Geneva. On March 4th the United Kingdom called for urgent global action to combat torture and protect freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in detention centers, following a stark warning from the UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB about systemic violations in countries like Myanmar and Sudan, and her Hungary country visit report.
Delivering the UK’s statement at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), David Smith, MP and the UK’s Special Envoy for FoRB, underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to defending religious freedoms. He highlighted the Rapporteur’s recent report, which documented harrowing cases of detainees in Myanmar being subjected to psychological torture and coerced attempts to erase their religious identities. In Sudan, non-Muslims reportedly faced similar persecution, including denial of work, food aid, and education to force religious conformity.
“The UK unreservedly condemns the use of torture in all its forms,” Smith declared, emphasizing that ending impunity for such abuses is critical to upholding security, rule of law, and fundamental human rights. “Preventing torture and ensuring accountability are not optional—they are moral and legal imperatives.”
Smith directed a pointed question to the Special Rapporteur, asking for recommendations on how states can better investigate torture allegations and safeguard FoRB in detention facilities. His intervention underscored growing international concern over the weaponization of state power to suppress religious practices, particularly in conflict zones and authoritarian regimes.
The statement aligns with the UK’s broader diplomatic efforts to prioritize FoRB globally, a policy pillar reinforced by Smith’s envoy role since 2022. It also reflects mounting pressure on the UNHRC to address escalating religious persecution, as activists warn of deteriorating conditions in Myanmar under military rule and Sudan’s fractured political landscape.
Human rights organizations welcomed the UK’s remarks but urged concrete follow-up, including targeted sanctions against perpetrators and increased support for grassroots advocacy. “Words must translate into action,” said one Geneva-based advocate. “Victims of torture and religious discrimination deserve more than rhetoric—they need justice.”. Smith also met with counterparts from other countries and with the Bureau of the UN Geneva NGO Committee on FoRB, with which he exchanges potential ways of collaboration.
The UNHRC session, which runs through March 2025, will continue to address systemic human rights challenges, with FoRB emerging as a recurring theme amid rising global tensions over religious identity and state sovereignty.
As the council deliberates, Smith’s intervention serves as a reminder of the urgent need for multilateral cooperation to protect vulnerable communities and hold violators accountable. “The right to believe—or not to believe—is universal,” he concluded. “It is our collective duty to defend it.”
