Enlightening discussions with Syriac Orthodox Patriarch, Mor Ignatious Aphrem II, Head of Article 18 Alliance, Robert Rehak & IRF Secretariat President, Nadine Maenza. UK championing FoRB for all #IRFSummit2025

I joined the panel at the #IRFSummit2025 plenary today with three thought-provoking speakers. It’s clear we share the same goal. By working with diverse and dynamic international partnerships and a broad range of civil society voices, we can create meaningful change. @IRFSummit

I met with @StateDep partners and @UKinUSA colleagues yesterday, discussing #FoRB and human rights issues in countries of mutual concern, including Syria and DPRK. Building and maintaining these links with our US allies is vital to our FoRB and wider human rights work.

This week I had the pleasure of meeting representatives from the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches to discuss freedom of religion or belief. As FoRB Envoy, I am committed to amplifying the issue of religious persecution in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

An honour to attend the FCDO #HolocaustMemorialDay event today, and witness the powerful testimony of Holocaust Survivor Janine Webber BEM.

Signing the Book of Reflection, I won’t forget seeing Sachsenhausen concentration camp as a teenager and learning of the horrors those held there faced. We must always remember and defend our common humanity in the face of those who seek to undermine it #HolocaustMemorialDay

Yesterday I spoke with @UKSyriaRep Ann Snow about her work and freedom of religion or belief in #Syria. I look forward to working with her over the coming months to encourage the new Syrian administration to protect this and other vital freedoms.

Productive introductory meeting with @LordWajidKhan Minister for Faith today. At home and abroad, we’re looking forward to working together to bring communities together and promote freedom of religion or belief for all.

RT @dsnorthnorth: The new Syria must be for all. On Tuesday I urged the FCDO to work with the incoming regime to build a Syria in which a…

Shocking that 4,476 people were killed for being Christian. Article 18 of the UDHR is explicitly clear. *Nobody* should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. #opendoorsworldwatchlist2025 #FoRB

Pleased to join the launch of the @OpenDoorsUK World Watch List 2025 in Parliament today. I commend @OpenDoorsUK on the publication this report, which is a vital resource for all working to promote freedom of religion or belief around the world.

Delighted to hear from @HumanistsUK that Mubarak Bala has been freed from prison in Nigeria after serving 4 and a half years simply for exercising his right to freedom of religion or belief. Everyone should be free to express their belief or non-belief.

A message from the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). @FCDOGovUk @FCDOHumanRights