A/HRC/40/44
associations, as long as they were not in contradiction with the legislation, and it ensured
the secular nature of education in State and municipal educational institutions.
70.
Turkey reported that steps had been taken in the field of education and culture for
non-Muslim citizens. In addition, through amendments made to the Turkish Criminal Code,
sanctions on preventing persons from individual worship and fulfilling requirements of
religious belief had been introduced into the Code under article 115 on the prevention of
freedom of belief, thought and opinion. Article 6 of the electricity market law No. 6446
(2013) required that the lighting expenses of places of worship be paid from the budget of
the Presidency of Religious Affairs. In line with article 6, the lighting expenses of churches
and synagogues meeting the legal requirements were paid by the Presidency of Religious
Affairs upon application to the offices of the provincial muftiates. In 2018, aside from
mosques, 394 churches, 3 chapels and 36 synagogues, had benefited from this provision.
71.
Ukraine reported that in 2018, in the context of the commemoration of the 100th
anniversary of the Ukrainian revolution, a number of events had been held to celebrate the
historical tradition of the activities of the State body for the affairs of religions and
nationalities in Ukraine. Two all-Ukrainian scientific-practical conferences had been held
on the themes of “The State body on religious affairs in Ukraine: history and modernity”
and “Approval of tolerance in the religious and national context during the independence of
Ukraine” in June and November 2018 respectively. Representatives of religious
organizations in Ukraine had participated in the work of the conferences.
L.
Encouraging the representation and meaningful participation of
individuals, irrespective of their religion, in all sectors of society17
72.
Argentina reported that practices in employment and the work environment were
underpinned by prejudices constructed by negative value judgments and stigmatization of
specific social groups and/or stereotypes extended to a whole group. The National Institute
against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism worked with civil society organizations
and companies in order to achieve inclusive labour relations. It had disseminated
information on the subject and had edited a book entitled Management of Diversity in
Organizations.
73.
In Australia, the multicultural access and equity policy obliged government
departments and agencies to ensure that their policies, programmes and services were
accessible to and delivered equitable outcomes for all eligible Australians, regardless of
their cultural, religious or linguistic backgrounds, with the aim of ensuring that all
Australians had the opportunity to achieve their potential and participate in the social,
economic and cultural life of the country.
74.
In the Islamic Republic of Iran, arrangements had been made to preserve the rights
of minorities and guarantee their political participation and contribution in decisionmaking. Representatives of religious minorities were also present in urban and rural
councils. In July 2018, the parliament passed a reform bill, allowing members of religious
minorities to stand for Islamic city council elections. After rejection of the bill by the
Guardian Council, the parliament referred the bill to the Expediency Council, which had
finally approved it.
17
Paragraph 8 (c) of resolution 37/38.
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