Human Rights Council
Tenth Session
Resolution 10/25.
Discrimination based on religion or belief and its impact
on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights
The Human Rights Council,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 36/55 of 25 November 1981, in which the
Assembly proclaimed the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of
Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief,
Recalling also article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 2 (2) of the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other relevant human rights provisions,
Recalling further its resolution 6/37 of 14 December 2007 and the resolutions on the
elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief adopted
by the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights,
Noting with interest the recent adoption of the Optional Protocol to the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by the General Assembly,
Reaffirming that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated,
Firmly believing that further intensified and strong efforts are required to promote and
protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief and to eliminate all
forms of hatred, intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief, as also noted at the
World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,
Noting that a formal or legal distinction at the national level between different kinds of
faith-based communities may constitute discrimination and may impinge on the enjoyment of the
freedom of religion or belief,
Recognizing that persons belonging to religious minorities are often particularly vulnerable
to discrimination based on religion or belief with regard to the enjoyment of all their human
rights and fundamental freedoms, including their economic, social and cultural rights,
Seriously concerned at all attacks on religious places, sites and shrines, including any
deliberate destruction of relics and monuments, particularly when in violation of international
law, in particular human rights and humanitarian law,
Recognizing the importance of enhanced inter-religious and intra-religious dialogue in
promoting tolerance in matters relating to religion or belief, and welcoming different initiatives
in this regard, including the Alliance of Civilizations and the programmes led by the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
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