London, 8 September 2025 — BPUR International has taken a major step forward in its global campaign to enact an International Treaty to Ban the Political Abuse of Religion. Founder Salam Sarhan met with Jim Shannon MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB), and the group’s director Julie Jones, at the House of Commons to strengthen collaboration and explore next steps.
At the meeting, BPUR highlighted recent milestones, including an imminent supporting resolution at the Council of Europe, active engagements with governments across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, preparations for an appeal to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and plans to convene a conference in the House of Commons to align global partners around the treaty roadmap.
The proposed treaty, developed with input from senior officials, legislators, and UN experts, sets clear and non-confrontational rules to prevent the misuse of religion for political gain while reinforcing human rights and global stability.
“This meeting marked an important step in building parliamentary and governmental support for our campaign,” said Salam Sarhan, founder of BPUR International. “The UK, with its global leadership on Freedom of Religion or Belief, is uniquely positioned to champion this treaty as a foundation for peace, stability, and sustainable development.”
BPUR International, a UK-registered non-profit NGO, is leading a global campaign to create binding international standards against religious discrimination and political abuses of religion. The initiative has already won support from lawmakers, religious leaders, and civil society in more than 80 countries and is recognised as an official stakeholder of the APPG FoRB.
With this strengthened partnership in the UK Parliament, BPUR is set to accelerate its path to the United Nations General Assembly, aiming to deliver the treaty for global adoption.
