RELIGIOUS HATRED : Interactive Dialogue

On the 24th of April 2024, the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue hosted an interactive dialogue on countering religious hatred and promoting fundamental freedoms, in partnership with the Sikh Human Rights Group.
The initiative to convene this debate comes over a background of increased manifestation of hatred against religious and non-religious groups everywhere. Ongoing for over 6 month now, the magnitude of violence in Gaza - currently subject to investigation for constituting crimes of genocide - has sent shock waves across the globe. It has given way to intense expressions of Islamophobia and antisemitism both online and offline. This also prompted larger debates on the scope of protected characteristics under anti-discrimination and anti-hatred laws. When reporting on this this trend, we recall the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urging States and businesses to take active measures against any form of religious hate and discrimination, and warned against the weaponization of religion for political gain.
A consensus on the specific issue of religious hatred had been found in 2011, with Human Right Council resolution 16/18 but lawful and legitimate limitations on the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression remain a source of contention for many. When it comes to effectively addressing religious hatred, it requires that we understand its root causes, its patterns, and the specific risks it poses to particular communities, in order to take concerted and inclusive action at all level of governance and across all public spheres.
Find out more about freedom of religion and interfaith dialogue at gchragd.org
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