Summary: Saturday 25th November marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. The Declaration remains pivotal to taking forward freedom of religion or belief internationally. 25 years on, it remains the only international human rights instrument exclusively focused on the matter of religion or belief.
Prague will host the international commemorative events for this anniversary in the presence of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ms Asma Jahangir. The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief is the only UN mechanism exclusively focused on addressing issues of freedom of religion or belief and the 1981 Declaration is central to the legal framework in which she operates. The event has been endorsed by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In her report to the UN General Assembly last year (A/60/399), Ms Jahangir drew attention to this important anniversary celebrating 25 years since the adoption of the 1981 Declaration: "The Special Rapporteur continues to encourage governments and non-governmental organisations to take advantage of this occasion to organize events that will highlight the importance of promoting freedom of religion or belief and challenge the rising tide of intolerance. Indeed, the Special Rapporteur is aware that many such events will be taking place in the next few months and sees this as an important reminder to us all of the governmental consensus that led to the adoption of this important Declaration." Those attending this event and giving presentations include: The programme will include workshops on key thematic areas that continue to challenge the realisation of the Declaration's norms the world over: Protection of Religion or Belief vis-à-vis Freedom of Expression, Change of Religion or Belief - Enabling the environment, Protection of Religion or Belief - Who benefits?, and Propagation of Religion or Belief. The evening’s events will encourage reflection on the continued violations of freedom of religion or belief and look forward to an artistic representation of a world in which religious freedom may be widely enjoyed. Further information and the live webcast will be on www.1981declaration.org More information:
Owner: Centre for International Human Rights, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, University of London
25th anniversary celebrations of the 1981 UN Declaration on Religious Discrimination
45 governments will be represented, including that of the UK and the USA
300 governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental representatives will attend
there are over 4,200 religions worldwide*
of those who identify themselves as adherents to a religion 33% (2.1 billion) are Christian, 21% (1.3 billion) are Islamic*
in Pakistan, non-Muslims have been given death sentences for comments judged “anti-Islamic”**
the German government has been closely surveilling the Church of Scientology since 1997**
In Burma, “soldiers have ordered Muslims to convert to Buddhism””**
France’s “anti-sect” bill “targets 173 religious minorities as dangerous threats to domestic peace”**
Mr Bacre Ndiaye, Director of the Human Rights Procedures Division, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and representing the OHCHR
Ms Felice Gaer, Chair, US Commission on International Religious Freedom
Mr Piet de Klerk, Netherlands Ambassador at Large for Human Rights
Professor Theo van Boven, Professor Emeritus in International Law, Maastricht University
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http://www.commonwealth.sas.ac.uk
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