Leaders at the sixth annual International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C., convened on 5 February 2026 to assess global trends in religious liberty, drawing attention to both advances and ongoing challenges in protecting the fundamental right to believe and worship freely. The summit brought together a broad coalition of participants, including government officials, diplomats, human rights advocates, religious leaders, and representatives from intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Organization of American States. The gathering served as a platform to exchange insights, share best practices, and develop coordinated strategies to address religious persecution worldwide.
Discussions at the summit highlighted persistent and widespread concerns about violations of religious freedom across multiple regions. In the Middle East, participants raised alarm over ongoing harassment, imprisonment, and displacement of minority religious groups, including Christians, Yazidis, and Baha’is. Reports from parts of South and Central Asia highlighted restrictions on worship, forced conversions, and discrimination against Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities, often compounded by social and legal pressures. In Africa, delegates pointed to both state-imposed limitations and attacks by extremist groups targeting religious minorities, particularly in areas of Nigeria, Sudan, and the Sahel region, where violence has disrupted communities and restricted access to education, healthcare, and basic services.
U.S. Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Samantha Power, emphasized that defending religious freedom is central not only to protecting human dignity but also to fostering global stability and preventing conflict. She outlined U.S. initiatives aimed at supporting persecuted communities, strengthening rule-of-law frameworks, and promoting multilateral engagement to pressure governments and non-state actors to respect religious rights. Power called for increased transparency in reporting violations and for consistent monitoring of both state and non-state abuses of religious freedom.
The summit also explored emerging challenges in the digital era, including online harassment, censorship, and restrictions on religious expression through social media and other platforms. Delegates noted that authoritarian governments increasingly use digital tools to surveil and suppress religious communities, while extremist groups exploit online networks to incite violence and intimidation. Speakers underscored the need for international cooperation to address these issues, including digital safeguards, education campaigns, and diplomatic pressure to ensure safe online spaces for religious expression.
