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2023-07-11-HRC53-UD-religious-hatred-SR-FoRB-statement Download

Nazila Ghanea speech on religious hatred. at UN

Surge of Religious hatred / In recent times, the world has witnessed a disturbing increase in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred, particularly the desecration of the Holy Quran in certain European and other countries. During the Fifty-third Session of the Human Rights Council, Nazila Ghanea, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, delivered a powerful speech urging the international community to confront intolerance, discrimination, and violence based on religion or belief.

I will try to delve into the key points raised in Ghanea’s speech, underscoring the significance of non-discrimination, adherence to international human rights frameworks, and the pressing need for fostering tolerance within our societies. (You can watch the full video with the transcript below).

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Promoting Non-Discrimination and Equality:

According to Nazila Ghanea, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, it is imperative to ensure that no individual is subjected to discrimination by any State, institution, group of persons, or individuals based on their religion or belief.

The tireless efforts of the Special Procedures and the Coordination Committee revolve around fostering understanding, coexistence, non-discrimination, and equality for all individuals, guaranteeing their right to enjoy fundamental freedoms and human rights without prejudice or bias.

Manifestations of Religious Hatred and Intolerance:

Ghanea underscores the fact that religious intolerance and hatred manifest in various ways across the globe. As she aptly stated,

“Intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief is experienced in numerous ways, transcending geographical boundaries. It includes distinguishing, excluding, restricting, or showing preference based on religion or belief.”

These acts not only impede the equal enjoyment of human rights but also contribute to the perpetuation of societal divisions and tensions, undermining the very essence of harmonious coexistence, which at times (readers should be aware of that) is instigated by government agencies in Europe for example in Belgium, France, Hungary, Germany and others.

The Escalation of Public Acts of Intolerance:

Public acts of intolerance have witnessed an alarming surge, particularly during times of political tension. Ghanea draws attention to the underlying political motives behind these orchestrated displays of intolerance, stating,

“The political motives and purposes behind these engineered public displays of intolerance reveal their true nature: the instrumentalization of religion and belief to propagate hatred.”

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@unitednations SR on FoRB Alerts of Surge in Acts of ReligiousHatred ReligiousHatred Surge of Religious hatred / In recent times, the world has witnessed a disturbing increase in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred, particularly the desecration of the Holy Quran in certain European and other countries. During the Fifty-third Session of the Human Rights Council, Nazila Ghanea, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, delivered a powerful speech urging the international community to confront intolerance, discrimination, and violence based on religion or belief. This article aims to delve into the key points raised in Ghanea’s speech, underscoring the significance of non-discrimination, adherence to international human rights frameworks, and the pressing need for fostering tolerance within our societies. READ ARTICLE ON: https://www.europeantimes.news/2023/07/un-sr-forb-alerts-surge-religious-hatred/
♬ sonido original – The European Times – The European Times

According to Ghanea, it is crucial to unequivocally condemn such acts, regardless of their origin or the individuals responsible, in order to preserve tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights of all.

Reaffirming Commitment to Human Rights Frameworks:

Ghanea emphasizes the vital importance of upholding international human rights frameworks and bolstering commitments to combat intolerance and violence based on religion or belief. She asserts, “The responses of national authorities to these acts, as well as related incidents, should be in line with international human rights law.” Nurturing collaborative networks, facilitating constructive actions, and promoting interfaith dialogue can create an environment that fosters religious tolerance, peace, and respect.

Protecting Freedom of Expression and Combating Hate Speech:

The freedom of religion or belief and the freedom of expression are deeply interconnected, she says in the statement, enabling individuals to voice their opinions against intolerance and hostility. Ghanea rightly points out, “Freedom of expression is crucial in combating negative stereotypes, presenting alternative viewpoints, and nurturing an atmosphere of respect and understanding among diverse communities.” Although international law prohibits the advocacy of hatred that incites discrimination or violence, it is vital to evaluate each situation contextually, ensuring a fair and comprehensive analysis points out the statement given at the Urgent debate during the 53rd Human Rights Council.

The Role of Leaders and Communities:

Ghanea highlights the pivotal role of political, religious, and civil society leaders in countering intolerance and promoting diversity and inclusion. These leaders hold the power to condemn acts of hatred unequivocally and foster understanding among communities. As Ghanea firmly states, “We stand united against those who deliberately exploit tensions or target individuals based on their religion or belief.”

Conclusion:

Confronting the rising tide of acts fueled by religious hatred necessitates united efforts to promote non-discrimination, tolerance, and understanding. Upholding international human rights frameworks, without ignoring those happening in Europe, unequivocally condemning acts of intolerance, fostering dialogue, and safeguarding freedom of expression are vital steps in building inclusive and harmonious societies.

By rejecting those who exploit religious tensions and target individuals based on their beliefs, we can strive towards a world where individuals can freely practice their religion or embrace their chosen beliefs, safe from discrimination and violence. As Nazila Ghanea aptly affirms,

“Our responses to these acts must be firmly grounded in the framework of international human rights law.”
Nazila Ghanea, UN SR on FoRB, 53rd Session UN Human Rights Council

You can read the full statement in this document:

UN rights experts denounce forced evictions of Palestinian families

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12 July 2023

UN rights experts denounce forced evictions of Palestinian families

In a news release issued by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the experts said it was “deeply shocking and heartbreaking” to see an elderly Palestinian couple, Nora Ghaith and Mustafa Sub Laban, evicted from their family home where they lived all their lives and raised their children.

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‘Apartheid machinery at work’

“As we have repeatedly said, forced evictions of Palestinians in east Jerusalem are part of Israel’s apartheid machinery at work, designed to consolidate Jewish ownership of Jerusalem and racially dominate the city’s population,” the experts, including Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, said.

According to the news release, Israeli police evicted Nora Ghaith and Mustafa Sub Laban from their home in the Old City of Jerusalem in the early hours of 11 July.

The Ghaith-Sub Laban family, who had a protected lease on the house since 1953, reportedly faced constant harassment and lawsuits from Israeli authorities and settlers seeking to seize their home under an inherently discriminatory law that applies to Palestinians in east Jerusalem, the release added.

Widespread and systematic

The experts noted that case of the Ghaith Sub-Laban family was representative of a widespread and systematic practice by Israel to forcibly evict and displace Palestinians from east Jerusalem and “de-palestinize” the city. Across east Jerusalem, there are reportedly around 150 Palestinian families at risk of forced eviction and displacement by Israeli authorities and settler organizations.

“Israel’s transfer of its own population into the occupied territory is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime […] Nothing speaks more blatantly of its intention to annex and colonise the occupied territory in violation of international law,” they said.

End violations

“Israel must immediately cease these deliberate acts, which not only deliberately violate Palestinians’ rights to self-determination, non-discrimination, development, adequate housing and property, but also traumatize the affected family and the entire Palestinian community living defenceless under Israeli rule, and violate the fundamental norms and principles of international law,” the experts added.

The Human Rights Council-appointed experts added that it is “the duty of other States to put an end to the unrelenting assaults on the system of international law.”

According to the news release, the experts have repeatedly raised these issues with the Government of Israel without any response to date.

In addition to Ms. Albanese, the rights experts voicing concern included the special rapporteurs on violence against women and girls, contemporary forms of racism, human rights of internally displaced persons, and right to development; the independent expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons; and members of the working group on discrimination against women and girls.

Independent experts

The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts, and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.

The experts are mandated to monitor and report on specific thematic issues or country situations and work on a voluntary basis. They serve in their individual capacity; are not UN staff and do not receive a salary.

Türk: Accountability needed for ‘shocking’ violations by Russian forces in Ukraine

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12 July 2023

Türk: Accountability needed for ‘shocking’ violations by Russian forces in Ukraine

The High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council in Geneva that his office (OHCHR) had documented the arbitrary detention of more than 900 civilians between 24 February 2022 and 23 May this year.

He added that that Russia gave no access to places of detention, “which leads inevitably to undercounting”. The summary executions of 77 civilians in detention were also documented, along with widespread torture and ill-treatment including sexual violence by Russian security personnel.

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‘Concrete measures’ needed by Russia

“These findings are shocking”, he told delegates. “They call for concrete measures by the Russian Federation to instruct and ensure their Russian personnel comply with international human rights and humanitarian law.”

The UN rights chief also presented a report on human rights violations in Crimea, occupied by Russia since 2014, as well as Russian-occupied areas of the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

In addition to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and torture, the findings included forced population transfers of civilians and “extensive” violations of the freedom of opinion and expression.

Local officials, humanitarian volunteers, priests, teachers, among others – more than a quarter of those held by Russia – were transferred without any information provided to their families. Mr. Türk said there had been several cases documented of civilians being used as “human shields”, attempting to deter attack.

He outlined other abuses such as the forced conscription of around 2,500 men from Crimea, while 112 people were prosecuted for so-called draft evasion, in 2022.

Rights denied

Denial of the rights to due process and fair trial are “a systemic issue” in Crimea, with 16 cases documented where courts convicted Ukrainians following proceedings that disregarded fair trial guarantees.

Accountability for violations and abuses overall, “continues to be conspicuous by its absence”, with no ongoing investigation being carried out by Russia, to his knowledge, said the High Commissioner.

The rights chief said he was also deeply concerned over a recent Russian parliamentary law exempting perpetrators of war crimes and other international offences in occupied Ukraine, of any domestic liability.

‘Immense tragedy’

“The issues outlined in our reports are profoundly harmful to the human rights of Ukrainians and must be addressed with urgency.”

He concluded that the only solution “to this immense tragedy” was for everyone with influence to work towards a just peace in line with the UN Charter and international law.

Hunger afflicts one in ten globally, UN report finds

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12 July 2023

Hunger afflicts one in ten globally, UN report finds

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World revealed that between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022, with a mid-range of 735 million, representing an increase of 122 million people compared to 2019. It also adds up to a grim warning, potentially jeopardizing the Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger.

“Overall, we need an intense and immediate global effort to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We must build resilience against the crises and shocks that drive food insecurity – from conflict to climate,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a video message launching the report.

It shows that hunger rose in Western Asia, Caribbean and across Africa, where one in five people — more than twice the global average — faced hunger. Only Asia and Latin America observed progress in improving food security.

In addition to rising hunger, the capacity of people to access healthy diets also deteriorated across the world. More than 3.1 billion people globally unable to afford a healthy diet in 2021, the report issued jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health

Organization (WHO) and World Food Programme (WFP) said.

Malnutrition among children

According to the report, 148 million children under five were stunted (a condition marked by low height per age), 45 million were wasted (low weight), and 37 million were overweight, often an indicator of poor nutrition.

“Malnutrition is a major threat to children’s survival, growth and development,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.

Children’s malnutrition also displays differently in urban and rural settings, the report added, noting that the prevalence of child stunting was higher in the countryside (35.8 per cent) than in urban areas (22.4 per cent).

Similarly, wasting was higher in rural areas (10.5 per cent) compared to urban areas (7.7 per cent), while being overweight is slightly more prevalent in urban areas (5.4 per cent) compared to rural areas (3.5 per cent).

“The scale of the nutrition crisis demands a stronger response focused on children, including prioritizing access to nutritious and affordable diets and essential nutrition services, protecting children and adolescents from nutrient-poor, ultra-processed foods, and strengthening food and nutrition supply chains including for fortified and therapeutic foods for children,” Ms. Russell said.

States must redouble efforts against intolerance based on religion or belief

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Volker Türk

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12 July 2023

Beyond words, human beings communicate through symbols. A ring marks our commitment to marry. A coloured light signals us to stop or go. Religious symbols go much deeper. A crescent, a star, a cross, a seated figure: for some, these might mean little, but for millions of people they have deep significance as the repository and incarnation of an immense history, a far-reaching system of values, a foundation of collective community and belonging, and the essence of their identity and core beliefs.

The abuse or destruction of the manifestations of our innermost beliefs can polarise societies and aggravate tensions.

This Urgent Debate is prompted by recent incidents of burning of the Quran, which is the core of faith for well over a billion people. These and other incidents appear to have been manufactured to express contempt and inflame anger; to drive wedges between people; and to provoke, transforming differences of perspective into hatred and, perhaps, violence.

So the first point I want to make here is this: setting aside for a moment the question of what the law states is permissible or not, and irrespective of one’s own religious beliefs or lack of belief, people need to act with respect for others. All others.

setting aside for a moment the question of what the law states is permissible or not, and irrespective of one’s own religious beliefs or lack of belief, people need to act with respect for others. All others
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (11 July 2023 at UN Human Rights Council in Geneva)

Only in this way can sustained dialogue become possible. Only in this way can we have conduct among human beings that enables us to address, together, the challenges we face.

Yet the vandalism of religious sites and the destructions of icons, texts that are sacred to their believers, and religious items, have been used to insult and provoke people for centuries. To me, it is clear that speech and inflammatory acts against Muslims; Islamophobia; anti-Semitism; and actions and speech that target Christians – or minority groups such as Ahmadis, Baháʼís or Yazidis – are manifestations of utter disrespect. They are offensive, irresponsible and wrong.

It is important to recall the immense benefit of diversity for all societies. All people have an equal right to believe, or not to believe: this is fundamental to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that unites us. We need to promote interfaith harmony and mutual respect, in the interest of all communities.

Political and religious leaders have a particularly crucial role to play in speaking out clearly, firmly and immediately against disrespect and intolerance – not only of their own communities, but of any group subjected to attack. They should also make it clear that violence cannot be justified by prior provocation, whether real or perceived.

also make it clear that violence cannot be justified by prior provocation, whether real or perceived
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (11 July 2023 at UN Human Rights Council in Geneva)

Mr President,

These are complex areas. The limitation of any kind of speech or expression must, as a fundamental principle, remain an exception – particularly since laws limiting speech are often misused by those in power, including to stifle debate on critical issues.

But on the other hand, an act of speech, in the specific circumstances in which it occurs, can constitute incitement to action on the part of others — in some cases, very violent and discriminatory action. In recent years, numerous acts of violence, terror attacks and mass atrocities have targeted people on account of their religious beliefs, including inside their places of worship.

International law is clear on these kinds of incitement. Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states: States parties must, without exception, prohibit “any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence”.

To understand better how this must be applied, in 2011, my Office organised a series of regional workshops that led to the Rabat Plan of Action. This provides a six-step threshold regarding context, speaker, intent, content, and extent and likelihood of harm, to help demarcate free speech from incitement to violence.

Ultimately, the application of Article 20 of the ICCPR is a matter for national law-makers and courts to determine in a particular case. They need to do so in a manner that is consistent with the guardrails that international human rights law provides. Any national restrictions to the overriding right to freedom of opinion and expression must be formulated so that their sole purpose and outcome is to protect individuals – rather than to shield religious doctrine from critical review.

My second point is this: advocacy of hatred that constitutes incitement to violence, discrimination and hostility should be prohibited in every State.

Mr President,

While they may not be deemed to incite violence, other forms of expression can amount to hate speech, if they use pejorative or bigoted language towards a person or group on the basis of their sex, belief, race, migration status, sexual orientation or any other factor inherent to their person or identity, seeking to diminish their dignity and demean their value in the eyes of others.

I’d like to elaborate: dehumanizing women and denying their equality with men; verbally abusing Muslim women and girls who wear a headscarf; sneering at people with disabilities; making false claims that migrants or people of specific ethnicities are more likely to engage in crime; or smearing LGBTIQ+ people: all such hate speech is similar, in that it stems from the baseline notion that some people are less deserving of respect as human beings.

Powered by the tidal forces of social media, and in a context of increasing international and national discord and polarisation, hate speech of every kind is rising, everywhere. It is harmful to individuals, and it damages the social cohesion necessary to the sound functioning of all societies.

My third point, then: hate speech needs to be addressed, in all societies, through dialogue, education, awareness raising, inter-faith and inter-community engagement and other public policy tools. It needs to be actively countered by all responsible authorities, figures of influence, and the private sector.

The UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech is the UN response to address this phenomenon and to support States to counter it.

Effective prevention strategies by national authorities and others can identify and address the underlying causes of hate speech. I encourage States to redouble their efforts to implement the action plan to combat intolerance based on religion or belief that was set out in Human Rights Council resolution 16/18 and via the Istanbul process. As I highlighted in my related report earlier this year, teaching materials, and peer-to-peer learning, should promote respect for pluralism and diversity in the field of religion or belief. Exchanges of lessons learned and promising practices should continue to be promoted, including with the support of our Faith for Rights Framework.

Mr President,

Many societies are struggling with this weaponization of religious differences for political purposes. We must not allow ourselves to be reeled in and become instrumentalised by these merchants of chaos for political gain – these provocateurs who deliberately seekways to divide us.

I am immensely sympathetic to the millions of people who are offended and outraged by acts that target their deepest values and beliefs.

My overriding goal today is to acknowledge the profound enrichment of all of us that is brought about by our diversity, understandings of human existence, and our thoughts and beliefs. Our societies – all our societies, whatever their religious and cultural backgrounds – must strive to become magnets forrespect, dialogue and cooperation among different peoples, as has been achieved by multiple civilisations in the past.

To promote international peace and security; a rich, safe and respectful social fabric; as well as economies and societies that can benefit fully from the contributions of all their members, we must commit to advancing greater tolerance; greater respect; and greater recognition of the importance and value of our differences.

In the media. Online. In businesses. In schools. In government. In the police. And both outside and within places of worship. The best way to push back against hate speech is with more dialogue, more conversations, more building of common understanding and more acts that manifest our conviction that we are all equal.

That all of us have rights, including the right to hold different beliefs, to adopt different ways of living, and to have and share different opinions.

I trust this Council will be able to discuss these complex issues in the spirit of unity, constructive engagement, mutual respect and deep reflection that they deserve.

Thank you

Industrial emissions directive, MEP Dennis Radtke said it is time for a new start in industrial policy

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Newsdesk

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11 July 2023

Industrial emissions directive, MEP Dennis Radtke said it is time for a new start in industrial policy

Strasbourg/Düsseldorf, 11 July 2023. The European Parliament has tightened the rules on industrial emissions, in a move that is expected to significantly reduce pollution and improve air quality for citizens.

The new rules, which were adopted on Tuesday, extend the scope of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) to cover mines and large battery factories for the first time. They also include stricter requirements for livestock farms, and introduce new measures to increase transparency and public participation.

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Time for a new start

In a press release sent by CDU MEP Dennis Radtke said:

“Effective environmental protection and a strong European industry. Both are possible at the same time. I am pleased that our amendment has been adopted and I thank all colleagues who have launched this initiative together with me. For now, we have been able to stop the worst proposals of EU Vice-President Frans Timmermans. In the fight for hundreds of thousands of well-paid jobs in industry, this was an important step. As the EPP, we are the last representatives of the interests of industrial workers”, with these words the North Rhine-Westphalian CDU MEP Dennis Radtke reacted to today’s vote in the EU Parliament on the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

The social policy spokesman of the EPP group was in charge of drafting the now successful amendment, which will helps industry to redirect investments into ecological transformation without having to spend vast sums on existing installations that will be shut down in the near future anyway. In addition to Radtke, Czech Liberal MEP Ondřej Knotek, FDP MEP Andreas Glück and two EPP MEP colleagues Jens Gieseke and Peter Liese had also participated in the initiative. The IED has been controlling and reducing pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and methane from industrial plants for many years. The Commission had proposed a further tightening of the rules in April 2022. In addition to the inopportune timing of the proposal in a crisis with inflation, high-energy prices and uncertain supply chains, there was particular criticism that the proposed changes would have led to a prolongation and further bureaucratisation of planning procedures.

“All in all, pragmatic compromises were found that defuse the Commission proposal in all crucial places. Our amendment is of course a very central building block in this,” said CDU politician Radtke. “The USA has launched a gigantic industrial programme with the Inflation Reduction Act. Last year, 131 billion flowed out of German industry. Instead of reacting appropriately to this, some people here think that industry is a guinea pig on which the ideas of environmental NGOs can simply be tested in practice. It is irresponsible how we treat hundreds of thousands of well-paid jobs.”

The IED is a key piece of legislation that sets out rules on preventing and controlling pollution from industrial installations. The new rules are expected to have a significant impact on the environment, reducing air pollution by up to 30% and water pollution by up to 20%. They are also expected to lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The new rules were welcomed by environmental groups, who said that they would help to protect public health and the environment. However, some businesses have expressed concerns that the rules will be too burdensome and could lead to job losses.

The next step is for the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to negotiate a final version of the legislation. Once this is agreed, the new rules will be implemented in all EU member states.

Key points of the new rules:

The IED is extended to cover mines and large battery factories for the first time.
Stricter requirements are introduced for livestock farms.

New measures are introduced to increase transparency and public participation.
The rules are expected to significantly reduce pollution and improve air quality for citizens.

Benefits of the new rules:

Reduced air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Improved air quality for citizens.
Increased transparency and public participation.

Challenges of the new rules:

Potential for job losses in some businesses.
Increased compliance costs for businesses.

Overall, the new industrial emissions directive is a positive step towards reducing pollution and improving air quality for citizens. It is important to monitor the impact of the rules on businesses and ensure that they are not too burdensome.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media concludes official visit to Turkmenistan

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Newsdesk

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11 July 2023

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media concludes official visit to Turkmenistan

VIENNA, 11 June 2023 – The Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, concluded her visit to Turkmenistan yesterday.

During her visit, Ribeiro held meetings with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiyev, Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Dünyägözel Gulmanova, Chairman of the State Committee for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography of Turkmenistan Arslan Ashyrov, and Ombudsperson of Turkmenistan Yazdursun Gurbannazarova.

Ribeiro discussed numerous challenges to media freedom in the country with her counterparts. She specifically highlighted restrictions on the free flow of information, both online and offline, along with limited access to information in the country. She urged the authorities to uphold the relevant commitments of the OSCE regarding freedom of expression and media freedom.

“In today’s interdependent world, freedom of the media is only achievable by ensuring equal access to the online information ecosystem,“ Ribeiro said. She noted that full and unrestricted access to the internet forms a crucial part of media pluralism in the country, which is indispensable for a secure and democratic society.

Further discussions addressed challenges in media legislation, the important role of independent public service media, specific concerns related to the safety of journalists in Turkmenistan, and possible co-operation between the RFoM and the authorities to strengthen a safe environment for media workers.

“I appreciate Turkmenistan’s commitment to multilateralism and to the OSCE in particular in its wish for peace and security. I would like to highlight the importance of free and independent media as a tool in achieving this goal,” Representative Ribeiro said.

The Representative stressed the need for enhanced dialogue and offered her assistance to work jointly with authorities and other local and international partners to advance media freedom in Turkmenistan.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments.

Bangladesh using enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings to silence rights defenders: Experts

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11 July 2023

Bangladesh using enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings to silence rights defenders: Experts

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‘Chilling effect’

Odhikar has “documented enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and cooperated with UN human rights mechanisms in this context,” the three experts said.

“Such reprisals also have a chilling effect and may deter others from reporting on human rights issues and cooperating with the UN, its representatives, and mechanisms”.

The Special Rapporteurs said that the Bangladeshi NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) has accused Odhikar of publishing “misleading information,” “seriously [tarnishing] the image of the State to the world,” and “[creating] various issues against Bangladesh.”

The experts state these efforts reflect the Government’s continued harassment of human rights defenders and organizations, as well as a violation of the right to freedom as outlined in Article 22 of the ICCPR – the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Bangladesh is a signatory.

Ten years after Odhikar published a fact-finding report on extrajudicial killings in the country, the organisation’s Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan and its Director ASM Nasiruddin Elan continue to face judicial harassment for allegedly publishing “fake, distorted, and defamatory” information.

Disinformation campaigns

Odhikar is also reportedly facing disinformation campaigns through both print and electronic media.

“The defamation of Bangladesh-based human rights organisations by high-profile public figures is a clear attempt to undermine their credibility, reputation, and human rights work in the country,” the experts said.

Demanding fair treatment

The Rapporteurs called on Bangladesh to ensure respect for due process and the right to a fair trial. Additionally, experts urged officials to cease judicial harassment and disinformation campaigns against Odhikar, including its leaders.

They said they had raised the issue of intimidation with authorities and urged them to ensure human rights defenders can conduct their work in a safe environment, without fear of reprisal.

“Odhikar’s case reflects the ongoing harassment and targeting of human rights defenders and organisations in Bangladesh,” they said.

Special Rapporteurs and other UN Human Rights Council-appointed rights experts, work on a voluntary and unpaid basis, are not UN staff, and work independently from any government or organisation.

Türk calls for respect of religious symbols as rights council urgently debates Quran burnings

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11 July 2023

Türk calls for respect of religious symbols as rights council urgently debates Quran burnings

Addressing the Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk noted that the tome was the “core of faith” for well over one billion Muslims.

Those who had burned the Quran most likely did so “to express contempt and inflame anger”, Mr. Türk said, as he warned that these acts also aimed “to drive wedges between people”, to provoke and transform differences into hatred.

Dialogue to repair differences of opinion and faiths is key, the UN rights chief continued, as he condemned hate speech against and by people of all mainstream and minority faiths, highlighting instead the benefits of diversity to all societies.

The right to believe – or not to believe – “is fundamental to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, the High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council, which met on Tuesday for the urgent debate at the request of Pakistan.

He said leading politicians and senior religious figures have a “particularly crucial role to play” in speaking out clearly against disrespect and intolerance.

“They should also make it clear that violence cannot be justified by prior provocation, whether real or perceived,” he added.

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Limits to free speech

The High Commissioner stressed that limiting free speech or expression to any degree must remain “as a matter of fundamental principle” an exception, especially given that laws limiting speech are “often misused” by authoritarian governments.

But, some acts of speech constitute incitement to violence and discriminatory action, he continued.

Numerous acts of violence, terror, and mass atrocity have targeted people based on their religious beliefs, including inside places of worship.

Although international law is clear on the issue, national courts must determine each case in a manner “that is consistent with the guardrails that international humanitarian law provides”, he said.

Power of the law against hate

“My second point is this: advocacy of hatred that constitutes incitement to violence, discrimination, and hostility should be prohibited in every State,” Mr. Türk told delegates at the Council in Geneva.

He gave the examples of abusing Muslim women who wear a headscarf, sneering at people with disabilities, smearing LGBTIQ+ people, or making false claims against migrants and minorities, noting that “all such hate speech is similar”, stemming from the idea that some are less deserving than others.

The tide of hate speech is being powered by social media and increasing discord and polarization, he warned.

Next, he called for rising hate speech to be addressed through dialogue, education, greater awareness, and interfaith or community engagement.

He highlighted the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, as a key support tool for governments to counter it.

He urged countries to redouble their efforts to implement the Plan.

Defy the chaos merchants

Faced with the increasing weaponization of religious differences for political advantage, he said societies must not take the bait.

“We must not allow ourselves to be reeled in and become instrumentalized by these merchants of chaos for political gain – these provocateurs who deliberately seek out ways to divide us.”

He said his overriding goal in addressing the debate was to stress the “profound enrichment” provided by diversity, existential views, “and our thoughts and beliefs”.

The UN rights chief said all societies need to become “magnets of respect, dialogue, and cooperation among different peoples, as has been achieved by multiple civilizations in the past.”