Our mission

the Proposed Treaty

BPUR International is a global campaign to enact an International Treaty to Ban the Political Abuse of Religion, as a fundamental foundation to disarm extremism and eliminate the root causes of religious conflicts and discrimination worldwide. 

It was launched after overwhelming support for an article by founder Salam Sarhan, published in The Independent on 31 January 2019, highlighting why the international community needs such a treaty to address current and future global conflicts.

This peace-making initiative is on the international agenda with an imminent supporting resolution at the Council of Europe, and active engagement with over 20 governments. It has growing support among lawmakers, officials, religious leaders, institutions, and civil society in more than 80 countries.

BPUR International also has numerous key partnerships with international organisations and parliamentary groups, such as the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief (119 Lawmakers).

We have held several successful events, including an international conference in Morocco, and we are planning two major events in London and the Middle East to align global partners and stakeholders around the proposed treaty roadmap. 

This is not an attempt to separate religion and politics, which can be divisive. The main objective is to affirm existing international norms with a highly focused and more effective new international treaty to combat all forms of oppression and discrimination on the grounds of religion.

Freedom of Religion or Belief is a fundamental right enshrined in international law. Nonetheless, it encounters legal limitations and is openly and even wantonly violated in many countries. We believe the international legal toolkit needs upgrading to criminalise all actions that violate Freedom of Religion or Belief before international courts and tribunals. 

The initial proposed treaty, drafted by leading officials, legislators and prominent UN experts, represents a new approach to introduce clear, simple and indisputable international rules to ban:

  • all political abuses of religion that undermine human equality;
  • all religious discrimination in rights and duties;
  • all religious exclusion in public law; and
  • all restrictions on freedom of religion or belief.

We believe these non-confrontational rules can build a global consensus without offending any religious group or threatening the social stability of any country. Moreover, it would be an act of self-condemnation for any government to reject these fair, respectful rules.

The initial draft was prepared by leading officials, legislators, and prominent UN experts to serve as an initial framework and a guideline for the proposed treaty. The formal script shall only be drafted by the adopting member states of the United Nations.

Supporters believe that the proposed treaty would empower governments to enforce greater respect for human rights. It would also make it possible for countries entangled with religious discrimination to join the world consensus on equality for all. Subsequently, it would create better-functioning societies, enhance stability and pave the way for sustainable development. 

BPUR International aims to secure the adoption of the proposed treaty by a few governments from different regions to co-sponsor the proceedings at the United Nations General Assembly to enact a significant international treaty that would make the world more tolerant, more fair and more peaceful.

After enacting the Proposed Treaty, BPUR International will go on to establish a global monitor to report on all violations of the Treaty by providing verified data that would empower governments, organisations and individuals to apply political pressure to stop such violations.