IARF at the UN in Geneva

Since summer 2001, IARF has had a resident representative at the United Nations in Geneva, Dr John B. Taylor. He attends meetings of the U.N.'s Human Rights Council to make interventions on behalf of persecuted religious minorities.

Dr Taylor had a central role, as Secretary, in setting up (in relation with CONGO, the Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations) the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Geneva. He served as its Secretary until mid-2008, after which he was elected Vice-Chair.

IARF attaches great importance to complementing the work of the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Religion or Belief (Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt).