Human rights are closely linked and should be respected and upheld equally. However, in practice, tensions can arise between different rights, especially from religious context.
The recognition and protection of religion are essential elements of international human rights frameworks, with treaties and conventions aimed to safeguard religious freedom and encourage peaceful coexistence.
On this page, we explore the specific right to freedom of religion or belief, as well as the tensions that can arise between different human rights in this context. How might these tensions be addressed or challenged?
Dr. Fernand de Varennes, Former UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, explores international human rights obligations and protections aimed at safeguarding religious diversity.
Human rights are universal but still are implemented differently in different countries. Freedom of Religion or Belief is one of the human rights that is interpreted in different ways, balancing the concern for majority and minority rights.
Ghassen Ayari, Public Relations and Partnership Officer at Attalaki Organization, explores the right to freedom of religion or belief in Tunisia and how international human rights standards are adapted locally.
Freedom of Religion or Belief and the rights of women
Human rights apply to all individuals equally, regardless of gender, religion, belief or other identity. This is often referred to as the principle of non-discrimination. Freedom of religion or belief is among the human rights that apply equally to all human beings.
Some human rights are often practiced together with others. For instance, the right to freedom of religion or belief includes the right of faith communities to appoint their religious leaders.
In some situations, the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief may come into conflict with other human rights, such as the Protection Against Discrimination on the Basis of Gender.
Dr. Fernand de Varennes, Former UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, explores the interplay between religious freedom and other fundamental rights, with a particular focus on gender perspectives.
Insert text here. Insert text here. Insert text here.
Explore more
Interested in learning more about how freedom of religion or belief and other human rights affect one another?
Browse our course on “Religious Diversity and Dialogue” or visit our “For educators” page for additional educational content.
For a more in-depth focus on this topic, visit our relevant page Human Rights of Minorities
To learn more about religious diversity and human rights, browse more of our resources here:
- Nazila Ghanea, Religion, Equality, and Non-Discrimination (research paper) (link)
- Freedom of Religion or Belief Learning Platform (educational platform) (link)
- UN Special Rapporteurs digest , Freedom of Religion or Belief (tips/ guidance) (link)
- Attalaki, Religious Freedom: A Sociological, Constitutional, Legal Approach (Research paper) (link)
- Ikram Dridi, Evolution of FoRB in the Tunisian Constitution (expert video) (link)
- ICHR, The Right to Learn One’s Own Language (expert video) (link)
- Nazila Ghanea, Navigating the Tensions: Women’s Rights, Religion and Freedom of Religion or Belief (research paper) (link)
Related Resources
Find digital tools produced in cooperation with partners and researchers from different regions.
