A/HRC/RES/31/16
should contribute in a meaningful way to promoting tolerance and the elimination of
discrimination based on religion or belief,
1.
Stresses that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and
religion or belief, which includes the freedom to have or not to have, or to adopt, a religion
or belief of one’s choice and the freedom, either alone or in community with others and in
public or private, and to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and
observance, including the right to change one’s religion or belief;
2.
Emphasizes that freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression are
interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing, and stresses also the role that these
rights can play in the fight against all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on
religion or belief;
3.
Expresses deep concern at emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right
to freedom of religion or belief, as well as instances of religious intolerance, discrimination
and violence, inter alia:
(a)
The increasing number of acts of violence directed against individuals,
including persons belonging to religious minorities in various parts of the world;
(b)
The rise of religious extremism in various parts of the world that affects the
rights of individuals, including persons belonging to religious minorities;
(c)
Incidents of religious hatred, discrimination, intolerance and violence, which
may be manifested by derogatory stereotyping, negative profiling and the stigmatization of
individuals on the basis of their religion or belief;
(d)
Instances that, both in law and in practice, constitute violations of the
fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief, including of the individual right to
publicly express one’s spiritual and religious beliefs, taking into account the relevant
articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international
instruments;
(e)
Constitutional and legislative systems that fail to provide adequate and
effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief to all, without
distinction;
(f)
Attacks on religious places, sites and shrines and vandalism of cemeteries, in
violation of international law, in particular international human rights law and international
humanitarian law;
4.
Condemns all forms of violence, intolerance and discrimination based on or
in the name of religion or belief, and violations of the freedom of thought, conscience,
religion or belief, and any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence, whether it involves the use of print, audiovisual or
electronic media or any other means;
5.
Also condemns violence and acts of terrorism, which are increasing in
number and targeting individuals, including persons belonging to religious minorities
across the world;
6.
Emphasizes that no religion should be equated with terrorism, as this may
have adverse consequences for the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief of
all members of the religious community concerned;
7.
Also emphasizes that States should 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;
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