PERMANENT MISSION OF THE HOLY SEE
to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations
in Geneva
Intervention of H.E. Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Office
in Geneva
at the 4th Session of the Human Rights Council
March 22, 2007
Riportiamo di seguito l’intervento che S.E.
Mons. Silvano M. Tomasi, Nunzio Apostolico e Osservatore Permanente
della Santa Sede presso l’Ufficio delle Nazioni Unite a
Ginevra, ha pronunciato il 22 marzo scorso sul Rispetto delle
religioni e della libertà religiosa, in occasione della
quarta Sessione ordinaria del Consiglio dei Diritti dell’Uomo:
INTERVENTO DI S.E. MONS. SILVANO M. TOMASI
Mr. President,
1. The notable increase of interest in religion for its impact
on the lives of individuals and of societies around the world
is a phenomenon that finds -rightly so – an echo also in
the Human Rights Council. Abuse of rights of believers, even outright
violence against them, State restrictions, undue impositions and
persecution, public insult to religious feelings, unfortunately
persist and call for remedy. The Delegation of the Holy See appreciates
and fully supports the openness of the new Council to uphold a
universal vision of human rights protection. A major contribution
of the Council is an approach that is inclusive and consistent
with existing provisions in human rights instruments and declarations
that clearly support, among other rights, freedom of religion,
of expression, of conscience, of worship in private and in public,
and respect of religious convictions for believers of all faiths
and for non-believers alike.
2. The Holy See Delegation observes with preoccupation the emergence
of an apparent dilemma between respect due to religions and the
right to religious freedom as if they were incompatible and mutually
exclusive aspects. On the contrary, they are complementary values
that cannot stand one without the other.
The religious dimension of the human person, his attitude before
transcendence and the consequent ethical demands, make up a concrete
and fundamental manifestation of his or her capacity of free auto-determination.
It is a basic reference point of personal and social behaviour.
Religions can offer, and in fact do offer, a solid foundation
for the defence of the values of personal and social justice,
for respect of others and of nature.
3. In the course of history, there have been sad episodes of religious
fanaticism with tragic social results. Yet religions are among
those social factors that, together with science, have more contributed
to the progress of humanity through the promotion of cultural,
artistic, social and humanitarian values. Therefore any religion
that preaches or condones violence, intolerance and hatred renders
itself unworthy of the name. On the other hand, we cannot avoid
noticing that besides pseudo-religious fanaticism there is evidence
on occasions of a certain antireligious fanaticism that denigrates
religion or, generally, the faithful of a religion, by attributing
them responsibility of violent actions done today or in the past
by some members of that religion. The legitimate criticism of
certain forms of behaviour of followers of a religion should not
turn into insult or unjust defamation nor into offensive mockery
of its revered persons, practices, rites or symbols. Respect of
the rights and dignity of others should mark the limit of any
right, even that of the free expression and manifestation of one’s
opinions, religious ones included.
4. Respect for the human person and his or her dignity implies
respect of his freedom in religious matters to profess, practice
and publicly manifest one’s religion without being mocked,
injured, discriminated against. Respect of religion means respect
of those who have chosen to follow it and practice it in a free
and pacific way, in private and in public, individually or collectively.
Offence to a religion, especially when it is that of a minority,
brings about some coercion against its followers that will make
it more difficult to profess, practice and manifest this religion
in public.
5. The subject of religion and the subject of freedom is always
the human person, whose dignity is at the origin of fundamental
rights. The respect of any religion is based in the end on the
respect that is due to all those who, in the exercise of their
freedom, follow and practice it. Of course, such respect cannot
imply contempt or attacks on the rights of people who do not follow
the same religion or follow other convictions. In this way, the
issue of respect due to religions should find its explicit foundation
in the rights of religious freedom and freedom of expression.
Consequently, the promotion of respect for the rights of freedom
of religion and freedom of expression should not leave aside the
respect of concrete religions, beliefs and opinions in which such
rights are realized. One cannot consider the ridicule of the sacred
as a right of freedom. In the full respect of the right of expression,
mechanisms or instruments need to be developed, coherent with
the human rights provisions that would defend the message of religious
communities from manipulation and would avoid a disrespectful
presentation of their members.
Mr. President,
6. In conclusion, a really democratic state values religious freedom
as a fundamental element of the common good, worthy of respect
and protection, and creates the conditions that allow its citizens
to live and act freely. If the discussion focuses only on religious
tolerance and defamation of religion, it limits the range of rights
and the contribution that religions offer. In fact, the impression
could develop that religion is tolerated on the base of cultural,
ethnic, political circumstances, that could change or even turn
into forms of coercion, and is not recognized as a fundamental
human right inherent in every human person. A comprehensive approach,
that sees respect of religion rooted in the freedom that every
human person is entitled to enjoy in a balance of rights with
others and with society, appears as the reasonable way forward.
Thank you, Mr. President
