PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/73/296, designated 22 August as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief to recognize the importance of providing victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief and members of their families with appropriate support and assistance in accordance with applicable law. It strongly deplored all acts of violence against persons on the basis of their religion or belief, as well as any such acts directed against their homes, businesses, properties, schools, cultural centres or places of worship, as well as all attacks on and in religious places, sites and shrines that are in violation of international law. By proclaiming an International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, the U.N. General Assembly recalled that United Nations Member States have the primary responsibility to promote and protect human rights, including the human rights of persons belonging to religious minorities, including their right to exercise their religion or belief freely.
FORUM: "Creating a world where everyone, regardless of their religion or beliefs, can live free from fear, stigma, and persecution." International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2024. Around the world, individuals and communities face violence based on religion or beliefs. We must urgently combat this scourge. Governments must protect all people and places of worship, implement comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, and invest in education initiatives that foster inclusion and equal rights. Digital platforms must enforce content moderation policies that align with international human rights standards. Political and religious leaders must unequivocally condemn hate speech, advance dialogue, and make clear that violence can never be an answer. We must work together to stem the tide of hatred and promote tolerance, mutual understanding and respect.This year’s offers the opportunity to make visible the multiple, daily and egregious violence that takes place based on religion or belief, and to seek to respond to its root causes, urgently and with far greater determination. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #22August, #Religiousviolence, #CounterViolentExtremism, #ForSafeWorship, #AgainstReligiousViolence.
EVENTS: On August 22nd; A webinar to mark the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2024 will be held at UNHQ in New york. Religious or other ideologies and beliefs can never be evoked to justify attacks against life, human dignity and rights, and in no circumstances should be used for suppressing critical and dissenting opinions and views, and undermining rule of law, peace and the democratic principles, as has been reiterated by the United Nations experts. The topics of the panel discusion will focus on Freedom of religion or belief and gender equality; the Religion and freedom of religion or belief literacy and the Antisemitism
STATEMENTS: Read the Message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres on the International Day to commemorate victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief 2024. The statement of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance and the statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on behalf the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief 2024; August 22nd. (In Arabic) and (In Russian)
PODCASTS: We have been regularly monitoring, reporting and alerting concerned States and the international community about the panoply of human rights violations perpetrated in the name of religion or belief, as well as practices that discriminate against freedom of religion or belief. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: We call on all societies to collectively reject hate and exclusion, and for an end to impunity for violent acts driven by religion or belief. Take action to defend religious freedom and protect religious believers from violence. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CE LEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
PARTNERSHIPS
Provide to victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief and members of their families appropriate support and assistance in accordance with applicable law.
Raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding religious sites.
Celebrate the universality of religious sites as symbols of our shared humanity, history, and traditions.
Allow a better understanding of the religious landscape of the participating countries.
Emphasize the importance of a mutually-reinforcing collaboration between all stakeholders involved in the safeguard of religious sites.
Strenghten International collaboration.
The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is hosted by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC); The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT);The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); The United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect; The Elders in collaboration with major stakeholders, including UN entities, governments, religious leaders and faith-based organizations.
The United Nations General Assembly in 2019, adopted of the resolution 73/296 to designate August 22nd as International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, the world has faced an alarming escalation of hate, both online and offline, targeting religion or belief minorities. The United Nations calls for a genuine commitment to address them through comprehensive legislative, institutional and policy initiatives that foster inclusion and build resilience against violence and abuses.