The European Commission appointed senior Belgian diplomat Frans van Daele to be its special envoy for promoting freedom of religion and belief outside the EU. He is also in charge of boosting de-radicalisation efforts.
The 75-year-old will begin his role immediately alongside Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas. Part of his role will include setting up dialogues with churches and other religious communities and associations.
"Freedom of religion or belief is under attack in many parts of the world," the Commission said in a statement.
As Special Envoy, van Daele will be tasked to establish a dialogue with national authorities in countries in which people are discriminated against on the basis of religion or belief.
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He is to support intercultural dialogue in particular by encouraging faith representatives to implement measures to de-radicalise and prevent extremism.
These measures will promote religious diversity and tolerance in cooperation with authorities, according to the Commission.
Baran van Daele was chief of staff to King Philippe from 2013-2017. He has previously served as Permanent Representative of Belgium to NATO, Belgian Ambassador to the United States as well as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the European Union in Brussels. Upon retirement, he was appointed Minister of State.
