UN General Assembly Third Committee, 72nd Session, 49th meeting
The representative of Egypt, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), introduced a draft resolution titled “Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief” (document A/C.3/72/L.37). The draft was a follow-up to the consensus resolution approved last year. There had been a global resurgence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, he said, and populist leaders built platforms on fomenting incitement to that.
The representative of Syria said his country was not a member of the OIC, and would therefore like to co sponsor the draft resolution in Syria’s national capacity.
The Committee then approved the draft resolution without a vote.
By its terms, the General Assembly would condemn any advocacy of religious hatred that constituted incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. It would call on all States to foster a domestic environment of religious tolerance, peace and respect by, among other things, creating a mechanism within Governments to identify and address potential areas of tension among different religious communities, and assisting with conflict prevention and mediation.
The representative of Estonia, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the draft resolution was a call to States to respond to intolerance with full respect for international human rights law. The bloc condemned violence based on religion or belief and any incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, she said, adding that it was equally attached to freedom of opinion or expression as it was linked to freedom of religion or belief and other freedoms. Indeed, freedom of expression was a tool for combating religious discrimination, and any restrictions on it should meet the requirements set out in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As the draft stated that intolerance could generate hatred and violence, he reiterated that religious hatred was a threat to fundamental freedoms, and that it was the primary responsibility of States to counter that intolerance. On that basis, the European Union would join consensus.
The representative of the Russian Federation said she had joined consensus on the draft resolution, adding that combating intolerance on the basis of religion or conviction was important, as was developing intercultural dialogue between religions and confessions.
Next, the representative of Estonia, speaking on behalf of the European Union, introduced a draft resolution titled “Freedom of religion or belief” (document A/C.3/72/L.38). She said the promotion and protection of the freedoms of religion and belief as a universal right were essential priorities of the Union’s policy. Promoting understanding was of utmost importance to creating inclusive environments and she urged States to provide adequate legislative protections to those freedoms. The draft stressed the importance of protecting such rights in the face of religious extremism around the world and not only accounted for the right to believe, but also to change one’s beliefs, and the rights to freedom of association and assembly. The draft also expressed support for the Special Rapporteur on the matter who had noted increasing religious intolerance worldwide.
The Committee then approved the draft without a vote.
By its terms, the Assembly would stress that everyone had the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, and strongly condemn violations of that freedom, as well as all forms of intolerance, discrimination and violence based on religion or belief. Restrictions on the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief were permitted only if limits were prescribed by law; were necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or were non discriminatory and applied in a manner that did not vitiate the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief. The Assembly would urge States to ensure that their constitutional and legislative systems provided adequate and effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief to all without distinction.