HRC 37 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief

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

The EU welcomes the attention dedicated in the latest report to the analysis of State-religion relationships and their impact on freedom of religion or belief. The report offers an important examination of the diverse State-religion relationships that exist worldwide, which support, regulate or limit religion and belief to different extents. The EU also takes careful note of the reports concerning the Special Rapporteur’s country-visits to Albania and Uzbekistan.

The EU continues to support the protection of the freedom of religion or belief and condemns acts of intolerance, violence and discrimination committed worldwide based on or in the name of religion or belief.

In agreement with the Special Rapporteur’s latest report, the EU recognizes the obligation of States to act as impartial guarantors of the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief of all individuals within their territory and subject to their jurisdiction. Taking into account that State-religion relationships are incredibly diverse, the EU shares the Special Rapporteur’s conclusion that States’ legal framework must be aligned with the guarantees of freedom of religion or belief as specified in international human rights law as a universal human right.  This view is reflected in the EU’s Human Rights Guidelines on freedom of religion or belief, denoting that it is the primary role of States to ensure that their legal systems provide adequate and effective guarantees of freedom of religion or belief, further ensuring that these provisions are properly enforced[1] 

The EU also warmly supports the Special Rapporteur's conclusions and recomendations, including his emphasis on the fact that respect for freedom of religion or belief is closely related to the degree of tolerance and respect for diversity within a society.

Mr Shaheed,

We would be interested to hear more about the relationship between freedom of religion or belief and the right to equality and non discrimination: what are, in your view, the main impediments to the full realisation of equality, including with respect to the exercise of freedom or religion or belief?

Finally, could you elaborate more on the concept of "respectful distancing" that you recommend as a model of State - religion relationship and on its impact on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief?

Thank you

[1] Paragraph 21, EU Human Rights Guidelines.