Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Josep Borrell, European Union foreign policy chief, said through a statement issued in Brussels that 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which enshrined the rights of all human beings to have, change and manifest their religion or belief, still too many individuals In many parts of the world they suffer from physical threats. Attacks, killings, discrimination and persecution, solely on the basis of their religion or belief.
On the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Acts of Violence on the Basis of Religion or Belief, which falls today, August 22, the European Union wants to remember all the victims of such violence, and calls once again on all states to fully respect Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to combat any act of violence. Religious persecution and discrimination.
Worldwide, vulnerable individuals must be protected, and perpetrators of violence must be brought to justice. Religion should never be invoked as a justification for targeting people belonging to minorities. The European Union notes that freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression are universal, interdependent, interdependent and mutually reinforcing.
In addition to states, religious and non-sectarian actors, politicians, civil society organizations, and private companies play a key role in detecting and responding to acts of incitement to hatred, discrimination, and violence against individuals and groups.
The EU will continue to use all the tools at its disposal, including human rights dialogues, decisions in multilateral forums, cooperation with the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), interfaith initiatives and emergency support for human rights defenders, protection of freedom of religion or belief of all.
As we mark the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the European Union remains a strong supporter of civil society organizations and defenders of freedom of religion or belief. To achieve this goal, this year the European Union will launch a call for proposals worth €5 million to support organizations working to promote and protect the FoRB.
The European statement concluded by saying, "The European Union will continue to defend freedom of religion and belief, abroad and at home."