Religious freedom is a cornerstone of human dignity and democracy. Yet, authoritarian regimes around the world see religious communities as threats—independent forces that challenge their control. From churches and mosques to temples and synagogues, faith-based groups are often on the front lines of defending human rights and democratic values. 

Since 1983, NED has stood with courageous partners defending the freedoms of religion, conscience, and thought. These partners expose persecution, empower religious communities as forces for freedom, and advance civic advocacy through coalition-building and documentation of abuses. Through these efforts, they work to ensure that all people—regardless of belief—can fully participate in civic and political life. 

With NED’s support, partners work to: 

• Expose Persecution: Documenting attacks, discrimination, and restrictions on religious freedom. 

• Empower Faith-Based Leaders: Engaging religious actors to promote democratic values and defend human rights. 

• Unite Across Differences: Bringing diverse religious communities and civic actors together to strengthen pro-democracy coalitions.

NED’s Support Makes a Difference: 

1. Documenting China’s Religious Freedom Violations: 

NED partners have exposed the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Christian, Tibetan Buddhist, and Muslim communities—reporting on mass detentions in reeducation camps, the imprisonment of religious leaders, and the targeting of women for wearing religious attire. Their work has spurred responses from the United States and other democracies, catalyzed action from UN bodies, and galvanized solidarity across the Global South, including from Muslim-majority nations.

2. Strengthening Observer Networks in Cuba and Nicaragua:

NED partners have built nationwide observer networks to monitor and report on religious freedom violations. Their documentation has exposed abuses and brought them to international attention, encouraging governments to take action to uphold religious rights. Reports submitted to global human rights bodies have led to increased scrutiny and diplomatic calls for Cuba and Nicaragua to respect religious freedom, demonstrating how systematic monitoring can drive accountability.

3. Advancing Accountability in Burma:

Burma’s military junta has targeted Christian and Muslim minorities for decades, particularly the Rohingya community. Since the 2021 coup, the military has escalated these attacks including the widespread killing and detention of religious leaders, forced conscription, and the intentional destruction of mosques and churches. NED partners are at the forefront of documenting these abuses. They have helped to bring these crimes to light, drive international media attention on the plight of Burma’s religious minorities, and spur accountability and justice efforts.

4. Championing Democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

NED partners representing the Catholic and Protestant denominations spearheaded the country’s largest-ever domestic election observation mission. The groups spotlighted irregularities in the process, including closed polling stations and reports of violence and confrontations. Following the elections, the groups are actively contributing to ongoing electoral reform dialogues. 

5. Empowering Tibetans to Defend Their Culture, Faith, and Future:

For over 35 years, NED has been a vital supporter of the global Tibetan movement. Its partners empower Tibetans to defend their rights, preserve their culture, and lead international advocacy. A groundbreaking NED-backed report exposing China’s colonial boarding schools—where over a million Tibetan children face separation and indoctrination—led to visa sanctions, global media coverage, and diplomatic pushback. NED also supports Tibetan-led efforts to protect religious freedom and ensure Tibetans—not the CCP—determine the future of Tibetan Buddhism and the next Dalai Lama. 

6. Equipping Vietnam’s Religious Minorities to Resist Repression:

NED plays a pivotal role in advancing religious freedom in Vietnam by supporting organizations that serve religious minorities, including Christians. One key partner trains and sustains these groups, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate Vietnam’s restrictive legal environment. These religious communities document human rights violations and hold the Vietnamese Communist Party accountable by challenging its efforts to suppress religious expression and freedom.

7. Building Peace and Pluralism in Pakistan’s Religious Landscape:

NED partners work with youth, civil society, and religious communities to advance peace, pluralism, and democratic values—key to regional stability. NED funding supports efforts to share democratic narratives in Muslim communities, promote religious tolerance, and ensure justice and accountability for persecuted Christian minorities. One grantee mobilized one of Pakistan’s largest grassroots movements for pluralism, helping reduce drivers of radicalization. Through NED support, Christian civic leaders have honed their strategies and skills to advocate for a pluralistic, religiously tolerant, and democratic Pakistan.

8. Bridging Divides in Sri Lanka:

Partners work to overcome religious and ethnic conflict to build movements that advance democratic rights, including the rights of religious minorities. Partners have advocated for the Sri Lankan government to officially investigate and report on attacks against religious communities, including the 2018 anti-Muslim riots and the 2019 Easter bomb attacks on churches and hotels. These efforts have attracted international attention and have precipitated responses from political leaders and parliamentarians.

9. Documenting Religious Atrocities in Sudan:

Amid Sudan’s civil war and humanitarian crisis, a NED partner has documented the destruction of mosques, church looting, threats to religious leaders, forced conversions, and violence towards worshippers. This partner has actively engaged with both local and international stakeholders, calling on warring factions to cease attacks on religious communities and respect religious freedom.

10. Defending Freedoms in Nigeria:

Partners have raised the alarm on the application of laws that restrict freedom of religion and expression. NED partners have advocated extensively on behalf of a singer sentenced to death for blasphemy; documented attacks on artists and defended their rights; and engaged government bodies curtailing freedom of expression.