A/HRC/RES/31/26
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
20 April 2016
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Thirty-first session
Agenda item 9
Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 24 March 2016
31/26.
Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and
stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence
and violence against, persons based on religion or belief
The Human Rights Council,
Reaffirming the commitment made by all States under the Charter of the United
Nations to promote and encourage universal respect for and observance of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to, inter alia, religion or belief,
Reaffirming also Human Rights Council resolutions 16/18 of 24 March 2011, 19/25
of 23 March 2012, 22/31 of 22 March 2013, 25/34 of 28 March 2014 and 28/29 of 27
March 2015, and General Assembly resolutions 66/167 of 19 December 2011, 67/178 of 20
December 2012, 68/169 of 18 December 2013, 69/174 of 18 December 2014 and 70/157 of
17 December 2015,
Reaffirming further the obligation of States to prohibit discrimination on the basis of
religion or belief and to implement measures to guarantee the equal and effective protection
of the law,
Reaffirming that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides,
inter alia, that everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
or belief, which shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his or her
choice and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or
private, to manifest his or her religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and
teaching,
Reaffirming also the positive role that the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion
and expression and full respect for the freedom to seek, receive and impart information can
play in strengthening democracy and combating religious intolerance, and also that the
exercise of the right to freedom of expression carries with it special duties and
responsibilities, in accordance with article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights,
Expressing deep concern at those acts that advocate religious hatred and thereby
undermine the spirit of tolerance,
GE.16-06424(E)
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