International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2025; August 22nd.

FORUM: "Building a world where religious diversity is celebrated and where everyone can live in safety and dignity.” International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2025. Around the world, individuals and communities face violence based on religion or beliefs. We must urgently combat this scourge. It is crucial to avoid generalizations about entire religions or religious groups based on the actions of a few individuals or extremist groups. It is also important to understand the specific context and motivations behind acts of violence for addressing the root causes and preventing future incidents. Promoting interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and respect for religious diversity is crucial for fostering peaceful coexistence. Governments must protect all people and places of worship, implement comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, and invest in education initiatives that foster inclusion and equal rights. Digital platforms must enforce content moderation policies that align with international human rights standards. Political and religious leaders must unequivocally condemn hate speech, advance dialogue, and make clear that violence can never be an answer. We must work together to stem the tide of hatred and promote tolerance, mutual understanding and respect.This year’s offers the opportunity to make visible the multiple, daily and egregious violence that takes place based on religion or belief, and to seek to respond to its root causes, urgently and with far greater determination. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #22August, #Religiousviolence, #CounterViolentExtremism, #ForSafeWorship, #AgainstReligiousViolence.

EVENTS: On August 22nd; A webinar to mark the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2025 will be held at UNHQ in New york. Religious or other ideologies and beliefs can never be evoked to justify attacks against life, human dignity and rights, and in no circumstances should be used for suppressing critical and dissenting opinions and views, and undermining rule of law, peace and the democratic principles, as has been reiterated by the United Nations experts. The topics of the panel discussion will focus on Freedom of religion or belief and gender equality; the Religion and freedom of religion or belief literacy and the Antisemitism. Register to participate!

Message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres on the International Day to commemorate victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief 2025.

Across the globe, people continue to be harassed, attacked – and even killed – simply for what they believe.

Places of worship are desecrated. Communities are terrorized. Online platforms are flooded with hate.

These acts are not only abhorrent – they are a threat to our shared humanity.

When people are targeted for their faith, when hate speech goes unchecked, when impunity prevails – everyone is at risk.

We must confront this threat head-on.

Governments must adopt and enforce strong anti-discrimination laws – and invest in education that fosters respect, inclusion and human rights for all.

Political, religious and community leaders must reject divisive tactics and champion dialogue within and across communities.

And digital platforms must step up and incorporate safeguards to avoid becoming megaphones of hate.

On this International Day, we remember the victims and recommit to action.

Let us stand together to build a world where diversity is celebrated and everyone can live in safety and dignity.

António Guterres.

International Day to combat Islamophobia 2025; March 15th.

FORUM: ''Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia.'' International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2025. We stand in solidarity with those that have suffered intolerance, discrimination, violations and violence, purely on account of being Muslims. Nobody should suffer fear for having or manifesting their religion or belief. Everyone should feel safe and benefit from the equal protection of their human rights, which must be guaranteed by all States. Yet today, hate entrepreneurs, political parties, armed groups, religious leaders and even State actors around the world, are trampling on respect for diversity of religions and beliefs, discriminating, violating human rights, and overlooking or even attempting to justify these violations. Acts of harassment, intimidation, violence and incitement based on religion or belief have risen sharply across the world last year, reaching alarming levels, shocking our conscience and creating a climate of fear and deep distrust. Let’s Reject bigotry and discrimination. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Faith4Rights, #cultureofpeace, #antitIslamophobiaday, #15March.


EVENTS: On March 15th; The OIC will host a webinar to observe the International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2025.

On March 14th; The United Nations General Assembly have organized an informal meeting of the plenary to Commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2025 which started at 15:00 pm. Watch the commemoration!

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Statement by the U.N. Secretary-General on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2025; March 15th.

[Mr. President,] Excellencies, [Ladies and Gentlemen]

It is an honour to join you [at this important event].

I [am pleased] to share the United Nations Secretary-General’s message to mark this International Day to Combat Islamophobia:

As Muslims around the world come together to mark the holy month of Ramadan, many do so in fear – fear of discrimination, exclusion, and even violence.

We are witnessing a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry:

From racial profiling and discriminatory policies that violate human rights and dignity, to outright violence against individuals and places of worship.

This is part of a wider scourge of intolerance, extremist ideologies, and attacks against religious groups and vulnerable populations.

When one group is attacked, the rights and freedoms of all are at risk.

As a global community, we must reject and eradicate bigotry.

Governments must foster social cohesion and protect religious freedom.

Online platforms must curb hate speech and harassment.

And we must all speak out against bigotry, xenophobia, and discrimination.
On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, let us work together to uphold equality, human rights and dignity, and build inclusive societies where everyone, regardless of their faith, can live in peace and harmony.

Thank you.

United Nations Secretary-General

Remarks of the UNAOC High Representative’s Remarks at the International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2025; March 15th.


Your Excellency, Mr. Philemon Yang,
President of the General Assembly;

Your Excellency, Mr. Courtenay Rattray,
Chef-de-Cabinet of the Secretary-General;

Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,

I would like to start by thanking the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for their consistent efforts and commitment to address and combat Islamophobia. The observance of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia also reflects the resolve of the Member States, which supported the resolution to raise awareness about the insidious phenomenon of Islamophobia, and to advance mutual respect and understanding. This commitment was reinforced last year by another significantly important resolution on Measures to Combat Islamophobia.

Both resolutions remind us of the bigotry and dehumanizing rhetoric that Muslims have to quite often face in many parts of the world for no other reason than their faith. Hate speech drives wedge between communities, sparks fear and anger and may often lead to violence which threatens peace and stability in societies.

Based on International Human Rights, hate speech online and offline that amounts to advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence is prohibited.

Digital platforms have a responsibility to moderate hateful content and protect users from harassment without infringing on the freedom of expression.

Furthermore, Muslims are challenged with institutional discrimination and socio-economic restrictions.

Such biases are manifested in the stigmatization and the unwarranted racial profiling of Muslims and are reinforced by biased media representations, and by the anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies of some political leaders.

Many such acts of intolerance and suspicion may not be reflected into official statistics – but they degrade people’s dignity and our common humanity.

Discrimination against Muslims is not an isolated pattern.

It is part of the resurgence of ethno-nationalism, neo-Nazi white supremacist ideologies, and violence targeting vulnerable populations, including Muslims, Jews, some minority Christian communities and other faith denominations. These trends are manifested in the attacks on religious sites, and the decertation of holy books and physical attacks on persons on the basis of their religion or belief.

People everywhere must be allowed to observe and practice their faith peacefully without fear. Around the world religious sites have been attacked. All places of worship and contemplation should be safe havens, not sites of terror or bloodshed.

Excellencies,

We must all stand up against all forms of hatred and discrimination. Allowing toxic hate against one faith community to persist unaddressed will not end there. It will lead to sparking hatred against other faiths.

All forms of hate should be rooted out wherever and whenever it occurs.

This means pushing for policies that fully respect human rights and protect religious and cultural identities, particularly of minorities.

This means investing in social cohesion by encouraging initiatives that promote dialogue, mutual respect and protects human rights and the dignity of all.

Excellencies,

It is almost halfway through the holy month of Ramadan.

A month of reflection about the true values inherent in Islam’s message of peace, compassion, and mutual respect. These values are also at the heart of the mandate that the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations strives to fulfill.

This brings me to the General Assembly resolution “Measures to Combat Islamophobia”, which contains a number of action points and requests the Secretary-General to appoint a UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

I am encouraged by my ongoing engagement with the OIC core group, as well as other Member States, and our discussions on the implementation of these action points.

I conclude by reiterating my commitment to stand in solidarity with Muslim communities and to stand up against all forms of hate and bigotry.

I thank you.

UNAOC High-representative

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2024; August 22nd.

FORUM: "Creating a world where everyone, regardless of their religion or beliefs, can live free from fear, stigma, and persecution." International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2024. Around the world, individuals and communities face violence based on religion or beliefs. We must urgently combat this scourge. Governments must protect all people and places of worship, implement comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, and invest in education initiatives that foster inclusion and equal rights. Digital platforms must enforce content moderation policies that align with international human rights standards. Political and religious leaders must unequivocally condemn hate speech, advance dialogue, and make clear that violence can never be an answer. We must work together to stem the tide of hatred and promote tolerance, mutual understanding and respect.This year’s offers the opportunity to make visible the multiple, daily and egregious violence that takes place based on religion or belief, and to seek to respond to its root causes, urgently and with far greater determination. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #22August, #Religiousviolence, #CounterViolentExtremism, #ForSafeWorship, #AgainstReligiousViolence.

EVENTS: On August 22nd; A webinar to mark the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2024 will be held at UNHQ in New york. Religious or other ideologies and beliefs can never be evoked to justify attacks against life, human dignity and rights, and in no circumstances should be used for suppressing critical and dissenting opinions and views, and undermining rule of law, peace and the democratic principles, as has been reiterated by the United Nations experts. The issues in focus around the Freedom of religion or belief and gender equality; the Religion and freedom of religion or belief literacy and the Antisemitism.

WEBINAR: RELIGIOUS HATRED : Interactive Dialogue. Bridging the Divide - New perspectives for an international approach to counter religious hatred and promote fundamental freedoms.

STATEMENTS: Read the Message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres on the International Day to commemorate victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief 2024.

Around the world, individuals and communities face violence based on religion or beliefs.

We must urgently combat this scourge.

Governments must protect all people and places of worship, implement comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, and invest in education initiatives that foster inclusion and equal rights.

Digital platforms must enforce content moderation policies that align with international human rights standards.

Political and religious leaders must unequivocally condemn hate speech, advance dialogue, and make clear that violence can never be an answer.

We must work together to stem the tide of hatred and promote tolerance, mutual understanding and respect.

Today, as we honour and remember the victims, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where everyone, regardless of their religion or beliefs, can live free from fear, stigma, and persecution.

Mr. António Guterres.

The statement of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance  on the International Day to commemorate victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief 2024.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on behalf the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief 2024; August 22nd. (In Arabic) and (In Russian)

On the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief, the European Union pays tribute to all victims of discrimination, intolerance, persecution, hatred, dehumanisation or violence because of their religion or belief.

Extremism, authoritarianism, terrorism, and conflict-driven hatred are yet not eradicated. Too many people across the world, especially from religious minorities, face attacks to their communities and see their human rights violated due to their actual or perceived faith.

We strongly believe and support the principle upon which all individuals have the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief; and to manifest or change their religion or belief, without risk of discrimination, persecution or violence.

The European Union condemns the criminalisation of apostasy, and the abuse of blasphemy laws when they violate the right to freedom of religion or belief. These laws are a dangerous catalyst of religious hatred and incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

We recall that all states have an obligation to guarantee human rights protection, and to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons based on their religion or belief.

The international community must unite in fighting against discrimination, hatred and violence based on religion or belief. We must promote a culture of religious tolerance, respect for diversity and mutual understanding.

Every individual regardless of whether they manifest a religion or belief, are entitled to full respect for their human rights. The EU will continue to safeguard this principle and promote its implementation everywhere.

 High Representative on behalf of the EU.

PUBLICATIONS: The World Watch List is Open Doors' annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.

Explore the Religious persecution and the World watchlist 2024.

The World Watch list is an annual report published by Open Doors, an NGO which supports Christians worldwide, and lists the fifty countries in which Christians face the “most extreme persecution”. A parliamentary launch for the latest report, which covers 2023, was held on 17 January 2024. There is no internationally agreed definition of persecution. Open Doors’ methodology defines persecution as: "Any hostility experienced as a result of one’s identification with Christ. This can include hostile attitudes, words and actions towards Christians." This broad definition includes (but is not limited to) restrictions, pressure, discrimination, opposition, disinformation, injustice, intimidation, mistreatment, marginalisation, oppression, intolerance, infringement, violation, ostracism, hostilities, harassment, abuse, violence, ethnic cleansing and genocide." 

The report also assesses incidents of violence and acts affecting private, family, community, national and church life, and ranks each country based on the number and nature of reported incidents. The report for 2023 said that:Around 365 million Christians are subject to “high levels of persecution and discrimination”. This compared to 340 million in 2021 (PDF).

• 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted worldwide, including 1 in 5 in Africa and 1 in 7 in Asia. This compared to 1 in 8 worldwide in 2021 (PDF).
• 4,998 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons. 90% of those killed were in Nigeria, where attacks on Christians have become more common since 2020 as part of a wider rise in political violence against civilians. Open Doors estimates the number of Christians killed for faith-related reasons worldwide was 5,621 in 2023, 5,898 in 2022, and 4,761 in 2021.
• 14,766 Churches and Christian properties were attacked.
• North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, and Yemen had the highest rates of reported persecution against Christians.
• North Korea has been consistently ranked as having one of the highest rates of persecution since the World Watch List was first conducted in 1983. The number of countries ranked as conducting “extreme” or “very high” persecution has risen from 23 in 2015 to 55 in 2023.

Open Doors UK has also published an Advocacy report (PDF) in 2024, which makes several recommendations on UK Government action, including:

• Prioritising freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and making it central to engagement with other countries and in international organisations.
• Committing resources to fragile states to support FoRB.
• Targeting programmes to address gender-specific persecution.
• Ensuring Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies are not used to persecute religious groups, and to establish global standards to this end.