4 February 2026 / In person and online
On 4 February 2026, Human Rights Without Frontiers International (HRWF) will lead the pre‑launch of the Central Europe Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), a new initiative aimed at strengthening evidence‑based dialogue and policy responses on freedom of religion or belief in Central Europe. The event will take place in person and online from 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST at the Kennedy Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building (SR‑325), Washington D.C., with seating limited.
The Forum will focus initially on Austria, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary, adopting a country‑focused, thematically anchored, evidence‑based and solution‑driven approach. It is organized by HRWF in partnership with the International Religious Freedom (IRF)Secretariat, and follows an IRF Roundtable.
Leadership and Speakers
The Central Europe Forum for FoRB will be chaired by Willy Fautré, Founder and Director of Human Rights Without Frontiers International, with Hans Noot (HRWF Netherlands) serving as Vice‑Chair.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Ján Figel (Slovakia), President of FORE Europe and former EU Special Envoy for the promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU, bringing extensive experience from European and international diplomacy.
Regional representatives participating in the Forum include:
- Peter Zoehrer (Austria), FORE Europe
- Kristyna Tomanova (Czechia), InterBelief Relief
- Attila Miklovicz (Hungary), University of Pécs
International advisors to the Forum are:
- David Burrowes, former Member of Parliament and UK Deputy Special Envoy for FoRB
- Greg Mitchell, IRF Secretariat and IRF Roundtable
- Dr. Brandon Taylorian, University of Lancashire
About Human Rights Without Frontiers
Human Rights Without Frontiers International (HRWF) is a Brussels‑based non‑governmental organization, founded in 1989 and operating internationally since 2001. The organization conducts research, monitoring, reporting and advocacy on human rights worldwide, with a strong focus on freedom of religion or belief, democracy and the rule of law. HRWF maintains a well‑known database of prisoners detained because of their religious or belief convictions and regularly engages with the European Union, United Nations, OSCE and Council of Europe.
HRWF’s founder and director, Willy Fautré, is a Belgian human rights defender with decades of experience in international advocacy, fact‑finding missions and policy engagement. He is a frequent speaker at international fora and a recognized expert on freedom of religion or belief and minority rights.
A Platform for Regional Engagement
The Central Europe Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief aims to become a sustained platform for dialogue between civil society, academics, policymakers and international stakeholders. By grounding discussions in verified data and country‑specific analysis, the Forum seeks to contribute to practical recommendations and constructive engagement on FoRB challenges in Central Europe.
Registration is required due to limited seating. Refreshments will be provided.
