The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief – Interview of the director (Part 1)
A conversation with Ms Fernanda San Martin Carrasco, the Director of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB)
By Willy Fautré, director of Human Rights Without Frontiers
European Times (01.09.2025) – In June last, Ms Fernanda San Martin Carrasco was on a mission in Brussels and participated in the Roundtable Brussels-EU on Freedom of Religion or Belief attended by over 20 FoRB defenders. I talked with her for The European Times.
IPPFoRB is a global network of parliamentarians from 90 different countries across North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania, including Members of the European Parliament. Over 400 parliamentarians from around the world are members of IPPFoRB network.
IPPFoRB was founded in November 2014, when 20 parliamentarians from around the world signed the Oslo Charter at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo (Norway) as a confirmation to their commitment to Article 18 of the Unversal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter represents the foundation of the network and recognizes the common goals and values of all IPPFoRB Parliamentarians.
IPPFoRB is overseen by a diverse Steering Group of current and former parliamentarians. The network is supported by a full-time Secretariat that plans, organizes and implements the network’s activities on issues of concern. The Secretariat is based in Oslo and hosted by Sefanus Alliance International.
Question : Dear Ms Fernanda San Martin Carrasco, what was the starting point of your personal commitment to freedom of religion and belief and how did you concretize it afterwards until you joined the IPPFORB?
My journey started in the field of women’s rights and empowerment, where I worked for many years. Early on, I noticed a recurring tension in public discourse: the idea that freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) was somehow at odds with women’s rights. From my professional background, I knew that human rights are interdependent and indivisible—no right should ever be used to justify the violation of another. But in practice, I saw religious arguments being used to undermine efforts toward gender equality, including my own advocacy.
This contradiction deeply affected me. Rather than discouraging me, it fueled my commitment to work at the intersection of these two rights. I began as an activist focused on sexual and reproductive rights, and over time, my work expanded to encompass broader gender equality issues. I also became involved in democracy and peacebuilding, which led me to found a civic movement in Bolivia dedicated to defending democratic principles and values.
The recognition I received for my activism opened doors into the political arena. In 2009, I was invited to run as an independent candidate by a political party. Then, in 2013, I co-founded a new political party in Bolivia. In 2015, I was elected to Parliament, where I served until 2020. During my term, I had the honor of chairing the Gender Rights Committee, which allowed me to advance legislative work on gender equality and human rights. Interestingly, it wasn’t until I was already in Parliament that I came across an organization working specifically on the intersection of FoRB and gender rights. A fellow MP introduced me to the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB), and I was invited to attend a side event they hosted in New York during the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
At that event, I heard Dr. Nazila Ghanea present a USCIRF report on the synergies between FoRB and gender equality. The discussion, hosted by IPPFoRB, focused on how parliamentarians can act as bridge-builders to challenge the misuse of religious freedom as a justification for violating women’s rights. That moment was transformative for me. I found in IPPFoRB a global community that not only amplified my work but also offered solidarity with other parliamentarians facing similar challenges.
When my term came to an end, I knew I wanted to continue advocating for these issues beyond the confines of political office. I began working as IPPFoRB’s coordinator for Latin America, helping to build regional networks and support parliamentarians in their efforts to promote FoRB and gender equality. A few months later, the position of Director opened up, and I felt compelled to take the next step. I applied and was honored to be selected. What drives me is the belief that we can—and must—build inclusive societies where all human rights are respected and upheld. The intersection of FoRB and gender equality is complex, but it’s also full of potential for transformative change. I’ve seen firsthand how empowering parliamentarians with knowledge and support can shift narratives and policies. My goal is to keep building that momentum, both in Latin America and globally.
Question: When you look back at the last 15 years, how do you assess the evolution of the state of health of freedom of religion and belief in the various continents, including in the European Union?
FoRB remains one of the most violated human rights globally. Nearly 4 billion people live in countries where severe violations occur.
Having said that, the work of IPPFoRB, civil society organizations, and supportive governments—such as Norway—has contributed to meaningful progress and increased awareness. Although recent shifts in international political agendas have led some traditional human rights advocates to scale back their engagement, we’ve seen encouraging signs of resilience. New actors have stepped up to protect and advance FoRB and other fundamental rights, helping to sustain momentum in the face of change.
Advocacy remains ongoing and complex. While its impact can be difficult to measure, we must not allow this essential right to slip from the top of the international agenda or lower our guard. Our collective effort is vital, and by continuing to build momentum, we can ensure that freedom of religion or belief stays central to global priorities.
Worldwide, while international awareness has grown, the mechanisms to protect FoRB have struggled to keep pace with rising threats such as authoritarianism, digital repression, hate speech and identity-based politics. The health of FoRB varies widely across continents, shaped by local contexts, global trends, and the resilience of democratic institutions. Continued vigilance, collaboration, and policy innovation are essential to protect this foundational right.
- Africa has seen a growing recognition of FoRB as a fundamental right, with regional bodies like the African Union and civil society actors pushing for stronger protections. However, violations persist, especially in conflict zones and under regimes that suppress minority beliefs. Many countries in Africa lack robust constitutional or legislative safeguards for FoRB . Religious minorities often face marginalization in education, employment, and political representation
- In Asia the situation is very different in each country. Countries like Myanmar and China have seen severe crackdowns, while others like Indonesia and the Philippines have made strides in civil society engagement. The use of AI and social media to amplify hate speech and suppress dissent is a growing concern. Blasphemy laws and anti-conversion legislation are used to target religious minorities, especially in South and Southeast Asia. These laws remain a central advocacy issue for IPPFoRB, as they enable selective enforcement and systemic discrimination.
- In the Americas FoRB is constitutionally protected across the continent, but challenges remain. In Latin America, gendered religious persecution is increasingly recognized, with women facing “double persecution” based on faith and gender. Polarization and hate speech have increased and Religious rhetoric is often weaponized in political discourse, undermining pluralism. In most of the countries, while FoRB is constitutionally protected, enforcement and interpretation vary widely.
- In the EU, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a well-established legal principle, and this is reflected in many of its institutions. However, implementation remains inconsistent across member states. Initiatives such as the European External Action Service have sought to institutionalize FoRB as a diplomatic priority. Still, more effort is needed to mainstream FoRB across other institutions and in how the topic is approached. At the same time, some national leaders within the EU have instrumentalized FoRB to advance identity politics. This politicization risks undermining the universal nature of FoRB and alienating minority communities
European jurisprudence has also matured, with courts in Strasbourg and Luxembourg increasingly addressing religious freedom cases. However, cultural diversification and secularization have created tensions, especially around religious symbols, education, and minority rights. The European Court of Human Rights has adjudicated numerous cases involving religious freedom, but enforcement and interpretation vary widely across member states.
Ms Fernanda San Martin Carrasco can be contacted at this email address: fsm@ippforb.com
