesco Di Lillo, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints / EPRID Board of Coordinators The conversation between Francesco Di Lillo, a member of the Board of Coordinators of the European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID), and Prof. Pasquale Annicchino from the University of Foggia, Italy, focused on the 10th anniversary of the EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief. The purpose of the conversation was to discuss the importance of the guidelines, their strengths, and weaknesses, and how they can be improved to enhance the protection of freedom of religion or belief. Francesco Di Lillo introduced the webinar and highlighted the series of events organized by EPRID to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the guidelines. He emphasized the significance of the guidelines and their impact on raising awareness and improving the standards of religious freedom around the world. Prof. Pasquale Annicchino acknowledged the importance of the guidelines as a recognition of the relevance of religion in EU policymaking. He discussed the legal perspective of the guidelines, mentioning that they are a first step and a tool for civil society organizations to advocate for religious freedom. He mentioned that the guidelines are a nonbinding document, often referred to as soft law, providing instructions for institutions to implement in their activities. He noted that while the guidelines can be improved, their existence is essential for organizations to claim the relevance of the right to freedom of religion or belief within the EU framework. They further discussed the challenges faced by civil society organizations in promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief. Prof. Annicchino highlighted the differences between the US and Europe in terms of civil society engagement and legal landscape. He stressed the need for a more robust ecosystem in Brussels to contribute to advancing ideas and topics related to religious freedom. He also mentioned the importance of addressing the institutional and societal difficulties faced by civil society organizations. In conclusion, the conversation emphasized the significance of the EU guidelines on freedom of religion or belief and the need for continuous efforts to improve their effectiveness. It called for a more active engagement of civil society organizations and the development of a stronger ecosystem in Brussels to enhance the protection and promotion of religious freedom. ============================================= The EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief were adopted by the Council of the European Union on 24 June 2013, and represent a significant milestone in the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief. The document provides guidance to EU institutions and member states on how to promote and protect this fundamental right, both domestically and in their foreign policies.​​ As the 10th anniversary of the Guidelines approaches, there is an opportunity to take stock. As European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID), together with friends and partner organizations, we hosted two informal roundtables focusing on specific themes, such as the role of civil society in promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief, challenges and opportunities for implementation. We also engaged with experts, academia and representatives of civil society who have been involved at various ​stages​ with the definition, study, or implementation of the EU Guidelines on a number of live interviews. Both roundtables and these live interviews built up momentum and generated ideas leading to our closing conference in Brussels, featuring, among others, Dr. Frans van Daele, European Commission's Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of religion or belief outside the EU, and Prof. Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
#EPRID with Prof. Pasquale Annicchino on the 10th Anniversary of the #EU Guidelines #FoRB
Host: Anastasia Hartman, Open Doors International / EPRID The conversation took place as part of the series of webinars hosted by EPRID (European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination) in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief. The host, Anastasia Hartman, introduced John Kinahan from Forum 18, an organization that monitors and analyzes violations of freedom of thought, conscience, and belief in various regions. The discussion focused on the application of the guidelines, successful strategies, and challenges faced by civil society organizations and EU authorities. John Kinahan highlighted evidence-based truthful, original, detailed, and accurate monitoring and analyses of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) violations as the essential first step for formulating, implementing and evaluating any realistic policies and actions seeking to end violations of FoRB and interlinked human rights. This is why the EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief state this first in the Tools section of the Guidelines. He also stressed the importance of viewing FoRB as a human right interconnected with other rights, and emphasized that FoRB is a right for all individuals acting either alone or with others, regardless of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Kinahan also stressed the need for a comprehensive understanding of the context and challenges faced in addressing FoRB violations. He mentioned the cooperative process of drafting the Guidelines, which involved different civil society organiza tions bringing their strengths together with the European External Action Service (EEAS). When discussing the role of civil society organizations in implementing the guidelines, Kinahan suggested working with those committed to combating FoRB violations and being discerning in choosing partners. He cautioned against unintentionally supporting the propaganda efforts of states with poor human rights records. Kinahan also emphasized the importance of listening to local voices and understanding the constraints they face. He noted that serious human rights violations should set the agenda for addressing FoRB issues. Anastasia Hartman raised the question of challenges faced by Member States and EU authorities in addressing FoRB issues. Kinahan pointed out the challenge of trade agreements, highlighting the example of negotiations with Turkmenistan, a state with a poor human rights record. He expressed skepticism about human rights being a primary consideration in such negotiations and criticized inadequate descriptions of human rights in trade assessments. Overall, the conversation underscored the need for cooperation, comprehensive understanding, and discernment in addressing FoRB violations. It emphasized the interconnectedness of human rights and the importance of addressing the challenges faced by civil society organizations and EU authorities in promoting and protecting FoRB. ============================================= The EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief were adopted by the Council of the European Union on 24 June 2013, and represent a significant milestone in the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief. The document provides guidance to EU institutions and member states on how to promote and protect this fundamental right, both domestically and in their foreign policies.​​ As the 10th anniversary of the Guidelines approaches, there is an opportunity to take stock. As European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID), together with friends and partner organizations, we hosted two informal roundtables focusing on specific themes, such as the role of civil society in promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief, challenges and opportunities for implementation. We also engaged with experts, academia and representatives of civil society who have been involved at various ​stages​ with the definition, study, or implementation of the EU Guidelines on a number of live interviews. Both roundtables and these live interviews built up momentum and generated ideas leading to our closing conference in Brussels, featuring, among others, Dr. Frans van Daele, European Commission's Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of religion or belief outside the EU, and Prof. Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
#EPRID with John Kinahan on the 10th Anniversary of the #EU Guidelines #FoRB
We sit down with Nerlian (Lian) Gogali from Poso, Indonesia, a recent recipient of the Four Freedoms Award. Lian received this award for her courageous commitment to interfaith dialogue and freedom of religion or belief in the conflict-torn area around Poso, on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. With Mosintuwu – ‘togetherness’ in the local language – Lian brings women and young people of different faith groups together. Lian: “I thought; we, the people of Poso, know much better how to solve the problems ourselves.” That’s why she started a school. At Lian’s school, women from different backgrounds learn more about each other’s religions, about tolerance and about the position of women within the family and society. “Women are so incredibly important in society and in changing beliefs. They help the new generation grow up without those prejudices about other religions.”
EPRID Webinar An interfaith approach to conflict The crucial role of women and youth 29 April 2022
The European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID) sits down with Raphael Warolin, Policy Officer for Human Rights, European External Action Service (EEAS) to discuss the EEAS’ policy initiatives in defending and promoting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) around the world. Guest: Raphael Warolin, Policy Officer for Human Rights, European External Action Service Hosts: Dr Elizabeta Kitanovic, EPRID Board of Coordinators & Executive Secretary, Conference of European Churches Arie De Pater, EPRID Board of Coordinators & Brussels Representative, European Evangelical Alliance
How valuable are the EU's external FoRB activities A conversation with the EEAS
We sit down with Ms Merete Bilde, Policy Advisor at the European External Action Service (EEAS) to discuss the Global Exchange on Religion in Society project for which she is responsible. We discuss how this relates to the EEAS’ FoRB agenda and understand its goals and merits. Furthermore, we take time to reflect on any other lessons which are invaluable in understanding how best the EEAS can advance the precious right on the international stage going forward. Guest: • Merete Bilde, Policy Officer, European External Action Service Hosts: • Arie De Pater, EPRID Board of Coordinators, European Evangelical Alliance • Alessandro Pecorari, EPRID Board of Coordinators, Christian Solidarity Worldwide
The Global Exchange of Religion in Society A conversation With the EEAS
We sit down with Ed Brown and Helene Fisher to discuss the impact of violations to the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) on women around the world. Both discuss their organisations’ recent reports from this year: Stefanus Alliances’ Freedom of Religion or Belief for everyone, Women in focus and Open Doors International’s Same Faith, Different Persecution. Guest: • Ed Brown, Stefanus Alliance, Norway • Helene Fisher, Open Doors International, France Hosts: • Dr Elizabeta Kitanovic, EPRID Board of Coordinators, Conference of European Churches • Arie De Pater, EPRID Board of Coordinators, European Evangelical Alliance
The impact of FoRB violations on women
Load More… Subscribe