David Smith
Biography
David Smith was appointed as the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief on 11 December 2024.
David became Member of Parliament for North Northumberland in July 2024. Immediately prior to this, he was chief executive of homelessness charity, Oasis Community Housing, based in Gateshead.
David’s other roles, including at Tearfund and the Bible Society, have similarly been in the charity sector. His career has taken him around the UK and overseas to promote fairness, egalitarianism, compassion and the empowerment of the vulnerable.
David is a member of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, and Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Homelessness and North Korea.
UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief
The UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief:
- brings together UK efforts to promote and champion the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all internationally
- works with international partners, other special envoys and experts on FoRB to promote and protect the right to FoRB, including the Article 18 Alliance. This includes raising awareness of cases of particular concern, advocating for the rights of people worldwide who are discriminated against or persecuted for their faith, belief, or for having no beliefs
- presses for progress internationally to reduce the number of countries with freedom of religion or belief violations, abuses or concerns
The UK Special Envoy reports to the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Human Rights