Summary:

In his report to the General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur on the freedom of religion or belief focuses on the right to conversion, paying attention to the rights of the child.

http://www.crin.org/docs/N1246130.pdf

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, provides an overview of his mandate activities since the submission of the previous report to the General Assembly (A/66/156), including his
country visits, communications and other activities.

Right of conversion

The Special Rapporteur then focuses on the right of conversion as part of freedom of religion or belief. In this context, he distinguishes the following four subcategories:

• The right to conversion, in the sense of changing one’s own religion or belief;
• The right not to be forced to convert;
• The right to try to convert others by means of non-coercive persuasion; and
• The rights of the child and of his or her parents in this regard.

The Special Rapporteur outlines the international human rights framework and specific violations for each of these subcategories and addresses some typical misunderstandings.

In his conclusions and recommendations, the Special Rapporteur calls upon States to consistently respect, protect and promote the human right to freedom of religion or belief in the area of conversion. He reiterates that the right to conversion and the right not to be forced to convert have the status of unconditional protection under international human rights law. Freedom of religion or belief includes the right to try to persuade others in a non-coercive manner; any restrictions on missionary activities deemed necessary by States must strictly abide by article 18 (3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The rights of the child and his or her parents must be guaranteed effectively in the context of conversion issues.

Lastly, the Special Rapporteur provides specific recommendations with regard to domestic legal provisions, various areas of administration and school education and non-State actors.

Further Information

• Visit the Special Rapporteur's webpage

Previous Special Procedure report items

• 13/09/2012: INDIA: Children's rights in the UN Special Procedures' reports
• 29/08/2012: SLAVERY: UN Expert addresses servile marriage in her annual report
• 24/08/2012: LIECHTENSTEIN: Children's rights in Special Procedures' reports
• 14/08/2012: BENIN: Children's rights in the UN Special Procedures' reports
• 13/08/2012: SWEDEN: Children's rights in the UN Special Procedures' reports

Organisation Contact Details:

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Civil Society Section
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson, Office 2-031
Geneva, Switzerland


Tel: Tel. +41-(0)22-917-9230
Email: Email: civilsociety@ohchr.org
Website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/CivilSociety.aspx

Last updated 22/10/2012 13:27:08

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