Office of the Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief

Freedom of Religion or Belief is one of the fundamental human rights, Denmark’s approach is firmly based on the principle of international freedom of religion or belief as stipulated in article 18 in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as well as in article 18 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

International reports indicate that victimization on the grounds of religion or belief is on the rise globally. Meanwhile government restrictions on religion have generally hardened over the past decade with a majority of the world’s population now living in countries with restrictions on freedom of religion or belief. Other social hostilities based on religion are also on the rise.

On this basis, the Office of the Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief was established in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark on January 1 2018. The work of Office of the Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief follows five tracks:

Track 1: Mobilization of the international community on the promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief

Track 2: Thematic focus on the intersection of Freedom of Religion or Belief and Gender Equality & Responsibility to Protect and Freedom of Religion or Belief

Track 3: Focus on the immediate EU neighborhood area, including the Middle East and North Africa

Track 4: Focus on cooperation projects in Egypt, Indonesia, Iran and Lebanon

Track 5: Cases of individuals persecuted for religious reasons

The Office is led by Ambassador and Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Michael Suhr.

Click here to contact the Office of the Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

At this site, you can read more about the Office’s activities.