Our presence at the United Nations (UN) is a vital tool in our advocacy work: whether we’re bringing people from as far afield as Eritrea or South Asia to tell their stories to policymakers, or making official statements regarding the situation of religious freedom in the countries we work on, we’re always working hard to make sure freedom of religion or belief is at the forefront of UN discussions.
- Sunday 22 July
“Without the support of CSW, I or others like me, would never get the opportunity to voice the injustice that is committed by the head of states in our parts of the world.” – Yona G. Nati. With CSW’s support, Yona travelled to the UN in March to tell the story of how his father was forcibly disappeared when he was just a teenager. Pray that his story motivates the international community to take strong action for human rights in Eritrea.
- Monday 23 July
CSW works closely with the UN Special Rapporteur (the UN expert) on freedom of religion or belief, Dr Ahmed Shaheed. Please pray for him as works to protect and promote this human rights at the UN, and pray today that the UN would take strong, decisive action to protect this fundamental right.
- Tuesday 24 July
CSW was influential in campaigning for the establishment of official inquiries into the human rights situations in North Korea and Eritrea, and we gained UN accreditation last year, giving us special ‘consultative status’ at the UN. Join us in thanking God for all the ways we’ve been able to work at the UN to promote freedom of religion or belief.
- Wednesday 25 July
Our manifesto says that we believe that human rights are critical in enabling societies and countries to flourish: today, please pray that the UN would take an active role in promoting human rights around the world, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, and that world leaders would uphold their duty to protect this right.
- Thursday 26 July
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a peer-review process of a country’s human rights record every four years. Each UN country is assessed on its human rights record by the other countries, which then make policy recommendations. Organisations such as CSW contribute vital research. In September, the Central African Republic, China, Mexico, Malaysia and Nigeria will be reviewed: please pray that human rights abuses in these countries will be addressed.
- Friday 27 July
Today, please pray for God to bless our UN team with energy and perseverance. They work tremendously hard and we’re so grateful for all that they do!
- Saturday 28 July
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for all that CSW has been able to achieve at the UN. We praise you for your blessings on us in the past, and we continue our UN work in the knowledge that you will bless us in the future. You are truly amazing, God! Amen.