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 11 December, 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.
Continue reading “Now the UK has a new Special Envoy, what does that mean for freedom of religion or belief?”