Remarks by Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos,
High Representative for UNAOC and
United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia,
at the Special Session on Safeguarding Religious Sites:
Reflections and a Call for Action by World and Traditional Leaders of World Religions
Astana, Kazakhstan
Eminencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Around the world, we are still witnessing a disturbing rise in terrorist attacks on religious sites resulting in the deaths of innocent worshippers and the distortion or complete destruction of the targeted sites. Such attacks, often perpetrated by terrorist groups or outlawed militias and in few instances lone actors seek to strike at the very core of communities’ sense of identity and belonging and achieve a far deeper impact on the affected communities. Such vile acts instill fear and fuel anger and hatred and may lead to a vicious cycle of violence.
The protection of religious sites/places of worship and ensuring the safety of worshippers is a fundamental human right. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, noting that this right includes the right of individuals to manifest their religion and beliefs in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Under the UN Charter, Member States bear the primary responsibility to ensure security in their territory and to protect their civilians. In its resolution A/RES/55/254, the United Nations General Assembly “calls upon all States to exert their utmost efforts to ensure that religious sites are fully respected in conformity with international standards and in accordance with their national legislation and to adopt adequate measures aimed at preventing such acts or threats of violence, and invites relevant intergovernmental and non-intergovernmental organizations to contribute to those efforts by developing appropriate initiatives in this field. Protection of religious sites is addressed by Member States through a variety of normative frameworks and policy instruments including national security strategies and national legislations.
As most of you are aware, my office developed the United Nations Plan of Action for Safeguarding Religious Sites in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019. Pursuant to the mandate received from the Secretary-General the “United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites: In Unity and Solidarity for Safe and Peaceful Worship was launched in on 12 September 2019. The Plan of Action is anchored in relevant General Assembly, Security Council and Human Rights Council resolutions, as well as key documents agreed upon by religious leaders.
It provides a framework for action addressed to all relevant stakeholders to better prevent, prepare for and respond to possible attacks against religious sites. Moreover, the Plan encourages collaboration among stakeholders to build trust, information sharing, partnerships and joint action.
A presentation on the implementation of the plan will follow in the next segment of the program.
Increasingly, the protection of religious sites has gained momentum within the international community.
On 22 June 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 77/298 on the eighth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, calling upon Member States “to strengthen efforts to improve the security and protection of particularly vulnerable targets, including religious sites… processions and convoys, as well as to enhance their resilience to terrorist attacks, in particular in the area of civil protection…” (OP. 74).
Considering that religious sites are places where individuals or groups gather to pray, participate in ceremonies or perform acts of devotion and meditation , they are normally found within designated structures, although some communities consider certain natural spaces to be sacred, elevating them to the status of religious sites. Religious sites – both as physical premises and locations gathering individuals from one religious denomination, present significant symbolic value, particularly to terrorist groups who exploit religious divisions.
As the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites notes, “religious sites are representative of the history, social fabric and traditions of people in every country and community all over the planet and must be fully respected as places of peace and harmony where worshippers feel safe to practice their rituals”. (UNAOC 2019) They can be hosted in ancient or modern buildings, located in densely populated urban areas or remote parts of a country. Alongside areas reserved for worship and prayer, the same site may include nurseries, educational structures, shelters for the homeless and facilities for various social and community-outreach programs. The same religious sites may be sacred to more than one faith-community.
In line of the General Assembly resolution A/Res/75/258 adopted in 2021 on “Promoting a culture of peace and tolerance to safeguard religious sites” in which the General Assembly strongly deplores attacks against religious sites and condemns all acts or threats of violence, destruction, damage or endangerment directed against religious sites; invites relevant stakeholders to support, as appropriate, the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites; a global conference involving all relevant stakeholders to spearhead political support for specific actions to take the Plan of Action forward was convened in UNAOC 10th Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal . Many of today’s participants were present there.
Today we gather again to listen to your recommendations and good practices in safeguarding religious sites.
I will stop here and pass the floor to His Excellency the Honorable Mr. Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.