OFFICE OF HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENES SEMINAR ON DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS

11 November 2004

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UNESCO Centre of Catalonia will host an “Expert Seminar on Defamation of Religions and the Global Combat against Racism: Anti-Semitism, Christianophobia, Islamophobia” from 11 to 14 Novembre 2004 in Barcelona, Spain.

The seminar is being convened at the initiative of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Doudou Diène. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the issue of defamation of religions. The seminar will include an analysis of recent developments as compared to traditional causes of discrimination on the basis of religions, as well as an analysis of the contemporary manifestations of this type of discrimination. The meeting is also expected to facilitate information sharing and dialogue on the issue of defamation of religions; and formulate proposals for action against religious bias by governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations.