UN Human Rights Council: General Debate

Organisation:CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

UN Human Rights Council

Agenda Item 4:General Debate

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you Mr President.

CSW wishes to emphasise that all States have an obligation under international law to protect and promote the right to freedom of religion or belief.

CSW is concerned that Cuba’s Office of Religious Affairs (ORA), which oversees all religious activity on the island, is the main source of freedom of religion or belief violations, including the harassment and detention of church leaders.

Since 2006, restrictive regulations have targeted unregistered house churches. In particular, CSW is concerned that Legal Decree 322 is being used by government officials to seize church property.

CSW calls on the government of Cuba to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and to extend protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief to all. We further call on the government of Cuba to release all who are arbitrarily detained, end the harassment of religious communities and cease undue interference in church affairs.

Mr President, CSW also remains concerned by the egregious violations of human rights reported in Sudan. While the country’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion or belief, in practice it is severly restricted.

Churches in Sudan continue to face unjust restrictions; over 25 have been earmarked for demolition and the government does not permit the construction of new church buildings. We call on the government of Sudan to end its interference in church affairs and to cease the demolition of places of worship.

We also remain concerned for Noura Hussein, whose plight shows how the law fails to protect women and is often used to discriminate against them. CSW urges Sudan to reform discriminatory criminal law provisions in compliance with its constitution and international obligations.

Thankyou Mr President.