A/HRC/34/35
32.
At the national and provincial levels, the Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs
has carried out a media education series on sensitization among journalists and chief
editors.
33.
Launched on 28 May 2016 in Papua Province by the Minister for Religious Affairs,
the “religious harmony integrity zone programme” promotes the integrity of the Indonesian
people and community by integrating religious elements in its public awareness
programme. The Centre for Religious Harmony at the Ministry is the lead government
agency responsible for empowering communities, religious groups and religious leaders,
and provides guidelines on the maintenance of peaceful coexistence.
34.
Indonesia launched a new initiative on empowering leaders of peace through digital
platforms in February 2016 to create a global and integrated counter-narrative campaign
against the spread of extremist ideology through the spread of social media messages of
peace and the spirit of tolerance.
Iraq
35.
The 2005 Constitution ensures the rights and freedoms of minorities in Iraq.
Freedom of religion is provided for under article 2 and the right to teach children their
native language, such as Turkish, Syrian and Armenian, is ensured. The Constitution also
provides for the right to live without discrimination and has provisions on freedom of
thought, conscience and beliefs. It also provides for freedom of religion and protection of
places of worship.
36.
In the Constitution, minorities have the right to be treated as citizens and have a role
in the Council of Representatives.
37.
Iraq noted that the Penal Code provides for more than three years’ imprisonment or
a fee of 300 dinars for deliberately disrupting religious meetings; openly condemning
people because of their religion; and openly disrespecting the religious opinions of others.
38.
The Government has created entities, such as the Ministry of Human Rights, to
improve laws for all Iraqis, noting that all religions are governed by the same laws. The
Ministry has followed up on complaints, inter alia about the inability of Shabak people to
own land; improved services for the Yazidi population; and complaints by Mandeans at
their underrepresentation.
39.
The Government states that it has organized satellite television channels to promote
reconciliation between religious groups; granted citizenship to the children of Kurds and
made restitution of their properties; provided land and properties to minorities to build
places of worship; and supported the teaching of Christianity by Christians. Public officials
and employees receive training and the Government continues to create awareness of hatred
and prejudice and promote religious freedom.
Kazakhstan
40.
According to the General Prosecutor’s Office, discrimination is prohibited by article
14 of the Constitution, which stipulates that all are equal before the law and that no one
may be subjected to any discrimination, including on religious grounds. Article 5 of the
Constitution prohibits the establishment and activities of public associations whose
objectives or actions are aimed at inciting racial and ethnic strife. Propaganda and agitation
of racial and national superiority (art. 20) and any actions capable of upsetting inter-ethnic
concord shall be deemed unconstitutional (art. 39).
41.
Criminal offences based on national, racial or religious hatred or enmity are
recognized as a circumstance aggravating criminal responsibility and punishment. Article
145 of the Criminal Code provides for criminal liability for direct or indirect restriction of
the rights and freedoms of the individual (citizen) for the above reasons and circumstances.
In 2011, the Criminal Code was amended to include criminal responsibility for crimes
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