A/80/205
of information about them and their locations through social media. 85 Furthermore,
States of origin are increasingly emboldened to pursue individuals across borders.
This results in the transnational repression of persons belonging to particular religions
or beliefs, targeting them even in other countries in order to create fear and alignment
with State ideology. Such cases are reflected in special procedures communications,
which refer to death threats and assaults suffered by those belonging to religious
minorities, 86 and reports attesting to the kidnapping of refugees and pressure to
repatriate religious minorities. 87
52. Host States have positive obligations to prevent, protect against, investigate,
prosecute and punish acts of violence against individuals on the basis of their religion
or belief. This is especially true in the case of asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants,
including those belonging to religious or belief minorities, who are subject to patterns
of violence. Under article 20 (2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, States Parties are obliged to prohibit advocacy of religious hatre d, including
that which is directed against people on the move, which constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence. The Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of
advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes inciteme nt to
discrimination, hostility or violence contains a six-part threshold test for establishing
such cases. Nonetheless, even cases that do not meet the required threshold should be
considered important “warning signs of prejudicial attitudes that must be
addressed”. 88
53. Soft law instruments include Human Rights Council resolution 16/18, in which
the Council called upon States to take a series of actions aimed at fostering domestic
environments of religious tolerance, peace and respect. 89 In its resolution 77/318, the
General Assembly encouraged Member States to promote interreligious and
intercultural dialogue, and to take practical action to foster tolerance and cooperation
to actively counter discrimination and to promote inclusion and unity.
54. Relatedly, the Young Peacebuilders programme of the United Nations Alliance
of Civilizations is aimed at fostering respect, understanding and positive relationships
between peoples of different cultures and religions, and equipping young
peacebuilders with tools to address polarization and build inclusive and peaceful
societies. 90 Its “Spread no hate” campaign (#spreadnohate) is focused on addressing
hate speech against migrants and refugees.
F.
Freedom of religion or belief of migrant workers and members of
their families
55. States routinely neglect – and often restrict – the freedom of religion or belief
of migrant workers and their families. Some legal codes do not even guarantee such
freedom for non-nationals, in a blatant departure from international obligations. Other
legal systems are applied in such a way as to restrict the freedom of religion or belief
__________________
85
86
87
88
89
90
14/23
See communication THA 2/2022.
See communication EGY 4/2022.
See www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/religion/cfis/cfi -ga80/subm-freedomreligion-belief-cso-4-christian-solidarity-worldwide.pdf.
A/HRC/55/47, para. 14.
Para. 5. See also A/HRC/55/47, paras. 48–57.
See www.unaoc.org/what-we-do/projects-and-initiatives/young-peacebuilders.
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