HRC55: oral statement during the panel discussion on countering religious hatred

Item 3: Panel discussion on countering religious hatred

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker:Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President,

We remain concerned by the ongoing impact of discriminatory legislation and targeted attacks on the basis of religion or belief, and the increase in religious intolerance and hatred, spread by both state and non-state actors with impunity.

We recognise that some acts, such as the burning of the Qur’an, cause hurt and insult. We are also concerned that such acts can further escalate religious intolerance and hate among religious or belief groups and society as a whole, and can lead to mob violence that often targets vulnerable religious and belief groups in countries far removed from the scene of such events.

For example, the destruction of 57 churches and the killing of over 60 members of the Christian community in Borno state, Nigeria in 2006 were among the many violations that occurred globally following publication in Denmark of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

It is worth noting that such extreme reactions often occur in countries that criminalise blasphemy. In a letter of allegation sent in August 2023 to the Nigerian government five UN special procedures highlighted that such laws ‘have repeatedly shown to violate freedom of religion and belief as well as have a stifling effect on open dialogue and public discourse.’

We remind states of their primary responsibility to promote, protect, respect and fulfil human rights for all citizens, and to balance any genuine conflicts of rights case by case and in accordance with international norms.

It is vital that the international community unites in countering religious hatred globally by addressing instances of incitement to hate in line with international human rights law, upholding obligations to protect both freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression.

As Special Rapporteur Nazila Ghanea states in her most recent report to this Council, the human rights framework is in place to ensure that any response is calibrated in accordance with international norms and standards.

In this regard, the implementation of Resolution 16/18, which addresses the root causes of hate on the basis of religion or belief, and the use of the Rabat Plan of Action with its clear guidance, six-part threshold test and recommendations to both state and non-state actors remain crucial.

Thank you.