On October 24, 2024, Mr. Paul Habsburg, Diplomatic Trainee, delivered a statement at the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee on the topic of “Freedom of Religion or Belief.”
Opening the session, Ms. Nazila Ghanea, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, presented her report, referencing the recently adopted Pact for the Future, which underscores the importance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, eradicating religious discrimination, and the role of faith-based organisations in addressing shared global challenges. Ms. Ghanea highlighted that her report seeks to deepen understanding of the centrality of freedom of religion or belief in fostering peace. She explained that the report distinguishes between “negative peace,” defined as the absence of violence, conflict, or war, and “positive peace,” a broader concept that includes freedom from indirect and structural violence.
The Special Rapporteur noted that the right to peace has been a priority for the General Assembly and Human Rights Council for decades, with international standards recognising the connection between peace and freedom of religion or belief. She emphasised the nuanced role of religion in peace and conflict, noting that religion can inspire non-violence and conflict resolution but may also be used to justify violence and war. While scholarship suggests that religiously inspired violence is often more severe and challenging to resolve than violence based on other motivations, Ms. Ghanea pointed out that religion alone is rarely the sole factor driving violence; it usually interacts with economic, social, political, and cultural issues, as well as historical grievances and sectarian tensions.
Ms. Ghanea stressed that conflict risks increase when repression goes unaddressed and when governments fail to meet their obligations. Although denying rights does not directly cause violence, the restriction of freedoms, including religious freedom, can create divisions that risk becoming sources of conflict. She observed that states with a history of religious conflict often adopt more repressive policies toward religious groups, creating a cycle of restriction and renewed conflict.
The Special Rapporteur emphasised that neither religious diversity nor cultural diversity inherently leads to conflict. Instead, she argued, the issue lies in how diversity is managed. She added that religious intolerance is not an inevitable result of diverse societies; rather, it often arises from the manipulation of diversity by certain groups. Recognising religion’s potential to fuel conflict is not an endorsement of its misuse, Ms. Ghanea added, nor does it imply that any particular religion is inherently violent. She emphasised that it is essential to understand the contexts in which religion has been mobilised for conflict and to identify ways to redirect its influence toward peace.
Ms. Ghanea concluded by emphasising that respecting freedom of thought, conscience, and religion creates a climate where pro-peace movements are more likely to flourish, and society is less susceptible to division and hatred based on religious identity. Upholding freedom of religion or belief enables individuals to act authentically according to their conscience and interpret their beliefs in ways that foster resilience during polarised times. This freedom, she noted, strengthens individuals’ ability to resist the instrumentalisation of religion for conflict and to promote peace and human rights.
In his statement, Mr. Habsburg emphasised the Sovereign Order of Malta’s commitment to interreligious tolerance and its long-standing dedication to aiding people of all faiths, tracing back to its origins in 1048. He stressed that the Order’s foundational mission involved serving the poor and pilgrims of diverse religious backgrounds in Jerusalem, embodying an inclusive approach that persists today. Citing Pope John Paul II’s statement noting that restricting religious freedom violates human dignity, Mr. Habsburg reinforced the Order’s principle of providing humanitarian assistance based solely on need, without discrimination based on religion. He expressed the Order’s continued support for the UN’s humanitarian efforts in crisis areas, highlighting shared values in promoting human dignity and religious freedom.
