25 years of renouncing religious intolerance

This November marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. The anniversary is especially timely, said Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, as it is “particularly important to challenge the rising tide of intolerance that we witness today.”

The Declaration forbids discrimination on the basis of religion and belief, and reminds states of their duty not only to prohibit such discrimination but take effective measures to prevent and eliminate it.

In commemoration of the Declaration’s adoption, a special event will take place in Prague, Czech Republic, on 25 November. UN and AI representatives will take part in workshops along a number of themes, including protection of religion or belief vis-à-vis freedom of expression.

“Freedom of religion or belief is core to human rights,” Asma Jahangir told the Wire. “Respecting it upholds one of the most cherished aspects of our very humanity.”

For more information visit www.1981Declaration.org

Posted by Mohamed at November 23, 2006 02:31 PM