Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

1985/51. Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief[1]146

The Commission on Human Rights, Conscious of the need to promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling General Assembly resolution 36/55 of 25 November 1981, in which the General Assembly proclaimed the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, Noting General Assembly resolution 39/131 of 14 December 1984, in which the General Assembly requested the Commission on Human Rights to continue its consideration of measures to implement the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief and to report, through the Economic and Social Council, to the General Assembly at its fortieth session, Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/39 of 24 May 1984, in which the Council authorized the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to entrust the Special Rapporteur, Mrs. Odio Benito, with the preparation of a study, in accordance with the terms of Sub-Commission resolution 1983/31 of 6 September 1983, on the current dimensions of the problems of intolerance and of discrimination on grounds of religion or belief, Noting the outline for the study as presented by the Special Rapporteur to the Sub-Commission at its thirty-seventh session,[2]147 Taking note of Sub-Commission resolution 1984/31 of 30 August 1984, Recalling the seminar on the encouragement of understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief, which took place in Geneva from 3 to 14 December 1984, Conscious of the importance of education in ensuring tolerance of religion or belief, Recognizing the valuable contribution that can be made to the encouragement of understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief by activities undertaken on a regional basis, Recognizing that non-governmental organizations and religious bodies and groups at every level have an important role to play in the promotion of tolerance and the protection of freedom of religion or belief, Aware that intolerance and discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief continue to occur in many parts of the world,

1. Reaffirms that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is a right guaranteed to all without discrimination;

2. Notes with appreciation the report of the seminar on the encouragement of understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief;[3]148

3. Urges States, in accordance with their respective constitutional systems, to provide, where they have not already done so, adequate constitutional and legal guarantees for freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief;

4. Urges States to examine the possibility of establishing or designating national institutions to promote tolerance of religion or belief and to combat discrimination;

5. Urges States to examine where necessary the supervision and training of their civil servants, educators and other public officials to ensure that, in the course of their official duties, they respect different religions and beliefs and do not discriminate against persons professing other religions or beliefs;

6. Invites the United Nations University and other academic and research institutions to undertake programmes and studies on the encouragement of understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a compendium of the national legislation and regulations of States on the question of freedom of religion or belief with particular regard to the measures taken to combat intolerance or discrimination in this field:

8. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission at its forty-second session on measures to implement the present resolution;

9. Decides to continue its consideration of this matter at its forty-second session under the agenda item "Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief".

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[1]146 Adopted at the 57th meeting, on 14 March 1985, without a vote. See chap. XXIII. [2]147 E/CN.4/Sub.2/1984/28. [3]148 ST/HR/SER.A/16.