A/73/362 of protecting public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; (c) it conforms to the principle of proportionality; (d) it is applied in a way that does not vitiate the rights guaranteed under freedom of religion or belief; and (e) it is not discriminatory in purpose or effect. 9. Furthermore, empirical research shows that increased respect for freedom of religion or belief for all is associated with lower levels of religious persecutio n and of conflicts based on religion. 3 Studies on “horizontal inequalities” also demonstrate that inequality and discrimination on the basis of religious identity are also likely to increase the occurrence of conflicts. 4 As a result, it is essential that the authorities responsible for meeting security needs engage with, and listen to, those who exercise agency with regard to freedom of religion or belief, 5 as well as actors involved with promoting civil liberties. 10. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur briefly explores how violence in the name of religion or belief has affected perceptions about the relationship between human rights and national security. He contends that strategies to prevent violent extremism have tended to alienate a range of religious or belief communities, undermining the enjoyment of several fundamental freedoms and defeating the ultimate objectives of enhancing public safety, tolerance and mutual understanding (see A/HRC/31/65). 6 Consequently, the Special Rapporteur asserts that, in certain ways, some policy practices for countering violent extremism have “securitized” religion or belief, wherein religion is perceived as a threat requiring extraordinary, punitive legal and policy measures. 7 11. As a result, freedom of religion or belief and the range of rights on which it depends are being undermined or violated, public trust and societal resilience is being enfeebled and efforts to prevent violent extremism are being undercut. Therefore, the Special Rapporteur also argues that ensuring the right to freedom of religion or belief for all persons reduces conflict involving religion or belief, thereby better facilitating social cohesion and human security. 12. Finally, the Special Rapporteur surveys some of the initiatives undertaken within the United Nations human rights framework to mobilize respect for freedom of religion or belief as a positive resource for strengthening societal cohesion, reinforcing public trust and enhancing resilience against violent extremism, in line with the agenda for implementation outlined by the Special Rapporteur in his first report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/34/50). __________________ 3 4 5 6 7 18-14697 Brian Grim and Roger Finke, The Price of Freedom Denied: Religious Persecution and Conflict in the Twenty-First Century (Cambridge University Press, 2010). See also A/HRC/70/674, paras. 26 and 28. Discrimination on the basis of religion or belief is one among several factors that empirical research into horizontal inequalities considers. See, for example, Frances Stewart, “Horizontal inequalities as a cause of conflict” (2009). Available at www.bradford.ac.uk/social-sciences/ media/socialsciences/BDLStewart.pdf. This includes the need to consult religious and other minorities in matters which affect them, as upheld in minority rights (see article 2, paragraph 3, of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minori ties (General Assembly resolution 47/135, annex)). See also Faiza Patel and Amrit Singh, “The human rights risks of countering violent extremism programs”, 7 April 2016. Available at www.justsecurity.org/30459/human-rights-riskscountering-violent-extremism-programs/. Barry Buzan, Ole Wӕver and Jaap de Wilde, Security: A New Framework for Analysis (London, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1998). 5/22