Jason Mack
Counselor for Economic and Social Affairs
New York, New York
October 19, 2021
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Special Rapporteur Shaheed. The United States appreciates your continuous efforts to advance freedom of religion or belief.
We support your efforts toward collective action and advocacy between your office and wide-ranging stakeholders, including other UN special mandate holders, to promote respect for freedom of religion or belief for every individual.
We thank you for this year’s report on “Anti-Muslim Discrimination and Intolerance.” This practical guide offers good practices and strategies to address the safety and security concerns of threatened religious groups.
We continue to witness government targeting of and societal intolerance against individuals because of their religious beliefs. No one should fear harassment, discrimination, or violence for their beliefs.
We must promote accountability for all those involved in violations and abuses of the right to freedom of religion or belief including for government officials, and we highlight the extreme plight of members of religious minority groups in the People’s Republic of China, including in Tibet and Xinjiang; Burma, Eritrea, Iran, Russia, and wherever abuses may occur.
Dr. Shaheed, 40 years have passed since the creation of your office’s mandate. Could you please highlight some of your office’s most significant accomplishments?
Thank you.
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