Poland in the UN

Statement on the occasion of the third International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, 22 August 2021 on behalf of the following members of  the Group of Friends of Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief: 
Armenia, Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iraq, Latvia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and the United States  

We continue to be seriously concerned about acts of intolerance and violence based on religion or belief against individuals, including against persons belonging to religious communities and religious minorities around the world. 

We express our grave concern that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic deepened violence based on religion or belief as well as hindered equal access to healthcare and social services. 
We condemn in the strongest terms all acts of violence committed against persons on the basis of their religion or belief, as well as any such acts directed against places of worship and religious places, sites and shrines.

We reaffirm our strong commitment to freedom of religion or belief as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other human rights instruments. 

We commend efforts by all actors who contribute to interreligious and interfaith dialogue and encourage them to continue on this path.