Media invite 10:30am - 5pm, Saturday 10 October 2009 Emmanuel Centre, 9 - 23 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 3DW

Ten years on from the passing of the International Religious Freedom Act of the USA, its principal architect will speak in the UK to review a decade of USA foreign policy and activity focused on the promotion of religious freedom around the world.

Congressman Frank Wolf will speak exclusively to delegates at Christian Solidarity Worldwide's (CSW) London conference on 10 October 2009.

The human rights champion will be joined by newly elected Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs in Pakistan, Shahbaz Bhatti. He was recently quoted by news agency AFP while receiving an award from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, as being ready to "pay the price" of his life for religious freedom. This comment follows his landmark promise to review, revisit and amend Pakistan's blasphemy laws, currently being used as a tool to target non-Muslims. The Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs will expand on this position at the conference while sharing the inspiration behind his work as founder of the 'All Pakistan Minorities Alliance' (APMA.)

The one-day conference will also feature a first-hand eyewitness account of human rights abuses in Burma.

Delegates will enjoy the dulcet tones of BBC 2's Young Chorister of the Year for 2008, Alice Halstead, a CSW supporter, who will perform music from her repertoire, as well as the London gospel choir, The Tribe of Judah (TOJ).  This cultural medley will continue as delegates hear from Patrice Naiambana, an Edinburgh Fringe winning Shakespearian actor, who will perform a dramatic monologue on the theme of justice in Africa.

Speaking ahead of the conference, CSW's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, said: "We are very honoured to welcome both Congressman Wolf and Minister Bhatti whose example in the sphere of political engagement is an inspiration to us all and a challenge to renew our efforts to promote religious freedom around the world.  The conference promises to be a moving and informative day."

For biographies & photos of the speakers or to arrange interviews, filming or photography on the day please contact Theresa Malinowska, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide to arrange on 020 8329 0045 / 078 2332 9663, email theresamalinowska@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Notes to Editors:

• No unauthorized photography will be permitted. Press presence, photography requests and interviews should be arranged in advance with CSW's press office.
  
• See AFP's report by clicking here: