Elimination of All Forms of Religious Intolerance

A/RES/53/140No PDF available

Who created this mandate?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda items 110Human rights questions and 110bHuman rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, published in 1999.

What other versions does this mandate have?

30 versions · 1968–2005

This is an older version — the most recent is A/RES/59/199

2005A/RES/59/199Elimination of all forms of religious intoleranceLatestCompare with previous version
2004A/RES/58/184Elimination of all forms of religious intoleranceCompare with previous version
2003A/RES/57/208Elimination of all forms of religious intoleranceCompare with previous version
2002A/RES/56/157Elimination of all forms of religious intoleranceCompare with previous version
2001A/RES/55/97Elimination of all forms of religious intoleranceCompare with previous version

Versions are identified automatically by matching titles within the same organ (~97% accuracy on a manual audit).

What subjects does this mandate have?

9 topics

Declarations Freedom of Thought Human Rights Violations Law Enforcement Officials Laws and Regulations Religious Freedom Religious Intolerance Religious Places Special Rapporteurs

What does this mandate say?

18 operative paragraphs

Reaffirms that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is a human right derived from the inherent dignity of the human person and guaranteed to all without discrimination;

Urges States to ensure that their constitutional and legal systems provide effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, including the provision of effective remedies in cases where the right to freedom of religion or belief is violated;

Also urges States to ensure, in particular, that no one within their jurisdiction is, because of his or her religion or belief, deprived of the right to life or the right to liberty and security of person or subjected to torture or arbitrary arrest or detention;

Further urges States, in conformity with international standards of human rights, to take all necessary action to prevent such instances, to take all appropriate measures to combat hatred, intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by religious intolerance and to encourage, through the educational system and by other means, understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief;

Recognizes that legislation alone is not enough to prevent violations of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief;

Emphasizes that, as underlined by the Human Rights Committee, restrictions on the freedom to manifest religion or belief are permitted only if limitations are prescribed by law, are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others and are applied in a manner that does not vitiate the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;

Urges States to ensure that, in the course of their official duties, members of law enforcement bodies, civil servants, educators and other public officials respect different religions and beliefs and do not discriminate against persons professing other religions or beliefs;

Calls upon all States to recognize, as provided for in the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, the right of all persons to worship or assemble in connection with a religion or belief and to establish and maintain places for those purposes;

Expresses its grave concern at any attack upon religious places, sites and shrines, and calls upon all States, in accordance with their national legislation and in conformity with international human rights standards, to exert the utmost efforts to ensure that such places, sites and shrines are fully respected and protected;

Recognizes that the exercise of tolerance and non-discrimination by persons and groups is necessary for the full realization of the aims of the Declaration;

Encourages the continued efforts on the part of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief appointed to examine incidents and governmental actions in all parts of the world that are incompatible with the provisions of the Declaration and to recommend remedial measures as appropriate;

Encourages Governments to give serious consideration to inviting the Special Rapporteur to visit their countries so as to enable him to fulfil his mandate even more effectively;

Also encourages Governments, when seeking the assistance of the United Nations Programme of Advisory Services and Technical Assistance in the Field of Human Rights, to consider, where appropriate, including requests for assistance in the field of the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;

Welcomes and encourages the efforts of non-governmental organizations and religious bodies and groups to promote the implementation of the Declaration, and invites them to consider what further contribution they could make to its implementation and dissemination in all parts of the world;

Requests the Commission on Human Rights to continue its consideration of measures to implement the Declaration;

Requests the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session;

Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the Special Rapporteur receives the necessary staffing, financial and material resources to enable him to discharge his mandate in full and on time;

Decides to consider the question of the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance at its fifty-fourth session under the item entitled “Human rights questions”.

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What does this mandate say?

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