A/HRC/52/38
(d)
Collaborate with States, regional organizations and civil society
organizations in supporting the positive human rights contributions of faith‑based
actors, where appropriate.
82.
The Special Rapporteur urges regional organizations to activate their freedom
of religion or belief standards through jurisprudence, where appropriate, and in a
manner integrated within human rights as a whole, mindful of the three dimensions of
freedom of religion or belief and the developments in this field over 36 years of work in
furtherance of the mandate.99 This will contribute to the jurisprudential development
of this universal right.
83.
The Special Rapporteur recommends that international non-governmental
organizations, non-governmental organizations and faith-based actors:
(a)
Use inclusivity in their language and draw links with shared challenges
facing other religions or beliefs; it is understandable that communities will convey
information and advocate on behalf of their group, as they have the channels of
communication and consent and the closer understanding that facilitates that; however,
inclusivity of tone allows States, international organizations and regional bodies to lend
support to advancing the broader religion or belief cause; as a previous mandate holder
has emphasized, where one community suffers the whole of society suffers; 100
(b)
Advocate in a manner which calls for the respect of human rights without
comparisons with other victims of religion or belief violations;
(c)
Use legal terms with attention given to their human rights meaning in
their advocacy and other work.
IV. Activities of the Special Rapporteur
84.
Since taking up her mandate on 1 August 2022, the Special Rapporteur has
participated in the activities set out below.
A.
United Nations and related activities
85.
The Special Rapporteur presented her predecessor’s report on Indigenous Peoples and
the right to freedom of religion or belief 101 to the seventy-seventh session of the General
Assembly, on 25 October 2022. She also shared her views regarding the priorities of the
mandate moving forward. A number of States expressed their support for the work of the
new mandate holder and committed to maintaining a close collaboration.
86.
While in New York, from 21 to 26 October 2022, she joined the meeting of special
procedures mandate holders with the Secretary-General, met with the civil society
organization network of the Non-Governmental Organization Committee on Freedom of
Religion or Belief, spoke at a number of side events, met with relevant diplomats and with
commissioners of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation, met with a number of civil society organizations
regarding freedom of religion or belief challenges and relevant thematic issues and
participated in a meeting of the International Contact Group.
87.
In Geneva, between 22 and 25 November 2022, she met with the Assistant High
Commissioner for Protection of Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees and the staff of the human rights unit, with respect to a forthcoming report, with
the President of the Human Rights Council, a number of permanent representatives
requesting country visits and with members of delegations regarding the mandate.
99
100
101
18
See https://global.oup.com/academic/product/freedom-of-religion-or-belief9780198813613?lang=en&cc=gb.
A/77/514, para. 64.
A/77/514.
GE.23-00741