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At a recent Brunch Talk, Jan Figel—Europe’s first EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB)—delivered a compelling address on the essential role of religion in global affairs and the urgent need to safeguard religious freedom worldwide.
Figel underscored that religion, often sidelined in diplomacy, is deeply tied to the pursuit of truth and conflict resolution. He defined freedom of religion or belief as a core human right, firmly anchored in international law, most notably Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This right, he explained, protects not only individual beliefs but also collective expressions of faith practiced in community, encompassing three key dimensions: rationality, morality, and spirituality.
Calling FoRB the “litmus test” of all human rights, Figel warned that without it, other rights quickly erode. He highlighted escalating threats including intolerance, discrimination, persecution, and even genocide—“the crime of all crimes.” Citing research from USCIRF, Aid to the Church in Need, and Open Doors, he pointed to staggering figures: between 250 and 380 million Christians face persecution today, while 90% of genocides in modern history have a religious dimension. He recalled atrocities such as ISIS’s actions in Syria and Iraq and the historical genocide of Armenians.
During his tenure as EU envoy, diplomatic efforts helped save more than 20 individuals from execution, Figel noted. He also stressed that protecting FoRB is not only about defending minorities but about upholding human dignity for all. Finally, he called for greater religious literacy among diplomats and policymakers, emphasizing that understanding religious dynamics is essential for effective, humane, and forward-looking diplomacy.
