Summary

In his report, the Special Rapporteur explores freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression as two closely interrelated and mutually reinforcing rights. The Special Rapporteur provides a brief overview of the rules that govern limitations on those freedoms under the international legal framework on human rights, explores some primary examples of restrictions imposed on the freedom of expression for reasons relating to religion or belief and examines the justifications frequently offered for imposing them. In this light, he further discusses a number of emblematic cases. He concludes that initiatives and action plans developed in the past decade to operationalize States’ obligations under article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights should continue to guide Governments and civil society actors in their efforts.

Additional information

• Press release of the report: UN expert urges States to protect “mutually reinforcing” freedoms of expression, and religion or belief.
• The Special Rapporteur’s statement to the Human Rights Council
• Video presentation of the report to the 17th Meeting of 40th Session of the Human Rights Council