Elimination of All Forms of Religious Intolerance

A/RES/57/208No PDF available

Who created this mandate?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda item 109bHuman rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, published in 2003.

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 does this mandate say?

19 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 thought, conscience, religion or belief is violated;

Also urges States to ensure, in particular, that no one within their jurisdiction is, because of their 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 and to bring to justice all perpetrators of violations of these rights;

Further urges States, in conformity with international standards of human rights, to take all necessary action to combat hatred, intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by intolerance based on religion or belief, with particular regard to persons belonging to religious minorities;

Urges States to devote particular attention to all practices motivated by religion or belief that lead, directly or indirectly, to violations of the human rights of women and to discrimination against women;

Emphasizes that, as underlined by the Human Rights Committee, restrictions on the freedom to manifest religion or belief are permitted only if those limitations that 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 and the military, civil servants, educators and other public officials respect different religions and beliefs and do not discriminate against persons professing other religions or beliefs and that any necessary and appropriate education or training is provided;

Calls upon all States to recognize, as provided 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 all attacks 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 their utmost efforts to ensure that such places, sites and shrines are fully respected and protected and to take additional measures in cases where they are vulnerable to desecration or destruction;

Recognizes that legislation alone is not enough to prevent violations of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, and that the exercise of tolerance and non-discrimination by persons and groups is necessary for the full realization of the aims of the Declaration, and in this regard, invites States, religious bodies and civil society to undertake dialogue at all levels to promote greater tolerance, respect and understanding of freedom of religion or belief and to encourage and promote, through the educational system and by other means, understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief;

Takes note with appreciation of the interim report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief and encourages his continued efforts 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;

Calls upon all States to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and to give serious consideration to his requests to visit their countries so as to enable him to fulfil his mandate fully and effectively;

Welcomes the initiatives of Governments and non-governmental organizations to collaborate with the Special Rapporteur, and in this regard invites Governments to give consideration to the final document adopted at the International Consultative Conference on School Education in relation to Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non-discrimination, held in Madrid from 23 to 25 November 2001;

Urges States to make all appropriate efforts to encourage those engaged in teaching to cultivate respect for all religions or beliefs, thereby promoting mutual understanding and tolerance;

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, religion or belief;

Welcomes and encourages the continuing efforts of non-governmental organizations and religious bodies and groups to promote the implementation and dissemination of the Declaration, and also encourages their work in relation to promoting freedom of religion or belief and in highlighting cases of religious intolerance, discrimination and persecution;

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

Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the Special Rapporteur receives the necessary resources to enable him to discharge his mandate;

Decides to consider the question of the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance at its fifty-eighth session under the item entitled “Human rights questions”, and requests the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report to the General Assembly on the item.

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Elimination of All Forms of Religious Intolerance

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