From the UK House of Commons, Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), presented a human-rights-centered approach for establishing an international framework aimed at preventing the political abuse of religion while protecting freedom of religion.

She emphasized that such an international initiative should not attempt to regulate religion itself, but rather to safeguard individuals and religious communities from political manipulation or discrimination. 

She proposed key guiding principles, including a clear definition of “abuse of religion,” carefully distinguishing legitimate religious practice from exploitation for political domination or incitement to violence. “Freedom of religion,” she stressed, “is not limited to freedom of belief; it also includes protection against coercion or manipulation carried out in the name of faith.”
 

The CNDH Chairperson called for a ban on using religion to justify violence, exclusion, or the violation of fundamental rights, highlighting the responsibility of states to uphold human rights and the rule of law. "We need to invest in education, institutional frameworks, and international cooperation to address cross-border religious extremism," she emphasized.

Concluding her address, Ms. Bouayach noted that the challenge is not only legal but also societal: fostering a shared understanding of the relationship between religion, power, and responsibility, ensuring that faith remains a source of cohesion, stability, and peace in a rapidly changing world marked by conflict.