On July 8, 2019, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Poland to the UN at Geneva organized a side event at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. The side event served as a call to action for the UN, member states and other actors to take a more robust approach to the protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief. The event was entitled “One Step at a Time: Addressing Religious Violence and Persecution” and was co-sponsored by several states, including Brazil and Iraq. The panelists included Mr. Sérgio Augusto de Queiroz, National Secretary for Global Protection, Brazilian Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ambassador Hussain Mahmoud Alkhateeb, Permanent Representative of Iraq and myself.
Led by Ambassador Zbigniew Czech, the side event explored what could be done to ensure better implementation of the right to freedom of religion and belief internationally. The topic is especially poignant as it closely follows on from the newly adopted UN General Assembly Resolution establishing the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief (which will be observed on August 22). Ambassador Czech led a discussion on some of the recent challenges faced by communities around the world and how they could be effectively addressed. Ambassador Czech emphasized that the successful establishment of the first-ever UN day focused on freedom of religion or belief should not give us the erroneous impression that our work is done. The day is a positive step, but only the first in a larger campaign to combat persecution and acts of violence based on religion or belief.
One of the proposals discussed at the event was the possibility of establishing the UN Forum on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The UN Forum on Freedom of Religion or Belief could mirror the UN Forum on Minority Issues. It would provide a platform to civil society representatives (and especially those who do not have ECOSOC accreditation) to highlight the challenges pertaining to freedom of religion or belief experienced by individuals and communities in different parts of the world. The UN Forum on Freedom of Religion or Belief could work on an action plan to address the violations whilst working with those people affected by such violations. It was agreed that in implementing such a forum, the needs of the victims need to be put first. They need to be fully involved in any strategies or action plans that ultimately help to define their future (or their existence).
Other steps were also discussed as well. Among others, member states should ensure that every state has a Special Rapporteur or Special Envoy to focus exclusively on freedom of religion or belief. Over recent years, a number of states have introduced such mandates, including in the UK, Denmark and Germany. Other states should follow their lead and so contribute to the active campaign aiming to put an end to persecution and acts of violence based on religion or belief, and so aid the invaluable work done by Dr. Ahmed Shaheed is his role as the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The ultimate goal being; the affirmation of the right to freedom of religion or belief for everyone everywhere.
Lastly, the panelists discussed that we need to change our attitude towards persecution and acts of violence based on religion or belief. Persecution or acts of violence based on religion or belief are rarely issues which concern the violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief in isolation. Other rights are normally implicated. Among others, the right to life, the right to freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment. A violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief is normally associated with a litany of other human rights violations.
A lot of work needs to be carried out to address the issue of persecution and acts of violence based on religion or belief. By taking steps one at a time, the overall goal can be achieved. The leadership demonstrated by Poland in championing the establishment of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, and now, in working on next steps establish an infrastructure that would help to monitor the situation and work towards an action plan to prevent persecution or acts of violence based on religion or belief must be commended. This important work should not be forgotten when Poland's candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2020-2022 term is considered.
(The recommendations to establish the UN Forum on Freedom of Religion or Belief and to create Special Rapporteur/Special Envoy mandates domestically constituted part of my submission made to the panel).
