Freedom of religion or belief
A/RES/69/175
2.
Also stresses that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
or belief applies equally to all persons, regardless of their religion or belief and
without any discrimination as to their equal protection by the law;
3.
Strongly condemns violations of freedom of thought, conscience and
religion or belief as well as all forms of intolerance, discrimination and violence
based on religion or belief;
4.
Recognizes with deep concern the overall rise in instances of
discrimination, intolerance and violence, regardless of the actors, directed against
members of many religious and other communities in various parts of the world,
including cases motivated by Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and Christianophobia
and prejudices against persons of other religions or beliefs;
5.
Reaffirms that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any
religion or belief as this may have adverse consequences on the enjoyment of the right
to freedom of religion or belief of all members of the religious communities
concerned;
6.
Strongly condemns violence and acts of terrorism, which are increasing
in number and intensity, targeting individuals, including persons belonging to
religious minorities, on the basis of or in the name of religion or belief;
7.
Recalls that States have an obligation to exercise due diligence to
prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to
religious minorities, regardless of the perpetrator, and that failure to do so may
constitute a human rights violation;
8.
Emphasizes that freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression
are interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing, and stresses the role that
these rights can play in the fight against all forms of intolerance and of
discrimination based on religion or belief;
9.
Strongly condemns any advocacy of hatred based on religion or belief
that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, whether it
involves the use of print, audiovisual or electronic media or any other means;
10. Expresses concern at the persistence of institutionalized social intolerance
and discrimination practised against many on the grounds of religion or belief, and
emphasizes that legal procedures pertaining to religious or belief-based groups and
places of worship are not a prerequisite for the exercise of the right to manifest one’s
religion or belief and that such procedures, when legally required at the national or
local level, should be non-discriminatory in order to contribute to the effective
protection of the right of all persons to practise their religion or belief, either
individually or in community with others and in public or private;
11. Recognizes with concern the situation of persons in vulnerable situations,
including persons deprived of their liberty, refugees, asylum seekers and internally
displaced persons, children, persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and
linguistic minorities and migrants, as regards their ability to freely exercise their
right to freedom of religion or belief;
12. Emphasizes that, as underlined by the Human Rights Committee,
restrictions on the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief are permitted only if
limitations are prescribed by law, are necessary to protect public safety, order, health
or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, are non-discriminatory
and are applied in a manner that does not vitiate the right to freedom of thought,
conscience and religion or belief;
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