A/RES/61/161
Considering that religion or belief, for those who profess either, is one of the
fundamental elements in their conception of life and that freedom of religion or
belief should be fully respected and guaranteed,
Considering also that the disregard for and infringement of human rights and
fundamental freedoms, in particular the right to freedom of thought, conscience,
religion or belief, have brought, directly or indirectly, wars and great suffering to
humankind,
Recognizing the importance of promoting dialogue among civilizations in
order to enhance mutual understanding and knowledge among different social
groups, cultures and civilizations in various areas, including culture, religion,
education, information, science and technology, and in order to contribute to the
promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/40 of 19 April 2005
on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on
religion or belief, 4
Seriously concerned at all attacks upon religious places, sites and shrines,
including any deliberate destruction of relics and monuments,
Seriously concerned also at the misuse of registration procedures as a means to
limit the right to freedom of religion or belief of members of certain religious
communities and at the limitations placed on religious publications,
Recognizing the important work carried out by the Human Rights Committee
in providing guidance with respect to the scope of the freedom of religion or belief,
Convinced of the need to address, for instance, in the context of the Global
Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations 5 and the Alliance of Civilizations the rise
in all parts of the world of religious extremism affecting the rights of individuals
and groups based on religion or belief, the situations of violence and discrimination
that affect many women as a result of religion or belief and the abuse of religion or
belief for ends inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations and other
relevant instruments of the United Nations,
Resolved to adopt all necessary and appropriate measures for the speedy
elimination of such intolerance based on religion or belief in all its forms and
manifestations and prevent and combat discrimination based on religion or belief,
Noting that a formal or legal distinction at the national level between different
kinds of religions or faith-based communities may, in some cases, constitute
discrimination and may impinge on the enjoyment of the freedom of religion or
belief,
Underlining the importance of education in the promotion of tolerance, which
involves the acceptance by the public of, and its respect for, diversity, including
with regard to religious expressions, and underlining also the fact that education, in
particular at school, should contribute in a meaningful way to promoting tolerance
and the elimination of discrimination based on religion or belief,
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4
See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 3 and corrigendum
(E/2005/23 and Corr.1), chap. II, sect. A.
5
See resolution 56/6.
2