We thank UK for today’s discussion and the briefers for their interventions.
Freedom of religion and belief, including the right not to believe and to change one’s religion or belief, is a fundamental human right.
It is universal. It is also indivisible from other human rights. This includes the right to life, the right to freedom of expression, and equality before the law without any discrimination.
The promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief as a universal human right and the elimination of discrimination, persecution and violence against persons on the basis of religion or belief is a priority for Estonia, including as a member of the European Union.
Estonia is a founding member of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) and has been an active participant in its work. On 17 November 2020, the foreign ministers of the alliance adopted the Declaration on Safe Places of Worship, prepared by Estonia.
The Security Council has continued to call for all parties to conflict to respect their obligations under international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of all civilians in conflict. However, these calls continue to be ignored with civilians bearing a heavy toll in conflicts around the world.
Civilians can also be systematically targeted because of their national, ethnic or religious belonging. We have seen cruel and unforgivable examples of this around the world.
The Council has condemned the abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law by ISIL, which includes genocidal campaign against the Yazidis. This includes the crimes against Yazidi women and girls, whose suffering has not ended after the defeat of ISIL.
In Yemen members of the Baha’i community have been targeted since the start of the war in 2014. Throughout the years many members of the community have been detained and tortured, some condemned to death for their beliefs. Few Baha’is have been released; however, in exchange for their freedom they are forced to leave the country and live their life in exile.
The vulnerability of persons belonging to minorities is often combined with violence and discrimination based on gender. The Security Council has recognised conflict-related sexual violence as a weapon of war, often targeted against members of specific communities. This Council has heard multiple testimonies of the survivors of such violence and needs to continue to call for accountability for these crimes, without exception.
We need to get better in identifying the early signs and warnings of systematic attacks against persons on the basis of religion and belief. Incitement of hatred and violence and the violation of human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, need to be called out.
Cooperation between different stakeholders in the protection of civilians is essential. This includes the provision of assistance, building trust, raising awareness and advocacy to respect the norms of international law. Religious leaders, through their role in communities, can contribute to that. They can also contribute to building trust and countering incitement.
We believe that today’s discussion underlines the relevance of the protection of human rights for the maintenance of peace and security and the overarching obligation to protect civilians in armed conflict.
Thank you.