HRC 43 - Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion - EU Intervention

The European Union would like to thank Special Rapporteur Shaheed for his report and presentation.

In the context of the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action the EU welcomes the latest report of the Special rapporteur and the analysis of the intersections between freedom of religion or belief and gender equality. The report offers a comprehensive overview of gender-based violence and discriminations that are grounded in religious justifications, both resulting from state laws and policies and private actors’ behaviours.

While remaining fully committed to the robust protection and promotion of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in all parts of the world, the EU firmly opposes when FoRB is used as a pretext to justify human rights violations, including violations affecting women and girls, persons belonging to religious minorities or non-believers, as well as persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender idendity. We therefore welcome efforts to clarify possible synergies in the intersection of FoRB and gender equality, which also holds promises for new paths to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The EU has consistently condemned all forms of violence against women and girls, including based on religion or belief, such as "honour" killings, female genital mutilation,  prohibition of interfaith marriages  and child, early and forced marriages. The EU equally condemns any form of violence or discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, such as the death penalty imposed for homosexual acts, including situations when such violence is perpetrated under the pretext of a religious prescription or practice. This view is reflected in the EU’s Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, as well as in the Guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by LGBTI persons. We will continue to condemn these practices both in the multilateral fora and in our bilateral relations with countries across the globe.

In agreement with the Special Rapporteur’s report, the EU particularly welcomes his affirmation that religions themselves are not the source of gender-based violence and discrimination and can also become a vehicle to foster respect of human rights, as demonistrated by the multitude of voices within religious communities engaged in advocating for the enjoyment of human rights by women, girls and LGBTI persons. In this respect, the EU highlights the importance of engaging with religious actors and leaders, including member of religious communities which are women and/or LGBTI persons, who can challenge the misuse or instrumentalisation of religious doctrine and promote their voices in the UN fora.

The EU also strongly supports the Special Rapporteur's conclusions and recommendations, actively encouraging states to withdraw reservations to core human rights treaties and repeal discriminatory laws such as those that criminalize adultery and consenting same-sex adult relations.

Mr Shaheed,

In relation to global best practices concerning the promotion of gender equality by faith actors, including the OHCHR-led Faith for Rights Initiative and the Fez Plan of Action: what has been, in your views, the impact of these initiatives in engaging religious actors in promoting gender equality and which efforts should be further deployed, including by States?

Thank you