Top UN Expert Accepts IRLA Invitation

L to R: Anne Crawford, Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, Dr. Asma Jahangir, Anthony Cardon

Geneva, Switzerland… The top United Nations expert on religious freedom issues accepted today an invitation from the International Religious Liberty Association to present the keynote address at its forthcoming World Congress. Dr. Asma Jahangir is the UN's special rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

The World Congress, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, in February of 2007, will bring together the major global experts in this vital field, according to Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison and deputy secretary general for the IRLA. "We are delighted that Mme. Jahangir has accepted this most important responsibility," he adds. "It will make all the difference!"

As an independent expert, Jahangir is able to address religious freedom violations around the world, and bring pressure to bear through special procedures and country visits. In accepting the invitation she follows her predecessor in this Mandate, Prof. Amor, who spoke at the last IRLA Congress held in Manila in 2002.

Gallagher met with the special rapporteur and her team on April 4 at the headquarters of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Palais Wilson, Geneva. [IRLA News]