A/HRC/49/44
steps to combat incitement to violence, intolerance and discrimination against persons based
on their religion or belief, as documented through the Istanbul Process166 and guided through
the Rabat Plan of Action. The U.N. Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to
Protect has engaged diverse actors, including faith-based and secular organizations, to
develop the “Fez Plan of Action,” proposing concrete steps to prevent incitement to violence
that may lead to atrocity crimes. 167 Civil society organizations (e.g. Alliance of Iraqi
Minorities) have worked on reforming education curricula to represent and respect ethnoreligious diversity.168
66.
Some religious leaders, influencers and other civil society actors promote
reconciliation, peacebuilding and conflict prevention through constructive discourse and
other interfaith initiatives: #Faith4Rights is a human rights framework for faith-based actors
to exchange practices and engage in interfaith projects, collectively promoting human
rights; 169 the Multi-Religious Council of Leaders project examines causes of conflict to
further peacebuilding efforts;170 and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers
gathers grassroots peacemakers and international actors to promote sustainable peace.171 The
Universal Code of Conduct on Holy Sites encourages engagement with faith leaders and
communities to improve the protection of holy sites and reduce inter-community tensions.172
Civil society has collaborated to recognize the important and positive role of women in
religious peacebuilding efforts. 173 In Nigeria, Mercy Corps runs grassroot initiatives
including communal projects and meetings where religious or belief groups can share their
concerns, promoting collaboration and trust. All such constructive efforts need
encouragement and support.
67.
Several actors - including the U.N., States, and faith-based actors - advocate for
effective remedies for religious or belief community members who have survived SGBV
during conflict. 174 The Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General on Sexual
Violence in Conflict has worked to eliminate stigma and ensure successful reintegration of
survivors through engagement with faith leaders.175 Religious influencers have also come
together to endorse the UNITAD-led Interfaith Statement on the Victims of ISIL, calling for
support of survivors of SGBV and their children.176
68.
Supporting rehabilitation and integration of religious or belief minority refugees, the
Special Rapporteur highlights efforts from civil society organizations, including in
collaboration with UNHCR and its Faith Based Organization Task Force. 177 Several
organizations partner with psychologists and provide guidance for programming approaches
to mental health support for religious or belief minority refugees, which consider their faith
identity and experiences. 178 U.N. actors are working to engage faith influencers and
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
18
https://www.istanbulprocess1618.info/impact/.
https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/Plan%20of%20Action%20Advance
d%20Copy.pdf.
https://www.usip.org/blog/2021/02/iraq-advocates-aim-reform-education-build-collectiveidentity.
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomReligion/faith4rights-toolkit/Pages/Index.aspx.
https://www.unhcr.org/multi-religious-council-of-leaders.html.
https://www.peacemakersnetwork.org/.
https://www.sfcg.org/universal-code-of-conduct-on-holy-sites/.
https://www.usip.org/publications/2011/05/women-religious-peacebuilding;
https://www.usip.org/programs/women-religion-and-peace.
e.g. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/declaration-of-humanity-by-leaders-of-faith-andleaders-of-belief.
https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/statement/remarks-of-srsg-patten-at-the-conference-ofreligious-leaders-on-faith-and-diplomacy-an-intergenerational-dialogue-lindau-germany-4-7-october2021-special-session-on-emerging-issues-in/.
https://www.unitad.un.org/news/iraqi-religious-authorities-adopt-interfaith-statement-victims-isil.
https://globalcompactrefugees.org/article/faith-action-children-move;
https://globalcompactrefugees.org/article/interreligious-committee-refugee-self-sufficiency-peru.
https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/faithsensitive_humanitarian_response_2018.pdf;
https://www.hi-us.org/news_b_psychological_support_for_rohingya_refugees;
https://www.hias.org/what/psychosocial-care.