United Nations General Assembly A/HRC/31/18/Add.1 Distr.: General 30 November 2015 Original: English Human Rights Council Thirty-first session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief on his mission to Lebanon Note by the Secretariat The Secretariat has the honour to transmit to the Human Rights Council the report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of region or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, on his mission to Lebanon from 23 March to 2 April 2015. The Special Rapporteur reviews the relevant legal framework and structures, and describes the implications for a country with a unique religious landscape in a region troubled by violence, often committed in the name of religion. He draws particular attention to the impact of religious laws and courts on matters concerning personal status. The Special Rapporteur also describes how Lebanese society has remained united, regardless of religious and denominational differences. However, with the heritage of religious pluralism now increasingly in jeopardy as a result of internal as well as external factors, the Special Rapporteur discusses the challenges in depth and makes recommendations for strengthening this unique legacy. GE.15-21043(E) *1521043*