Press Release
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The Egyptian Coalition for Human Rights and Development rrefers to the Importance of Preserving Freedom of Religious Belief and Supporting Victims of Religious-Based Violence.
On the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, the Egyptian Coalition for Human Rights and Development affirms that freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression are universal, interdependent, and mutually reinforcing rights, as well as at the heart of Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Therefore, we should preserve the rights that play an important role in combating all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. Moreover, as open and constructive debate based on respect for ideas can also play a positive role in combating religious hatred, incitement and violence. Seventy-five years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrined the rights of all human beings to have a religion or belief and to change and manifest it, there are too many individuals in different parts of the world still suffering from threats, physical attacks, killings, discrimination and persecution solely on the basis of their religion or belief.
The Egyptian Coalition for Human Rights and Development recalls the need to remember all victims of this violence and calls on all states to fully respect Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to combat any act of persecution and religious discrimination, to protect individuals at risk around the world, to bring perpetrators of violence to justice, and to never invoke religion as a justification for targeting persons belonging to minorities. Despite legalization under international law, freedom of religion and belief is restricted in many places around the world. Some countries associate high political office with a particular religious affiliation and people in many parts of the world are frequently subjected to unequal treatment or discrimination based on their religion or belief. Attacks on members of religious minorities, religious persecution and domestic political exploitation of violence allegedly for religious motives are also widespread.
It’s worthy that the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief was adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 73/296, entitled “International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief”, which strongly condemns ongoing acts of violence and terrorism against individuals, including those belonging to religious minorities, on the basis of or in the name of religion and belief. The States Members of the United Nations reaffirmed their unequivocal condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of terrorism and violent extremism leading to terrorism, in all their forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomsoever committed, and regardless of their motivation. Member States further reiterated that terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, in all their forms and manifestations, cannot and should not be linked to any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. The General Assembly decided to proclaim 22 August as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
