Freedom of religion or belief
A/RES/67/179
or belief and do not discriminate for reasons based on religion or belief, and that all
necessary and appropriate awareness-raising, education or training is provided;
(j) To take all necessary and appropriate action, in conformity with
international standards of human rights, to combat hatred, discrimination,
intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by intolerance
based on religion or belief, as well as incitement to hostility and violence, with
particular regard to members of religious minorities in all parts of the world;
(k) To promote, through education and other means, mutual understanding,
tolerance, non-discrimination and respect in all matters relating to freedom of
religion or belief by encouraging, in the society at large, a wider knowledge of
different religions and beliefs and of the history, traditions, languages and cultures
of the various religious minorities existing within their jurisdiction;
(l) To prevent any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on
religion or belief that impairs the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of human
rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis and to detect signs of intolerance
that may lead to discrimination based on religion or belief;
13. Welcomes and encourages initiatives by the media to promote tolerance
and respect for religious and cultural diversity and the universal promotion and
protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief;
14. Stresses the importance of a continued and strengthened dialogue in all
its forms, including among and within religions or beliefs, and with broader
participation, including of women, to promote greater tolerance, respect and mutual
understanding, and welcomes different initiatives in this regard, including the
Alliance of Civilizations initiative and the programmes led by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization;
15. Welcomes and encourages the continuing efforts of all actors in society,
including non-governmental organizations and bodies and groups based on religion
or belief, to promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of
All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, 4 and
further encourages their work in promoting freedom of religion or belief, in
highlighting cases of religious intolerance, discrimination and persecution and in
promoting religious tolerance;
16. Recommends that States, the United Nations and other actors, including
non-governmental organizations and bodies and groups based on religion or belief,
in their efforts to promote freedom of religion or belief, ensure the widest possible
dissemination of the text of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of
Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, in as many different
languages as possible, and promote its implementation;
17. Welcomes the work and the interim report of the Special Rapporteur of
the Human Rights Council on freedom of religion or belief; 5
18. Urges all Governments to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur, to
respond favourably to his requests to visit their countries and to provide all
information and follow-up necessary for the effective fulfilment of his mandate;
19. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the Special Rapporteur
receives the resources necessary to fully discharge his mandate;
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4
5
Resolution 36/55.
See A/67/303.
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