Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination,
incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief
A/RES/71/195
Expressing concern at the growing manifestations of intolerance based on
religion or belief, which can generate hatred and violence among individuals from
and within different nations and which may have serious implications at the
national, regional and international levels, and in this regard emphasizing the
importance of respect for religious and cultural diversity, as well as interreligious,
interfaith and intercultural dialogue aimed at promoting a culture of tolerance and
respect among individuals, societies and nations,
Recognizing the valuable contribution of people of all religions or beliefs to
humanity and the contribution that dialogue among religious groups can make
towards an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by
all humankind,
Underlining the fact that States, regional organizations, national human rights
institutions, non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and the media have
an important role to play in promoting tolerance and respect for religious and
cultural diversity and in the universal promotion and protection of human rights,
including freedom of religion or belief,
Underlining also the importance of raising awareness about different cultures
and religions or beliefs and of education in the promotion of tolerance, which
involves the acceptance by the public of and its respect for religious and cultural
diversity, including with regard to religious expression, and underlining further the
fact that education, in particular at school, should contribute in a meaningful way to
promoting tolerance and the elimination of discrimination based on religion or
belief,
Recognizing that working together to enhance the implementation of existing
legal regimes that protect individuals against discrimination and hate crimes,
increasing interreligious, interfaith and intercultural efforts and expanding human
rights education are important first steps in combating incidents of intolerance,
discrimination and violence against individuals on the basis of religion or belief,
Recalling its resolution 70/109, entitled “A world against violence and violent
extremism”, adopted by consensus on 10 December 2015, welcoming the leading
role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in
promoting intercultural dialogue, the work of the United Nations Alliance of
Civilizations, the work of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the
Dialogue between Cultures in Alexandria, Egypt, and the work of the King Abdullah
Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in
Vienna, and recalling also its resolution 65/5 of 20 October 2010 on World Interfaith
Harmony Week, proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan,
Welcoming, in this regard, all international, regional and national initiatives
aimed at promoting interreligious, intercultural and interfaith harmony and
combating discrimination against individuals on the basis of religion or belief,
noting the initiative of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the
Prevention of Genocide on the role of religious leaders in preventing incitement that
could lead to atrocity crimes and the declaration of its forum held in Fez, Morocco,
on 23 and 24 April 2015, the Istanbul Process for Combating Intolerance,
Discrimination and Incitement to Hatred and/or Violence on the Basis of Religion or
Belief, the announcement on 6 October 2016 of the establishment by the United
Arab Emirates of the International Institute for Tolerance for promoting the value of
tolerance among nations, the Amman Declaration on Youth, Peace and Security
adopted on 22 August 2015, as well as the fifth Congress of Leaders of World and
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