The third International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

22.08.2021

22nd of August marks the third International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. It was introduced by a resolution 73/296 adopted unanimously by the UN General Assembly on 28th of May 2019. The idea of a resolution establishing the International Day was put forward by Poland.

The resolution among others: expresses concerns at acts of intolerance and violence based on religion or belief; underscores that states have the primary responsibility to promote and protect human rights, including the human rights of persons belonging to religious minorities; recognizes the value of interfaith and interreligious dialogue as well as education; states that freedom of religion or belief and freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of association are interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing; points out that attacks on persons belonging to religious minorities and religious places are in violation of international law.

As a direct consequence of adopting of the aforementioned resolution in July 2020, also on Poland’s initiative, a Group of Friends of Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief was constituted at the UN General Assembly forum. The Group of Friends is composed of 30 member states and the European Union as an observer. Poland as an initiator chairs the works of the Group.

The initiatives mentioned above, among others, confirm Poland’s leadership in promoting freedom of religion or belief as well as in advocating for respect of each individual’s rights, including persons belonging to religious minorities. It is also one of Poland’s foreign policy priorities in the area of human rights. Currently promoting freedom of religion or belief is also a priority of Poland’s membership in the Human Rights Council 2020-2022.

MFA Press Office

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