Acra, Ghana – On October 10, 2023, Ghana and Malawi were part of the 15 new member states elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term. Following this election, members of the Steering Groups of the International Panel of Parliamentarians on Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) and the African Parliamentarians Association for Human Rights (AfriPAHR) sent advocacy letters to Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. The letters were sent on October 27 from the IPPFoRB Secretariat in Oslo, Norway.
While congratulating the two countries on this important election, the Steering Groups also requested them to consider freedom of religion or belief challenges seriously and take measures to ensure that their citizens’ freedom of religion or belief is upheld and protected.
In addition, the Steering Groups also recommended that the two countries establish and apply thorough anti-discrimination laws that directly outlaw any acts of discrimination.
Finally, the Steering Groups expressed their willingness to collaborating with authorities in the two countries to find solutions that respect the rights and freedoms of their citizens.
Read the full content of the letters here: