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targeted largely at agrarian Christian communities. 107 On 13 June 2025, more than
200 Christian internally displaced persons sheltering in Yelewata, Nigeria, were
killed. 108 Christian organizations have established informal internally displaced
person camps and aid distribution centres. However, they are poorly resourced, and
humanitarian needs outpace the support being provided. They also face more
challenges in operating in the north. The Shalom Trauma Centre offers holistic
support to trauma victims and trains church leaders in providing trauma care. 109
68. In Bangladesh, faith-based organizations offer services generally without
discrimination and play a key role in mitigating interreligious conflicts and tensions.
Following the tensions between Christian and Muslim Rohingya refugee communities
in 2025, for example, and under the UNHCR-led peace and security campaign, 110
UNHCR engaged with both Imams and Christian community leaders and encouraged
them to play a role in fostering social cohesion and promoting peace in the
community. Faith-based organizations have also contributed to awareness-raising
campaigns to promote peace and social cohesion and supported responses to crises,
the protection of children and the building of places of worship. However,
government restrictions reportedly prevent the expansion of religious infrastructure
in camps, making it difficult for minorities to establish formal places of worship. 111
69. Programmes for refugee and internally displaced person communities affected
by mass atrocities across, for example, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Jordan are
under way to train non-expert psychologists in supporting mental health. Culturally
adapted cognitive behavioural therapy is provided by community members without
formal mental health training. Pre- and post-treatment change screening have
reportedly shown remarkable improvements, especially among women and
children. 112 Cultural and other interventions in Iraq are focused on Yazidi internally
displaced persons, 11 years after the genocide that led to their displacement. 113
V. Guiding questions to the relevant authorities
70. In order to assist States in reviewing the issues raised in relation to the present
report, the following guiding questions are put forward as an initial prompt to alert
the relevant authorities to their duties in relation to freedom of religion or belief :
(a) What is the status of ratification of international human rights instruments
relating to freedom of religion or belief, non-discrimination and equality, refugees,
internally displaced persons, Indigenous Peoples and minority rights?
(b) To what extent are the above-mentioned instruments enshrined in domestic
law and implemented in practice? Are there provisions to allow for conscientious
objection to military service?
(c) Has an independent legal assessment been carried out in relation to
existing and proposed legislation and their alignment with the above -mentioned
instruments? Please give examples of how these relate to laws concerning the
following:
__________________
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
25-11829
See www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-64739863.
See www.acnuk.org/news/nigeria-up-to-200-dead-in-worst-killing-spree.
See www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/religion/cfis/cfi -ga80/subm-freedomreligion-belief-cso-25-open-doors-international.docx.
See www.reliefweb.int/report/bangladesh/unhcr-bangladesh-operational-update-november-2024.
Confidential submission.
See www.bellwetherngo.org/on-the-ground.
See www.amarfoundation.org/mental-health/.
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