A/HRC/53/62
activity or approach that adopts, incites, glorifies or promotes racism, terrorism, takfir, 2
sectarian cleansing or national cleansing. In addition, article 5 of Law No. 36 of 2015 on
political parties stipulates that establishing a party based on racism, terrorism, takfir, sectarian
fanaticism, ethnic discrimination or discrimination based on nationality is prohibited. The
law also prohibits the establishment of a party that adopts or promotes the ideology or
approach of the dissolved Baath Party. The Judicial Council has established specialized
human rights courts in each appellate area, including areas inhabited by minorities, to
investigate such crimes.
27.
According to the information provided, Iraq prohibits laws that call for religious
hatred and that constitute an incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. Efforts are
made to ensure full respect and protection for religious places, sites, shrines and symbols and
measures are taken wherever such premises are subject to desecration or vandalism. Iraqi
laws also reportedly guarantee the right of all persons to worship or assemble within the
framework of religion or belief, to establish and manage places necessary for such purposes
and to write, issue and distribute relevant publications. Iraq also takes all necessary and
appropriate measures in accordance with international human rights standards to combat
hatred, intolerance, acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by fanaticism based
on religion and incitement to hostility, violence and discrimination.
28.
Measures have been taken to establish partnerships with regional and international
organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Such partnerships are
designed to establish principles of cooperation and understanding, to unify religious
discourse against extremist ideology, to activate the role of international supporters and
donors and to foster cooperation and coordination between ministries and international and
governmental organizations in all fields.
29.
The Government has adopted a national initiative focused on women’s rights in
partnership with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. The partnership, with
national, social and political scope, is aimed at establishing an Iraq free from violence and
dependence, in which all ethnic, religious and societal groups can coexist and participate.
Mexico
30.
According to the information provided, in Mexico the right to equality and nondiscrimination is enshrined in article 1 of the Constitution. According to the Federal Law to
Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination, discrimination is understood as any distinction,
exclusion, restriction or preference that, by action or omission, intentionally or
unintentionally, is not objective, rational or proportional and has the purpose or result of
hindering, restricting, preventing, impeding, impairing or nullifying the recognition,
enjoyment or exercise of human rights and freedoms, when based on: ethnic or national
origin, skin colour, culture, sex, gender, age, disability status, social, economic, health or
legal status, religion, physical appearance, genetic characteristics, migration status,
pregnancy, language, opinions, sexual preferences, political identity or affiliation, marital
status, family situation, family responsibilities, criminal record or any other reason. The law
also covers discrimination based on homophobia and misogyny and any manifestation of
xenophobia, racial segregation, antisemitism, racial discrimination and other related forms of
intolerance.
31.
The National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination is reportedly the institution
responsible for the anti-discrimination policy and for coordinating and supervising the
implementation of the National Programme for Equality and Non-Discrimination 2021–
2024. The National Programme is aimed at promoting the exercise of human rights without
discrimination in the public sector and regulating relations between public authorities and
society, focusing in particular on the rights to education, health, work, social security,
security and justice.
32.
The Federal Law to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination grants powers to the
National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination to promote the prevention and
2
6
Takfir means to declare a fellow Muslim guilty of apostasy.