UN condemns abuse of religion and belief as tools of discrimination and violence

A few days before the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, UN experts have condemned the abuse of religion or belief as a tool of discrimination and violence.

The UN experts have also expressed their regret over the increasing cases of violence targeting religious minorities around the world. “Freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is protected in all human rights instruments,” they said.

“we urge states to redouble efforts to provide redress to victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief. We seek to prevent such violations by taking constructive steps that hollow out the efforts of state or non-state actors who carry out acts of intolerance and violence based on religion or belief or in the name of religion or belief,” the UN experts said.

It is worth mentioning that the United Nations General Assembly designated 22 August as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.