(Bonn, 19.01.2026) At its latest symposium at the European Press Club in Brussels, the FoRB Roundtable EU Brussels held a minute’s silence in commemoration of Dr Kishan Monacha (1968–2025), Co-Chair of our FoRB Roundtable EU Brussels. In the following, we reproduce an obituary by the chairmen of the Roundtable,Thomas Schirrmacher and Eric Roux.
Dr. Kishan Manocha (1968–2025) was not only a distinguished physician and human rights advocate but also a deeply humane and principled man whose life embodied the values he championed. Born in the United Kingdom into a Bahá’í family devoted to service, he carried forward an abiding belief in the unity of humankind and the power of integrity, compassion, and reason to shape a better world. Even as he moved through demanding professional roles, his quiet grace and moral steadiness reminded those around him that change begins in how we listen, speak, and treat one another. To his colleagues and friends, he was a source of calm strength and unfailing kindness.
In his role as Senior Adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief at the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and then as Head of the Tolerance and Non Discrimination Department of the ODIHR, Dr. Manocha gave voice to a vision of society where conscience and conviction could flourish freely. His work transcended bureaucracy and politics; it was infused with a profound respect for human experience and the sacredness of belief. Through his guidance, governments, interfaith networks, and civil society groups found common language and practical ways to uphold the right to believe—or not believe—with dignity. He became a trusted bridge-builder in some of the most sensitive contexts, blending rigorous legal and policy understanding with empathy and clarity of purpose. His influence still shapes how nations and communities approach the delicate interplay of faith, identity, and human rights.
Yet Dr. Manocha’s greatest legacy lies not only in the institutions he strengthened or the frameworks he helped design, but in the hearts of those he inspired. He had the rare gift of helping others see the humanity in those who seemed most different. Whether in a policy meeting or over a quiet conversation, he conveyed an unshakable conviction that respect and dialogue were not ideals of convenience, but moral imperatives. His passing leaves a profound void, yet his example continues to inspire a generation of human rights advocates, faith leaders, and scholars who carry forward his vision of a world guided by und erstanding, conscience, and compassion.
As Co-Chair of the Freedom of Religion or Belief Roundtable EU Brussels, Dr. Manocha brought the same spirit of inclusion and purpose that characterized his life’s work. Both of us Chairs of the Rountable, Thomas Schirrmacher and Eric Roux, have been deeply inspired by his expertise, passion, and warm heart. His leadership enriched the Roundtable and strengthened its mission immeasurably, and his absence will be felt by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
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- Photo 1: Dr. Kishan Manocha speaking 2019 in the EU Parlament at the Faith for Freedom Conference organised by the FoRB Roundtable EU Brussels © IIRF/Martin Warnecke
- Photo 2: The FoRB Roundtable EU Brussels in its last meeting together with the OSCE/ODIR © Eric Roux
