Summary

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, examines the theoretical scope and potential violations of the first right in article 18 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: freedom of thought. Drawing on international jurisprudence, scholarship and the perspectives of diverse stakeholders, he first examines four proposed attributes of this right: (a) freedom not to disclose one’s thoughts; (b) freedom from punishment for one’s thoughts; (c) freedom from impermissible alteration of one’s thoughts; and (d) an enabling environment for freedom of thought.

Second, the Special Rapporteur examines potential violations of the right across seven diverse fields: torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; surveillance; coercive proselytism, anti-conversion and anti-blasphemy efforts; intellectual freedom and education; existing and emerging technologies; mental health; and conversion practices. Finally, the Special Rapporteur makes key recommendations to multilateral, State and various non-State actors on how to respect, protect and fulfil the right to freedom of thought. In particular, he encourages the United Nations human rights system to further clarify the freedom’s scope and content, including through a general comment.