How can someone stand up for something that they do not know is happening? Why would someone respond with action if they do not understand the significance and gravity of a situation? Claire Denman, who leads our work at the United Nations, reflects on one of CSW’s core principles and shares some key advocacy moments from 2025. 

At CSW we take our research and analysis seriously, and seek out opportunities to get accurate and verified information into the hands of those with the power to make a difference; the right hands at the right strategic moment to bring change. In a world where misinformation spreads like wildfire, this is more important than ever. 

This year, we refreshed our general briefings on 25 countries, which explain the general situation in a country and provide specific recommendations for action. We also released a number of specialist briefings, for example about repression in China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and attacks on places of worship in Sudan. Among our six major reports was ‘A matter of control: Challenges to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression.’ 

As well as sharing these reports, our team frequently meets with decision-makers in the UK Parliament, United Nations, European Union and US Congress to brief them on the situation of freedom of religion or belief around the world. 

It’s been a tough year for advocacy because violations have escalated in a number of the countries we work on. There have been positive moments in our work too. Reflecting on these give us hope for the road ahead. 

Here are a handful of international advocacy highlights from 2025: 

After years of consistent advocacy, research and documentation, it finally feels as though the international community is waking up to the reality of the situation in Nigeria. 

It was especially powerful when Rev Yunusa Nmadu (CSW Nigeria’s CEO) travelled to Geneva for the first time to speak directly to UN experts and country representatives on the situation in Nigeria. We are so grateful for the provision of funds that enabled this to happen. 

There was great appetite for our information and analysis on freedom of religion or belief, and we’re now pushing for a UN investigative mechanism to be established on Nigeria in addition to increased reporting by existing mandates. 

Elsewhere, the US redesignated Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ in November. (Earlier, the CEOs of CSW USA, UK and Nigeria wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating in detail why redesignation was merited.) 

We conducted targeted in-person advocacy on Nicaragua in Brussels and the UK. 

This involved meeting with MEPs, EU Member State officials working on the region, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Latin America desk officer. The advocacy in Brussels led to an MEP writing an article about one of the cases we had highlighted. 

As a team, we successfully advocated for the renewal of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan. 

This group of experts is mandated to collect evidence and report on violations, as part of the efforts to ensure accountability and justice. 

CSW responded to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHRP)’s call for input regarding human rights violations in Sudan last year. Praise God that this was well received! The publication of their report in October 2025 included a specific section on freedom of religion or belief – heavily referencing CSW’s research. 

My colleague Mohaned was invited by the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights to speak at a hearing on human rights in Sudan. Two days later, he delivered a statement via video at a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on the situation in El Fasher. All of this contributes to international monitoring, reporting and accountability efforts. 

We briefed policymakers and human rights experts ahead of official country visits. 

For example, we briefed the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues ahead of an official country visit to Nepal, answering his preliminary questions and advocating for the inclusion of minority rights and freedom of religion or belief during his visit. 

The UK government launched the ‘Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Strategy’, spearheaded by Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP. 

It aims to mainstream this human right into the UK’s foreign policy – including diplomacy, development and trade. We look forward to continuing to work with the UK government, especially the Special Envoy and his staff, to champion the right to FoRB within UK foreign policy. 

Pray:

For wisdom for our advocacy team as we identify which policy- makers to approach, when and where best to channel our resources. Pray also for continued traction in our advocacy on countries like Nigeria.