Freedom of religion or belief protects the right to hold, change, express or decline a belief without coercion or discrimination.
Freedom of religion or belief protects the right to hold, change, express or decline a belief without coercion or discrimination.
WHRF focus area. Freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief belongs to every person. It covers religious and non-religious convictions, the freedom to change belief, and the freedom not to profess a belief.
Violations can include coercion, discriminatory registration rules, attacks on places of worship, punishment for conversion or non-belief, and restrictions that are neither lawful nor necessary. Protection must apply equally to majorities, minorities, converts, dissenters and people with no religious affiliation.
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provide the core international standard. Any limitation on the manifestation of belief must satisfy strict legal tests; the freedom to have or adopt a belief is not subject to restriction.
WHRF approaches this issue through independent research, public-interest analysis, non-partisan advocacy and cooperation with credible human-rights actors. This page identifies a focus area; it does not claim that WHRF currently operates a field programme or provides direct services in a particular country.
Contact WHRF if your organization has relevant evidence, expertise or a responsible partnership proposal.
Last reviewed: 20 October 2026.
