UN Human Rights Day Statement
Illustration by Robin Snasen for IPPFoRB
As we approach the 73rd year commemorating Human Rights around the world, this year’s theme, “focusing on how rights are the beginning of peace within societies, and a way to create a fairer society for future generations", couldn’t have come at a more apt time as we continue to grapple with this catastrophic pandemic and the balance of human rights embroiled in all this.
The most vulnerable to attack during a crisis and particularly in a pandemic are human rights – including the freedom of religion or belief.
Every year on 10 December, the world celebrates Human Rights Day. On this day in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It set out a broad range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all of us, everywhere around the world, are entitled. It guarantees our rights without distinction of nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status.
This Human Rights Day, International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB), honour those who have persevered and challenged state authorities on their right to practice and profess their faith freely and safely.
As affirmed in our Oslo Charter, which is supported by parliamentarians from different parts of the world, we commit to strengthening and promoting the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief, which is one of the pillars of human rights grounded in the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of every member of the human family. We will work to enhance global cooperation by working across geographical, political, and religious lines and to undertake efforts to jointly promote freedom of religion or belief, share information, and mobilize effective responses.
We stand firm in supporting parliamentarians as they defend, protect and promote freedom of religion and belief, in solidarity with individuals and communities who are facing discrimination, hostility and violence.
While the pandemic has brought out the best in us in looking out for each other, checking in on neighbours and those living alone, and lending an ear for those who are battling with the demons of mental health illnesses, it has also sadly brought out the worst in some. There has been a surge of hatred and incitement of violence against religious and belief minorities and especially towards women, displaced communities, refugees, undocumented workers, and asylum seekers.
Freedom of religion and belief must be advocated by everyone who believes in peace, and whose goal is living together in a cohesive society with respect, dignity, compassion, and fairness.
We call upon world leaders, parliamentarians, religious leaders, human rights bodies and other relevant stakeholders to continue to reject all forms of violence and hate. As ambassadors of peace, it is our responsibility to be defenders of human rights for all, including minority groups and those who do not profess a specific faith, as we work to advance freedom of religion and belief for everyone, everywhere.