- Mairead McGuiness is the new EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) outside the EU
- Human rights advocates welcome appointment amidst escalating violations of religious freedom across the globe
BRUSSELS (25 March 2026)— The European Commission has appointed Mairead McGuiness, Former Vice President of the European Parliament, as the new EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) outside the EU, filling a position that has remained vacant since the beginning of the current Commission term in December 2024. In the combined two terms in which Ursula von der Leyen has been President of the European Parliament, the position has remained vacant for about four of the ten years that this position has existed.
The appointment comes at a decisive moment. Over the past year, violations of religious freedom have escalated significantly across the globe—from discriminatory government crackdowns on Christians in India to the extreme and often deadly violence faced by Christian communities in Nigeria. The prolonged absence of an envoy raised concern among human rights advocates who warned that the EU was leaving a critical tool of its human rights diplomacy unused.
“We welcome the appointment of the new Special Envoy at a time when so many individuals and communities are suffering for their faith. Around the world, people face harassment, imprisonment, violence, or even death simply because of what they believe. This mandate is essential to ensuring that their rights are not overlooked. The European Commission should now strengthen and adequately resource the role so that the envoy can effectively respond to today’s urgent challenges.”
A Long-Vacant Role Amid Rising Persecution
Since the envoy position became vacant over a year ago, FoRB violations have intensified. In Nigeria, extremist and militant groups continue to target Christian communities with brutal attacks, resulting in thousands of deaths each year. This has prompted the US-government to add Nigeria to its list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC). In India and Pakistan, Christians and other minorities face mounting pressure, including mob violence, legal harassment, and widespread discrimination. ADF International’s Global Religious Freedom team and allied lawyers in India offer legal support to Christians in these countries.
Mairead McGuinness previously served as European Commissioner (2020-2024) and Vice-President of the European Parliament (2017-2020). In her capacity as Special Envoy for freedom of religion or belief outside the EU, she will report to Commissioner Brunner, who oversees leading the Commission’s dialogue with churches and religious associations or communities, and with philosophical and non-confessional organisations. She will provide support for intercultural and interreligious dialogue processes outside the European Union, including with national authorities, organisations and representatives of different faiths.
An Essential Mandate for EU Human Rights Leadership
The role of the Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU was introduced in 2016 in order to protect freedom of religion or belief worldwide. The European Parliament called for the ‘EU to establish a permanent Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief’ in its Resolution of 4 February 2016 on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by the so-called ‘ISIS/Daesh’. Part of the mandate included visits to countries with some of the most violent religious persecution in the world in order to help address the situation and develop response plans. The Special Envoy played a decisive role in helping Asia Bibi safely leave Pakistan after she was acquitted of blasphemy charges.
Despite longstanding cross-party support for the position, the role has been repeatedly left vacant for extended periods, raising questions about the EU’s commitment to safeguarding FoRB worldwide. In its annual Human Rights and Democracy Report 2025, the European Parliament addressed the urgent need to fill this position: “Calls on the Commission to ensure the timely appointment of the EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief; underlines the importance of providing the Special Envoy with adequate continuity, resources and visibility to effectively promote freedom of religion or belief worldwide; stresses that regular reporting to the European Parliament would further strengthen transparency and cooperation in this field.”
“The EU has long presented itself as a global defender of human rights. To live up to that claim, it must place freedom of religion or belief at the centre of its foreign policy,” Portaru added. “Today’s appointment is an important step. What comes next will determine whether the EU can offer a meaningful response to the suffering of those persecuted for their faith.”
