Recent years have witnessed a sharply increased interest in promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) through foreign policy. Governments have established special envoys, an International Contact Group on FoRB has been launched, the EU has formulated guidelines, the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and other development agencies have earmarked funds for FoRB projects, and NGO advocacy for FoRB has increased, to mention only a few examples.

While this new found engagement with what was once termed ‘the orphan right’ is welcome, it raises some challenges. In our report, The International Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief: Sketching the Contours of a Common Framework, we outline recommendations on meaningful responses to these challenges.