Meeting of the International Contact Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief

An ad hoc meeting of the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief (ICG-FoRB) was held on July 27, 2018 in Washington D.C. at the Embassy of Canada to the United States.

The Contact Group occupies a unique role as an informal body to enhance information sharing and cooperation between states committed to protecting and promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief.

This ICG-FoRB meeting held on the heels of the US Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom allowed participants an opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the ministerial meeting, as well as to further explore how the ICG could continue to work together to promote FoRB, internationally. The meeting was co-chaired by Canada and the United States.

The meeting included participants from 16 countries, who reaffirmed their commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and particularly Article 18. Recognising the universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated nature of human rights, ICG-FoRB members reiterated their dedication to exploring how FoRB can provide an avenue to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.  Topics for future ICG meetings were also discussed.