No one should face punishment for expressing who they are or what they believe. Blasphemy laws are often used to silence voices, including those who challenge the norm. 🏳️‍🌈 This #PrideMonth, we stand for FoRB and Freedom of Expression for All. #EndBlasphemyLaws #FoRB

Next stop: La Paz, Bolivia! 🌎 From 27–29 October, parliamentarians from 7 Latin American countries will come together for the IPPFoRB Academy. Different countries. Different cultures. Different experiences. One shared conversation about Freedom of Religion or Belief. 🤝 We’re getting ready for three days of dialogue, exchange and regional cooperation. See you in La Paz! #FoRB #IPPFoRB #FreedomOfReligionOrBelief #LatinAmerica #HumanRights

Believe. Question. Change. Choose. 💭 Freedom of Religion or Belief protects something deeply personal: Your conscience. Whether you believe, change your beliefs, follow a religion, or have no religion at all, your rights matter. #FoRB #FreedomOfReligionOrBelief #FreedomOfConscience #HumanRights #ReligiousFreedom

Democracy needs diversity. 🌍 A strong democracy makes space for different: 💭 Beliefs 🗣️ Voices 🌎 Cultures 👥 Communities 🤝 Perspectives We do not have to believe the same things to share equal rights. #FoRB #FreedomOfReligionOrBelief #Democracy #HumanRights #Equality

What is FoRB? 👇 Freedom of Religion or Belief means you have the right to: 🤝 Believe 🔄 Change your belief 🕊️ Practise your religion or belief 💭 Have no religion or belief ⚖️ Be treated equally Different beliefs. Equal rights. #FoRB #FreedomOfReligionOrBelief #HumanRights #Equality #FreedomOfBelief

We are deeply saddened by the passing of His Majesty King Harald V. For more than three decades, King Harald served Norway with unwavering dedication, integrity, and a profound sense of duty. His leadership, humility, and commitment to democratic values earned him the respect and admiration of people in Norway and around the world. As an organization based in #Norway, we extend our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family, and the people of Norway during this period of national mourning. We join all those who honor King Harald's remarkable legacy of service, commitement to #HumanRights and his enduring contribution to Norwegian society and the international community. Our thoughts are with Norway at this difficult time. #KingHaraldV #Norway 📷 Royal House website – at Oslo, Norway

What happens after a hard‑won human rights victory? In 2024, IPPFoRB Parliamentarian Hon. Amadou Camara helped prevent the repeal of The Gambia’s FGM ban, countering its justification on religious grounds. Today, the case is before the Supreme Court. IPPFoRB remains engaged. #TheGambia #FoRB #WomensRights

At #OFF26, Georgia’s former president Salome Zourabichvili warned of democratic backsliding and pressure on civil society. These developments also affect #FreedomofReligionorBelief. In 2025, IPPFoRB raised these concerns with the European Parliament, including the impact of “foreign agents” laws on civic space and religious communities. The response we received reflected many of these issues. #Georgia #FoRB

At #OFF26, Richard Gere presented the Václav Havel Prize to Gao Zhen — a Chinese artist detained since 2024 for his art. Charged under a vague law introduced years after the works were created. Laws meant to “protect” often end up silencing dissent. Art is not a crime. #EndBlasphemyLaws #FreeGaoZhen @OsloFF – at Oslo, Norway

At #OFF26, @Netflix-published Indonesian comedian @pandji shared how jokes about his country’s vice president led to blasphemy accusations back in his home land. He’s based in New York and free, but many others aren’t. #BlasphemyLaws are used to silence people. #EndBlasphemyLaws #FoRB – at Oslo, Norway

At #OFF26 in Oslo, we’re encouraged to see greater focus on freedom of religion or belief (#FoRB) — often the “hidden right” behind many human rights violations.Important conversations shedding light on Human Rights violations and Freedom of Religion or Belief. Proud to be part of this space.

🎓 The IPPFoRB Latin America Academy in São Paulo has come to an end. We closed with the ceremonial certificate hand‑out, following three days of learning, the development of individual action plans, and the signing of the São Paulo Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief. An honour to work together — and more to come. 🤝
#ForB #ReligiousFreedom #IPPFoRBAcademy

Interesting session on coordination and cooperation among different levels and branches of government in advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Brazil, by Alexandre Walmott. “The exercise of state authority does not limit, but rather calibrates the space for freedom to flourish in all its dimensions.” #IPPFoRBAcademy #FoRB #FreedomofReligionorBelief #ReligiousFreedom #IndingenousRights #Brazil

Today marks the final day of the IPPFoRB Academy Latin America. After 2 days of rich discussions, shared experiences, and insights from our speakers, we now move into the closing sessions of the Academy, including the presentation of the São Paulo Declaration. Stay tuned for more highlights and photos. #IPPFoRBAcademy #FoRB #FreedomofReligionorBelief #ReligiousFreedom #IndingenousRights #Brazil

An interesting talk by Professor Thiago Alves on the intersection of Freedom of Religion or Belief and Freedom of Expression sparked discussions among participants on the Brazilian context, including debates around the concept of racismo religioso (religious racism), the relationship between race and religion, and how these issues are discussed and contested in #Brazil. #IPPFoRBAcademy #FreedomofReligionorBelief #FoRB

“Religious freedom requires constant vigilance; otherwise, our institutions tend to encroach upon it,” Hon. Damaris Moura, State Representative of São Paulo. “The State has not fully grasped that ensuring religious freedom comes at a cost.” “The politicization of human rights ultimately distorts their purpose.” #FreedomofReligionorBelief #ReligiousFreedom #IPPFoRBAcademy #Brazil

“Intersectionality is an analytical tool for understanding freedom of religion or belief, taking into account dimensions of gender, race, class, and power.” Andrea Guimarães, @cedireufu #FreedomofReligionorBelief #FoRB #ReligiousFreedom #IPPFoRBAcademy #Brazil

Strong start to the second day of the #IPPFoRBAcademy in Brazil with a session on #FoRB and #WomensRights, a panel of experts in this intersectionality: Andrea Letícia Carvalho Guimaraes, Researcher and Lawyer at @cedireufu, Yá Guilda, religious leader and former General Coordinator for Religious Freedom at the Federal Government of #Brazil, and @VWitoto489, indigenous leader from the Amazon, Director of the @Institutowitoto What an honor, thank you! #FreedomofReligionorBelief