Freedom of Religion or Belief: A glimpse into the work of the Special Rapporteur and the Baha'i International Community

The Bahá’í International Community was present at the 13^th session of the Human Rights Council and, as a member of the delegation, I was able to get a glimpse of the complexity of the UN human rights machinery. I found most interesting the exchanges between Ms. Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and members of the Human Rights Council. Ms. Jahangir presented a report which outlined early warning signs of discrimination and violence on the grounds of religion or belief. The report’s Addendum contained summaries of communications with member states, including the Rapporteur’s requests for state visits. It was interesting to read the states’ responses (or lack thereof) to these requests.

During this session, the Bahá'í International Community delivered two strong statements. The first statement stressed the importance of the freedom of religion or belief and the implications of the violations of this right. It reemphasized the position taken by the current and former Special Rapporteur: it is not for governments to decide what constitutes a religion, but it is the right of individuals to denominate their beliefs. (View video). The second statement concerned the situation of the seven Bahá'ís on trial in Iran (View video). The Bahá'í International Community stated that the conditions of under which the seven former Bahá'í leaders have been imprisoned (for close to two years) are a violation of international human rights law and parts of the Iranian Penal Code; these include: the circumstances and conditions of their imprisonment,  particularly the initial solitary confinement; the announcement of charges a year following the arrests; the denial of access to lawyers; and the commencement of trial nine months after the charges were issued.

After the interactive dialogue, I was able to take part in an informal discussion with the Special Rapporteur, organised by the NGO Committee on freedom of religion or belief. In that exchange, the Rapporteur commended on the work done by civil society in support of her mandate. She noted that civil society had been instrumental in providing her information needed to carry out her mandate. She also encouraged NGOs to use mass media to ensure that the international community remains focused on threats to and violations of international human rights.

A new Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief will be appointed at the next Council Session. From what I have seen, Ms. Jahangir has done a tremendous job of carrying out her mandate. I am interested to see who will be appointed to this position and how he/she will carry on the mandate.

Ruha Matin

(Intern at the Bahá'í International Community’s Office in Geneva)