A/HRC/28/66
individuals or groups. Violent attacks targeting members of groups that face systematic
discrimination in the name of religion should be understood as attacks on the entire society.
Public messages to that effect, however, can only be credible if they openly address the root
causes, including systemic political conditions, which may become enabling factors of
violence. Unfortunately, some Governments display a tendency to resort to policies of
trivializing violence by ascribing the incidents to just a few irresponsible individuals
without acknowledging the broader political dimensions of the issue. Overcoming such
trivialization is the sine qua non for designing effective preventative and coping strategies.
46.
A major issue in the context of protection against violence in the name of religion is
the fight against impunity, wherever it exists. Those who commit, or are complicit in, acts
of violence must always be brought to justice. This requires training for law enforcement
agencies and the establishment of an efficient and independent judiciary. Moreover, antidiscrimination legislation plays an indispensable role in protecting the equality of all in
their enjoyment of human rights, across religious or denominational divides, thus
preventing or overcoming divisiveness within society.
47.
While the States’ obligation to protect human rights requires them to take effective
measures to combat terrorism, the Special Rapporteur would like to reiterate that States
must ensure that any measure taken to combat terrorism fully complies with their
obligations under international law, particularly human rights, refugee and humanitarian
law. In this context, the targeting of specific groups, including members of particular
religious communities through so-called religious profiling, is of concern. 11
(c)
Obligations to promote
48.
Beyond respecting and protecting human rights, States should also take a broad
range of positive measures aimed at facilitating their effective implementation. This
includes providing an appropriate framework in which other stakeholders, including
religious communities, interreligious initiatives, civil society organizations, human rights
defenders and media professionals, can unfold their specific potential.
49.
Moreover, the State itself should use all available means — including formal and
informal education and community outreach — in order to promote a culture of respect,
non-discrimination and appreciation of diversity within society. In close consultation with
all relevant stakeholders, the State should develop national action plans against violence in
the name of religion. A useful document in this context is the Rabat Plan of Action on the
prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence.12 The Rabat Plan of Action, elaborated with broad
participation by experts, Member States and civil society organizations under the auspices
of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, can provide
guidance on how to build resilience in society against incitement to religious hatred and
concomitant acts of violence. Building resilience requires a broad range of activities,
including educational efforts, early warning capacities and policies on crisis preparedness,
by establishing channels of communication that enable relevant actors to respond
strategically and swiftly.
50.
National human rights institutions are particularly suited for the promotion of human
rights. Some of them have an explicit mandate for also promoting intergroup relationships.
The Special Rapporteur would like to encourage them, including their International
11
12
12
See A/HRC/4/21, paras. 40-42.
See A/HRC/22/17/Add.4, annex.