EU standing by freedom of religion or belief during UDHR 75
The European Union stands by all victims and unequivocally condemns any act of violence, discrimination or persecution on religious or belief grounds on this fifth International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief.
Unfortunately, the prevalence of these acts remains high. Millions of people around the world are persecuted or discriminated against on the basis of their religion or belief, suffering violence, imprisonment, torture, and denial of basic rights.
Given this reality, the EU takes strong action to protect the victims of religious persecution and discrimination. This includes speaking out against religious intolerance and discrimination, and recalling the importance of the right to freedom of religion or belief.
UDHR 75th anniversary
The year 2023 is when we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR). We turn to its Article 18, which reads, ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.’
This right includes freedom to change religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
The universality, interdependence and interrelatedness of human rights is enshrined in the UDHR.
Over the past year, the EU continued to promote and protect Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all individuals. We regularly raised concerns about FoRB violations in our human rights dialogues, notably with partner countries across the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia.
Regular engagement
Through meetings in Brussels and through the offices around the world, the EU also engaged regularly with victims of religious persecution as well as with religious or non-confessional actors, humanists, and human rights NGOs working on freedom of religion or belief.
Freedom of religion or belief has also remained a priority for the EU Special Representative for Human Rights including during his country visits.
The European Commission decided on December 2022 to appoint Mr. Frans van Daele, as Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU.
The Special Envoy supports cooperation with national authorities and other stakeholders in countries suffering from discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, in close coordination with the EU Special Representative for Human Rights.
Universality of human rights
The EU seeks to project its commitment to protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief in multilateral fora and in particular in the UN human rights fora. This is at a time where we celebrate more than ever the universality of human rights and the foundational document for international human rights law.
In the upcoming UN General Assembly 3rd Committee, the EU will again present a resolution on FoRB. In addition, the EU supports the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB, whom we welcomed in Brussels for her first visit in June.
In order to translate our strong commitment into action, the EU financed three regional projects in the Middle East and Africa with more than €5 million from 2018 to 2022. These are aimed at improving cultural pluralism and intercultural understanding related to religion or belief.
“All around the world individuals at risk should be protected, and the perpetrators of acts of violence must be brought to justice. (..) Religion should never be invoked as a justification for targeting persons belonging to minorities. The EU will continue to use all tools at its disposal, (…) to protect freedom of religion or belief for all” — HRVP Josep Borrell.
Freedom of religion or belief
The EU will remain a staunch supporter of civil society organisations and defenders of freedom of religion or belief. Pursuing this goal, the European Union will this year launch a call for proposals of €5 million to support organisations working to promote and protect FoRB.
Furthermore, the EU will continue to provide emergency support for human rights defenders, including those that defend freedom of religion or belief, through the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism with a website at the following link - ProtectDefenders.eu,
Financial support of €30 million for its new phase (for the period 2022–2027) has been provided for this initiative.
Fighting against hate speech and hate crime at home
The protection and promotion of FoRB starts at home. This is why the fight against hate speech and hate crime within the EU against all individuals continues. This includes the work of the European Commission Coordinator on combatting antisemitism and the European Commission Coordinator on combatting Anti-Muslim hatred.
At a time where discrimination and violence based on religion or belief are increasing, it is essential to foster the protection of victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief:
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