Special Rapporteur,

The EU thanks you for the presentation and welcomes the report.

We reaffirm our strong support to your mandate as well as our strong commitment to the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief for all individuals around the world. Everybody has the right to believe or not to believe, or to change, practice and manifest one’s religion or belief. The EU is equally committed to upholding the right to freedom of expression. These rights are mutually reinforcing, and have equal value and importance.

We strongly condemn any advocacy of hatred based on religion or belief that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, as spelled out clearly in article 20 of ICCPR. The EU is very concerned about such acts. The EU upholds respect for diversity, which includes respect for all persons no matter their religion or belief.

Special Rapporteur,

Your report brings focus to the grassroots level and on the range of authorities and actors that have the power to contribute towards the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief on the ground. It serves as a useful reminder that all human rights must be implemented at the local level. We remain committed to ensure that the enjoyment of the freedom of religion or belief is effective in practice. We share your views that local governments have opportunities to strengthen social cohesion and solidarity and can play an important role in involving persons belonging to religious or belief minorities in development and implementation of policies that concern them.

Question: How can States strengthen local authorities so they can better ensure the effective enjoyment of the freedom of religion or belief?

I thank you.