1981 declaration - program
event
The 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief reaches the 25th anniversary of its adoption on 25 November 2006. The Declaration remains pivotal to taking forward freedom of religion or belief internationally. 25 years on, it remains the only international human rights instrument exclusively focused on the matter of religion or belief.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Religion or Belief is the only UN mechanism (instead of international mechanism) exclusively focused on the matter of religion or belief. The 1981 Declaration is central to the legal framework in which she operates.
25th Anniversary
The event to be held In Prague, on 25th November 2006, represents the official, international commemoration of the adoption of the United Nations 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. The event has been endorsed by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In her report to the UN General Assembly last year (A/60/399), the Special Rapporteur drew attention to an important anniversary in 2006, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief on 25 November 2006. "The Special Rapporteur continues to encourage governments and non-governmental organisations to take advantage of this occasion to organize events that will highlight the importance of promoting freedom of religion or belief and challenge the rising tide of intolerance. Indeed, the Special Rapporteur is aware that many such events will be taking place in the next few months and sees this as an important reminder to us all of the governmental consensus that led to the adoption of this important Declaration."
International Commemoration
The international commemoration of this anniversary is being held on Saturday 25 November 2006 in Prague, Czech Republic. This event has been funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is being attended by the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Mehr Khan Williams, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, representatives of the Netherlands and other governments, experts, representatives of religions and beliefs, and other members of civil society. The day's program will include workshops on key thematic areas that continue to challenge the realisation of the Declaration's norms the world over: Protection of Religion or Belief vis-à-vis Freedom of Expression, Change of Religion or Belief - Enabling the Environment, Protection of Religion or Belief - Who benefits?, and Propagation of Religion or Belief. The afternoon program consists of lectures by key dignitaries and experts on freedom of religion or belief. The evening of the ceremonial event will remember the continued violations of freedom of religion or belief, look forward to an artistic reflection on a world in which this freedom may be widely enjoyed, hear the speech of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and reaffirm the norms protected in the Declaration.
Map of the Venue
