Welcome to the website of the European Parliament Intergroup on the Freedom of Religion, Belief and Conscience

Our Mission

The European Parliament Intergroup on the Freedom of Religion, Belief and Conscience consist of 30 Members of the European Parliament ('MEPs'). Our MEPs are in their work all dedicated to protect the fundamental freedoms of religion, belief and conscience. The Intergroup is committed to ensure the right of every individual to freedom of religion, belief and conscience, both within and beyond Europe’s borders. It aims to monitor and improve the actions and policies of the European Union in this area. The Intergroup does not focus on any specific religion or belief in particular, but it is rather dedicated to ensuring that the European Union remains a strong voice for the protection of this essential human right worldwide.

Our Bureau

Miriam Lexmann

co-chair - Slovakia - EPP

Bert-Jan Ruissen

co-chair - the Netherlands - ECR

Nathalie Loiseau

vice-chair - France - Renew

Carlo Fidanza

Tomislav Sokol

Reinhold Lopatka

Sebastian Tynkkynen

vice-chair - Italy - ECR

vice-chair - Croatia - EPP

vice-chair - Austria - EPP

vice-chair - Finland - ECR

News of the Intergroup

Urgent call

to Ursula von

der Leyen

It is of the upmost importance that the European Union's Special Envoy for the promotion of the freedom of religion and belief outside of the EU is soon re-appointed, stressed MEP's Miriam Lexmann and Bert-Jan Ruissen in a letter to the Commission's president Ursula von der Leyen.

READ THE LETTER

What is the EU's political response to violence against Christians in DRC?

In February 2025, 70 Christians were found beheaded in a DRC Church. Chairs of the Intergroup, Miriam Lexmann and Bert-Jan Ruissen asked EU's High Representative, Kaja Kallas, on the EU's action regarding safeguarding the lives of citizens in DRC's current humanitarian crisis.

READ THE QUESTIONS

Pakistan's blasphemy practices need to be addressed

Death penalties on blasphemy charges, forced marriage and forced conversion: minorities in Pakistan suffer. The Intergroup has asked Mr Olof Skoog, EU High Representative on Human Rights, to address these issues on his visit to Pakistan in January 2025.