The session took place on the first International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, established on Poland’s initiative by the UN General Assembly in May 2019. “We strongly believe that this Day will be instrumental in mobilizing the international community to be more engaged in activities aimed at commemorating victims, who too often remain forgotten,” noted Minister Czaputowicz. He also expressed his hope that it will contribute to combating hate crimes and acts of violence related to religion or belief and further strengthen respect for religious diversity.

The participants of the informal meeting of the UN Security Council also talked about preventive measures, which could effectively counteract the persecution of religious minorities in armed conflict in the future. At the same time, they stressed the need to respect human rights and the international humanitarian law. “The freedom of belief and religion lie at the heart of all freedoms. Freedom of religion is directly interlinked with other fundamental freedoms. Therefore, it has to be universally respected, promoted and protected,” said Minister Czaputowicz. During the meeting, the participants heard a testimony of a victim of religious persecution, a Yazidi woman rescued from ISIS captivity.

Apart from Polish foreign minister, the meeting was also attended by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, the representatives of UN member states, including US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Samuel Brownback, and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the UK’s Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN, and the representatives of civil society. The meeting was co-organised by Brazil, Jordan, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

On the sidelines of the debate, Minister Czaputowicz held bilateral talks with Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and Ambassador Samuel Brownback on possible cooperation and future initiatives to promote religious freedom.

Besides attending the Security Council meeting, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz also presented the Pro Dignitate Humana Award to Mr. Naveed Walter, Director of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, for his dedication to the protection of rights of religious minorities and people persecuted for their religion or belief. “I am very honoured to award the prize to a person who is particularly aware of the significance of freedom of religion,” said Polish foreign minister during the awarding ceremony.

Minister Czaputowicz also met with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss this month’s Polish presidency of the Security Council, possible UN involvement in the Ukraine conflict and the preparation for the UN General Assembly session in September. He also informed his interlocutor on Polish military contingent’s availability for service in Lebanon in November, as part of the UNIFIL mission.

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Protection of religious minorities in the world, particularly Christians, is one of the priorities of Polish foreign policy. For the past few years Poland has been noting with concern the increase in the number of countries where religious freedom is curbed and religious groups are persecuted. Reports by independent research centres, such as American Pew Research Center, indicated that the phenomenon was present, in any scale, in all of 187 countries and all religious groups under scrutiny in 2017. It is the worst score since Pew Research Centre started the analysis in 2007. According to the report, the followers of the largest religions are also most persecuted: Christians (in 143 countries) and Muslims (in 140 countries).

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The ”Pro Dignitate Humana” prize is awarded to individuals and NGOs in appreciation of the full of sacrifice and uncompromising actions in defence of people who are persecuted and repressed. It also honours the unwavering attitude of protecting individual rights and respecting human dignity. It was first awarded to Ales Bialiatski (Belarus) in 2011, and last year it went to Oleg Sentsov, Ukrainian filmmaker and writer, currently serving a 20-year sentence in a Russian prison.

 

MFA Press Office

 Photo Tymon Markowski / MFA