Members of the Intergroup, together with other interested colleagues, have written a letter to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen urging her to appoint a new EU Special Envoy for freedom or religion or belief as soon as possible. The post has de facto been vacant for over two years, and with the current mandate of the Commission progressing, chances to have an effective Special Envoy during this mandate are declining.
Intergoup co-chair Peter van Dalen: ‘In her recent State of the Union speech, the President did not address this issue which confirmed our fear that it has no priority for the Commission.
That is why we must keep reminding the Commission that the post of Special Envoy is crucial in times where religious freedom around the world is deteriorating. We hope that our call is heard by the President, and that a new appointment will follow soon.
