The European Times talked with her about IPPFoRB, her commitment to FoRB and the state of health of religious freedom in the world
A conversation with Ms Fernanda San Martin Carrasco, the Director of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) (Part II)
On 12 June last, Ms Fernanda San Martin Carrasco was on a mission in Brussels and participated in the Roundtable Brussels-EU on Freedom of Religion or Belief attended by over 20 FoRB defenders. The European Times talked with her.
Question: What are the reasons why some members of parliaments and governments are asking for your assistance and what sort of services can you deliver them?
IPPFoRB is a unique global network. It stands as the world’s only cross-party, cross-regional platform dedicated to supporting parliamentarians in their efforts to advance freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).
Parliamentarians face mounting pressures as religious persecution intensifies globally. From hate speech amplified by AI to discriminatory laws and violent extremism, the erosion of FoRB threatens democratic institutions and human dignity. Upholding FoRB is a core duty of parliamentarians, yet doing so can expose them to political and personal risks. We offer the tools, networks and support to navigate these challenges safely and effectively. We provide the expert assistance that Parliamentarians often require to ensure that draft or existing laws align with international human rights standards. We also provide access to global guidelines and peer-reviewed resources to help assess and improve legislation and to assist in they task of making their governments accountable.
Before IPPFoRB’s founding, there was no comprehensive mechanism to support MPs in monitoring, reporting, and advocating for FoRB. The UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB, Dr. Nazila Ghanea, in her UN Report has acknowledged IPPFoRB’s vital role in filling this gap. IPPFoRB MPs value the opportunity to connect with like-minded legislators across borders. IPPFoRB’s network fosters solidarity, peer-to-peer learning, and shared advocacy strategies
IPPFoRB offers high level trainings, workshops, webinars, and tailored resources to enhance MPs’ understanding of FoRB and its intersection with other rights like gender equality, freedom of expression, and indigenous rights; or with other topics such as migration, hate speech, United Nations Sustainable development goals (UN SDG) and other. The panel connects MPs with civil society organizations, religious leaders, and international bodies such as the UN, enabling coordinated action and broader impact. IPPFoRB helps parliamentarians raise awareness about FoRB violations through campaigns, public statements, and media outreach. It also supports MPs in amplifying marginalized voices and promoting inclusive narratives. We also held Fact Finding mission
In summary, IPPFoRB offers comprehensive support designed to assist Members of Parliament in taking effective action as efficiently and conveniently as possible. Recognising the demanding schedules of parliamentarians, our aim is to facilitate their success in FORB advocacy by streamlining processes and providing accessible resources.
Question: According to your international experience, which states have shown a particular interest in the IPPFORB and for what reasons?
IPPFoRB has built a network of over 400 parliamentarians from 95 countries, which tells us that freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a truly global concern.
Interestingly, it is not always the countries with the most severe violations that show the greatest interest in protecting FoRB. At IPPFoRB, we actively engage with countries where conflict and persecution are high, while also recognizing that those not facing severe violations often play a vital role in advancing FoRB. This is, in part, what makes our platform so impactful.
We must also keep in mind that FoRB is intrinsically linked to other human rights and global priorities, such as gender equality, freedom of expression, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It’s difficult to fully understand a country’s focus on FoRB without considering these broader intersections.
We prioritize global collaboration and our strength lies in convening diverse voices, fostering peer-to-peer learning, and building solidarity across borders, ensuring that every country, regardless of its current FoRB context, can contribute meaningfully to the protection and promotion of this fundamental right.
Question: What are the main obstacles you have faced in EU countries to raise awareness among Members of the European Parliament and members of national parliaments? How have you overcome them?
Many national and EU-level politicians do not prioritize FoRB, often viewing it as peripheral to mainstream political agendas. Politicians rarely seek policy guidance based on human rights standards, and there’s a disconnect between their actions and findings from international bodies
A can mention a few of the challenges in raising awareness:
- Religion is frequently politicized and conflated with ethnicity, making it difficult to treat FoRB as a universal human right.
- Politicization and Post-Conflict Narratives Religious symbols and practices are often entangled in historical conflicts, leading to resistance or discomfort in addressing FoRB.
- Political stalemates and polarization further hinder legislative progress.
- Some EU countries maintain laws that restrict religious practices, such as bans on religious clothing, ritual slaughter, or labeling certain groups as “sects.” These laws disproportionately affect Muslims, Jews, and other minorities, creating a hostile environment for religious freedom.
- Lack of Literacy and Training of Parliamentarians, they often lack the necessary human rights literacy to identify threats to FoRB or to draft protective legislation. This gap limits their ability to act effectively.
One of the most effective ways to address these challenges has been to frame freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) within broader human rights and development agendas. Rather than treating FoRB as an isolated right, this approach reveals its deep interconnection with wider societal goals.
By promoting inclusion and dismantling harmful stereotypes—such as those that link religion to extremism—FoRB plays a vital role in preventing conflict. This, in turn, empowers communities to foster peace through dialogue and mutual respect.
The importance of FoRB becomes even more evident in the context of displacement. Religious persecution is a major driver of forced migration, and migrants often face additional vulnerabilities due to their beliefs. Upholding FoRB ensures that these individuals are protected and meaningfully included in host societies.
This principle also extends to the workplace. Organizations that embrace religious diversity tend to benefit from higher employee engagement, greater innovation, and a stronger reputation. In this sense, FoRB is not only a moral imperative—it’s also good for business.
Moreover, FoRB directly supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including quality education, gender equality, reduced inequalities, and peace. It embodies the “leave no one behind” principle and contributes to the design of inclusive development policies that serve everyone.
Question: How could the IPPFORB contribute to the work of the European Parliament, and in particular the Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief?
IPPFORB Parliamentarians have successfully shaped legislation in complex political environments, advancing FoRB protections that intersect with gender equality, education, and anti-discrimination. These experiences could inform the Intergroup’s policy recommendations and resolutions. Additionally, IPPFORB offers tailored, high-level trainings for parliamentarians, often in collaboration with UN Special Rapporteurs and leading experts. These could be extended to MEPs and staffers to deepen understanding of FoRB’s legal, social, and geopolitical dimensions.
IPPFORB facilitates regional academies and international workshops, which bring together MPs from diverse backgrounds to share best practices. The Intergroup could benefit from these networks to amplify its reach and influence.
IPPFORB acknowledges its own limitations—such as staffing constraints and uneven engagement with faith communities—and actively seeks partnerships to fill these gaps
The Intergroup could play a role in fostering these connections within the EU, especially with national parliaments and governments.
FoRB is not just a legal right—it is a lens through which we understand and advance inclusive societies, sustainable development, and human dignity. By partnering with IPPFORB, the European Parliament Intergroup on FoRB can amplify its impact, deepen its expertise, and extend its reach across borders and sectors.
IPPFORB have a robust network in SEE, with parliamentarians from Albania, Monentegnro, Bosnia and North Macedmonia who are are actively seeking to join the European Union making it interting in terms of priority for the EU parliament to work together.
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First published in this link of The European Times.
