After the new Labour government took office in July, one of CSW’s key priorities was ensuring the appointment of a Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Without this role, the UK’s ability to advocate effectively for FoRB globally would have been severely impeded. The position was left vacant for months, raising concerns among civil society organisations, religious and belief groups, and parliamentarians committed to this fundamental human right.

Finally, on 11December, David Smith MP was appointed as the Special Envoy for FoRB — a significant shift, as the post is no longer ‘The Prime Minister’s’ Special Envoy, but a Special Envoy for FoRB in its own right. This distinction matters. It signals a potential recalibration of the role, embedding it more firmly within broader UK governmental structures while maintaining its critical focus on international religious freedom, although perhaps at the cost of the direct access to the Prime Minister enjoyed by previous Special Envoys.

What does this mean for UK FoRB advocacy?

Now that there is a Special Envoy, what can we expect? Since taking office, Mr Smith has already demonstrated a strong commitment to FoRB. He has:

Participated in a number of meetings with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for FoRB, engaging with cross-party MPs and Peers to advance discussions on FoRB worldwide.
Hosted a meeting of the UK FoRB Forum, a coalition of civil society organisations dedicated to FoRB advocacy, at the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Held discussions and meetings on Nigeria, North Korea, and other key countries where FoRB violations remain widespread.
Attended the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C..

In his role, the envoy is working closely with the FoRB team in the FCDO, which has identified ten priority countries for UK FoRB advocacy. These countries are where the UK government believes it can have the greatest impact. While this is a critical focus, at CSW, we will also continue to knock on the doors for countries that are not on the priority list, because FoRB violations do not fit neatly into a pre-set list, and our advocacy must remain expansive.

Why is the envoy role important?

A Special Envoy for FoRB plays a distinct role in shaping and strengthening the UK’s response to FoRB violations worldwide, namely by:

Championing FoRB in UK foreign policy: ensuring it remains high on the agenda during diplomatic engagements, trade discussions and international cooperation.
Engaging multilaterally: leveraging the UK’s influence within the UN, and with the EU, the USA, the Article 18 Alliance (formerly known as the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, or IRFBA) and other forums to advance protections for vulnerable religious and belief communities around the world.
Supporting grassroots and faith-based organisations: ensuring civil society voices are central to the UK’s FoRB strategy.
Pushing for accountability: calling out countries where FoRB violations occur and advocating for targeted sanctions, diplomatic measures, or policy shifts where necessary.
Collaborating with Parliament: ensuring MPs and Peers are equipped with the information and tools they require to advocate for FoRB within their own parliamentary work.

Mr Smith’s early engagement suggests that he is already working to fulfil many of these priorities.

Looking ahead

The appointment of a Special Envoy for FoRB is just the beginning. The real question is how this role will be used to create tangible change for those facing violence, discrimination and persecution for their beliefs, and whether it will be a priority for the current government.

CSW will continue working to ensure that FoRB remains a central pillar of UK foreign policy. We will advocate for robust responses to violations, proactive diplomatic engagement and meaningful support for vulnerable communities worldwide.

The Special Envoy has an opportunity to build on the work of his predecessors, to strengthen UK leadership in this space, and to elevate FoRB as a human rights priority on the global stage. We look forward to working closely with him to make that happen.

By CSW’s UK Liaison Officer Chibuzor