A/HRC/RES/37/38
Reaffirming also that violence can never be an acceptable response to acts of
intolerance on the basis of religion or belief,
Reaffirming further the positive role that the exercise of the right to freedom of
opinion and expression and the full respect for the freedom to seek, receive and impart
information can play in strengthening democracy and combating religious intolerance,
Reaffirming the positive role of human rights education and training in promoting
tolerance, non-discrimination and equality,
Deeply concerned about incidents of intolerance, discrimination and violence
against persons on the basis of their religion or belief in all regions of the world,
Deploring any advocacy of discrimination or violence on the basis of religion or
belief,
Strongly deploring all acts of violence against persons on the basis of their religion
or belief, and any such acts directed against their homes, businesses, properties, schools,
cultural centres or places of worship,
Concerned about actions that wilfully exploit tensions or target individuals on the
basis of their religion or belief,
Noting with deep concern the instances of intolerance, discrimination and acts of
violence in many parts of the world, including cases motivated by discrimination against
persons belonging to religious minorities, in addition to the negative projection of the
followers of religions and the enforcement of measures that specifically discriminate
against persons on the basis of religion or belief,
Expressing concern at the growing manifestation of intolerance on the basis of
religion or belief that can generate hatred and violence among individuals from and within
different nations that may have serious implications at the national, regional and
international levels, and in this regard emphasizing the importance of respect for religious
and cultural diversity and interfaith and intercultural dialogue aimed at promoting a culture
of tolerance and respect among individuals, societies and nations,
Recognizing the valuable contribution of people of all religions or beliefs to
humanity and the contribution that dialogue among religious groups can make towards an
improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all humankind,
Recognizing also that working together to enhance the implementation of existing
legal regimes that protect individuals against discrimination and hate crimes, increase
interfaith and intercultural efforts and expand human rights education are an important first
step in combating incidents of intolerance, discrimination and violence against individuals
on the basis of religion or belief,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 68/127 on a world against violence and
violent extremism, adopted by the Assembly by consensus on 18 December 2013, and
welcoming the leading role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization in promoting intercultural dialogue, the work of the United Nations Alliance
of Civilizations and the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for Dialogue between
Cultures, the work of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for
Interreligious and Intercultural dialogue in Vienna, and Assembly resolution 65/5 of
20 October 2010 on World Interfaith Harmony Week, proposed by King Abdullah II of
Jordan,
Welcoming in this regard all international, regional and national initiatives aimed at
promoting interreligious, intercultural and interfaith harmony and combating discrimination
against individuals on the basis of religion or belief, including the launching of the Istanbul
Process for Combating Intolerance, Discrimination and Incitement to Hatred and/or
Violence on the Basis of Religion or Belief, and noting the recent initiative of the
chairmanship of Albania of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe under the
theme “United in diversity” and the initiative of the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or
religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence,
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