International Religious Liberty Association

In Mexico City, First-Ever Religious Liberty Congress Draws High-Level Support

Posted February 3, 2016

IRLA leader expresses gratitude for religious freedom safeguards in Mexico, while Governor pledges continued efforts. Religious freedom and human rights were the focus of a meeting January 22 between Dr. Ganoune Diop, Secretary General of the IRLA, and Dr. Eruviel Ávila Villegas, governor of the State of Mexico.

United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Posted February 16, 2016

Statement from Dr. Nelu Burcea, United Nations Liaison for the International Religious Liberty Association, regarding the death of Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

Religious Leaders in Côte d'Ivoire Host Peace Summit Following Terrorist Attack

Posted March 27, 2016

Following a horrific attack by Muslim extremists, religious leaders are urging the citizens of Côte d’Ivoire, no matter what their faith, to confront the causes of religiously motivated violence.

In War-Weary Colombia, IRLA Focuses on Post-Conflict Challenges

Posted May 5, 2016

A peace forum in Bogotá aims to forge constructive partnerships between NGOs, scholars, and the faith community.

Washington Gala Rallies Broad Support for Religious Freedom

Posted May 11, 2016

A high-ranking African Union official has challenged the international community to step up its efforts to track and respond to religious intolerance and sectarian violence. The remarks came at a formal dinner sponsored by the International Religious Liberty Association and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Keynote speaker Erastas Mwencha said that promoting religious freedom is both a personal responsibility and a political imperative.

In Pakistan, No Justice for Sajjad Masih

Posted May 11, 2016

The American Jewish Committee has released a new video appeal on behalf of Sajjad Masih Gill, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who is serving a life sentence under Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws.

Better Together: A New Strategy in the Fight for International Religious Freedom

Posted May 11, 2016

Commentary by Dwayne Leslie, Deputy Secretary General, International Religious Liberty Association. "Simply put, we are better together. It’s a big world. With far too many areas of oppression, religiously motivated acts of terror and other issues. Where it’s all too easy for governments to ignore one or two or three groups acting independently."

On the Sidelines of the G20 Summit, IRLA Secretary General Talks Peace-Building

Posted September 20, 2016

As the world’s political leaders gathered earlier this month for the G20 Economic Summit in Hangzhou, China, an international group of religious scholars met in Beijing to consider how religion can help foster international dialogue and problem-solving.

IRLA Secretary General Urges Religion Communicators to Speak Language of Human Dignity

Posted August 1, 2016

At a national gathering of media professionals, Dr. Ganoune Diop along with his fellow presenter Lord George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, explored the potential international forums for advancing human rights.

A Call for Topic Proposals for Major South American Religious Liberty Forum

Posted August 2, 2016

Are you an academic, religious leader, public official, lawyer or journalist with an interest in religious freedom? If so, you’re invited to submit lecture topic proposals for a regional religious liberty conference to be held later this year.

Top Academic Panel Asks Why Religious Repression is Increasing Despite International Pressure

Posted August 29, 2016

The IRLA has convened an international body of experts to study a disturbing paradox: while the principle of religious freedom has gained a strong foothold within international law, restrictions on religious practice are actually on the rise around the world.

At an international gathering in Beijing, China, Dr. Ganoune Diop addressed challenges to human rights and peace

Posted August 29, 2016

The IRLA has convened an international body of experts to study a disturbing paradox: while the principle of religious freedom has gained a strong foothold within international law, restrictions on religious practice are actually on the rise around the world.

Conference Focuses on Defending Religious Freedom in the Age of Facebook

Posted November 21, 2016

Scholars, meeting in France, say that digital media have transformed almost every aspect of human experience, including religious expression and engagement.

IRLA Argentina Hosts South American Religious Liberty Forum

Posted November 22, 2016

More than 150 people gathered at the government headquarters of the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, last week for the South American Religious Liberty Forum organized by the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) and the Argentine Council for Religious Liberty (CALIR).