A/74/215
authorities also continue their efforts in documenting Roma people and providing
them with identification cards.
44. The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines indicated that, in
December 2018, the House of Representatives approved the bill on countering racial,
ethnic and religious discrimination, which contains a definition of discrimination
consistent with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial Discrimination. Pending the decisions of the House of Representatives and the
Senate, cities are adopting local ordinances to tackle discrimination. 18
E.
Interfaith dialogue
45. The National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism of
Argentina established a monthly inter-religious dialogue to analyse the multifaceted
aspects of religious diversity today and to draw up conclusions and recommendations.
46. In its resolution 72/184, the General Assembly emphasized the fundamental
importance of interfaith dialogue and interaction among all relevant stakeholders and
members of society on the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging
to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minority groups.
47. The role and responsibilities of religious leaders and faith-based actors in
promoting human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minority groups,
are highlighted in the Beirut Declaration on Faith for Rights and the 18 commitments
on Faith for Rights (A/HRC/40/58, annexes I and II). OHCHR uses the framework
for training and advocacy purposes with religious minority groups, civil society
organizations and United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the Special
Rapporteur on minority issues. In May and November 2018, OHCHR organized two
regional workshops, in Tunis and in Marrakech, Morocco, focusing on the role of
youth faith actors in promoting human rights, combating incitement to hatred and
identifying future steps to protect religious minority groups in the Middle East and
North Africa region. In thematic and mission reports, the Special Rapporteur on
freedom of religion or belief has called upon States to use the Faith for Rights
framework of specific commitments and practical measures to address the related
phenomena of incitement to religious hatred, discrimination and violence
(A/HRC/40/58, para. 21).
48. In April 2019, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
referred to the Faith for Rights framework in her press statement concerning the
revised Penal Code of Brunei Darussalam, which includes provisions that may
encourage violence and discrimination, inter alia, against religious minority groups,
and she stressed that the Government, religious authorities and a wide range of civil
society actors should work together to uphold human dignity and equality for all. At
the Global Summit on Religion, Peace and Security, the High Commissioner
highlighted the importance of protecting religious minority groups, in particular
where they have been targeted by incitement to hatred and violence on the basis of
exclusionary interpretation, with religion or belief being used for political gain.
Furthermore, she noted that the 18 commitments are intended to be used to reach out
to people of different religions and beliefs in all regions of the world in order to
promote a common, action-oriented platform (see A/HRC/40/58, annex II).
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18
19-12558
Submissions received from the Governments of Australia, Austria, Cyprus, Georgia, the Russian
Federation and Ukraine and the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines.
13/15