A/70/286 Interim report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Summary In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief provides an overview of his activities under the mandate since the submission of his previous report to the General Assembly (A/69/261). Thematically, the report focuses on the rights of the child and his or her parents in the area of freedom of religion or belief. Article 14 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognizes the child as a rights holder of freedom of religion or belief, should be understood in continuity with all other international standards of freedom of religion or belief, including article 18 o f the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. Parents have the right s and duties to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her freedom of religion or belief in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child. In terms of practical application, the Special Rapporteur discusses issues related to religious socialization; religious instruction within the family; participation in religious community life; religious education in schools; the voluntary display of religious symbols in schools; respect for the evolving capacities of the maturing child; and non-discrimination on the basis of religion or belief. With regard to possible conflicts, the Special Rapporteur stresses the need for diligence when dealing with conflicting human rights concerns, ensuring non -discriminatory family laws and the settlement of family-related conflicts, combating harmful practices and dealing appropriately with controversies around male circumcision. Lastly, the Special Rapporteur addresses recommendations to States and other stakeholders, including religious communities and families. Contents Page I. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 II. Activities of the Special Rapporteur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 III. The rights of the child and his or her parents in the area of freedom of religion or belief . . . . 4 A. Legal framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 B. The interrelatedness of the rights of the child to freedom of religion or belief and parental rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 C. Dimensions of practical application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 D. Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Conclusions and recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 IV. 2/22 15-12514