The Religious Freedom Commission of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is chaired by 21Wilberforce Ambassador for Latin America, André Simão. The Commission hosted three meetings during the BWA’s annual gathering held last month in Norway. The first meeting focused on the work for freedom of religion or belief that is being done by Baptists leaders in the European Baptist Federation and on the deteriorating situation of religious freedom in India.
The Commission also hosted a lecture by Sir Malcom Evans, Principal of Regent’s Park College, Oxford, where he outlined practical steps that human rights advocates can take with various international mechanisms and bodies to make realistic and effective change in the situation of those facing the denial of their basic rights.
Evans highlighted, from an inside perspective of an expert working at the UN body (beyond his distinguished academic position, he chaired the UN committee on combat/prevention of torture for ten years, visiting/reporting/engaging with countries in this official capacity), what may work best, how we can facilitate their job to get things done, and what is feasible from their perspective.
He shared excellent examples of how to provide solutions and build relationships with government actors that need to improve their protections for religious freedom.
Watch one of two sessions presented by Sir Malcom Evans here.