Council Concludes General Debate on the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

5 October 2023

The Human Rights Council this morning started an interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on the various drivers, root causes and human rights impacts of religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. The Council also concluded the general debate on agenda item eight on follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said peaceful dialogue and peaceful coexistence were being increasingly fractured around the globe by speech and actions that sought to divide, to inflame and to spread hatred. Religious hatred today was being driven by multiple factors: politicians and leaders promoting policies which divided, polarised and suppressed voices of dissent; a rising tide of populism marked by dangerous identity politics which thrived on nationalism and fearmongering; or by education systems which failed to teach their pupils respect, tolerance and understanding. Religious hate speech, a phenomenon that was far from new, was now unfolding unchecked. Online, social media algorithms were amplifying hateful messages and nourishing the echo chambers of ignorance.

The human rights impacts of religious hatred and discrimination were clear. They undermined human dignity, and could lead to incitement of violence – or to violence itself. Gaps in national policy, and in legal and law enforcement frameworks were letting hate and discrimination slip through the cracks. Member States could and must do more. Training initiatives for law enforcement officers and the judiciary, faith-based actors, teachers and media professionals in combatting religious hatred needed to be part of a comprehensive approach which integrated faith literacy, better understanding and sensitivity, and clear measures to address discrimination.

Concluding, the High Commissioner said overcoming religious hatred required a renewed social contract, with trust and respect at its base, where everyone, no matter who or what they believed in, could participate in safe and healthy dialogue. Provocative speech or premeditated publicity stunts were far less likely to succeed in inciting hatred and violence in societies which promoted tolerance, equality, openness and diversity, where State institutions functioned well and prioritised the human rights cause, and where the core values of trust, compassion and respect, which cut across all religions, thrived.

In the discussion, some speakers said in many parts of the world, persons continued to be discriminated against, persecuted, and sometimes even killed because of their opinion or their religion, which was very concerning. A number of speakers were very concerned about the continued public desecration of the Holy Qur’an in parts of Europe, which were sometimes carried out in front of embassies and broadcast live on social media. Inaction by State authorities to prevent these actions was very troubling. Freedom of expression could not be used as an excuse to condone and incite religious hatred; the authorities concerned needed to pay serious attention to the implications of such actions. Many speakers said there needed to be full respect of the basic human right to freedom of religion or belief. Only through tolerance and mutual respect could peaceful and inclusive societies be built.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Council concluded the general debate on agenda item eight on follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The general debate began yesterday and a full summary is available here.

In the general debate, some speakers said 30 years after the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, it was evident that inequalities, challenges, conflicts, gaps and failures in achieving sufficient international cooperation and solidarity during global crises, persisted. Some speakers were deeply concerned about the regression of the rights of women and girls, with national legislation that excluded women from the productive sectors of society, discriminated against them or removed them from public and social life. A number of speakers also expressed concern about persistent discrimination against people due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The recognition of diversity was essential to preserve human dignity. Many speakers reiterated their support for all efforts to revive the principles of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and to defend equal rights for all.

Speaking in the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner were the European Union, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Oman on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Libya on behalf of the Arab Group, Brunei Darussalam, Switzerland, Sovereign Order of Malta, Libya, Qatar, Holy See, Jordan, Kuwait, Israel, Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Iraq, Malawi, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Russian Federation, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Cuba, Togo, Venezuela, Mauritania, Türkiye, Gambia, India, Uganda, Oman, Sudan, Syria, Egypt, League of Arab States, Iran, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Speaking in the general debate on agenda item eight were Iran, Sweden, Azerbaijan and Lebanon.

Also speaking were Action Canada for Population and Development, Chunhui Children's Foundation, Human Rights and Democratic Participation Centre "SHAMS", Khiam Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture, World Jewish Congress, Institut International pour les Droits et le Développement, Institute for NGO Research, Human Is Right, Beijing Children's Legal Aid and Research Centre, Youth Parliament for SDG, Mother of Hope Cameroon Common Initiative Group, United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation, Asociacion HazteOir.org, China Federation of Internet Societies, Humanists International, International Lesbian and Gay Association, Alliance Defending Freedom, United for Human Rights, Villages Unis (United Villages), Citoyens en action pour la démocratie et le développement, Platform for Youth Integration and Volunteerism, International Support For Human Rights, Sikh Human Rights Group, Global Srilankan Forum United Kingdom, Integrated Youth Empowerment - Common Initiative Group, Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, China Foundation for Human Rights Development, International Muslim Women's Union, World Muslim Congress, Comité International pour le Respect et l'Application de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l'Homme et des Peuples, Servas International, iuventum e.V., Friends World Committee for Consultation, World Barua Organization, Association MIMAN, Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health, International Buddhist Relief Organization, Association pour l'Intégration et le Développement Durable au Burundi, Indigenous People of Africa Coordinating Committee, Iraqi Development Organization, and Association Bharathi Centre Culturel Franco-Tamoul.

Cuba, Azerbaijan, Israel and Armenia spoke in right of reply.

The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-fourth regular session can be found here.

The Council will reconvene at 3 p.m. this afternoon to continue the interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on the various drivers, root causes and human rights impacts of religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. The Council will then hold an enhanced interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner and the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement, followed by an interactive dialogue with the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent.

General Debate on Agenda Item Eight on Follow-up to and Implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

The general debate on agenda item eight on follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action started in the previous meeting and a summary can be found here.

General Debate

Some speakers said 2023 marked the thirtieth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The pivotal document, adopted by consensus by 171 States, declared that human rights and fundamental freedoms were the birth right of all human beings. Regardless of gender, religion, ethnic background, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, the underlying principle expressed that everyone was born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Speakers said the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action remained a cornerstone of their work, and was a milestone in the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The general debate under item eight provided an ongoing opportunity for the international community to reflect on the content of the Vienna Declaration and actively work towards realising its objectives.

Thirty years after the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, it was evident that inequalities, challenges, conflicts, gaps and failures in achieving sufficient international cooperation and solidarity during global crises, persisted. The present generation continued to grapple with issues like wars, the inadequate participation of developing countries in the international financial and economic system, and widening disparities. Some countries still refused to acknowledge the right to development as a collective fundamental human right. It appeared that mentally, the international community was not prepared to fully commit to the vision of leaving no nation behind in the global development process.

Some speakers said they were deeply concerned about the regression of the rights of women and girls, with national legislation that excluded women from the productive sectors of society, discriminated against them, or removed them from public and social life. Universal access to sexual and reproductive health services for all women, girls, and “pregnant people” was still very far from reality. All States were called upon to fully decriminalise abortion, ensure the right to safe and legal abortion through a robust and strengthened public health system, and adopt progressive policies and laws that prioritised and upheld the right to bodily autonomy.

A number of speakers also expressed concern about persistent discrimination against people due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. All around the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons continued to suffer human rights violations and abuses, including violence, discrimination and stigmatisation. In almost 70 States, consensual same-sex relationships remained criminalised, with some still imposing the death penalty. A global trend of anti- lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons rhetoric and laws was deepening the marginalisation of these people. The recognition of diversity was essential to preserve human dignity.

Some speakers said to effectively address the human rights of future generations, it was imperative that all nations took concrete measures to confront crises such as climate change, armed conflicts, racism and economic inequalities. States and governments everywhere needed to step up and deliver on the promise of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action: to respect, protect and fulfil all human rights, without discrimination. Speakers reiterated their support for all efforts to revive the principles of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and to defend equal rights for all.

Interactive Dialogue on the Oral Update of the High Commissioner on the Various Drivers, Root Causes and Human Rights Impacts of Religious Hatred Constituting Incitement to Discrimination, Hostility or Violence

Presentation of Oral Update

VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said peaceful dialogue and peaceful coexistence were being increasingly fractured around the globe by speech and actions that sought to divide, to inflame and to spread hatred. Since the Council’s urgent debate in July on this topic, publicly staged burnings of the Qur’an had persisted in some countries. Mr. Türk strongly rejected these disrespectful and offensive acts, especially those which had the clear aim to provoke violence and stir division.

Human Rights Council resolution 53/1 noted with deep concern the rising incidents of desecration of places of worship and religious symbols across the world, calling for immediate action to address it. In response, the Office was charting a roadmap for follow-up. Today’s dialogue was the first step. Religious hatred today was being driven by multiple factors: politicians and leaders promoting policies which divided, polarised and suppressed voices of dissent; a rising tide of populism marked by dangerous identity politics which thrived on nationalism and fearmongering; or by education systems which failed to teach their pupils respect, tolerance and understanding. Religious hate speech, a phenomenon that was far from new, was now unfolding unchecked. Online, social media algorithms were amplifying hateful messages and nourishing the echo chambers of ignorance.

Entire communities were dehumanised, with Muslim women and girls often bearing the brunt of verbal abuse, physical intimidation and death threats, or – even worse – actual violence. But religious hatred – and the hate speech which amplified it – had no borders, and was not limited in scope. Across the globe, it was also targeting Ahmadis, Baháʼís, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, Yazidis, as well as atheists and many others. The human rights impacts of religious hatred and discrimination were clear. They undermined human dignity, and could lead to incitement of violence – or to violence itself.

In the face of such real-world consequences, gaps in national policy, and in legal and law enforcement frameworks were letting hate and discrimination slip through the cracks. Member States could and must do more. Training initiatives for law enforcement officers and the judiciary, faith-based actors, teachers and media professionals in combatting religious hatred needed to be part of a comprehensive

approach which integrated faith literacy, better understanding and sensitivity, and clear measures to address discrimination.

This was not to say that governments were not making efforts to fight religious hatred in their laws and policies. Many were. But these must be tailored with care, employing proportionate measures that were applied equally, with nuanced and tailored approaches for which the United Nations had developed a number of pertinent tools. A key focus for the Office would be to build on its existing work looking at major social media companies and their implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Overcoming religious hatred required a renewed social contract, with trust and respect at its base, where everyone, no matter who or what they believed in, could participate in safe and healthy dialogue. Provocative speech or premeditated publicity stunts were far less likely to succeed in inciting hatred and violence in societies which promoted tolerance, equality, openness and diversity, where State institutions functioned well and prioritised the human rights cause, and where the core values of trust, compassion and respect, which cut across all religions, thrived.

Discussion

Some speakers said that in many parts of the world, persons continued to be discriminated against, persecuted, and sometimes even killed because of their opinion or their religion, which was very concerning. Hate speech was on the rise globally, and needed to be actively countered through dialogue, education, awareness raising and inter-faith and inter-community engagement. Speakers reiterated their strong and determined rejection of any form of incitement to religious hatred, intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief.

Some speakers were very concerned about the continued public desecration of the Holy Qur’an in parts of Europe, which were sometimes carried out in front of embassies and broadcasted live on social media. Inaction by State authorities to prevent these actions was very troubling. This bred impunity and violated international human rights law. States were obliged to prevent and prohibit these acts. Some speakers reiterated their condemnation of the recurrence of the disrespectful and irresponsible acts of burning and desecration of the Holy Qur’an or any sacred book or religious symbols, and deeply regretted the authorities that allowed those acts to occur.

A number of speakers said members of all religious groups were experiencing rampant intolerance and discrimination against them because of their religious beliefs. Unfortunately, some national laws and policies severely restricted the freedoms of minority religious groups and allowed their discrimination and harassment to go unpunished. Speakers also noted with concern the reports of attacks on and discrimination against minority communities and instances of religious intolerance and violence in certain parts of the world.

Freedom of expression could not be used as an excuse to condone and incite religious hatred; the authorities concerned needed to pay serious attention to the implications of such actions. Prevention and accountability were needed to protect individuals and communities from the negative impacts of religious hatred, hostility and incitement to violence. It was important to have mutual respect and tolerance of all faiths, which was critical to global peace and security. Speakers stressed their firm opposition to blasphemy laws, which went against the very essence of the right to freedom of religion or belief, as well as the right to freedom of expression.

Some speakers expressed their commitment to combat Islamophobia, anti-Islam sentiments, xenophobia, intolerance and incitement to violence on the basis of religion or belief. They also emphasised commitment to the robust protection and promotion of freedom of religion or belief, including the religion or belief of persons belonging to religious minorities. Many speakers said they were committed to addressing the drivers and root causes of religious hatred, including through strengthening education and awareness initiatives that promoted tolerance, respect, and mutual understanding among different religious communities. There needed to be full respect of the basic human right to freedom of religion or belief. Only through tolerance and mutual respect could peaceful and inclusive societies be built.Link: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/meeting-summary/2023/10/le-conseil-des-droits-de-lhomme-se-penche-sur-les-moteurs-de-la

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