“Violence in the Name of Faith? Hearing from Victims, Calling for Action; on the UN Day Commemorating Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief”

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

21August, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Baha’i International Center, 866 United Nations Plaza, 1st Floor

The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (New York)

In Person Registration (ID will be required for entrance)

Link to join register: https://forms.gle/jVzxQcs7iS3wEmZV7

Concept Note

Background:

Enshrined in articles 18, 19, and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are the freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to freedom of association – four interdependent, interrelated, and mutually reinforcing human rights that would seem self-evident to most observers.

However, there continues to be acts of intolerance and violence based on religion or belief against individuals, including against persons belonging to religious communities and religious minorities around the world. Not only that, but the number and intensity of such incidents are increasing. In 2019, as a way of condemning continuing violence and acts of terrorism targeting individuals, including persons belonging to religious minorities, on the basis of or in the name of religion or belief, the UN General Assembly created the “International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.”

By proclaiming an International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, the General Assembly recalled that States have the primary responsibility to promote and protect human rights, including the human rights of persons belonging to religious minorities, including their right to exercise their religion or belief freely.

Discussion:

This event will be focused not just on honoring the day, but on charting a path forward. First, we will hear from victims of religious persecution, who will not only share their stories, but will make recommendations for a path forward towards a world where such injustice does not exist. Second, we will hear from experts who will discuss future threats of religious persecution with the rise of new technologies, and what we might be able to do to prevent and counteract such threats.

Speakers:

Sucharita Cole, a human rights activist and survivor of religiously motivated and gender-based violence in Manipur, India

Bani Dugal, a member of the Baha’i community who might be able to address the current situation in Iran, and possible implications on that situation due to the recent violence in Iran.

Bobbi Nassar with Tibetan guests

Format:

Introductory remarks from moderator (5 minutes) Scott Stearman

Panel Presentation (30 minutes)

Q&A (15 minutes)

Moderated discussion on the question of countering hate speech as a means to undermining violence based on religion or belief (10 minutes)

Presentation on work of the International Religious Roundtable and the current advocacy around the appointment of the US International Religious Freedom Ambassador Anna Sineva