SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF TO HOLD CONSULTATIONS AT HOLY SEE

12 June 2006

The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Asma Jahangir, will travel to Rome and hold consultations at the Holy See from 14 to 16 June 2006.

During her stay, she will have meetings at the Holy See as well as with representatives from organizations or institutes that work in cooperation with the Holy See on issues related to her mandate. The purpose of these consultations is to share ideas and opinions on current issues related to freedom of religion or belief, such as the coexistence of religions and inter-religious dialogue, the question of conversion and the propagation of religion, and the question of religious symbols.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur consists of protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief in accordance with the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981) and other relevant international instruments. The Special rapporteur intends to organize similar consultations with representatives of other religions.

For further information on the mandate, you may consult the webpage of the Special Rapporteur on http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/religion/index.ht or call +41 22 917 9827