Freedom of religion or belief must be urgently upheld at all levels according to United Nations Special Rapporteur Dr. Nazila Ghanea, who sent a video message to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) ahead of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, observed annually on 22 August. Dr. Ghanea stated:
“The need to uphold freedom of religion or belief, and to do so at all levels—local, regional and global—is indeed urgent. So many, in every corner of the world, needlessly suffer, day in and day out, violations of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, purely and simply because of their religion or belief.”
Widespread violations against freedom of religion or belief
In her address, the Special Rapporteur recalled that freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is guaranteed under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reaffirmed in numerous international and regional human rights instruments. She stressed that these rights continue to be violated, pointing to the reality faced by countless victims around the world: women, men, young people, and even newborn children imprisoned because of religious prejudice; discrimination embedded in society, governments, judiciaries, immigration services, and prison systems; and violence perpetrated by militias that destroy entire communities, confiscate land, and force families to flee.
Dr. Ghanea highlighted that these violations affect people of many different faiths and beliefs, citing Christians displaced by violence, Muslims whose places of worship are attacked, Bahá’ís imprisoned for their beliefs, Jewish families facing antisemitic violence, and humanists forced to conceal their convictions:
“The violence may not be the same. The gravity may be different at different times, against different victims, in different places. But all constitute violations of human rights, of freedom of religion or belief.”
Civil society’s vital contribution and ACN’s Article 18 Petition
The Special Rapporteur emphasized the indispensable role of civil society in protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief:
“Civil society plays a critical role in countering these violations, in upholding the humanity and equality of victims regardless of their religion or belief affiliation. They play a critical role in reporting, in working towards understanding and good neighbourliness at the local level, in war and peace alike, in ensuring redress, and in supporting recovery.”
Dr. Ghanea’s message closely reflects the objectives of ACN’s Article 18 Petition, launched to mark the 25th anniversary of the Religious Freedom in the World Report. Inspired by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the petition calls on governments to respect, protect, and promote every person’s right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, seeking to give a voice to those who cannot freely live according to their faith.
To date, more than 32,500 people around the world—including bishops, Church leaders, and representatives of civil society and public institutions from numerous countries—have already signed ACN’s Article 18 Petition. Dr. Ghanea concluded:
“The need to re-energise and better coordinate our efforts, and to solidify our determination towards the protection and promotion of the fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief, is enduring and is urgent. Today marks a day to reinvest in its importance for everyone.”
ACN’s Article 18 Petition can be signed at: https://acninternational.org/petition/
