Within a pluralistic cultural context, integration policies should take into account
the varied cultural needs of different groups, including migrants101 and indigenous
peoples102.
In designing policies, States should be aware that for many communities, cultural
identities, belief systems and religious practices are inextricably linked. Everyone
has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This includes the
freedom to have or to adopt a religion, belief or non-belief of one’s choice. It further
includes the freedom, either individually or in community with others, and in public
or private, to manifest one’s religion or belief through worship, observance, practice
and teaching.103 Freedom to manifest religion and belief, including public worship,
can only be subject to limitations prescribed by law. These are only legitimate if
they relate to specified public-interest grounds and are reasonable and proportional
to the end sought.104
States should take appropriate measures to protect persons who may be subject
to threats or acts of discrimination, hostility or violence as a result of their culture,
religion or belief. State authorities and public officials have the responsibility to avoid
negative rhetoric or actions that target specific cultural or religious communities.
Furthermore, undue limitations to full participation in cultural and religious affairs
should be avoided. Such limitations may include excessive requirements for the
registration of cultural or religious organizations and places of worship or for the
acquisition of planning permission for religious or cultural buildings. They may also
include disproportionate limitations on the public display of cultural or religious
symbols and clothing. Public authorities should not impose any undue restrictions
on what language(s) can be used during cultural or religious events. They may
legitimately require, for example, that cultural associations and/or religious
organizations translate official and administrative documents into the State or
official language(s), including, where relevant, when recording legal civil acts for
which they have authority.105
101 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their
Families, 1990, article 31.
102 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007, article 1.
103 In general: Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 18; ICCPR, article 18(1); and ECHR, article 9.
For minorities in particular: ICCPR, article 27; FCNM, articles 7 and 8; and Copenhagen Document, paragraph 32.
104 ICCPR, article 18(3) and ECHR article 9(2).
105 Oslo Recommendations, Explanatory Note to Recommendation 5.
Guidelines on Integration of Diverse Societies
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