July 07, 2012: “Religious strife is a danger to social, political, and economic development”
said Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United
Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, noting recent attacks on
Christian communities and their churches in different countries throughout the world.
While Speaking at the 20th Session of the Human Rights Council on 3rd July
the Archbishop pointed out to “the widening gap between the commitment and the stated
principles of the international community regarding freedom of religion, conscience,
and belief and the right to freedom of assembly, and the implementation of these fundamental
human rights.” Archbishop Tomasi said, “Due to the unstable economic and political
contexts in States throughout the world, it is essential that all human rights, and
most especially the right to religious freedom, be protected.” He stated the position
of the Holy See delegation that “religious freedom cannot be restricted merely to
freedom of worship. Also included in this fundamental freedom should be the right
to preach, educate, receive new adherents, contribute to political discourse, as well
as participate in public activities” the Archbishop added. The Archbishop also
spoke about the necessity of upholding and protecting the right to freedom of conscience:
“Believers should not be forced by governments to choose between conformity to governmental
policies or legislation and faithfulness to religious tenets and beliefs.” Concluding
his remarks, Archbishop Tomasi called on “every State to ensure, protect and promote
the legitimate right of people to have, practice and to express their own religion
or belief freely and without any type of coercion and violence and without the constant
fear of becoming victims of anti-religious attacks that destroy their fundamental
human rights.”