For individuals around the globe, religious belief—or absence of it—is a defining element of identity, shaping how they view the world and understand their own place and purpose within it. However, freedom of religion or belief (FORB) often comes under attack, particularly where power is concentrated, checks and balances are lacking, accountability is weak, and democratic safeguards do not exist. Without guardrails, religious belief or nonbelief can be used as a tool of political control. Coalitions among governments, civil society, and faith communities can help protect this fundamental freedom. Work by the Pew Research Center and other comparative studies has shown a link between weak democratic institutions and violations of religious freedom. At Freedom House, our Freedom in the World report has documented 20 years of decline in global freedom, underscoring the growing vulnerability of and deteriorating safeguards for many religious communities across the globe.…