Promotion of the freedom of religion and belief is one of the priorities of Polish foreign policy. At the end of 2018, Poland took actions to establish an international day to commemorate victims of religious persecution as it was concerned with an unprecedented increase in religion-based hatred and the growing discrimination and persecution of religious minorities. In cooperation with a transregional group of states - the US, Canada, Brazil, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria and Pakistan - Poland drafted a resolution which is to be passed on 28 May 2019.

Besides a commemorative purpose, the Day celebrated annually on 22 August will increase the international community’s awareness of religious persecution and encourage more intensive help for the victims. The new resolution will also serve an educational purpose by enhancing interreligious dialogue and mutual understanding between denominations and religions.

MFA Press Office