Victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief are commemorated each year on 22 August internationally through a day established by the United Nations.
The observance provides an opportunity to express solidarity with people affected by religious persecution and discrimination and to reaffirm the need to protect every person’s right to manifest their religion or belief freely.
Religious freedom as a fundamental right
The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 August as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief through Resolution A/RES/73/296, adopted in 2019.
The resolution condemns acts of violence directed against people on the basis of their religion or belief and stresses the need to provide support to victims and their families.
Freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association are interdependent rights enshrined in Articles 18, 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
According to the United Nations, respecting these freedoms helps combat intolerance and discrimination motivated by religion or belief. At the same time, interreligious, interfaith and intercultural dialogue can help reduce hatred and incitement to violence.
Condemning violence
The resolution establishing the international day strongly condemns attacks against individuals and religious communities, as well as attacks on homes, property, schools, cultural centres and places of worship.
UN Member States also reaffirmed their condemnation of all forms of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, wherever they are committed and regardless of the motivations of those responsible.
The document stresses that terrorism and violent extremism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group.
A day dedicated to the memory of victims
The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is observed immediately after the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, marked on 21 August.
Through these consecutive observances, the United Nations draws attention to the need to protect people from violence and discrimination and to the responsibility of states to uphold human rights, including the rights of religious minorities.
In Romania, Parliament established in 2020 the National Day Commemorating the Holy Brâncoveanu Martyrs and Raising Awareness of Violence against Christians, observed annually on 16 August.
Photo: Magnific
