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Statement by the Republic of Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States at the 79h Session of the Third Committee of the General Assembly Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Statement by the Republic of Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States at the 79h Session of the Third Committee of the General Assembly Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief on Thursday, 24 October 2024.

Mr. Chair,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for her report which draws attention to an important correlation between peace and freedom of religion or belief. As reported, political actors may try to utilize religion domestically to legitimize violence and even external aggression.

We also deplore increasing restrictions of freedom of religion or belief in the name of national “stability”, “tranquillity” and “harmony” through state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, vaguely formulated legislation on counter-terrorism or “extremism”. Such actions are incompatible with international human rights standards and commitments, including the ICCPR.

We echo the recommendation of the Special Rapporteur to bring all actors, including state and non-state actors, who call for war or violence in the name of religion or belief, to justice, and ensure that all victims are provided with adequate redress.

Accountability for violations is the first necessary deterrent measure. It requires our concerted efforts to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief nationally and internationally, and combat intolerance, discrimination and violence based on these grounds. We recall our full commitment to the existing robust framework for such efforts.

Madame Special Rapporteur,

What other existing international instruments could be better used to combat disinformation that leads to discrimination, restrictions on the exercise of their faith and even persecution of persons belonging to religious minorities?