UN Special Rapporteur Nazila Ghanea: “Civil society plays a critical role in defending freedom of religion or belief”
To mark the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, the UN Special Rapporteur has sent a video message to Aid to the Church in Need, highlighting the urgent need to defend freedom of religion or belief for everyone.
In a video message sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) ahead of the International Day, observed annually on 22 August, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Dr Nazila Ghanea, said:
“The need to uphold freedom of religion or belief, and to do so at all levels—local, regional and global—is indeed urgent. So many, in every corner of the world, needlessly suffer, day in and day out, violations of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, purely and simply because of their religion or belief.”
On the occasion of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, observed annually on 22 August, Dr Ghanea called for renewed commitment to protecting one of the world’s most fundamental human rights.
In her message, the Special Rapporteur recalled that freedom of thought, conscience and religion is guaranteed under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reaffirmed in numerous international and regional human rights instruments. She stressed that these rights continue to be violated, pointing to the reality faced by countless victims around the world: women, men, young people and even newborn children imprisoned because of religious prejudice; discrimination embedded not only in society but also within governments, judiciaries, immigration services and prison systems; and violence perpetrated by militias that destroy entire communities, confiscate land and force families to flee.
Dr Ghanea also highlighted that these violations affect people of many different faiths and beliefs, citing Christians displaced by violence, Muslims whose places of worship are attacked, Bahá’ís imprisoned for their beliefs, Jewish families facing antisemitic violence, and humanists forced to conceal their convictions. “The violence may not be the same. The gravity may be different at different times, against different victims, in different places. But all constitute violations of human rights, of freedom of religion or belief,” she noted.
In her message, the Special Rapporteur emphasised the indispensable role of civil society in protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief.
“Civil society plays a critical role in countering these violations, in upholding the humanity and equality of victims regardless of their religion or belief affiliation. They play a critical role in reporting, in working towards understanding and good neighbourliness at the local level, in war and peace alike, in ensuring redress, and in supporting recovery.”
Dr Ghanea’s message closely reflects the objectives of ACN’s Article 18 Petition, launched to mark the 25th anniversary of the Religious Freedom in the World Report. Inspired by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the petition calls on governments to respect, protect and promote every person’s right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
ACN’s Article 18 Petition seeks to give a voice to those who cannot freely live according to their religion, to raise awareness of the millions of people worldwide who continue to suffer because of their religion or belief, and to encourage solidarity and concrete action in defence of this universal human right.
More than 32,500 people around the world—including bishops, Church leaders, and representatives of civil society and public institutions from numerous countries—have already signed ACN’s Article 18 Petition. ACN invites individuals, communities and institutions to add their voice in defence of a universal human right that belongs to every person.
Dr Ghanea concluded:
“The need to re-energise and better coordinate our efforts, and to solidify our determination towards the protection and promotion of the fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief, is enduring and is urgent. Today marks a day to reinvest in its importance for everyone.”
ACN’s Article 18 Petition can be signed at: https://acninternational.org/petition/
Recommended
