Brussels – New York: Europe and the Arabs

On the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, a statement was issued in Brussels by the office of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas. The statement read:

All human beings have the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population lives in countries where this right is seriously violated. Millions of people suffer intolerance, discrimination, hatred, hostility, and violence every day because of their religion or beliefs, whether real or perceived, or because of the lack of any religion or belief. Many pay with their lives.

The European Union draws inspiration from Europe’s cultural, religious, and humanistic heritage, from which the universal, inalienable, and non-transferable values ​​of human rights have emerged. The EU and its Member States work to promote the right to freedom of religion or belief for everyone, everywhere. We work continuously to uphold this right both nationally and internationally, in cooperation with civil society, including churches, associations, religious groups, philosophical and non-denominational organizations, and our international partners.

Within the European Union, our policies include specific initiatives to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia, which we strongly condemn wherever they occur, as well as discrimination and violence against Christians and followers of other religions. Internationally, we initiate resolutions at the United Nations on the right to freedom of religion or belief and support the work of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in this regard. We also fund, among other things, projects to strengthen civil society and institutions dedicated to promoting freedom of religion or belief in Asia, encourage dialogue and peace to combat religious discrimination in the Sahel region, and work with our partners to promote religious coexistence. This year, the European Commission also appointed a new Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief to engage with other countries and raise global awareness about discrimination and persecution based on religion or belief.

On this International Day, we commemorate the victims of discrimination, hostility, and violence who freely chose, changed, or abandoned their religion or belief, belonged to, were perceived as part of, or had no religion or belief. We call on all States to take action against discrimination and violence based on religion or belief, and to respect, protect, and fulfill this fundamental human right. This also entails decriminalizing apostasy and refraining from abusing blasphemy laws. As long as discrimination and violence persist, we have a responsibility to engage constructively and continue working towards a world where freedom, respect, tolerance, and peace for people of all faiths and beliefs are the norm, not the exception.

In the same vein, victims and survivors of terrorism participated yesterday, Friday, in an event marking the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, whose theme this year is "Healing Through Remembrance." The high-level virtual event included a video message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who said: “Today we honor the victims and survivors of terrorism. This year’s theme reminds us that commemoration is a path to healing and renewal.”

The Secretary-General concluded his remarks by saying: “We can – and must – remain united instead of allowing terrorism to divide us.”

Immense Power
During the event, the Acting Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, Alexander Zuev, stated that collective commemorations possess immense power, but must be undertaken with caution.

Zuev explained that this is particularly true in today’s digital environment, where increased media exposure often exposes victims and survivors to abuse, harassment, and harmful media coverage.

Commemoration of Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

Meanwhile, tomorrow, Saturday, August 22, marks the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

In his message, Secretary-General Guterres warned that throughout the world, acts of bloodshed based on religious affiliation are rampant, stressing that such acts constitute a violation of human rights and human dignity.

The UN Secretary-General called for the establishment of societies where followers of all religions can live and practice their faiths in peace.