HRC55 – ID with Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief

On the 6th of March 2024, Jean-François Kammer, Deputy Permanent Observer, intervened during the ID and introduced the Special Rapporteur’s report on religious hatred, which emphasised freedom of religion as a universal freedom for each individual right and intolerance as a deprivation of this right.

The Deputy Permanent Observer, therefore, underlined the need to promote diversity in issues that have bearings on freedom of expression, bringing to the fore important roles that political and religious leaders have in fighting hate speech and protecting places of worship. Kammer finally called for cooperative efforts of the states, non-state actors, and faith-based organisations to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogues, together with developing action plans in support of the targeted people on the basis of belief, including members of minority groups.