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The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief The Special Rapporteur was established by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1986. The current Special Rapporteur is Mr Abdelfattah Amor of Tunisia. About the mandate of the Special Rapporteur How to send a complaint to the Special Rapporteur Further information about the work of the Special Rapporteur About the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief The Special Rapporteur's work is aimed at preventing intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. His work is based on the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. For the full text of the Declaration click here In the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, intolerance and discrimination are defined as: "any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on religion or belief and having as its purpose or as its effect nullification or impairment of the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis". The right to freedom of religion and belief The Declaration states that the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief includes the following freedoms: (a) To worship or assemble in connection with a religion or belief, and to establish and maintain places for these purposes; (b) To establish and maintain appropriate charitable or humanitarian institutions; (c) To make, acquire and use to an adequate extent the necessary articles and materials related to the rites or customs of a religion or belief; (d) To write, issue and disseminate relevant publications in these areas; (e) To teach a religion or belief in places suitable for these purposes; (f) To solicit and receive voluntary financial and other contributions from individuals and institutions; (g) To train, appoint, elect or designate by succession appropriate leaders called for by the requirements and standards of any religion or belief; (h) To observe days of rest and to celebrate holidays and ceremonies in accordance with the precepts of one's religion or belief; (i) To establish and maintain communications with individuals and communities in matters of religion and belief at the national and international levels. The Declaration also states that these freedoms listed above can only be limited in accordance with the law and as required in order to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. State responsibility The Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief calls on all states to ensure that the right to freedom of religion and belief is effectively protected by law. It also calls on states to act to prevent any instances of intolerance or discrimination. The Special Rapporteur works to ensure that states comply with their obligation to guarantee the right to freedom of religion and belief for all. Other international instruments The work of the Special Rapporteur is also based on 2 major international instruments. These are: Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Both of these instruments state that every person has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. For the full text of the ICCPR click here For the full text of the UDHR available in many languages click here How to send a complaint to the Special Rapporteur Complaints concerning any matter which falls within the mandate of the Special Rapporteur as described above should be sent to the Special Rapporteur in writing. There is no standard application form for submitting a complaint to the Special Rapporteur. Your complaint should include the following information
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