The LM International Approach to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) outlines a comprehensive framework for integrating FoRB as a foundational human right across humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding work. Framed within a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), LM International views FoRB not only as a moral and legal imperative but also as a strategic enabler of social cohesion, inclusion and sustainable development.
The paper explores FoRB’s essential role in respecting diversity, enhancing service delivery through faith actors and promoting interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding. It critically addresses how restricted religious freedom negatively impacts health, education, and economic opportunities: key indicators of human development, especially in fragile and conflict-affected regions.
Key issues the paper seeks to address include how FoRB violations exacerbate marginalisation of religious minorities, the gap between secular development models and lived religious realities, and the underrepresentation of FoRB in global policy and monitoring frameworks. It also questions how gender and youth perspectives can be better integrated into FoRB advocacy and programming.
LM International’s approach is exemplified through regional case studies from Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe, with practical applications such as engaging faith leaders in maternal health in Sudan, promoting religious inclusion during elections in Tanzania and supporting legal empowerment for indigenous communities in Bolivia and Colombia. Ultimately, the organisation positions FoRB as essential for protecting human dignity and fostering inclusive, resilient societies.