The Executive Director of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), Mrs. Hannah Forster, participated in the sixth annual International Religious Freedom Summit 2026 held in Washington, D.C., from 2–3 February 2026.
The Summit brought together 1,765 participants from 87 countries, including advocates, faith leaders, policymakers, and human rights defenders committed to advancing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) worldwide. Over two days, participants engaged in plenary sessions, panel discussions, and workshops addressing rising global restrictions on religious freedom and strategies to strengthen accountability and international advocacy.
The 2026 Summit opened with a strong call to intensify global efforts to protect conscience rights. Co-chair Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights, underscored the paradox of growing momentum for religious freedom alongside expanding repression. She noted that more people than ever live under conditions where their fundamental rights to belief and conscience are restricted.
Co-chair Sam Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, described the movement for religious freedom as both a moral imperative and a geopolitical challenge, emphasizing the courage of individuals of faith living under repressive regimes.
The Summit also featured bipartisan support from leading U.S. congressional figures serving as Honorary Co-Chairs, including Nancy Pelosi, James Lankford, Jeff Merkley, and Chris Smith.
Discussions highlighted the plight of prisoners of conscience worldwide and explored practical tools for engaging international human rights mechanisms. With more than 90 organizations and over 30 faith traditions represented, the Summit reaffirmed its role as one of the largest global civil society gatherings dedicated to advancing freedom of religion or belief.
Mrs. Forster’s participation reflects ACDHRS’ continued commitment to promoting and protecting fundamental rights across Africa and beyond, including the right to freedom of religion or belief as enshrined in regional and international human rights instruments.
