Human Rights Council

Statement by Ambassador Warren W. Tichenor
On Religious Intolerance

Friday, September 22, 2006
Morning Session

 
I thank you, Mr. President.

The United States shares the concern of those who are disturbed by incitement to racial and religious hatred, and who favor the promotion of tolerance.  The promotion of tolerance goes hand in hand with the respect for religious freedom -- a fundamental belief in the founding of the United States that remains a core objective of U.S. foreign policy. It is articulated in our Constitution as well as Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which clearly states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The vast majority of the world's people have religious beliefs that they cherish and hold dear.  It is because people view religion as playing a central role in their lives that many regard religious freedom as the most important of human rights.  At the same time, global trends often lead to significant overlap between religious identity and ethnicity, class, language group, or political affiliation.  Invariably, there will be a natural tension between respect for religious diversity and freedom of expression, a tension that we have all seen erupt in serious, sometimes violent misunderstanding.  The sacred principle of freedom of speech and expression needs to be preserved, as we promote respectful dialogue between cultures and religions as the antidote to prevent intolerant and hateful acts against individuals of particular religious groups.

Those exercising their legitimate freedom of expression must be sensitive to the potential for harm their words may cause.  In turn, States must ensure that religious freedom is respected in their countries for all religions, be they Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, or be they Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Baha’i or any other religion.   The freedoms not to affiliate with any religion at all, to change religion or belief, and to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance must be respected by all UN members.  For surely, promoting tolerance is the first necessary step to developing a genuine respect for our differences – and also to laying the foundation for understanding and fully appreciating our similarities. 

For in our search for greater freedom, tolerance and understanding, if they are not present in all nations, it makes it more difficult to preserve them in any nation.  There is indeed across all the major religions much more that unites us than divides us.  Without tolerance and understanding, the entire world is threatened by extremism and an ideology of hate and bigotry, and  potential for violence.  And that, Mr. President, will undermine not only our work in this Council to promote and protect human rights, but the peace and security we all seek, not only for this time, but for all time.

I thank you, Mr. President.