Strasbourg, 8 July 2025 — At the official invitation of the European Secularist Network (ESN), the head of Liberals Mauritania participated in a high-level forum on secularism held at the European Parliament. The event brought together influential voices from across Countries to develop joint strategies for protecting freedom of conscience, secular governance and minority rights amid rising authoritarianism and extremism.

Representing one of the few liberal movements in Mauritania the Head of our Organization Yahya Ekhou delivered a powerful address, underlining the global relevance of secularism:
“Freedom of thought and belief is not negotiable. In our region, these principles are under attack and too often, the world stays silent. But silence is complicity. We must stand together to defend the right of every human being to think freely, speak openly, and live with dignity.”

The statement echoed a central theme of the gathering: secularism is not a Western concept, but a universal safeguard against the ideological repression.

The conference marked a significant step in building bridges between secularist movements. Productive exchanges took place with Members of the European Parliament, including Estelle Ceulemans, as well as with representatives from leading secular and humanist organizations.

The forum concluded with a joint declaration calling for stronger international coordination among secular groups. Support for this initiative was voiced clearly, with an emphasis on the urgent need for protected threatened activists especially those in exile or living under regimes hostile to freedom of belief.

We Gratitude was extended to the European Secularist Network and to its allies in the European Parliament for recognizing the importance of amplifying voices from underrepresented regions. The event underscored the necessity of defending freedom of expression and promoting the rights of minorities.