Persecution
(from New York) The US State Department will host an international meeting to advance religious freedom in the world from 24 to 26 July. According to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the event will focus on international commitments to promote religious freedom. It will bring together foreign ministers and some 275 guests, international organization representatives, religious leaders and civil society representatives from all over the world. The three-day debate will address the challenges facing religions and will identify strategies to counter religious persecution and discrimination. On 24 July, civil society organizations will take the floor to explain projects and efforts aimed at protecting religious freedom and best practices in countries of origin. The US Government will explain how to access funding provided by the Administration to promote this work and what foreign policy goals it intends to achieve in the field of dialogue. Religious leaders and survivors of religious persecution will take the floor on 25 July. They will tell their stories and testimonies and seek to create a common platform to enhance the sharing of expertise. The programme includes breakout sessions on the intersections between religious freedom and women’s rights; religious freedom and countering violent extremism; and religious freedom and economic prosperity. Special working groups will address the legal challenges to religious freedom, equal rights for all, the preservation of cultural heritage, and assistance to victims of violence and persecution. On 26 July, representatives from over 80 governments, with proven experience in the advancement of religious freedom, will identify global challenges to religious freedom and develop innovative responses to persecution in order to establish common commitments to the protection and promotion of freedom of religion.
