SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES

HR/98/2
8 January 1998

The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia) will visit the United States at the invitation of the Government from 22 January to 6 February 1998.

The position of Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance was established by the 53-member Commission on Human Rights in 1986. Mr. Amor was appointed by the Chairman of the Commission in 1993 as the second Special Rapporteur for this mandate.

Mr. Amor is the Dean Emeritus of the Faculty of Juridical, Political and Social Sciences at Tunis University and President of the International Academy of Constitutional Law. He will be accompanied in the United States by a human rights officer from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and by United Nations interpreters.

The role of the Special Rapporteur is to examine incidents and governmental action in all parts of the world inconsistent with the provisions of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, and to recommend remedial measures for such situations. The Special Rapporteur reports to the United Nations General Assembly in October each year and to the Commission on Human Rights in March/April each year.

The Declaration was adopted without dissent by the General Assembly in 1981. While non-binding on States, such Declarations are recognised as important sources of customary international law. The first article of the Declaration states:

1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.

2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have a religion or belief of his choice.

3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or belief may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

During his two weeks in the United States, the Special Rapporteur will visit Washington DC, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Arizona. Mr. Amor has asked to meet senior leaders of the major Christian denominations; leaders of Jewish groups, various Muslim organisations and representatives of minority religious organisations. As well there will be opportunities for other groups and individuals to bring matters to the attention of the Special Rapporteur. In Washington DC, Mr. Amor hopes to meet senior officials of the Administration and members of the United States Congress.

In Atlanta, Georgia on 29 January, Mr. Amor will participate in a public forum organised by Emory University on the theme "International and American Law on Freedom of Religion and Belief".

In Arizona from 2 - 4 February, Mr. Amor will meet representatives of various American native groups including representatives who will travel from other states to consult with the Special Rapporteur. One day of the programme will be spent in the Big Mountain area.

Details of the remainder of the programme are still being confirmed. Groups or individuals wishing to meet Mr. Amor during his visit to the United States should contact the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) at Geneva on fax 41.22.917.0212 before 15 January, 1998.

Mr. Amor's earlier missions have been to China (1994), Pakistan, Iran (1995), Greece, Sudan and India (1996), Australia and Germany (1997). These visits enabled the Special Rapporteur to gather information on allegations and on incidents, norms and actions that are or appear to be inconsistent with the provisions of the 1981 Declaration, and also to analyse and publicize the positive experiences and initiatives of States. The reports of these missions and other details of the Special Rapporteur's work can be found on the OHCHR web site at http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/religion/rellist.htm.

As well as visits to different countries, the Special Rapporteur has, since March this year, sent communications to 48 governments. The concerns raised in these communications involved: (a) violations of the principles of non-discrimination in matters of religion and belief, (b) allegations concerning refusal to grant official recognition to certain religious groups and religious communities, (c) reports of legal bans against certain religious groups and religious communities, (d) violations of the principle of tolerance in matters of religion and belief, (e) violations of freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, (f) violations of the freedom to manifest one's religion or belief (g) violations of the right to life, physical integrity and health of persons (clergy and believers). Details on the communications and replies from Governments are contained in the Special Rapporteur's reports which can be found on the OHCHR website at http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/religion/relgarep.htm

NOTE: Special Rapporteurs of the Commission on Human Rights function as independent experts. They do not receive a salary and report only to the Commission and to the General Assembly.