Tom Farr joins Panel Discussing International Protection of Religious Freedom

On Friday, October 7, RFI President Tom Farr, joined U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, David Saperstein, and the European Union’s first special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion and belief outside the European Union, Jan Figel, for a lively discussion moderated by Brett Scharffs, Francis R. Kirkham Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs at the J. Reuben Clark Law School of Brigham Young University, on the status of protecting and promoting religious freedom globally.

The event was hosted at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. and co-sponsored by the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University and the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum Institute.

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“Clearly religious freedom is a human right. It is important to be understood in that way. But religion is distinctive. We all share it in one way or another.

This is why I think religious freedom deserves its own niche: It is a source of other human and social goods. It contributes to the economy. It contributes to the stability of democracy. It can help undermine religious persecution and religious violence.”

— Tom Farr, on why religious freedom matters on its own apart from other human rights

See more about the event here: INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

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A lively debate among some of the most experienced actors in government, academic, and civil society elements of religious freedom promotion.

Charles C. Haynes, Vice President, Newseum Institute & Founding Director, Religious Freedom Center

Introduction of panelists

Thomas Farr, Jan Figel, David Saperstein, Brett Scharffs (L-R)

Brett Scharffs, Francis R. Kirkham Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs at the J. Reuben Clark Law School of Brigham Young University

Ambassador David N. Saperstein is the ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom for the U.S. Department of State.

The Honorable Ján Figeľ was recently appointed as the European Union’s first special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion and belief outside the European Union.