Debate: th anniversary of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Date: THURSDAY, 13 JULY 2023
Speaker: Věra Jourová
Language: EN

The European Commission is committed to ensuring the protection of these rights, which are expressed in Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The Commission is committed to protecting members of all religious groups from intimidation, discrimination, violence or attack, as well as from persecution. The Commission is also committed to promote intercultural and inter-religious dialogue as a way to promote tolerance and equal rights for all. Freedom of religion or belief is an essential feature within our Union, but of our external human rights policy as well. And the EU guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief reflects our commitment to this freedom abroad. The implementation of these guidelines on freedom of religion and beliefs remains a priority of the EU’s external action. The appointment of Mr Frans van Daele as Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU is the expression of our commitment to protect the victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief worldwide. This appointment also reflects our commitment to promote engagement with all stakeholders, public authorities, civil society, and religious or non-confessional organisations to address the rights of believers and non-believers. The line with all our partners across the world is clear. We consistently condemn discrimination, intolerance, violence and persecution against or by any person based on grounds of religion or belief. We call on all countries to protect the right for everyone to have or not have a religion or belief, to manifest or to change their religion or belief, while condemning the criminalisation of apostasy and abuse of the blasphemy laws. We condemn attacks against places of worship and persecution and discrimination against people of all faiths as well as non-believers. We also strongly condemn discrimination or violence perpetrated in the name of religion, in particular violence against women or against LGBTI persons. The instrumentalisation of religion must be rejected, and many religious leaders around the world are standing against such instrumentalisation. This is also why intercultural or inter-religious dialogue must be further promoted. Religious tolerance is essential to establish civil peace. This dialogue must also be pursued with a human rights perspective, ensuring respect of freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and other human rights and fundamental freedoms. In promoting freedom of religion or belief, the EU will continue to cooperate with the United Nations, which is setting universal standards applicable to all countries. We continue to draw attention as appropriate to freedom of religion or belief in the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council. We support the mandate of the United Nations Special Rapporteur and yearly resolutions in relevant United Nations human rights fora. We have raised our concerns in 20 human rights dialogues that we hold with partner countries. The EU has also taken several initiatives to foster freedom of religion and beliefs at local level, including involving civil society actors, faith-based organisations, humanists, atheists and religious actors. We are also providing concrete support to freedom of religion or belief through the EU’s human rights and civil society programmes. Honourable Members, our objective is clear: there is no place for intolerance, intimidation, discrimination, attack, persecution or violence in the name of religion or belief inside or outside the European Union. We remain fully committed to the protection and promotion of freedom of religion or belief for all.