Despite article 9 of the Human Rights Act 1998 claiming freedom of religion and belief, it doesn’t account for the discrimination and antagonism people may feel from claiming a specific religion, which will inevitably infringe on their freedom.
A robust understanding of the right to religious freedom is being eroded in the global response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Vatican’s foreign minister said in a video message to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday.
“Despite the veneer of legality, many of those in Xinjiang’s prisons are ordinary people who were convicted for going about their lives and practicing their religion.”
Prime Minister Bondevik highlighted the need of interfaith harmony and establishment of forums for dialogue between state and ethnic and religious minorities.
“We cannot stand by whilst we carry on business as usual. Please meet with us ahead of the vote on the genocide amendment to discuss the changes we urgently need to see.”
