A/HRC/13/57
hatred and violence,5 the promotion of tolerance,6 the protection of minorities,7 human
rights and counter-terrorism,8 intercultural and interreligious dialogue,9 and the elimination
of religious intolerance.10 These reports, prepared at the request of the Council and the
General Assembly, provide additional context and useful background to the present report.
For instance, in her report to the third substantive session of the Preparatory Committee for
the Durban Review Conference, the High Commissioner for Human Rights confirmed that
religious minorities had been frequent targets of abusive, violent and repetitive criticism
against their group, often as a result of entrenched stereotypical attitudes, and that this had
deepened discrimination against them.11
6.
Specific reference is also made to the study of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights compiling existing legislation and jurisprudence concerning defamation of and
contempt for religions12 and the report by the High Commissioner for Human Rights
pursuant to resolution 7/19 on combating defamation of religions,13 both submitted to the
Council at its ninth session. Compiling contributions from States, regional and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the latter report concluded that most replies reflected
concern that there was a growing trend towards the negative portrayal of religion in the
media and in political discourse, and policies and practices that seemed targeted at persons
because of their religion.14
7.
The present report contains information15 from States, regional organizations and the
United Nations on various elements described in Council resolution 10/22 on combating
defamation of religions. In addition, the report updates the Secretary-General’s report of 31
July 2009 to the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session on combating defamation of
religions16 by giving information on the latest developments at the level of human rights
treaty bodies and special procedures.
II. Member States
Algeria
[Original: French]
8.
Algeria gave information on relevant constitutional provisions and international
human rights instruments that it had ratified which were directly applicable and could be
invoked by citizens and migrant workers. In the area of national legislation, it was noted
that Ordinance 06-03 established the conditions for practising religions other than Islam.
The Ordinance guaranteed freedom of religion, as well as tolerance and respect among
different religions and the protection by the State of non-Muslim religious organizations.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
4
A/HRC/2/3; A/HRC/10/31/Add.3.
A/HRC/12/36.
A/HRC/10/38.
A/HRC/4/26; A/HRC/8/13; A/HRC/6/17; A/64/186; A/HRC/12/22.
A/64/325.
A/HRC/6/5; A/64/159.
A/CONF.211/PC.4/5, para. 3.
A/HRC/9/25.
A/HRC/9/7.
A/HRC/9/7, para. 64.
The original replies are available for consultation at the Secretariat.
A/64/209.
GE.10-10223
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