Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain
Human Rights Council – 52nd Session
Thank you, Mister President.
Special Rapporteur Ghanea, we welcome your recent report’s landscaping of exercise of freedom of religion or belief international activities and actors.
We urge all governments to maintain and develop civic spaces where civil society, including religious communities, can speak and engage freely.
As one component of this, the United States strongly believes that states should implement resolution 16/18, including continued cooperation through the Istanbul Process.
The International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance and its members support Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by advocating for freedom of religion or belief for all, including the ability of individuals to hold any belief, to change it, or the right not to profess or practice any religion.
We look forward to using all available tools to combat hatred and discrimination while still respecting freedom of expression and other human rights.
I thank you.
Question: What best practices have you seen implemented well to ensure individuals can exercise their human rights fully, including FORB?
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