By Marianna Richardson
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Global democracies should prioritize international religious freedom commitments. The panel discussed this issue, featuring former U.S. Special Advisor Knox Thames, scholar Melissa Rogers, ACLJ executive director Jordan Sekulow, and former UN Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed.
Summary of Knox Thames’ Remarks: Addressing Challenges to Multi-faith Movements
Knox Thames opened by noting how remarkable it is to gather in a genuinely multifaith space—something that barely existed when he began this work 25 years ago. Despite differing theological, philosophical, and political backgrounds, participants are united in defending freedom of religion or belief for all. He highlighted the growth of global advocacy networks over the past decade and the strength of international human‑rights standards, especially Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which he described as the “soul” of the human‑rights system.
An Inflection Point for the Movement
Thames cautioned that the movement for international religious freedom is operating outside historical norms and now faces extraordinary challenges. Global instability is rising, while political and financial support for human‑rights work is declining. Persecution continues to affect people of every faith tradition. At the same time, governments in Europe and the United States are shifting back toward hard‑interest foreign policy priorities. He argued that this moment requires serious reflection and strategic adaptation.
The Need for Nonpartisan, Principled Advocacy
He urged the community to keep religious freedom a nonpartisan priority. By “nonpartisan,” he did not mean disengaged from political realities, but rather principled—willing to work with every administration and to praise or critique any political party based on actions, not allegiance. He acknowledged that in every administration, words and deeds sometimes fail to align. A principled movement, he said, must celebrate when the “other side” gets it right and challenge its own side when it falls short.
Collaboration for a New Era
Thames warned that persecution is evolving, and advocates cannot rely on old strategies. He invoked a quote from Nobel Prize–winning chemist Ernest Rutherford:
We haven’t got the money, so we have to think.
With political and financial support shrinking, the movement must become more creative, collaborative, and strategic. He emphasized that in democracies, public voices still matter, and advocates must use them with purpose and wisdom.
Preparing for Practical Solutions
He concluded by encouraging the audience to discern the moment and respond with renewed energy. He introduced the panel as an opportunity to think practically about how to ensure that freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief remains a global priority rather than a historical anomaly.
Melissa Rogers: Building Coalitions Through “Pleasant Persistence”
Melissa Rogers emphasized that the most effective advocacy for freedom of religion or belief comes from broad, diverse coalitions. While smaller or single‑issue groups have value, she encouraged advocates to continually seek the widest possible partnerships across faiths and beliefs. Broad coalitions, she noted, are both louder and more influential.
She stressed the importance of “pleasant persistence.” One meeting with government officials is never enough; progress requires repeated engagement, ongoing communication, and patience with the realities of government schedules. Rogers also highlighted the need to balance big‑picture goals with incremental steps. Advocates should articulate the overarching principles they seek to advance while also identifying smaller, achievable actions that demonstrate progress and build momentum.
Why Political Leaders Should Listen to Faith Communities
Rogers also argued that policymakers must hear from religious groups because religion shapes every dimension of human life and is central to understanding global events. She stressed the importance of having officials in senior government roles who understand faith dynamics and religious‑freedom issues, both domestically and internationally.
She also emphasized that democracies must lead by example. Protecting religious freedom for everyone—equally and consistently—strengthens democratic institutions, reinforces the rule of law, and supports programs such as refugee resettlement. Rogers noted that defending religious liberty at home is inseparable from promoting it abroad; credibility requires integrity.
Ahmed Shaheed: Multi‑Level Engagement to Promote Religious Freedom
Ahmed Shaheed drew on his experience as UN Special Rapporteur for Iran and later for Freedom of Religion or Belief to describe the tools democratic governments can use to influence change. He emphasized the importance of multi‑level engagement—working simultaneously with government officials, parliamentarians, civil‑society groups, and grassroots actors. Democracies possess this layered capacity, and when these actors coordinate with UN mechanisms, their impact is significantly strengthened.
Shaheed explained that speaking out on behalf of prisoners of conscience has both subjective and objective effects. Individuals in detention consistently report feeling safer and more hopeful when their cases are raised publicly. Governments also respond differently when they know the world is watching. Although change may be incremental, he stressed that without such interventions, conditions almost always worsen. Persistence, coordinated advocacy, and consistent pressure remain essential tools for protecting vulnerable individuals and advancing freedom of belief.
Building Consensus Around Universal Rights
Shaheed further explained that religious repression is systemic, widespread, and deeply intertwined with global crises such as protracted conflicts and refugee displacement. Because religion often becomes entangled in conflict, violations of religious freedom can prolong violence and make resolution more difficult.
He emphasized that the most effective advocacy involves multi‑level engagement—governments, parliaments, civil society, and grassroots actors working together. When these groups coordinate with UN mechanisms, their impact increases significantly. Shaheed noted that speaking out on behalf of prisoners of conscience has real effects: detainees feel safer, and governments behave differently when they know the world is watching.
He highlighted the importance of finding shared goals rather than remaining in polarized positions. As an example, he cited the successful UN effort—supported by U.S. leadership—to develop a common framework for addressing incitement and discrimination. Durable progress, he argued, comes from building consensus around universal rights.
Jordan (ACLJ): Why Religious Liberty Matters for Security, Diplomacy, and Public Engagement
Jordan emphasized that countries protecting religious liberty—where individuals can choose, change, or reject a faith without fear—tend to be strong allies of the United States. Such nations share human‑rights values, cooperate at the United Nations, and contribute to global security. He contrasted this with countries where religious practice is forced underground, noting that the ACLJ has worked with UN partners, including Ahmed Shaheed and Bill’s office, to save Christian pastors from execution in such environments.
He explained that personal stories are essential for engaging the American public. Graphic images of ISIS atrocities awakened many to the scale of global persecution, far beyond the minor discrimination some experience domestically. When advocates highlight individual families, spouses, or survivors, people begin to care about countries they previously ignored. Jordan stressed that the ACLJ defends religious freedom for all—not only Christians or Jews—and that storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for mobilizing support.
He closed with an example from Israel: helping a Palestinian Christian widow escape Gaza the day before a major conflict. That rescue demonstrated that advocacy can save lives, not just win legal arguments. He argued that robust religious liberty strengthens a nation’s global reputation and aligns with the moral obligations of many faith traditions.
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Marianna Richardson is the Director of Communications for the G20 Interfaith Forum. She is also an adjunct professor at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University.